What is food synergy and which food synergy will help you improve your health?

Food synergy is the idea that when you combine certain foods, their nutrients and compounds work together to provide more significant health benefits than if you ate them separately.

Simply put, certain foods are more nutritious when eaten together because they enhance each other’s positive health effects.

This concept is considered healthy because it encourages a balanced and varied diet that maximizes nutrient intake. By eating a variety of whole foods and combining them in ways that take advantage of their synergistic effects, individuals can potentially improve nutrient absorption, increase their antioxidant capacity, and improve chronic health. Can reduce the risk of diseases.

To help you better understand food compatibility, here are some examples of food combinations that work well together:

1. Broccoli and Lemon Juice: Mixing broccoli with lemon juice helps your body absorb the plant-based iron in broccoli more efficiently because the vitamin C in the lemon increases its absorption.

2. Strawberries and Eggs: Eating strawberries with eggs can increase the absorption of ellagic acid, an antioxidant compound in strawberries. The fat in eggs helps absorb this beneficial antioxidant.

3. Turmeric, black pepper, olive oil, and heat: Turmeric contains a powerful antioxidant called curcumin, but it is not easily absorbed by the body. When you combine turmeric with healthy fats like black pepper (which contains piperine) and olive oil and apply heat, you increase the absorption of curcumin, unlocking its potential benefits.

4. Carrot and olive oil, avocado and red pepper: Vitamin A is fat-soluble, so when you combine vitamin A-rich foods (like carrots or red peppers) with healthy fats like olive oil or avocado, it improves absorption of this essential nutrient.

5. Chickpeas and Rice: Chickpeas lack the essential amino acid methionine, but rice has more bioavailable methionine. Their combination ensures that you get a complete set of amino acids for better protein utilization.

6. Green Tea and Lemon: Adding lemon to your green tea not only enhances the flavor, but also increases the absorption of antioxidants in green tea, maximizing its potential health benefits.

It is important to note that food coordination should be part of an overall healthy eating pattern, taking into account individual nutritional needs, preferences, and any specific health conditions. These examples illustrate that certain food combinations can work together to provide your body with better nutrition and health benefits, similar to the partnerships famous in pop culture where the elements complement each other better. .

First Published: 04 Oct 2023, 15:23 IST