Many hear the term “Superfoods” all the time. So many questions follow that specific term. What exactly is a Superfood? Why should I be consuming them? And what foods are listed as Superfoods?
In this quick blog I will try to answer all of those questions so next time you hear “Superfood” mentioned you won’t be so confused.
Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines a superfood as: “a food (such as salmon, broccoli, or blueberries) that is rich in compounds (such as antioxidants, fiber, or fatty acids) considered beneficial to a person’s health.”
As said in the definition, superfoods contain many health benefits that are extremely helpful to our bodies from the properties of antioxidants, large amounts of vitamins and minerals, use of fiber, etc.
Antioxidants such as blueberries, goji berries, black berries, dark chocolate, pecans, cranberries, etc help inhibit oxidation, detoxify the body, protect against heart disease and stroke, and reduce the risk of cognitive disorders like dementia.
Omega 3s are healthy fatty-acids that are found in fish like salmon, fish oils, chia seeds, flax seeds, mackerel, and walnuts. These are the healthy fats that repair and strengthen skin tissues, helps to lower blood cholesterol by decreasing toxins in blood vessels, boosts your immunity, etc. Don’t get these confused with Omega-6s Fatty acids. Those lead to cholesterol build up and hypertension.
Some superfoods are part of the superfood list because of how nutrient packed they are with protein, probiotics, fiber, vitamins and minerals, etc.
Some top superfoods include: Greek yogurt, quinoa, blueberries, kale, chia seeds, acai, oatmeal, green tea, broccoli, strawberries, salmon, watermelon, spinach, pistachios, eggs, almonds, ginger, beets, beans, pumpkin, apples, cranberries, garlic, cauliflower, leeks, and lentils.
Try to incorporate many of these into your daily diet for optimal health!
