Food for thought – jump to the Beet!

Nitric oxide is produced by the body, it dilates blood vessels and aids in blood flow. It is great for lowering blood pressure, increasing brain function and improving exercise performance. It is quite well known that one of the best natural sources for obtaining nitric oxide is beetroot.

However, don’t worry if this is a food source you dislike as there are a number of others that also help you acquire and maintain efficient levels of nitric oxide.

CoQ10 is an important compound that helps to preserve existing nitric oxide in the body.

The following foods contain CoQ10:

• Organ meats: Heart, liver and kidney
• Some muscle meats: Pork, beef and chicken
• Fatty fish: Trout, herring, mackerel and sardine
• Vegetables: Spinach, cauliflower and broccoli
• Fruit: Oranges and strawberries
• Legumes: Soybeans, lentils and peanuts
• Nuts and seeds: Sesame seeds and pistachios
• Oils: Soybean and canola oil

Other benefits of CoQ10 include: helping to prevent migraines, improve athletic performance and help you maintain a healthy heart.

Never forget to consume enough leafy greens as these foods are packed with nitrites which are easily converted into nitric oxide in the body. They may also reduce cognitive decline.

Recent studies have shown that leafy greens high nitrites levels decrease systolic blood pressure by a significant amount.

We have been encouraged to consume fruits on a daily basis as they contain Vitamin C which also helps the body to absorb nitric oxide.

“Let thy food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”

Whether Hypocrites ever quoted this or not, these few words give such a meaningful insight into how powerful and beneficial real food is to our wellbeing.