“Superfoods” is a word that everyone is familiar with these days, as it’s being bandied around in the media and in supermarkets across the globe, but what IS a superfood?
You could probably say that any unadulterated, unprocessed food in its natural state is a superfood. Fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains in their purest form with no additives should be the staple of everyone’s daily diet.
However, some foods surpass the average in their health giving properties. They’re higher in concentrated antioxidants, are detoxifying or have unique properties that other foods don’t have. For example:
· Goji berries – contain 18 amino acids, beta-carotene, B vitamins, essential fatty acids and they help fortify the immune system.
· Cacao – high in magnesium and flavonol (rich antioxidant). Boosts mood with serotonin, dopamine, and phenylethylamine.
· Blueberries – contain a flavonoid called anthocyanin, which is a very strong antioxidant.
· Prunes – another leader in antioxidants – they had the highest ORAC rating for dried fruit, which is a test that measures the ability of foods to quench oxygen free radicals.
This is just a small example of some of the foods that really pack a punch in the healthy stakes. Try to introduce some of these foods into a healthy diet, and with the addition of exercise, lots of water and a decent amount of sleep and you’ll be rewarded with higher energy levels, better skin and less colds and flu!
