Superfoods- What are they?

Superfood – what are they?

Superfoods are trending but what does this even mean?

Superfoods are products that can be included in your meal or can be eaten by itself. It has supplement-like benefits. There are superfoods that also claims to have medicinal properties. There is really no exact definition for a superfood, but it has been sensationalized in the social media these days that people are now jumping into the hype.

Superfoods are mostly plant-based, also some fish and dairy products. Some foods referred to as superfood are salmon, blueberries, kale, and acai. There are no specific criteria to determine superfoods said the American Heart Association. Despina Hyde, a registered dietician at New York University’s Langone Medical Center said that superfood isn’t a food group but rather a marketing term for food with health benefits.

Importance of superfoods

With the rise of food chains and deliveries today, our diet is taking a turn for the worse. People want efficiency and so they opt for food that’s easier to prepare and quicker to eat. But eating unhealthy foods isn’t good for one’s body, skin, hair, and immune system. On the contrary, including superfood in your diet improves your health and helps you maintain a good physique.

There are probably hundreds, if not thousands, of superfoods out there but let’s just look at a few of them.

Blueberries

Blueberries are delicious and are full of phytonutrients that can neutralize agents causing cell damage and ageing. These berries can also improve the cholesterol level of the body by increasing the good cholesterol while lowering the bad cholesterol. It can also improve your memory and eyesight.

Kale

These healthy green leafy vegetables are full of minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins. It offers 113% of your daily Vitamin A intake and 90% of your daily Vitamin C intake. It is more nutritious than Spinach and contains more iron per calorie than red meat. Kale is very good if you keep close tabs with your digestive health.

Coconuts

Coconut may be a staple to some countries, but these nuts contain vitamins like no other. It has healthy fatty acid that has positive effects on the body. It also has magnesium, zinc, potassium, and many others. The fresh fruit and its juice provide different nutritional value which makes it more valuable in the superfood list.

Acai and Goji berries

These purple coloured sweet acai berries are an explosion of antioxidants, potassium, fibre, and vitamin C. Acai berries are a good source of energy and it helps you get a better sleep cycle.

Another berry family, the Goji berry or the Wolfberry has anti-ageing agents that can help delay the ageing process. Like other berries and vegetables, it is also rich in Vitamin C that can support your immune system. Even better, Goji berries keep your heart and your liver healthy.

Marketing label or not, superfoods are healthy foods that are beneficial to the body. This isn’t just selling products and generating clicks, it’s more of eating healthier and living better.  So, eat more vegetables, eat more fruits, and eat super.