Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to celebrate perfect pairings.
When I think of classic Hollywood power couples, these come to mind: Fred and Ginger, Sonny and Cher, Bogie and Bacall. Their mutual attraction made these individual stars bring out the best in each other to shine even more brightly together. It’s all about chemistry.
You might be surprised to learn that power couples also exist in the nutrition world. Food synergy is the term used to describe the chemical attraction between two foods that makes them even more nutritious when consumed together. Just like people, some foods are better on their own. All foods contain vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that participate in chemical reactions that either increase or decrease absorption of key nutrients in foods at each meal.
So, if you want to elevate your nutrition status, be sure to include these five power couples at your table on this special holiday:
- Power Couple: Green Tea and Lemon
The Attraction: Citrus fruits such as lemon contain vitamin C, which enhances absorption of catechins, an antioxidant found in green tea. - Power Couple: Guacamole with tomatoes and avocado
The Attraction: The healthy fat in avocados increases absorption of the cancer-fighting carotenoids such as lycopene concentrated in tomatoes; fat also increases absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, found in abundance in vegetables. - Power Couple: Spinach and Red Bell Peppers
The Attraction: Red bell peppers contain vitamin C, which enhances absorption of the non-heme iron in plant foods such as leafy green vegetables. Try topping a fresh spinach salad with sliced red peppers or strawberries, also rich in vitamin C. - Power Couple: Black pepper and turmeric
The Attraction: Turmeric has achieved star status for its anti-inflammatory properties, but black pepper makes it more bioavailable. Piperine, the main chemical in black pepper, joins forces with curcumin, the main chemical in turmeric, to fight pain and inflammation. - Power Couple: Chocolate and Raspberries
The Attraction: Both contain flavonoids that work together to prevent blood clotting and improve cardiovascular health.