Functional Foods That Could Help You Stay Healthy This Winter

Recently, while at a friend’s home, I helped myself to some delicious wrapped chocolate pieces.  I had three of them before I asked her where she purchased them. I found out that they were calcium chewies and I had just ingested 1500mg of Calcium plus vitamin D.   I purchased three bags the next day and I no longer forget to take my calcium twice a day!

Calcium chewies are the best known product in a growing category of “functional foods,” or nutraceuticals, which contain nutritional supplements and bioagents of foods such as anthocyanins (from berries) or beta-carotene that some research has shown to prevent or treat disease or illness.  We’re all accustomed to taking daily supplements like fish oil or calcium.  But there’s a growing industry of manufacturers that are wrapping these beneficial ingredients with delicious-tasting chocolate or concentrated fruit making them more appealing and convenient to consume.  Some claim to prevent urinary tract infections, while others are supposed to help ward off respiratory tract infections.  I don’t know if there’s any conclusive evidence to support all of the claims, but since they’re like small treats, I don’t think you’ll mind doing your own research to see if they work for you.  Here are a few products that you might want to try: 

Great Lakes Cranberry Softgels – The makers of these fruit softgel capsules say that cranberries are among the leading fruits when it comes to antioxidant content and they support healthy urinary tract function and maintain healthy cardiovascular function.  The whole fruit is used in the manufacturing process- including the skin and pulp, which is where the beneficial proanthocyanidins are found. (See my earlier blogpost on how Cranberries can help prevent but not cure UTIs)

Respiratory Guard is a blueberry-flavored lozenge that claims to deliver a consistent dose of elderberry extract, thanks to the company’s “unique extraction technology.” Elderberry seems to be one of those wonder fruits.  A web search revealed that it’s used for its antioxidant activity, to lower cholesterol, improve vision, boost the immune system, improve heart health and for coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections and tonsilitis.   For more information about this product, visit their website.

Adora Calcium – You’ll have to hold back on eating the whole bag. This is great-tasting chocolate calcium chewey packed with 500 mg of calcium and 100 IU of Vitamin D in each chewey. You won’t mind eating two or three a day to get your daily requirement of Calcium.

Roasted Golden Flax Seeds - I’ve been using Flax USA’s high-quality golden ground Flax Seed for a few years. Now, the company is roasting seeds that can be eaten whole. (think sunflower seeds without the spitting).  They say that this high fiber snack offers 3800 mg of Omega-3s.  (See my interview with Stephanie Stober of Flax USA here).

Dreamerz Milk Chocolate Pillows- If you need help in falling asleep from time to time, treat yourself to another chocolate. Each “pillow” contains .3 mg of Melatonin and 80mg of GABA (Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid), a natural calming agent in the brain.  Dreamerz is also available in a Pomegranate Blackbery flavored powder that you can mix with water.

Finally, the makers of Oxylent say that their “delicious and refreshing daily drink” contains a blend of nutrients including a full range of B vitamins to support adrenal health and immune and nervous systems and 1000 IU of natural Vitamin D for bone and heart health.If you’ve discovered other nutritional treats that seem to work for you, let me know in the comment box below.  I’ll post an update with your input.