Excess sugar consumption, stress and the general ageing process can leave us all with inflammation and cell distress – but you don’t have to sit back and watch it happen. Here are 3 delicious foods known to help regenerate your cells, fight off invaders and keep us feeling and looking well.

With our increasingly ultra-processed diets, lack of exercise and stressful days, many of us are struggling to manage inflammation and prevent oxidative stress. The latter is a physiological condition that occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the body's ability to neutralise and eliminate them – that might sound complicated, but really all it means is that we’re vulnerable to cell damage, early ageing and poor immunity. Several factors contribute to oxidative stress, and one significant contributor is a diet high in added sugar. When consumed in excess, added sugars generate an overabundance of these ROS, and you probably know that the sweet stuff can also lead to increased inflammation, which further exacerbates oxidative stress. But just as certain foods can raise your risk for oxidative stress, there are other foods that can combat these effects. Here are our top 3 cheap, tasty foods to get your cells in peak health. 

Purple cauliflower

Purple cauliflower, like other colourful fruits and vegetables, contains compounds called anthocyanins that contribute to its vibrant hue. These anthocyanins are believed to offer several health benefits, including potential support for cell regeneration. Purple cauliflower is rich in phytochemicals, vitamins, and minerals that play essential roles in cell regeneration and overall cellular health. These include vitamins C and K, folate and various minerals like potassium and manganese, which support the body's natural processes involved in cell growth, division and repair. This veggie also contains sulphur compounds that support detoxification processes in the body. Detoxification is important for eliminating toxins and waste products that can hinder cell regeneration. By aiding in detoxification, purple cauliflower helps maintain cellular health and facilitates the regenerative process. So, switch up your cauliflower game and give purple produce a try! You’ll find these benefits in many other purple varieties of veggies like carrots and kale.

Blueberries

Blueberries are an especially potent source of antioxidants, making them one of your best choices when it comes to cell regeneration – in fact, they’re especially useful in maintaining brain health. Blueberries are often touted for their neuroprotective properties, meaning they can help protect and support the health of the brain and nervous system. The types of antioxidants that provide these benefits include anthocyanins – they’re the compounds that give blueberries their trademark blue colour, while helping combat oxidative stress, a process in which free radicals damage cells in the body, including those in the brain. By neutralising free radicals, blueberries help reduce oxidative stress and prevent cellular damage. Chronic inflammation in the brain has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's – blueberries contain compounds that reduce inflammation in the brain and potentially slow down the progression of these diseases. But that’s not all – these humble fruits have been found to enhance neuronal signalling and communication. The phytochemicals present in blueberries may support the growth and development of neurons, promoting brain plasticity and potentially improving cognitive function – that means your memory, learning and communication skills all stand to benefit. 

Green tea

Green tea has long been recognized for its potential health benefits, including its ability to support cell regeneration. The regenerative properties of green tea can be attributed to several key components – for starters, its polyphenol content plays an important role here, particularly those which are known as catechins. The most abundant and well-studied catechin in green tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and it’s known to protect cells from oxidative damage and promote a favourable environment for cell regeneration. The antioxidants scavenge harmful free radicals in the body, promoting cellular health and regeneration.

Whether you’re looking to eat healthier or fight off a sugar addiction, we’re here to help. Join us for the 8-Week Program and we’ll help you change the way you look at food – and that doesn’t mean you have to follow restrictive diets or miss out on your favourite foods; we believe you can still enjoy delicious food without jeopardising your health. You might even consider gifting your mum with the program! With celebrity chef Sarah Glover on our panel of experts, you’ll have an array of fun recipes at your fingertips, along with our own exclusive armoury of simple, tasty and healthy recipes for everything from daily meals to impressive entertaining. We know it can be hard to stick to your health goals – especially when you’re trying to manage it alone. When you sign up with us, you’ll have access to clear-cut meal plans, community support and exclusive access to our sugar-free content. Here’s what’s on offer:

1. 8 weeks of meal plans and shopping lists.
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5. Exclusive content from our panel of experts.

So, if you’re ready to ditch sugar and the host of maladies that come with it, it’s not too late to join. We’d love to help you get started on your health journey. Sign up HERE today!