Super Charge Your Life with These 12 Superfoods
Why are they called superfoods in the first place? They’re called superfoods because they are foods that are packed with nutrients, and have combinations of protein, fiber, and other vitamins and minerals. What are the foods that are considered superfoods? What benefits can we get from them? Read on to find out more.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that gives tomatoes their red color. Studies show that regular consumption of tomatoes can greatly reduce your chances of having prostate cancer by as much as 40%. Tomatoes are healthy cooked, even healthier when raw, pureed, or juiced.
Kale
Kale is part of the cabbage family that’s usually purple or green in color. It’s packed with nutrients and is low in calories, which makes it one of the best superfoods you should include in your diet. It’s loaded with antioxidants like beta carotene. Kale has one of the highest Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (or ORAC, the ability of foods to subdue oxygen free radicals) at 1,770.
Kale helps lower cholesterol and also reduces your risk of heart disease. It’s also great for the skin as it prevents the harmful effects of too much ultraviolet radiation. Kale also has vitamin K, vitamin C, iron, and tons more of nutrients that truly make this green leafy veggie a superfood. It’s best eaten steamed, sautéed, baked, blended, or even raw in salads.
Black Beans
They’re inexpensive but super nutritious. They’re delicious and go very well with any kind of dish. They’re widely available everywhere, all year round. They’re a great source of dietary fiber, iron, protein, folate, magnesium, potassium, and calcium. They are also a very powerful antioxidant.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a rich source of antioxidants like sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, as well as vitamin A and vitamin K, and dietary fiber. Adding broccoli to your diet reduces your risk of cancer. It also helps lower high blood pressure, and prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Salmon
Salmon is also a superfood because of its high omega-3 fatty acid content. It’s rich in protein, vitamin A and vitamin B. It’s good for the joints, and helps in improving brain functions. Studies show that salmon also helps in the prevention of certain types of cancer. Not only that, regular consumption of salmon promotes better vision. And did we mention that it’s also good for cardiovascular health ?
Oats
Oats are high in fiber, meaning they’re great for the digestive system. They help lower cholesterol, and are an excellent source of energy (because of carbohydrates and protein). Oats are delicious paired with milk or fruits in the morning for a healthy power breakfast.
Acai
Acai is a dark purple berry that comes from the acai palm trees of South America. It belongs to the same family as blueberries and cranberries. Acai berries are packed with fiber that’s excellent for digestion, antioxidants that help prevent cancer, plus amino acids and healthy fats.
Seaweed
You love them on your sushi, but did you know that seaweed is considered a superfood ? It’s an antioxidant that’s also a good source of calcium. It’s rich in iodine, an essential nutrient for a healthy thyroid. Research shows that consumption of seaweed can help regulate hormonal problems and infertility problems in women.
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds come from a desert plant called Salvia Hispanica and are usually black or white in color. You can snack on Chia seeds raw or you can add and sprinkle them to different dishes. Like the other superfoods in this list, Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, calcium, protein, and other essential minerals that our bodies need. Try them on your salad, on your muffin, even on your pizza! They’re truly very versatile.
Goji Berries
Goji berries are considered both a fruit and an herb, so it doesn’t surprise us if they made it to the list of superfoods you must include in your diet. Not only do they taste delicious, they also have high protein content. They’re great for cancer prevention and weight loss. Studies show that they help improve sleep, focus, and brain functions.
Green Tea
Green tea is a very good antioxidant. Green tea contains catechins that are effective in lowering cholesterol. Trying to lose weight? Drink green tea daily. It’s known to be very effective with weight loss as it helps burn calories.
Camu Camu
Camu camu is a fruit the size of a lemon that comes from the Amazon rainforests of Colombia, Venezuela, Peru and Brazil. Like most fruits, it’s rich in vitamin C that strengthens your immunity. However, camu camu is actually 60 times richer in vitamin C than a regular orange! It’s also packed with antioxidants and essential amino acids. It’s proven effective against viruses that cause cold sores, herpes, shingles, and colds. A natural mood balancer and an effective antidepressant too.
Mangosteen
Mangosteen is a fruit packed with nutrients and enzymes. This succulent and delicious fruit contains antioxidants that help prevent cancer. If you want to prevent cardiovascular problems, this fruit should never be missing from your diet. Mangosteen also helps improve brain functions and sharpen memory. It’s been also proven to be a very effective anti-ageing food.
Which among these superfoods are already in your diet? If you still haven’t tried any of these superfoods, now is the best time to do so !