03/04/2023
What do high-intensity athletes, out-of-this-world astronauts, soon-to-be-mothers, all have in common? These very specific groups of people have unique challenges, they all rely on their bodies to complete their mission, and they change their diets to achieve their goals. Hippocrates, the "Father of Medicine" said it best, first; "Let food be thy medicine and medicine thy food!"
We have heard of the powerful inflammatory properties of berries for millennia, but how many of us actually consume them on a regular basis as preventative medicine? Joining forces with the good doctor’s advice of so long ago, let's explore how each of these extreme groups use anti-inflammatory berries as medicine to achieve success.
High-level athletic performance requires a balance of intense physical activity and restorative recovery which causes fatigue, stiffness, and nutrient deficiencies. By incorporating anti-inflammatory berries, athletes keep their bodies running like a finely tuned engine through enhanced recovery periods, allowing them to stay at the top of their game and remain injury free.
Astronauts experience up to twice the amount of radiation than we do here on earth, and the free radicals released through that radiation cause inflammation and other health issues. By consuming the powerful antioxidants found in berries, astronauts protect their bodies from the bombardment of radiation they experience during space travel.
Finally, we turn to soon-to-be-mothers and their need for anti-inflammatory properties. Carrying a growing baby causes rapid fluctuations in hormones and physical discomfort that can be managed, among other things, through antioxidants found in berries. These berries can also play a role in preventing gestational diabetes and other pregnancy related issues. Pregnant mothers need to be sure to get these important nutrients into their diets in order to remain healthy and keep their babies safe during the pregnancy.
We now know of the incredible power of food as medicine in these scenarios, but why can't we live in a world where food isn't just used as medicine sometimes, but where food is medicine? A world where foods are truly functional, either from nature or through innovative design and development? The foods that we eat should not only sustain us, they should nourish us in a way that helps us achieve our goals and personal excellence.
What would happen if we changed our relationship with food and viewed it as medicine or as a preventative rather than just a necessary sustenance? In a world where food is medicine, we consume the foods that make us feel better, be the better version of ourselves, instead of the food that makes us feel worse. We feel energized and ready to push ourselves to the next level, instead of having to drag ourselves through the day with little to no energy.
This type of food-as-medicine approach to health and wellness would revolutionize the way we view and consume food. We aim to create more nutrient-dense foods that are tailored to the specific needs of specific individuals. Our grocery stores have to be stocked with more real, beneficial foods. We focus more attention on functional foods that provide components for healthy living. We are happy to be developing functional foods that address specific diseases and health conditions. We have the power to create a better, healthier, and more productive world if we just change the way we view and consume our food.
(Also, kudos to our picture creating AI’ s idea of “Show an astronaut, a race cyclist and a pregnant woman next to a berry”)
