Am sure you have heard the term?! Lets have a look at what they are! Superfoods are foods that are supposed to have certain healthy properties due to their high levels of vitamins and minerals. Whether this is true or not remains to be seen. Some people see them as a marketing ploy and others really believe that they are helping them- the word placebo starts to creep into my mind. Ok, so you can obviously notice my skepticism but lets move on. So here are a few examples of superfoods just incase you fancy getting some in your life:
Pomegranates
These fruits are full of vitamins A, C and E, and iron. These help the blood maintain an effective supply of oxygen to the body. The jewel like seeds are the edible part of the fruit called arils. The fruit is an excellent source of polyphenols. These help the body eliminate potential cancer-causing agents and tannins, which lower blood pressure and stimulate the immune system. Did you know that this fruit has been shown to contain three times as many cancer-fighting antioxidants as green tea? See- you learn something new everyday!
Blueberries
These babies are full of antioxidants and phytoflavinoids, potassium and vitamin C, Not only can they lower your risk of heart disease and cancer, they are also anti-inflammatory. When choosing berries, remember the darker they are, the more anti-oxidants they have! Just incase you are wondering what an antioxidant is- they are substances or nutrients in our foods that can prevent or slow the oxidative damage to our body. How about a fruit tasting session with your partner tonight then?
Oily fish – (salmon,sardines,mackerel,
These foods are high in Omega-3 which have shown to help lower heart disease risk, help arthritis, and possibly help with memory loss and Alzheimer’s. There is some evidence to show that it can help reduce depression too! If you are not a fan of fish- never fear! Throughout my column I will include fish recipes which I am sure will change your opinion. In the meantime other forms of omega 3 foods are fortified eggs, flaxseeds, and walnuts. These foods also have the added benefit of being high in monounsaturated fats (good fats basically). which can lower cholesterol.
So there you have an introduction to the world of superfoods. In my opinion, I would say I am 50/50. I mean I do believe these superfoods, amongst others, definitely have something about them. However you don’t need specific foods for individual problems. A healthy diet made up of foods from all nutrient groups such as protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins and minerals will help you maintain your weight, fight disease, and live longer. One thing that superfoods do have in common, are that they are real (unprocessed) foods.
Stick with me and I will definitely help you on your way to being healthy and guess what? Actually enjoying it!!
Until next time,
Rebecca x
