Superfoods: what is it

Food with superpowers – is it possible? What is it, marketing ploy or reality? And, most importantly, what do superfoods have to do with skin care? Let’s clarify.

Who needs superfoods

The need for a healthy diet, which led (or rather, returned) the civilization of unlimited consumption to the ideas of vegetarianism and veganism, made us take a closer look at all kinds of gifts of nature. Along with Eastern wisdom and various spiritual practices, outlandish dietary preferences of the bearers of this wisdom also flooded into the West.

As a result, people were puzzled by the search for food that would provide the body with all the necessary elements to work at maximum power and at the same time reduce food intake in general, exclude animal products (which implies most Eastern practices). In nature, especially in ecologically virgin and not trampled under the boots of Western European conquerors corners of the world, there were many such plants:

  • quinoa;

  • wild rice;

  • soybeans;

  • cocoa;

  • chia;

  • nuts like the outlandish macadamia, pecan, etc.

All these are powerful sources of various amino acids – proteins, especially necessary for vegetarians, as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids, calcium, iron, other minerals and biologically active substances.

In essence, the superfood hunt is an attempt to find alternative sources of wholesome nutrition.

Nowadays, humanity wants to eat less so as not to get fat. But it is really impossible to gain the required amount of vitamins, minerals and other useful substances with a reduced, and even fast food-based diet.

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Superfoods, dry and fresh

In fact, the desire to get these very superfoods 500 years ago provoked a wave of geographical discoveries that turned the world around.

After all, Columbus discovered America, as every schoolboy knows, in search of Indian spices, and literally each of them can be safely added to the list of superfoods.

  • Turmeric.

  • Nutmeg.

  • Ginger.

  • Saffron.

  • Sesame.

  • All kinds of peppers.

By the end of the twentieth century, it became possible to enjoy not only dried powder from distant exotic roots and seeds.

In addition to grains and beans, a variety of fresh berries and fruits began to fall into the ranks of superfoods. Sometimes it seems that the more outlandish the name, the more superpowers the gifts of nature should have.

  • Papaya.

  • Kiwi.

  • Avocado.

  • Goji.

  • Promise.

  • Asai.

Most superfoods are exotic fruits.

This list often includes good old blueberries. Just like cranberries and sea buckthorn. And this suggests that in the minds of people, the ideas about superfoods are slightly distorted. The fact is that these berries, like many others, are rich in antioxidants. But they just cannot boast of a wide range of vitamins and, moreover, proteins.

From the point of view of the incredible richness of the composition, which has not yet been fully disclosed by scientists, superfoods can be called bee products (honey) that have long been familiar to us and gifts of the ocean – various algae (spirulina, kelp, Icelandic moss), which literally made a splash in cosmetics.

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The most important superfood

I wonder which product was the first to be awarded the title of superfood? If we were to run a quiz, the number of correct answers would probably be close to zero.

The word “superfood” was first heard in 1949 in Canada in relation to … a muffin – a cupcake, if in Russian.

Nutritionists of the middle of the XNUMXth century, in accordance with the then accepted ideas about the benefits, were glad that such a delicious dessert as a muffin contained protein, fat, carbohydrates, and some B vitamins. Little was known about vitamins at that time, and the word “antioxidants” did not exist at all.

So what is a superfood? Officially, there is no such term. And is it possible that proteins, healthy omega fatty acids in the right proportions, and a collection of water- and fat-soluble vitamins generously flavored with antioxidants converge in one fruit? Common sense will tell you the answer.

Today, the most important thing for the health and youth of the body, in particular the skin, is diversity in nutrition. Instead of one superfood, we need a super plate with proteins, healthy fats and, of course, a lot of vitamins, trace elements, polyphenols, antioxidants.

In Japanese dietology, there is a rule: 19 different foods per week.
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Superfoods for skin

Let’s figure out what makes sense to look for in the composition of cosmetics. First of all, these are vitamins and antioxidants – the main pride of superfoods. As well as useful fatty acids that get into cosmetics from wonderful outlandish oils of argan, macadamia, almonds (also quite a superfood). And, of course, at the level of instincts, we somehow trust the edible components of cosmetics more.

Black sheet mask with charcoal and black algae, Garnier

Cleansing and moisturizing mask for oily and combination skin contains the famous Japanese superfood – black algae. They provide a powerful moisturizing effect in combination with hyaluronic acid and saturate the skin with a mass of useful microelements. This effect is conveniently combined with the cleansing power of charcoal and lipohydroxy acid.

Sheet mask for the skin around the eyes “Moisturizing + elasticity”, Garnier

In addition to intensely moisturizing hyaluronic acid, the mask contains coconut water from young Malaysian coconuts. This super-rich active substance helps to smooth wrinkles around the eyes and, unlike the rich coconut oil that is formed later in the nut, is great for the delicate skin around the eyes. By the way, coconut water is especially popular not only among fans of Asian cuisine, but also among those who want to lose weight.

Sugar Facial Scrub “Nourishing”, L’Oréal Paris

This wonderful product boasts the presence of cocoa butter, coconut and cupuaçu tree seed pit powder. We are not very familiar with the latter yet. Cupuacu is a relative of cocoa, also very gifted by nature. Moreover, it is considered the most expensive fruit in Latin America, because it cannot be plucked from a tree – you must wait until the fruit itself falls to the ground, otherwise it will not ripen. Surprisingly, the Japanese show great interest in cupuaçu.

Face mask “Age expert 45+”, L’Oréal Paris

In addition to retinopeptides that trigger skin regeneration processes, the mask contains goji berry extract, known for its antioxidant properties, that is, protecting the skin from the negative effects of free radicals.

Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate, Kiehl’s

The main component and pride of the manufacturer is quinoa husk extract. Together with phytic acid derived from raw rice, as well as other fruit acids, micropeeling stimulates the natural renewal of skin cells, restoring its freshness, even out color and texture.

Antioxidant day care against the first signs of aging Homme Age Fitness Advanced Day, Biotherm

The cream from the male line contains an extract of superfood spirulina, rich in proteins, minerals, antioxidants, and other biologically active substances. Restores the activity of skin cells, making them less vulnerable to external adverse conditions. Scientists suggest that spirulina is one of the relic algae that participated in the formation of the earth’s atmosphere suitable for life. In the battle against time, such strength will also come in handy.

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