What are Superfoods?

What are Superfoods?

Superfoods are gradually gaining popularity in the modern world. More people are becoming curious as to what these superfoods are, and what benefits they have on the body. Researchers claim that these superfoods have very many benefits and this has caused many Americans to change their eating patterns. Forget the old school wave of nutritional foods, these new breed of foods is taking the world by storm and almost all supermarkets have stocked their shelves with these superfoods. This new foods have caused quite a stir where everybody wants to know what they are and if their nutritional value is true.

So what are superfoods?

The word superfoods came to being back in the 80s where it was used to refer to foods that had superior benefits. Essentially, they are packed with higher levels of nutrients, vitamins, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, minerals and many others. The higher concentration of the much-needed nutrients proves to have immense benefits to the general health of a human being. They are said to improve digestive health, minimize sign of early ageing, aids in warding off cancer and many others. You see, superfoods have close to twelve or more nutritional properties as opposed to the healthy foods that have only 2-3 nutritional properties.

What health benefits do superfoods have?

Superfoods have different benefits with each having its unique characteristics that make them uniquely qualified to have superior benefits. In general, superior foods improve mental and physical health, strengthen the body’s immune system and also increase the resistance to disease-causing microorganisms. They also provide energy and improve self-esteem. They aid in burning excess calories by improve the body’s metabolism. The presence of vitamin C and antioxidants in most of this superfoods guarantees improved skin health. They also protect the heart as well as reduce the risk of getting cancer.

Categories of superfoods

“Superfoods” is just a name used to classify these special foods as a whole. The list of these special foods keeps growing day by day, which makes it hard to keep track of all of them. However, there are four categories, which make it easy to categories the different types of superfoods. Each category has a large list of superfood under its name and these include:

Green superfoods

This category mainly consists of green vegetables that are known to have high concentrations of healthy bacteria, minerals, proteins and vitamins. These include barley grass, wheat grass, chlorella, spirulina, winter purslane, kales, lettuce and spinach. Broccoli, leeks and legumes such as lentils, peas and beans also fall under the same category.

Fruits and nuts superfoods

For thousands of years fruits & nuts have always been treated as exceptions. They have nutritional properties that help ward off disease-causing bacteria. These fruits include acai berries, cranberries, blueberries, maqui berries, goji berries, pomegranate, mulberries, almonds, maca, raw cacao, coconut and walnuts.

Herb superfoods

In this category, you will find herbs that are fully packed with an array of vitamins. In addition, these herbs have a medicinal value and these are basil, Aloe Vera, nettle, ginkgo biloba, turmeric, anise, ginger, devil’s claw, ginseng, Echinacea and marigold.

Other superfoods

Products that come from insects such as bees also have a nutritional value. These products include honey, royal jelly, bee pollen and many others. Some type of sea weeds also fall into this category.

Five superfoods and their health benefits

Acai Berries

Acai Berries are among the new breed of special foods that are rapidly gaining popularity among many health practitioners. For many years, its benefits were seen as nothing short of miraculous but recent studies show that some of its benefits are actually true. Acai berries are products of an acai plam that flourishes in the Amazon Basin. It is an indigenous staple food and its nutritional value has seen it become a household name. It is rich in minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium and iron on the other hand it has many vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin  E. Studies show that consumption of acai berries aids in weight loss., improves skin health, prevent cancer, improve blood circulation, slows down aging, improves digestion  health, improve cellular metabolism and cardiovascular health.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is not a newcomer into the superfoods, as its uses stretch far back into the days when it was used for skin care. More benefits have come up and more people are trying their luck with this oil. Nowadays, people use it to moisturize their skin and hair. Although people say saturated fats are harmful to the heart, coconut oil is very beneficial as it helps prevent heart problems. Coconut oil also aids in weight loss, improves immunity & digestion, provides relief in cases of inflammation, as well as protecting wounds against external infections resulting from dust, fungi, bacteria and air.

Chia Seeds

For centuries, Chia seeds have been staple food in Aztec and Mayan diets. Today, they are widely known for their immense health benefits. Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants and minerals. Chia seeds are gluten-free, are easily digested as whole since they do not have to be grinded first and have a satiety effect on most people. Chia seeds can also aid in the reduction of central obesity and lower triglyceride levels. They also help regulate insulin levels in the blood.

Manuka Honey

Honey is not only famous for its sweetness but also for its medicinal value. Manuka honey is a product of New Zealand and unlike its counterpart conventional honey; it has 100 times more enzymes. Specific bees create the Manuka honey and they thrive only in specific areas of New Zealand. It is four times more nutritious compared to conventional honey. Its nutrients include B vitamins, calcium, amino acids, copper, zinc, sodium, magnesium, iron, potassium and phosphorus. It has very many benefits such as improved oral health, lowers cholesterol, improves digestive health and reduces inflammation. It is also a natural antibacterial & antibiotics. When applied on wounds it reduces the healing time and wards off infections.

Spirulina

Spirulina is blue-green in color and grows in the exotic locations such as Hawaii. Spirulina is an alga that grows in freshwaters and is often misunderstood or overlooked. It has an intense flavor and superior nutrition profile. It is most evident in superfood beverages, natural supplements and energy bars but if consumed regularly it can restore your health. Its benefits are so immense that over 1200 articles have been written about its benefits. These benefits include its ability to detox heavy metals (especially arsenic), prevent cancer, improve HIV/AIDS, eliminate candida, lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, boost energy and fasten weight loss.

Conclusion

The rise of superfoods has resulted into change in eating habits, most people now watch what they eat which is actually a good thing. However, be ware because some of the superfoods in the markets today may not have the said benefits but just a way to advertise the products. Be careful with what you eat and if you come across a real superfood feel free to try it.