Cake and a birthday. Popcorn and a movie. A milkshake and a date. See a pattern? We’re programmed to prefer certain foods on certain occasions. But have you ever wondered why we instinctively pour olive oil over tomatoes whenever they are included in a salad recipe?
This is food synergy. Food synergy, a term proposed by epidemiologist David R. Jacob is when nutrients in whole foods work better to promote disease protection and additional health benefits when paired with other nutrient saturated whole foods.
While those involved in science continue scrambling to prove how certain foods that taste good together are good for our health, evolution has already revealed the health benefits of these incredibly powerful pairings.
Here’s a list of 11 food combinations that are so much healthier (and tastier!) enjoyed together than by themselves:
- Tomatoes and avocado – tomatoes are rich in antioxidants that reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. However, these antioxidants aren’t completely bioavailable without healthy fats found in foods like avocados. Who knew that the basis for some great guacamole could be so healthy?
- Tomatoes and broccoli – if you’re in the market to prevent prostate cancer and lower the growth of tumors then make sure to stock up on this powerful combo!
- Oatmeal and orange juice – your morning regime already includes brushing your teeth and washing your face, but it might be time to remember to clean your arteries! Science has proven that a glass of vitamin C rich orange juice paired with a bowl of unprocessed oatmeal cleans arteries and prevents heart attacks. Both foods have organic compounds that stabilize your LDL (bad) cholesterol when consumed together.
- Blueberries and grapes – well actually, any combination of fruits eaten in a single serving will unleash incredible amounts of antioxidants (AKA the stuff that removes damaging oxidizing agents from your system).
- Apples and chocolate – the skin of organic apples has a high concentration of anti-inflammatory flavonoids. Just by consuming this flavonoid anyone can reduce the risk of allergies, heart attacks, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, prostate and lung cancer. Chocolate, on the other hand, is one of the known foods to contain a flavonoid antioxidant that reduces the risk of atherosclerosis and cancer. Together, both flavonoids found in these foods have been known to improve cardiovascular health by providing anticoagulant activity and loosening clumpy blood platelets.
- Lemon and kale – iron found in plants, like kale, become available to us when consumed with a food high in vitamin C. This powerful combination will help increase immunity and muscle strength.
- Soy and salmon – studies have confirmed that salmon and tuna, because of their high content in vitamin D, are extremely vital when trying to prevent cancer. Even so, for the body to be able to fully absorb this vitamin, salmon needs to be consumed with a form of unprocessed soy (not the kind found in cheese or soy milk).
- Peanuts and whole wheat – amino acids absent in whole wheat are actually present in peanuts. This being said, a whole-wheat peanut butter sandwich might be the answer to building and maintaining muscles!
- Garlic and fish – the synergy of nutrients found in a piece of fish can potentially cause a spike in LDL cholesterol. The best way to counteract this and only reap the benefits of the natural anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-reducing fish oils is to eat your seafood with some garlic, yum!
- Almonds and yogurt – like many foods containing fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, and E), almonds need to be paired with something like yogurt, which is considered a healthy fat in order for the nutritional benefits to fully be activated.
- Eggs and cantaloupe – And for this last food synergy combo, it’s important to remember how great it is to eat some good carbs with your protein! By eating the protein (needed to slow the absorption of sugar from carbs) in eggs along with the carbs (needed for energy) in cantaloupe, we are getting much needed energy at the same time as muscle-building protein.
Our tastes and preferences when it comes to food haven’t only evolved because of fad diets or cultural preferences. In many cases, we have actually evolved to prefer certain foods paired together; not just because they taste good, but also because they make us feel good! Bottom line: Stay away from processed foods, and try to pair whole foods together with more whole foods, there can only be positive benefits. Try it!
