Eat your way healthier!

Want to get healthy without taking a lot of prescription drugs? Just adding a few key foods to your diet could help prevent and even reverse common health problems! 1Cholesterol too high? Eat strawberries!

The fruit is rich in anthocyanins, natural chemicals that can lower cholesterol as effectively as an Rx, research in the Journal of Internal Medicine reveals. Half a cup daily— fresh or frozen—is ideal, says study coauthor Lea Brader, PH.D. ■ Important: Never change your medication regimen without consulting your doctor first.

2Tummy in turmoil? Eat pineapple!

Enjoying 3/4 cup of fresh pineapple before your biggest meal of the day could reduce your risk of indigestion, bloating, heartburn and other digestive upsets as much as 50%, recent Canadian research shows. Fresh pineapple’s natural digestive enzymes and anti- inflammatories speed food through the digestive tract, plus prevent painful intestinal spasms. (These beneficial compounds are destroyed in processing both frozen and canned pineapple.)

3Gaining weight? Eat peanuts!

Four studies suggest that snacking on 1/2 cup of peanuts daily will help you shed up to 52% more weight every month— no other changes required. The healthy plant fats and minerals in peanuts help you burn fat for fuel, plus reduce hunger and halt food cravings, explains study coauthor Sara Keshavarzi, PH.D.

4High blood pressure? Eat apples!

Enjoying one mediumsized apple each day (any variety) could cut your blood pressure as much as seven points within four weeks, a recent Spanish study suggests. Apples contain quercetin, a natural diuretic that lowers blood pressure by flushing out excess fluids and salt.

5Prediabetic? Eat green peas!

Peas are chock-full of a compound called coumestrol that slows sugar absorption and prods your muscles to burn blood sugar for fuel. No wonder a recent British study found that eating just 1/2 cup of peas daily (fresh or frozen) can lower your risk of high blood sugar—and Type 2 diabetes—as much as 25%!