Naseerah Nanabhai | naseerahnanabhai@gmail.com
15:03:2023 | 10:00 AM CAT
2 min read

Photo Credit: Homage

Power foods allow for properly repairing and maintaining tissues, cells, and bones. When you experience any bodily injury or have a medical procedure — from minimally invasive to major surgery — consuming the right food can put you on a faster path to getting your body back in functioning order.

Research has revealed that diet needs to increase when the body fights wounds and infections. When one’s body is on the mend from an ailment, one should elevate their caloric intake. This includes updating the daily number of vitamins, minerals, and proteins. On a typical day, it is advisable to consume the following to assist the healing process.

Five servings of grains

Two servings of vegetables

Three servings of fruit

5 to 8 servings of protein

Three servings of dairy

The following are the eight foods shown in scientific studies to aid in healing and get you on track for recovery.

Blueberries for Your Heart

Blueberries can also help with weight maintenance, lessening the risk of future weight-related cardiovascular events. They are recommended if you are recovering from a heart attack or cardiovascular event.

Ginger for Nausea

Ginger and its bioactive molecules can effectively control the extent of ovarian, breast, colorectal, gastric, liver, skin, and prostate cancer. Ginger can also help those enduring chemotherapy; a daily dose of 0.5 grams to 1 gram can significantly reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea in adult cancer patients.

Oatmeal for Digestive Issues

If you experience gastrointestinal issues after surgery or have trouble absorbing nutrition, eating a bowl of oatmeal in the morning can help. Whole oats contain a significant amount of dietary fibre that can aid in regulating digestion, promoting laxation, and serving as a base for the gut microflora.

Honey for Mending Wounds

Good news for those of us with a sweet tooth: Honey is an effective food in caring for wounds. Honey is the oldest wound-healing agent known to humans and works better when held up against certain modern medications.

Citrus Foods for Healing Wounds

The metabolites found in citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and limes, offer bioactivities to help increase the body’s ability to heal wounds. These biological activities include anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. You do not even need to eat fruits.

Mushrooms for Healing Wounds and Gut Health

Edible mushrooms offer bioactivities that help wound healing. These bioactivities include anti-allergic properties and carbohydrates, which are significant in immune-stimulating glucans.

Avocados for After Heart Surgery or Stroke

Eating avocados can improve the overall diet and nutrient intake and lower the risk of metabolic syndrome (a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease and stroke).

Turmeric for Pain After Surgery

Turmeric is one of the most widely available nutritional supplements. This spice is used for severe pain and inflammation due to arthritis, skin problems, cancer, and stomach issues. Turmeric can be applied to the skin or consumed via several foods or tea if it is most accessible in the stomach. Drinking turmeric in tea could be beneficial after surgery when the digestive system might not function.