10 Foods To Boost MEN's Health

With the help of the experts, WebMD came up with this list of 10 disease-fighting foods that can be a good start to improving health:

Food for Men No. 1: Oysters

Supplies: ZINC

Benefits:

1. Antioxidant, adequate zinc may protect against cellular damage that leads to prostate cancer
2. Increased Sperm Counts

Alternative Food source: Oysters, Shellfish, lean beef, legumes.

Food for Men No. 2: Bananas

Supplies: Potassium, Vitamin B-6

Benefits:

1. Quick energy source, needed to regulate nerves, heartbeat, blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke.
2. Aid your immune system, help form red blood cells, ensure a well-functioning nervous system, and assist protein metabolism.

Alternative Food Source: Orange juice, milk, tomato products, and beans.

Food for Men No. 3: Fatty Fish (salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, herring)

Supplies: healthy fat, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D

Benefits:

1. They can benefit the heart, circulation, and immune system and reduce the risk for prostate cancer, among other things.
2. Omega-3 fatty acids can help lower triglyceride [blood fat] levels, reduce aches and pains in athletes, and offer relief with certain kinds of arthritis
3. Good source of vitamin D, a nutrient that tends to be deficient in our diets and [which] in adequate supply can help prevent cancer, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and bone disease.

Alternative Food Source : You can also get omega-3s in plant-based foods, like flaxseed, walnuts, soy, canola oil, and fortified products such as eggs.

Food for Men No. 4: Broccoli

Supplies: vitamin C, beta-carotene, potassium, and a phytochemical called sulphoraphane.

Benefits:

1. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli are helpful in the prevention of heart disease and cancer (has strong anticancer (bladder, prostate and colon) properties).
2. This super-nutritious green vegetable may also help lower levels of homocycteine, an amino acid associated with increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

Alternative Food Source: Go for other cruciferous choices like cabbage, bok choy, shredded broccoli slaw, cabbage, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts.

Food for Men No. 5: Brazil Nuts

Supplies: These large nuts from Brazil are packed with magnesium and selenium

Benefits:

1. The powerful antioxidants that may help prevent heart disease and cancer and protect prostate health.
2. Selenium also helps lower LDL or "bad" cholesterol and reduces the incidence of blood clots and heart disease.

Alternative Food Source: Dry-roasted nuts, turkey, tuna, or shellfish.


Food for Men No. 6: Whole Grains

Supplies: lutein, soluble fiber, B vitamins

Benefits:

1. A diet rich in whole grains provides fiber, vitamins, minerals for all the co-factors for heart health, building muscles, and keeping waistlines small.
2. Good for your prostate health and can help lower LDL or "bad" cholesterol.
3. Good for those who have digestive problems

Alternative Food Source: Oatmeal and barley, pasta or quinoa and fruits such as apples, pears, and beans.

Special Attention : When buying grain products, look for those whose labels say they have at least 3-5 g fiber per serving.

Food for Men No. 7: Plant Stanols

Supplies: Stanols

Benefits:

1. To lower mildly elevated blood cholesterol levels.
2. Help inhibit absorption of cholesterol in the intestine

Alternative Food Source: Benecol, orange juice.

Special Attention: Plant stanols can safely be used with cholesterol lowering medication.


Food for Men No 8: Soybeans

Supplies: Soy is rich in isoflavones,

Benefits:

1. Protect prostate health and have been shown to lower prostate cancer risk, can help decrease cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease.

Alternative Food Source: Try to eat a few servings a day of soy products, such as soy nuts, soy milk, soy cheese, veggie burgers, tofu, or edamame.

Food for Men No 9: Berries or Cherries

Supplies: flavonoid, anthocyanin.

Benefits:

1. Slow the decline in brain function that can occur with aging, can enhance brain function and keep your brain healthy and increase memory.
   

Alternative Food Source: blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, and cherries

Special Attention: Large studies show the more produce you eat the better.


Food for Men No 10: Red-Orange Vegetables

Supplies: Vitamin C and beta-carotene

Benefits:

1. Antioxidants that help preserve healthy skin cells and prevent oxidation from the sun.
2. Vitamin C is involved in collagen production.
3. Beta-carotene converts to the active form of vitamin A, which helps to repair epithelial or skin cells

Alternative Food Source: Red bell peppers, carrots, pumpkin, or sweet potatoes.

Special Attention: Dark, leafy greens and any nutrient-rich vegetable can help reduce the risk of enlarged prostates, Men whose diets are high in nutrients found in vegetables like vitamin C, beta-carotene, and potassium were found to be less likely to develop benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate.

Source - WebMD