5 Food Cures From Dr. Oz

Playing 5 Food Cures From Dr. Oz

5 Food Cures From Dr. Oz Aired September 18, 2018

We're told time and time again that fresh fruits and vegetables are an essential part of a healthy diet, but Dr. Oz says there's even more to it than that.

Specific produce, he told us, can have a wide range of benefits from promoting digestive health to helping with headaches and even helping to prevent hypertension.

In our on-set farmstand, the doc walked Rach through the colorful bounty he thinks of as a "farm-acy"!

Skin Health

According to Dr. Oz, Vitamin A is hugely important for the health of your skin (and your mucous membranes) and, he explains, there's an easy way to spot produce that contains it: the orange color.

For Vitamin A, Dr. Oz turns to peaches, his all-time favorite summer fruit and, he says, they're also a moderate source of antioxidants, fiber and potassium.

Heart Health

When it comes to blood and heart health, Dr. Oz turns to grapes, as they contain an ingredient called resveratrol which, he says, can help prevent blood vessel damage, arterial stiffening, inflammation and blood clots.

There are also studies, he explains, that suggest that resveratrol may have anti-cancer properties. The doc also praises the humble grape as a source of Vitamin K, which helps to form proteins that strengthen bone.

Digestive Health

Stomach health is a hugely important part of physical wellbeing, and one way to ensure a happy gut is by feeding it prebiotics, says Dr. Oz, who considers artichokes a great source of prebiotics.

And there are so many tasty ways to cook them!

Rach likes to serve 'em up with some vinaigrette and cherry tomato salad. People shouldn't be intimidated by the prep steps, she says, as boiling them and then scooping out the choke is actually a breeze!

Headaches

You've probably heard that dehydration is a major cause of headaches, but we'll bet a big salad isn't what you reach for when your head is throbbing.

Well, Dr. Oz thinks perhaps it should be!

Because leafy greens, like romaine and spinach, contain so much water (not to mention, they're rich in fiber and potassium), he says, they can rehydrate you, helping to combat the headache. And, because of their other properties like fiber and potassium, the doctor says, they're good for heart health and improving bone health.

Cognitive Function

Feeling a little fuzzy? You might need a little cognitive pick-me-up, says Dr. Oz!

He calls berries "brain berries" because, according to him, they can actually help your cognitive function thanks to compounds called Anthocyanins.

His advice? Pick a berry that you love and make it a part of your daily eating routine. His go-to is blackberries, which he sprinkles on top of yogurt in the morning.

"This farmer's stand that we just walked through," says the doc, "could literally be your diet."

"It won't be all you eat," he continues, "but make this part of everyday of your life, and you'll back your way into health!"