Bitter foods have significant health benefits for you due to their high nutritional content.
If anyone asked you what is your favourite food, the answer would be something sweet, sour or savoury. For most of us, bitterness does not even make it close to the list. But butter foods like kale, cocoa and more are packed with nutrition and have an array of health benefits.
Below is a list of five bitter foods you need to add to your healthy diet.
Kale
Belonging to the cabbage family, kale is a nutrient-dense food and the king of healthy greens. It is loaded with antioxidants that are known to prevent ageing and cancer. Furthermore, It also helps detoxify your body while fighting against the growth of tumours. If you are feeling adventurous, eat boiled kale as a salad with lemon juice or add it to soups to reduce the bitterness.
Bitter Gourd
Bitter gourd is a common vegetable, which tops the list of most-hated food. But it is packed with phytochemicals like flavonoids, triterpenoids and polyphenols and slows down the growth of cancerous cells. It also helps lower blood sugar levels in diabetic patients and prevents cell damage from free radicals.
Cocoa
The bitter-tasting dark chocolate contains a high amount of cocoa and considered very healthy. The bitter taste is because of the presence of antioxidants and polyphenols that reduces inflammation and widens blood vessels. Moreover, it is a good source of zinc, manganese, copper, iron and magnesium.
Green tea
Nutritionists highly recommended drinking two cups of green tea every day to remain healthy. It has been consumed for centuries for its health benefits. It is not only an important antioxidant but also helps you lose weight. Additionally, the tea lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Citrus peel
While the flesh and juice of citrus fruits like lemons and oranges are consumed widely, the outer peel and white pith are left behind owing to their bitter test. Citrus peels have the highest content of flavonoids, a powerful antioxidant, than any other part of the fruits. You can grate the peel and use it as a seasoning mix or add it to desserts.
We are not recommending eating bitter foods every day, while that is ideal. But we do suggest consuming them at least once a week, if not more.
