Food. The delicious, universal language. Food provides us with the everyday energy needed to carry out daily tasks. It synthesizes into our bodies, which causes us to grow. It's safe to say that the higher quality your food is, the higher quality your lifestyle will be. Regardless of your nutrition goals, it's undoubtedly important to consume foods that improve your overall well-being.
Superfoods refer to a category of food that is classified as especially nutrient-rich. From their health benefits to cognitive boosting abilities, foods classified as a superfood have distinctive qualities compared to ordinary food. Superfoods can be made into delicious and fun-to-make recipes. Some of these include Coconut lentils, Matcha Oatmeal, Acai Berry Bowls, and Cajun Salmon.
Superfoods contain an abundance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Vitamins: are organic compounds that are essential for general growth. They are usually taken in small quantities. Vitamin D, for example, is found in exposure to sunlight. Most adults do not receive enough direct sunlight exposure. Additionally, the quantities of Vitamin D found in food are not adequate for the body’s needs. This is why the vitamin is often supplemented in a fat-soluble or water-soluble form.
- Minerals: on the other hand, are natural solid substances. They are inorganic, which means that they are not derived from a plant, animal, or human. One example of a mineral is gold, a well-known metal. Simply put, vitamins and minerals assist your body in healing wounds and boosting your immune system.
- Antioxidants: are a type of molecule, found in certain foods, that aid in neutralizing any free radicals in the body. A free radical can be a molecule, atom, or ion that contains at least one unpaired valence electron. Free radicals can lead to chronic inflammation as well as cardiovascular disease. Those with low-grade inflammation are at a much higher risk of potential harm. Antioxidants destroy existing radicals and prevent the life of new ones.
Needless to say, the frequent consumption of superfoods will provide extensive health benefits. Superfoods can be solid food, spices, or even herbs/herbal leaves. We’re going to now take a look at our top 5 superfood picks!
The Top 5 Superfoods That Can Level Up Your Health
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Berries
Most berries are very rich in antioxidants. A few of the antioxidants found in berries are ellagic acid, anthocyanins, and resveratrol. These antioxidants, as explained before, fight off your body’s free radicals. Studies focused on blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries found an especially high antioxidant content that often led to a reduced level of oxidative stress.
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Matcha
Often prepared in the form of a beverage, matcha is an internationally popular powder. Matcha is derived from green tea leaves, a staple of Chinese culture. Matcha was brought to Japan, which eventually resulted in the powder’s worldwide popularity. Throughout past centuries, matcha has been used for essentially the same purposes. For one, matcha contains an increased amount of nutrients, antioxidants, and caffeine content compared to ordinary green tea. Matcha is known to give gradual long-lasting energy, compared to the usual spike and crash resulting from coffee.
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Ginger
Ginger is a spice derived from the root of an Asian flowering plant. Ginger root is used in a powdered, dried, and juiced form. The root has anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. It is associated with reducing nausea, fighting off illnesses, and lowering the risk of heart disease. It is also often used to aid with weight loss.
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Avocados
Often mistaken for a vegetable, avocados are part of the berry family. They are extremely potent in nutrients, minerals, and healthy fats. They also contain vitamins that are often lacking in people’s diets. The berry is also quite beneficial to improving gut health. In similarity to other superfoods, avocados can reduce the risk of heart disease and assist in controlling body weight.
1. Turmeric
Turmeric especially stands out in the world of superfoods. The spice has recently been gaining attention, partially for its strong anti-inflammatory and neurologic effects. Although turmeric in its spice form is delicious, the superfood is most beneficial when supplemented.
Turmeric supplements are made of a turmeric extract, which has a much higher potency of curcumin than its powdered form. Curcumin is the major active ingredient within turmeric. Curcumin is what causes the antioxidant effects on the body. It also causes the spice’s strong anti-inflammatory effects. This is why turmeric is often used for pain management, especially low-grade inflammation. Curcumin, itself, does not easily spread throughout the bloodstream of a person. For this reason, proper turmeric supplements include black pepper in their ingredients. This is done because black pepper contains an alkaloid called piperine. Piperine increases curcumin absorption by a great extent.
Turmeric is a natural medicine with extremely low risks in any form of consumption. For example, Turmeric Gold is a turmeric supplement that undergoes extensive in-lab testing to exclude heavy metals, toxins, and adulterated ingredients.
While one could write endless pages on the benefits of superfoods, I would suggest that you pick a superfood on our list today. Try it for yourself and send your thoughts to our team at Fusionary!
