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Simple Food Cures

Got a headache or upset stomach?  Cure it with these simple remedies straight from the kitchen.

Stressed out or anxious – grab a banana.  With only 105 calories and 14 g of sugar, a medium banana fills you up, provides a mild blood sugar boost, and has 30% of the day's vitamin B6 which helps the brain produce mellowing serotonin, getting you through a crisis peacefully.

Suffer high blood pressure – have a handful of raisins.  Sixty raisins, about a handful, contain 1 g of fiber and 212 mg of potassium, both recommended in the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet.  Studies show that polyphenols in grape-derived foods such as raisins, wine and juice are effective in maintaining cardiovascular health, including bringing down blood pressure.

Upset stomach – have some ginger tea.  Studies reveal that ginger (1/4 teaspoon of powdered, ½ to 1 teaspoon of minced gingerroot, or a cup of ginger tea) can ease nausea from motion sickness and pregnancy.  Researchers are unsure which oils and compounds in ginger suppress nausea, but it's safe and has none of the side effects (dry mouth, drowsiness) of OTC meds.

Tummy troubles – add some basil.  Studies show that eugenol, a compound in basil, can keep your gut safe from pain, nausea, cramping or diarrhea by killing off bacteria such as Salmonella and Listeria.  Eugenol even has an antispasmodic property that can keep cramps at bay.  Use minced fresh basil in sauces or salads.
High cholesterol – eat a pear.  One medium pear has 5 g of dietary fiber, much of it in the form of pectin, which helps flush out bad cholesterol, a risk factor in heart disease.

Suffer from insomnia – have some turkey.  A 3 ounce serving of turkey has nearly all the tryptophan (an essential amino acid that helps the body produce serotonin and melatonin, hormones that regulate sleep) you need in a day.  Studies show people who suffer from insomnia are deficient in tryptophan.

Got a headache – have a spud.  The 37 g of carbs in a medium potato can ease a tension headache by upping serotonin levels, as long as you keep the fat and protein below 2 grams, so go easy on the butter and sour cream.