Foods with surprising benefits

Find out which foods can help your health.

Can you eat your way out of a hangover? What about foods that fight belly fat? Nutritionist Kathleen Alleaume looks at foods that offer surprising health benefits.

Hangover

Feeling blurry eyed from a few too many glasses of wine? Research published in the Journal of Inflammation proved the best defence for a hangover is to get cracking – literally. Researchers found cysteine, an amino acid found in eggs, counteracts the poisonous effects of acetaldehyde, a chemical that causes the headaches and nausea associated with a hangover. To avoid the excess calories, eat your eggs boiled or poached. Another tried-and-true hangover-fighting tip is to alternate your drinks with a glass of water to prevent dehydration. As boring as that might sound, it works.

Glowing skin

We've all heard that vitamin C can keep the sniffles at bay. However, scientists have uncovered a new role vitamin C plays in protecting the skin. A natural part of the ageing process is a decrease in collagen and elastin fibres of the skin. Yet according to researchers at the University of Leicester, vitamin C, can not only "mop up" free radical damage (oxygen fragments that attack and damage collagen cells), but can help remove the DNA damage they form. Since the body cannot store vitamin C, we need to top up levels with our diet. Foods rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi fruit and vegetables such as capsicum, tomatoes, broccoli and sprouts.

Belly fat

To lose the love handles, start dosing up on omega-3 rich foods. Research published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows eating fish at mealtimes can prevent us from overeating. In the study, fish eaters consumed less at their next meal compared to those who ate beef. Researchers believe this is due to the fish proteins taking longer to digest. The best sources of omega-3 fatty fish include salmon, herring, sardines and mackerel. Or if you don't like fish, try flaxseed oil or walnuts.

Beat acne

It's often believed that eating greasy food or chocolate can cause the skin to breakout. Recent research, now suggests the root cause of acne could lie in the consumption of typically high-GI sugary foods. A study conducted at RMIT University in Victoria followed two groups of teenage boys for 12 weeks. One group ate low-GI, high protein foods, compared to the other, who ate a diet consisting of white bread, potatoes, and sugary drinks and snacks. The researchers found the sugar overload caused a rapid release in insulin, triggering the over production of skin cells, leading to acne. To keep breakouts at bay, keep blood sugar levels stable by eating a diet high in fresh fruit and vegetables, unprocessed grains, low-fat yoghurt, nuts and legumes.

Boost metabolism

Good news for non-chilli fans. New research published in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism shows that eating sweet chilli peppers provides the same metabolism-boosting effects as the fire-hot variety. Researchers say that the sweet chilli peppers' fat-burning capability is due to boosted levels of adrenalin (a fat-burning hormone) that increases with exercise to help break down fat for the body to use as fuel.

Better sleep

Looking for something other than a sleep-disrupting night cap? A study at the University of Texas found that consuming a daily serve of sour cherries may help increase melatonin, a potent antioxidant that helps improve the body's circadian rhythms and natural sleep patterns. The research noted melatonin works best when consumed one hour before sleep time. Rather than reaching for an after-dinner sweet treat, try fresh or dried cherries as a refreshing palate cleanser before bedtime.
Kathleen Alleaume is a Nutrition and Exercise Scientist and founder of The Right Balance www.therightbalance.com.au