We all want to lead healthy lives and we all know that proper diet and exercise will help get us to where we want to be. Most people can find at least one form of exercise that they enjoy doing. Adding more wholesome foods into our diet, on the other hand, can prove to be a lot more difficult. Rather than fad diets or “magic” fixes, superfoods can help us maintain weight, fight disease, and live longer. Here’s what you need to know about superfoods and your health.
What is a Superfood?
Superfoods are foods that contain at least two or more vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, or polyphenols. Some superfoods can be more difficult to find than others. In this case, you can still find these nutrient powerhouses in the form of concentrates or extracts to add to foods you already enjoy.
Here are just a few superfoods to consider adding to your diet.
These berries are found naturally in the Amazon rain forest and have been eaten by indigenous people since they first arrived. They are safe to eat and are heavily concentrated with vitamins A, C and E, but it is the anti-oxidants that produce the greatest benefit to your health. Acai berries are known to help keep your heart healthy by reducing your cholesterol levels. These same anti-oxidants are known to create healthy skin. In fact, there are some cosmetics that can be found on the market that contain the pulp from these berries to aid in the health of your skin.
The one problem with acai berries is that they are hard to find. Also, the seed inside the berries is about four-fifths of the volume of the berry. In short, they are hard to find and not easy to eat. The good news is the there are many supplements that are easily found. For instance, organic acai powders can be obtained and added to beverages.
These berries also have anti-oxidants, but they are also rich in phytoflavinoids, a natural occurring chemical in plants that is known to prevent disease in people, including reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer. They are also very high in potassium and vitamin C. What makes these berries so attractive is simply how concentrated the nutritional elements are. This is why they are recommended by doctors everywhere, and of course, you local supermarket is likely to carry them.
Not to be confused with the common black tea, this tea comes from Asia and is known for its anti-oxidants. It also helps to increase your metabolism, so it helps you lose weight by burning off calories more easily. It’s not necessary to drink the tea if you don’t like the flavor, there are many products that can be found that are a green tea extract. You can add it to your food without noticing the flavor.
Sardines are one of the highest sources of omega-3 fatty acids. This is an essential part of a healthy diet, but unfortunately too many people have no source of it in their diet. It is mostly found in cold-water fish, and it is sardines that are small and readily available. You only need two or three servings a week to reap the omega-3 fatty acid benefit.
Of course, the foods above are only a partial list of superfoods. There are many more! Keep in mind that there are supplements available in powder and liquid form if the superfood cannot be found in your local supermarket.