Table 3.

Potential health benefits of select plant foods present in Black cuisine.

Food Group	Select Cultural Foods	Approximate Retail Cost USD (2019) [172,173]	Some Key Nutrients and Compounds [174]	Potential Health Benefits
Fruits	Apples, bananas, pears, peaches, papayas	$0.55–$1.89/lb	Vitamin C; fiber; polyphenols; folate; potassium	Brain health; protection from hypertension [175,176]
Dark green leafy vegetables	Collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens, kale	$0.62–$2.88/lb	Vitamin K, Calcium, Folate, carotenoids, flavonoids	Immune system support; cancer protection [177]
Other vegetables	“Flavoring” vegetables: onion; garlic; leek	approximately $1.05/lb	Organosulfur compounds; flavonols	Immune system support; heart health; cancer protection [178]
	Tomatoes	$2.01/lb	Lycopene; vitamin C; biotin; vitamin K	Prostate cancer protection; heart health [179,180]
	Mushrooms	$3.55/lb	Vitamin D; Selenium Folate; Choline	Cancer protection; immune system support [181]
Roots and tubers	Sweet potatoes; carrots; cassava; breadfruit; plantains	$0.60–1.05/lb	Iron; Fiber; B-vitamins; B-carotene; Potassium; phenolic compounds	Heart health; protection from cancer and type 2 diabetes; antimicrobial properties [182]
Whole grains	Cornmeal/maize; oatmeal; brown rice; whole wheat flour	$0.08–1.28/lb	B-vitamins; fiber; zinc; protein; biotin	Protection from obesity, type-2 diabetes, colorectal and pancreatic cancer [183]
Legumes	Kidney beans; black beans; black-eyed peas; lentils; chickpeas	$1.56–1.69/lb	Protein; folate; iron; zinc; fiber; vitamin E	Reduction of inflammation; type-2 diabetes prevention; heart health [184]
Nuts and seeds	Peanuts; cashews; sunflower seeds	$0.15–0.43/oz	Protein; vitamin E; folate; zinc	Heart health; weight management; cancer protection [185]
Herbs and spices	Ginger; turmeric; cinnamon	N/A	Gingerol; curcumin; cinnamic acid	Protection from inflammation and cancer [186]