Two Foods For Running Recovery And Longevity

Nutrition is a sensitive topic, and I respect that. We all have our beliefs, habits, and food preferences. My purpose is not to change your diet, but to help you make the best choices for your desired lifestyle as it relates to running and longevity. 

So, let’s discuss a couple of foods with unique properties. One is a food that most of us wouldn’t even consider a food. The other is a category of vegetables with unique longevity properties.

Let’s start with the category because you know these vegetables, but the seldom discussed category is what sets them apart.

#1. Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables are a category that includes broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale. They are all composed of glucosinolates, sulfur-containing compounds unique to this family of plants.

When consumed, glucosinolates are broken down into cancer-fighting properties. So, if you plan to age long and well, these foods should interest you.

#2. Flaxseed

Flaxseed is not what most people would consider a food, but that should change once you understand its nutritional profile. You should purchase flaxseed crushed, in a meal form, to readily access its benefits. 

a. Rich Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids 

Flaxseed is one of the richest plant sources of Omega-3s. These are the essential fatty acids that the body cannot produce on its own, so they must be obtained from the diet. 

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation and muscle and joint pain, while speeding up recovery time. That alone should be enough for runners to consider adding it to their daily diet.

b. Plant-Based Source of Good Fats 

Flaxseed replenishes the good fats that are vitally important for endurance. These good fats also contribute to our HDL cholesterol – that’s the good cholesterol that maintains healthy blood pressure, and lowers triglyceride levels.

c. Source of Cancer-Fighting Lignans 

Flaxseed is one of the best sources of lignans, which are cancer-fighting plant compounds with antioxidant properties.

Lignans have proved beneficial for reducing, and more importantly, reversing both breast and prostate cancer. 

Flaxseed is high in all but one of the nine essential amino acids our bodies need for protein synthesis. 

The effects of nutrition are cumulative, and higher value foods matter. For example, research proves that eating healthy foods such as broccoli side by side with less than healthy foods will negate some of thier negative effects. 

If you would like to study flaxseed and cruciferous vegetables further, you’ll find more resources than you can imagine at nutritionfacts.org.

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