The Top 5 Superfoods for Women of Any Age

In a July 17, 2008 article on Health.com, Joan Raymond shares five superfoods that women of all ages can benefit. As the winter months drag on, try some of these foods to keep the doctor away.

Cranberries
To help fight off nasty urinary tract infections try 10 ounces of juice a day. Plus, recent research shows that cranberries might also help fend off colds and fight stomach bugs, gum disease, and certain types of cancer.

Walnuts
Rich in omega-3s, walnuts may help reduce inflammation and increase good cholesterol. They may even help with depression and reduce your risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

Beans
Rich in two heart-friendly phytochemicals, beans are packed with magnesium, potassium, folate, and fiber. Good for heading off heart disease and colon cancer.

Fish
Eating seafood rich in omega-3s at least twice a week could reduce your risk of heart disease. Women of childbearing age and nursing mothers can safely eat as much as 12 ounces of seafood a week if they avoid high-mercury swordfish, shark, tilefish, and king mackerel; albacore tuna should be limited to 6 ounces a week.

Tomatoes
Filled with the antioxidant lycopene, tomatoes and cooked tomato products pack a big health punch. Women with lycopene-rich diets may have as much as a 50 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer. The antioxidant can also lower your blood pressure and bad cholesterol, reduce your risk of getting macular degeneration, and decrease your risk of getting many cancers.