In a couple of weeks, I am doing a seminar and one of the topics will be “superfoods”. This name “superfood” has been popularized greatly over the last several years. However, do we really know what one is?
I did a little research, only to find out that 10 different sites had 10 different definitions! I also found 20 different foods on the top 5 super food list! So, my “little” bit of research, turned in to several days’ worth!!
In general, a super food is a food in it’s most natural state which helps our bodies live in it’s best way possible. Many foods are super. Many foods are good for us, however some of these super “foods” can also harm us. Let’s take v-8 juice for instance. It is packed with vitamins…GOOD…and packed with way too much sodium…BAD! In essence, a super food heals, and doesn’t harm. This starts to narrow down our pickings now.
An easy way to consider these amazing foods would be “fresh items that offer disease-fighting vitamins, omega fatty acids, antioxidants and essential minerals.When eaten with regularity, super foods can help fight disease, lower cholesterol, boost immunity, improve memory function and maintain heart health.
Two of the “best” super foods known to us purely from a nutritional stand are spirulina and chlorella. Spirulina has more concentrated vegetable nutrition than any other whole food known. Chlorella (found in Chlorophyll) is second in nutrients only to spirulina. Both have the widest and most complete assortment of nutrients and health promoting properties of any food known to man. Spirulina is an excellent source of plant protein and can be added to our favorite plant smoothies (J)
Some other excellent superfoods are Goji, acai and mangosteen for antioxidant boosting. Antioxidants are excellent for fighting aging, because they neutralize free radicals which are partly responsible for speeding up the aging process by disrupting DNA. You can also boost your antioxidants levels by eating more fruit, particularly berries.
Now, let’s move on to more “popular” superfoods. (just to point out a few)
Blueberries (antioxidants), almonds, walnuts, flax seed and chia seeds (omega rich for brain and heart health), wild line caught preferably salmon, black cod and sardines (omega rich and protein rich), broccoli, kale, arugula and spinach all rich in vitamins A and C, lutein and other compounds to fight off stroke and cancer to name a few, butternut squash, yams, sweet potatoes and carrots, rich in carotenoids and vitamin A, and another favorite, tomatoes and tomato sauce rich in Vitamin A, C, E and rich in cancer fighting agents.
And if none of the above caught your eye…there’s always Red wine…in moderation of course;
1% of red wine is vitamins like Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folate, Choline, Betaine, Lutien, Zeaxathin and Vitamins A, B, K and G.
1% of wine is minerals like sodium, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphours, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, flouride and selenium.
Another 1% is made up of grape thaumatin like proteins and amino acids.
And finally the rest is made up of all the good stuff in grapes – OPC’s, Resveratrol, Flavonoids, Bioflavonoids, Phenolic Compounds, Catechins, Tannins, Anthycyanins and Quercetin.
Enjoy your superfoods, eat well and enjoy your red wine if you like…in moderation of course!