How to combine foods? 5 functional alliances
Have you ever wondered why certain foods seem to complement each other so well? Our grandmothers' recipes have always been based on gastronomic alliances that, for some reason, combined perfectly. Now Science has revealed why certain ingredients provide a plus for health when they go together on the plate. Do you want to know what these food synergies are? Keep reading and Discover how to combine foods to get the most out of their nutritional properties.
What are synergistic foods?
And, in contrast to the mathematical maxim that the order of the factors does not alter the product, the truth is that in nutrition 2x2 is not always equal to 4. That is, the research have shown that there are certain synergistic foods that, when taken together, enhance their healthy benefits. It is as if together they form an unbeatable team, where the strengths of one compensate for the weaknesses of the other, optimizing the absorption of nutrients and contributing to the prevention of diseases.
Keep in mind that, for the absorption of vitamins, minerals, essential acids, etc., food goes through a complex digestive and metabolic process that can block the absorption of all its properties. In other words, part of the positive compounds in a product end up being eliminated, reducing the effect of your 'healthy' diet. However, If you know how to combine foods, you will be able to increase the bioavailability of these nutrients, making your eating habits more effective and balanced.
How to combine foods to eat in a complete and balanced way?
If we previously explained why the olive oil and tomato combination It is a great nutritional bet, in this post you can learn about others 5 functional gastronomic alliances. This way you will be able to know how different ingredients interact, apart from the individual nutritional properties of each one, and how to combine foods intelligently.
Oats and kiwi
Surely, when you think about a healthy breakfast, these two ingredients appear in your pool. Oats are an excellent source of fiber and helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels thanks to its content of Aveanthramides and other phenols. Now, If you accompany the cereal with kiwi or other fruits with high doses of vitamin C, such as berries, you will increase the effects heart-healthy properties of the cereal, according to studies in the matter.
Lettuce and egg
That classic mixed salad from the traditional bar, with lettuce, tomato, grated carrot, tuna and hard-boiled egg, which today is perhaps undervalued, hides a high nutritional potential. Did you know that the lipid in boiled eggs triggers the absorption of carotenoids? These vitamin A-rich pigments are present in vegetables, so adding hard-boiled eggs to vegetables salads It should never go out of style.
Red meat and pepper
Another traditional recipe is a good steak with peppers. Without being able to confirm it then, popular wisdom already knew how to combine these two ingredients with each other. Today, we know that Vitamin C from pepper improves the bioavailability of iron from meat, a mineral that, as you know, is difficult to absorb by our body. In fact, this 'culinary marriage' can even reach triple iron retention. The same goes for vinegar in lentils, for example.
Lentils and rice
Speaking of lentils, are you one of those who adds rice to legume stews? No? Well you should. The reason is that both legumes and rice are sources of protein, but neither of them has as complete a pattern as red meat. However, Its components are complementary, so that together they provide a quality protein contribution., in addition to enhancing the absorption of iron and zinc typical of legumes. Therefore, you now have another trick on how to combine foods, especially useful if you do not consume meat products.
Turmeric and pepper
Turmeric has become a gastronomic trend by his acquaintances anti-inflammatory benefits for the organism. Now, whether in infusion or as a condiment in your recipes, don't forget to accompany this spice with black pepper. Because? The piperine of this second ingredient makes the body retain up to 2,000% more curcumin present in the first one than if you took the product alone. Otherwise, your body will metabolize the components of turmeric quickly and eliminate them, minimizing the desired healthy effect.
You already know the scientific basis on how to combine foods to maximize their properties. Do you also want to have the practical application? Consult the Hacienda Guzmán website, where you will find a multitude of culinary suggestions to take care of your body and pamper your palate.
