You may have heard about superfoods, and you wonder what the hype is all about. Thanks to clever marketing, the phrase is everywhere in grocery aisles and beauty products, even making headlines. All the definitions and misinformation about superfoods can be overwhelming, but this guide explores everything you need to know about superfoods.
What are Superfoods?
Superfoods are nutritional powerhouses with dense nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are plant-based and provide significant nutrients and very few calories. The primary role of superfoods is to fuel your body to fight nutrient deficiencies and chronic diseases.
Superfoods are antioxidants, natural molecules that occur in some foods and neutralize the radicals in your body. Free radicals refer to the natural by-products of energy production that can impact your immune system. Therefore superfoods reduce the impact of free radicals associated with cancer, heart diseases, arthritis, immune deficiency, respiratory diseases, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and emphysema.
Common Superfoods
Many of the superfoods are plant-based which means that they grow in the soil, including fruits, vegetables, seeds, grasses, and leaves. Although no specific food is an all-cure, research has shown that superfoods provide greater benefits than others.
Berries
Berries have high levels of flavonoids which prevent and lower the risks of heart attacks. Cranberries, acai berries, raspberries, tart cherries, and goji berries are some of the notable ones.
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are one of the common ingredients in diet snacks like granola, and it is easy to see why. They are an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids, proteins, fiber, and antioxidants.
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens are superfoods, including spinach, broccoli, swiss chard, kales, and collard greens, and they contain vitamin A, B, C, E & K, magnesium, potassium, carotenoids, iron, and calcium. They also have high fiber and water content, promoting a healthy digestive tract.
Soybeans
Soybeans contain high amounts of isoflavones, a phytochemical that occurs in plants. Soy reduces bad cholesterol in the blood, bone loss, menopausal symptoms what foods are gluten free ms, and age-related memory loss.
Dark Chocolate
If you wonder what foods are gluten-free and healthy, dark chocolate granola is one of the options. Dark chocolate has high flavonoid content, which boosts the immune system, prevents coronary heart disease, and is an antioxidant.
Other superfoods include wine and grapes, tea, alfalfa, banana, salmon, barley grass, coconut, Guarana, garlic, turmeric, wheatgrass, Brazil nuts, Bluegreen algae, etc.
The Importance of Superfoods
When you eat plant-based foods, they give you a variety of macronutrients that promote your health and wellness. Superfoods have plenty of antioxidants that fight free radicals and maintain a healthy immune system. They are rich in vitamins and minerals that help your body thrive and fight nutritional deficiencies.