Heart disease is the main killer of men over 35, and cancer is number two and surging upwards. Some say one of the prime forces behind these killers is Man Food, which is usually defined as variations of steak and potatoes with gravy, charcoal-grilled Polish sausage, and other renditions of cancer-inducing heart attack on a plate. But did you know there are six Man Foods that are actually good for men, foods that help them shine in the board room and the bedroom, and on the ball field?
Here are the six foods that can help men stay muscular, stay vigorous, and stave off prostate cancer:
1) Oysters. Men have valued oysters as an aphrodisiac for thousands of years, and there is some basis for this belief. Eating a few oysters everyday (and real men prefer them raw, right?) provides an abundant supply of the antioxidant mineral zinc, which is used by the body in numerous processes, from cell repair to DNA synthesis. Oysters are nature’s single best source of zinc, providing almost 100 mg per gram. Research shows that zinc improves the function of the male reproductive system and may protect against prostate cancer.
2) Bananas. Bananas are nature’s sports snack for men, being handily provided with their own easily peelable, biodegradable wrapper. Some might look at the phallus-shaped banana and think in terms of the ancient medical Doctrine of the Signatures, which held that the key to the usage of plants was indicated by the plant’s form and shape. Whether true or not, active men benefit from bananas because they are in fact chock-full of potassium, a mineral that plays an essential role in cardiac, skeletal, and muscular health. It is key to regulating heartbeat and blood pressure. Throw a banana in your gym bag—just one replaces the potassium lost during an hour of hard exercise.
3) Sardines. Tiny sardines are big in healthful omega-3 fatty acids, and a tin of them every couple of days meets the American Heart Association recommendation that everyone eat fish twice a week. Omega-3 fatty acids protect the heart by lowering are triglyceride [blood fat] levels and reducing aches and pains.
4) Brazil Nuts. It takes a real man with tools to crack open these babies, but the effort is worth it. They are loaded with selenium and magnesium, which are heavy-duty antioxidants that protect prostate health and help prevent cancer and heart disease. Selenium also helps keep the ageing process at bay, stimulates the immune system, and helps lower “bad” cholesterol. Two nuts a day should keep selenium levels high.
5) Whole grains. White bread is for sissies—eat flavorful whole grain bread that is rich in fiber. Several commercial breads provide as much six grams of fiber in two slices, which is a good start toward the 30 grams a day recommended for men by the Harvard School of Health. Other good sources of whole grains are brown rice, rolled oats, and numerous whole-grain breakfast cereals. The fiber and bran in whole grains help lower cholesterol, move waste through the digestive system, and make it more difficult for the body to convert starches to glucose.
6) Berries. These are what our hunter-gatherer ancestors grabbed up and ate along the trail while they tracked down the wooly mammoth—our ancestors knew instinctively (well, maybe they did) that berries sharpened their wits and thereby upped their chances of a successful hunt. Berries of all kinds—the darker and more colorful the better—contain a health-protecting flavonoid called anthocyanin, which may help slow down ageing and keep the brain from declining.
While enjoying these Man Foods, take a daily multivitamin designed for men, and eat an overall balanced diet that includes proper vegetables.
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