11 Jun Top 3 Foods Your Man Should Eat

Intern Jaime here! Welcome to the annual Men’s Health Week.  From June 10^th to 16^th, men are encouraged to be proactive and seek medical attention for the early detection of health problems.  To spread awareness, create a fundraising team with friends and family, plan a day to wear blue, and start cooking some of your favorite healthy recipes with the special man in your life.  Here are some ingredients to keep stocked in your kitchen to improve men’s health and well being.

Broccoli

Guys, instead of the same old macaroni and potato salad, throw some broccoli on the grill this summer as a healthy barbecue side.  Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli are significant sources of calcium and iron which are essential to men’s health.  According to a recent study by Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, intake of isothiocyanates, found in cruciferous vegetables has been linked to a decrease in bladder cancer risk.  Men are about 3 to 4 times more likely to be diagnosed with bladder cancer during their lifetime than women (ACS, 2013). Serve this Honey-Orange Broccoli Slaw as a healthy side at your next barbecue.

Pomegranate

Are you ready to try something exotic? Mix pomegranate seeds into your yogurt or fill your glass with refreshing pomegranate juice.  Why? Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men in the United States (ACS, 2013). Researchers at the University of California, Riverside have recently identified components in pomegranate that can inhibit the movement of cancer cells and the metastasis of prostate cancer to the bone. Try this Buff Smoothie by award-winning chef, Alton Brown.

Berries

Eat a variety of berries!  Choose berries as a topping for oatmeal, as a midday snack, or as a sweet treat when cravings call.  Berries are rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals which have many protective benefits for men’s health. A study published in the Journal of Neurology found that anthocyanins in berries may reduce men’s risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Participants who consumed one or more portions of berries each week decreased their risk of Parkinson’s disease by 25%.  Flip up some Blueberry Banana Pancakes to get an energizing start to your morning.

Nordqvist, C. (2010, December 13). “Pomegranate Juice Components That Could Stop Cancer From
Spreading.” Medical News Today. Retrieved from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/211242.php.

Paddock, C. (2012, April 9). “Eating Berries May Lower Men’s Parkinson’s Risk.” Medical News Today.
Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/243854.php.

Tang, L., Zirpoli, G. R., Guru, K., Moysich, K. B., Zhang, Y., Ambrosone, C. B., & McCann, S. E.

(2010). Intake of Cruciferous Vegetables Modifies Bladder Cancer Survival. Cancer Epidemiology,

Biomarkers and Prevention, 19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965