Fight Off Illnesses With Superfoods

Jan. 10, 2011 — -- In a nutshell superfoods are foods that contain powerful nutrients that go to work in your body to protect your health and fight off disease.

For example, the antioxidants in apples keep your lungs healthy and reduce the risk of asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. Broccoli contains natural detoxers that have been shown to deactivate cancer-causing substances and prevent cancer cells from growing and spreading. And garlic fights viruses, prevents arteries from hardening and has been linked to a reduced risk of over seven types of cancer.

The truth is, practically every fruit or veggie on the planet is a nutrition superhero, not just the exotic ones. To load up some delicious on anti-aging, disease-fighting foods take a trip to your local Farmer's Market. If you're not sure where your market is you can find it here www.localharvest.org. Bon appétit!

Cynthia Sass, MPH, MA, RD, CSSD is an ABC News contributor and Good Morning America Health's Food Coach. Through her New York City-based private practice Cynthia specializes in weight management and sports nutrition. She is the nutritionist for the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays, and worked with the Philadelphia Phillies from 2007-2009. She's also the Weight Loss Coach columnist for Shape magazine and a New York Times best-selling author. Her newest book Cinch! Conquer Cravings, Drop Pounds and Lose Inches will be released by Harper Collins December 28, 2010.

Click here to learn more about Cynthia Sass.