5 “Junk” Foods With Surprising Health Benefits
At HealthMax Physiotherapy Clinics, we pride ourselves in being nutritional experts as all our clinics offer nutrition counseling where you could learn about healthy foods. We understand that it’s difficult at times to get into a pattern of healthy eating because let’s face it, french fries taste great. However, we understand that foods such as french fries have negative consequences on our health. Today, we present 5 foods which are considered unhealthy but have surprising health benefits. While you shouldn’t be eating these foods daily, eating these foods in moderation will net some health benefits that may shock you.
Blue M&Ms
Studies are still being conducted but scientists have discovered surprising health benefits of blue M&Ms. The dye in Blue M&Ms is a compound called Brilliant Blue G (BBG). Two studies, one of which was conducted by the National Academy of Sciences discovered that the dye is great for the spine. Scientists revealed their results which showed that the dye in Blue M&Ms were great for speeding up injuries associated with the spine and was great for overall spine health.
Beef Jerky
We understand that the beef jerky found at your local 7/11 isn’t the most appealing food in the world but it isn’t the worst food around either. Beef jerky is a great source of protein, which helps speed up metabolism. Another great aspect to beef jerky is that it does not raise insulin levels, which means that you do not have to worry about storing it in your fat.
Butter
Butter is another food with a bad reputation but researchers suggest that butter is good once in awhile. While it’s important to remember the word: moderation, butter has surprising health benefits which include helping our body absorb essential vitamins. The fats found in butter assist the body in getting Vitamin A, D, and K which is great for your health.
Hot Sauce
If you’re looking to lose weight, nutritionists suggest that putting hot sauce on your food is a great place to start. While hot sauce often gets a bad reputation for its sodium content, it contains a compound called capsaicin. This compound may help keep you full by causing appetite-suppressing hormones to rise.
Ketchup
Ketchup gets a bad rep for its high sugar content which is frowned upon and rightfully so. With that said, ketchup is loaded with lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that may lower your risk of getting cardiovascular disease. A study found that organic ketchup contains up to 60% more lycopene than non-organic ketchup which means that it’s perfectly fine to enjoy organic ketchup in moderation.
If you’re looking to find out more advice pertaining to nutrition, or would like to get nutrition counseling, please visit a HealthMax Physiotherapy Clinic near you or call (416) 431-4000. Remember, consultations are free and we will help develop a plan that works for you!