Food Steamers: How Healthy are They?
First of all, a food steamer will retain the cellular structure of food tissues – so that you can retain those vitamins and minerals. It is a gentle method of cooking, to be sure.
It is practically as healthy as the Raw Food diet (or as close as one can get). Did you know that steamed veggies keep most of their flavonoids, so you can be HAPPY about that. Flavonoids are useful to us, as they are able to reduce free radical damage to our cells.
Actually, they provide us antioxidant benefits. This passage, taken from Whole Foods, explains it:
“In this antioxidant context, it is also worth pointing out the potentially unique relationship between flavonoids and vitamin C. Recent studies have shown the ability of flavonoids to alter transport of vitamin C, as well as to alter function of an enzyme called ascorbate oxidase, which converts vitamin C into a non-vitamin form (monodehydroascorbate). While we do not yet know the full meaning of these relationships, it is clear that the transport and cycling of vitamin C is flavonoid related. This association makes sense to us, since so many foods high in vitamin C (such as our top five WHFoods for vitamin C are papaya, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and strawberries) are also high in flavonoids.”
DEFINITION of Flavonoids: Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds present in all foods of plant origin.
Flavonoids and Antioxidants: Flavonoids Offer Some Protection to Red Blood Cells?
Hey I can remember my mother giving me something that “seemed queer” at the time – because I’d never heard of flavonoids ! She handed me this funny pill (it smelled to high heck) and said to swallow it; I dutifully followed her suggestion – albeit while holding my nose ! And what do you know — the little pill helped me, as it does something beneficial for red blood cells.
If you’d like to read more of the connection between flavonoids & red blood cells, go to the official site NIH.gov
What About the Heart & Circulatory System: Health Benefits
You want to concentrate on polyphenols if you want heart benefits – certains fruits and vegetables are especially rich in beneficial compounds like anthocyanins (powerful against inflammation) – to read more on the topic, I’ll send you to the official site NIH.gov (health articles on polyphenols)
Go to: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2835915
One Final Thing: Here is one of my favorites, cuz I love lemon flavor:
Related: How Much Fiber to Consume Daily Food Quiz from Life Script: Fiber in Yr Diet?
Recipe for Ginger-Steamed Fish with Troy’s Hana Sauce
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