The Okinawa Program -
How Flavonoids Can Save Your Life

What the heck is a flavonoid? It sounds a bit like something that comes out of a science fiction movie, but their miracles are not the work of fantasy.

Flavonoids are found in all the foods that we already know to be good for us.

In fact, according to the doctors who wrote The Okinawa Program, soybeans and a few other foods actually have pharmacological levels of these important compounds. Drs Willcox and Suzuki were in Okinawa studying the world's longest-living, and healthiest, people. They discovered that the many men and women on the islands of Okinawa who are over 100 years old (and still strong and lively) make a habit of eating foods high in flavonoids every day.

Unfortunately, those of us in the United States eat far less of these miraculous foods, so our health and life expectancy is far lower than many other countries.

Eating lots of the foods that contain flavonoids will help us lose weight, and beans are especially powerful for this purpose. Dr. Joel Fuhrman, author of Eat to Live, considers beans to be essential foods for anyone trying to lose weight. We could all use the assistance of these hearty foods, which taste wonderful, can be prepared in countless ways, and which have the protein and fiber that our bodies need.

They also have flavonoids. Flavonoids have two very important roles in maintaining our health. They are powerful antioxidants, which helps prevent damage to our cells and slows the aging process. Flavonoids also act as a mild form of estrogen for the cells that need this hormone, and block our own estrogen in the places where high amounts of this hormone could induce cancer.

Many cancers are "hormone dependent", such as breast and prostate cancer. On the islands of Okinawa the elders drink lots of tea and eat soybeans at least twice a day - along with many varieties of fruits and vegetables that also contain flavonoids. Breast cancer and prostate cancer are so rare among elders on the island that many people have never heard of them!

Flavonoids can also help protect you against heart disease. It is believed by some scientists that the French have lower incidents of heart disease, in spite of their high-fat diet, because they drink far more tea than we do in the United States.

High-flavonoid foods include soybeans, onions, cranberry juice, tofu, kale, celery, snow peas, broccoli, and tea. Many other vegetables and fruits also contain these compounds. One easy way to increase the levels of flavonoids in your diet is to switch from dairy foods to soy milk, and eat a 1/4 cup of salt-free or lightly salted soy nuts for your snack.

If you're following the Easy-Does-It Diet, you can make it even healthier by including green soybeans (called edamame) with your vegetable servings. You can find these flavorful beans in the frozen food case - I buy mine at Trader Joe's, because they have such good prices.

Imagine it - foods that help you lose weight, improve your immune system, keep you looking and feeling younger, and protect you from heart disease and cancer. I'm definitely adding many more flavonoid-rich foods to my own diet!

Jonni Good is the author of most of the original articles on this site. Jonni always looks for the easy way to solve common health problems, by working with human nature. Her books have helped hundreds of people lose weight, get fit, and regain their health - with less struggle. Please take a moment to visit her other sites:

Do You Gain Weight... Even when you eat less than your thinner friends? Learn why it happens, and how to use nutritious, satisfying food to break the metabolic pattern that causes some people to gain weight too easily.

Sugar Cravings and Addiction – Describes a simple program to help people break their addiction to sugar and fat. This book has been popular ever since it came out in 2003, and has helped hundreds of people lose their cravings for sugar and other simple carbs. Once the cravings are under control, it's easier to stick with your diet and regain your health.

Weight Lifting for Absolute Beginners – A guide to lifting weights for strong muscles and bones.

The Easy-Does-It Diet – A guide to creating your own delicious and healthy frozen diet meals. Eat healthy, low-fat meals without paying extra for store-bought frozen diet food.

Disclaimer: This site and the articles contained here are for information purposes only. The authors have made every effort to make sure the information is accurate, but no health decisions should ever be made based on this or any other website. Please contact your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program.

The Okinawa Program - How Flavonoids Can Save Your Life

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The Okinawa Program -
How Flavonoids Can Save Your Life