You’ve heard that some foods are called superfoods. But what exactly does this mean? What kind of products can be included in this honorary list? And why aren’t they really superheroes? This is my new digest.
What are superfoods?
Some foods are so powerful, compared to their counterparts, in positively influencing human health that they have come to be called superfoods (or superfoods). One is an unusually high concentration of powerful antioxidants. In the other, there is a whole palette of vitamins. Still others provide us with a large dose of essential omega-3 fatty acids. In other words, it can be any property that is useful for our body, the main thing is that it is either extremely strong or combined with an exceptionally large number of other useful properties.
What foods can be classified as superfoods?
You might think that this is certainly something exotic. Chia seeds, for example. However, I would start my list of superfoods with the familiar and available to all of us white cabbage. Although any other type of cabbage – Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower – is also super! Why? Read this link.
Another inexpensive superfood that can be found in almost any supermarket is fennel. For some reason, Russians underestimate it, although this vegetable is very useful (in particular, for fighting cancer), and the dishes from it turn out to be unusually tasty. Turmeric, an Indian spice also used in curries, also helps fight cancer cells. And, for example, these products can be considered superfoods due to their ability to cleanse the arteries.
As for chia seeds, they certainly also take a worthy place on the list of superfoods, albeit a more exotic one, where they sit side by side with quinoa, Himalayan salt and coconut oil (and fresh coconut water is a real superfood for the beauty of skin and hair). By the way, in the same list you will find extra virgin olive oil and frozen berries. And about where to buy products that are not typical for our country, but very useful, you can read here.
One of my favorite superfoods is avocado, which is delicious and very healthy, just a unique fruit that, among other things, is unusually rich in essential fatty acids. Another superfood can become a worthy neighbor – flax seeds.
On my site, you can find a few more superfood lists. One of them includes, for example, seaweed, parsley, witgrass (why – read here). The other includes perga, sesame and ginger.
In general, each of these products is special, and each strengthens our health in its own way.
Superheroes?
I’d like to think that superfoods are like superheroes: they will fly in and save you. But it is not so. You cannot lead a sedentary lifestyle, lack of sleep, smoke, eat fries and pizza – and think that avocado or cabbage soup eaten in the morning will help you to improve your health. This, of course, will not be superfluous and will be beneficial, but nevertheless, the effect of superfoods is not based on the fact that they accidentally ended up on your dinner table, but on their regular presence in the diet. Be consistent! And then you can get the most out of superfoods, and from ordinary healthy foods too, and you yourself will become a superhero – healthy, full of energy and strength.