Hound Dog Hash

Carrot

An excellent source of vitamin A, carrots provide a very good source for biotin, vitamin K, fiber, molybdenum and potassium along with several B vitamins, folate, copper and vitamin E. Carrots offer a diverse mixture of antioxidants such as vitamin C and many phytonutrient antixoidants which include carotenoids, hydroxycinnamic acids and anthocyanindins. Of special note, carrots contain polyacetylenes which are unique phytonutrients made from metabolism of particular fatty acids (often involving crepenynic acid, stearolic acid and tariric acid).  Preliminary research on animals and in the lab has shown that carrot polyacetylenes have anti-inflammatory properties and anti-aggregatory properties (that help prevent excessive clumping together of red blood cells).

 

Apple

Apples are low in calories and high in soluble fiber pectin. They are packed with vitamins C, A , and flavonoids with smaller amounts of potassium, phosphorus, iron,  and calcium. Apples contain quercetin, a powerful antioxidant that protects brain cells from degeneration, as well as catechin, procyanidins, chlorogenic acid, ploridizin and more. The antioxidants found in apples, called procyanidins, where shown to trigger a series of cell signals that resulted in cancer cell death.

 

Celery

Celery is very low in calories and an excellent source of vitamin K. It is an important food source of conventional antioxidant nutrients, including vitamin C, beta-carotene, and manganese. But the best of its antioxidant nutrients may very well be its phytonutrients. Many of these phytonutrients fall into the category of phenolic antioxidants and have been shown to provide anti-inflammatory benefits as well. These phytonutrients include phenolic acids, flavones, flavonols, dihydrostilbenoids, phytosterols, and furanocoumarins. These phytonutrients have been shown to decrease risk of oxidative damage to body fats and risk of oxidative damage to blood vessel walls. In addition, these celery extracts have been shown to prevent inflammatory reactions in the digestive tract and blood vessels.

 

Pear

Pears are packed with dietary fiber, copper, vitamins C and K. While pears contain the conventional antioxidant or anti-inflammatory nutrients (for example, vitamin E or omega-3 fatty acids), the phytonutrient category is where this fruit excels.  They contain flavonols, cartenoids, hyrodroxyquinones, hydroxycinnamic acids, and hydroxybenzoic acids. Virtually all of these phytonutrients have been shown to provide us with antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory benefits. As a result, intake of pears has now been associated with decreased risk of several common chronic diseases that begin with chronic inflammation and excessive oxidative stress.

 

Broccoli

Broccoli has unique anti-imflammatory benefits and it contains an unusually strong combination of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene) and vitamin K.  It is also contains a number of phytonutrients in a special combination which help to detox at a genetic level. Broccoli contains a flavonoid called kaempferol, which has been shown to lessen the impact of allergy-related substances on the body.

 

Bok Choy

Bok choy is low calorie and contains certain anti-oxidant plant chemicals like thiocyanates, indole-3-carbinol, lutein, zea-xanthin, sulforaphane and isothiocyanates. Along with dietary fiber and vitamins, these compounds help to protect against certain cancers and help reduce LDL or "bad cholesterol" levels in the blood. It has many vital B-complex vitamins such as pyridoxine (vitamin B6), riboflavin, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine, and thiamin (vitamin B-1). These vitamins are essential in the sense that our body requires them from external sources to replenish. Bok-choy is a rich source for vitamin A, carotenes, and other flavonoid polyphenolic anti-oxidants

  

Oranges

An obvious excellent source of Vitamin C which is the primary water-soluble antioxidant in the body, it disarms free radicals and prevents damage in the aqueous environment both inside  and outside cells. Oranges are very low in calories and rich in dietary insoluble fiber pectin. The healing properties of oranges have been associated with a wide variety of phytonutrient compounds. These phytonutrients include citrus flavanones (types of flavonoids that include the molecules hesperetin and naringenin), anthocyanins, hydroxycinnamic acids, and a variety of polyphenols. It contains very good levels of vitamin-A and they are a moderate source of lycopene, beta-carotene, xanthin and lutein.

     

Grapefruit

Grapefruit is very low in calories and is rich in dietary insoluble fiber, pectin. It contains very good levels of vitamin A and flavonoid antioxidants such as naringenin, and naringin. Consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamin-A, and flavonoids helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers. It is a moderate of lycopene, beta-carotene, xanthin and lutein. Studies suggest these compounds have antioxidant properties and are essential for vision, healthy mucus membranes and skin.  Vitamin-C is a powerful natural anti-oxidant and helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful free radicals. It is required for the maintenance of healthy connective tissue and aids in early wound healing. Vitamin C also facilitates dietary iron absorption from the intestine. Grapefruit also contains moderate levels of B-complex group of vitamins such as folates, riboflavin, pyridoxine, and thiamin in addition to some resourceful minerals such as iron, calcium, copper, and phosphorus.