What are Superfoods?

Superfoods are foods that are rich in nutrients and are generally thought to be healthy. They are often plant-based foods; however, some dairy and fish fit in the category as well. 

The health benefits of superfoods are wide ranging. For example, some superfoods, like quinoa, contain an antioxidant that helps fight against cancer, while others, such as nuts and seeds, contain healthy fats that are thought to help prevent heart disease, as per LiveScience.

Consumers should be aware that the term “superfood” was coined by the media and is often used to sell products; it is not generally used by scientists or doctors. Further, some foods with the superfood label are in fact contaminated with pesticides or have gone through unhealthy processing.

In honor of the fact that March is National Nutrition Month, this article will provide additional information on superfoods and how they contribute to a healthy diet.

Why are superfoods important?

A diet that contains just a few superfoods can provide a wide range of health benefits, such as the ones mentioned above. Others include increased heart health, a better immune system and the ability to age better. Superfoods can also help people lose weight or feel more energetic.

While that may sound too good to be true, LiveScience notes that studies back up the positive effects of superfoods. Research “has shown that the ideal diet is one that is largely plant-based with a wide, wide, wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthful animal products,” the publication notes, and superfoods are a good introduction to that type of diet.

Consuming superfoods is becoming especially important now that people are becoming more used to eating processed foods that are high in sodium, fat and calories. It is hard to obtain the nutrients needed for a healthy life from that type of food.

Examples of superfoods and their benefits

A quick search online will show that some superfoods lists are longer than others. Very extensive lists may include foods that are not the healthiest, such as juices that have added sugar. They may also contain foods that are detrimental to one’s health. For example, state that sea salt, which contains potassium and calcium, is a superfood; however, it still has the same amount of sodium as table salt, and consumers should use it sparingly, according to Sacramento ABC affiliate KXTV.

Acai juice, apples and black beans, all of which contain antioxidants, are all widely viewed as superfoods. The antioxidants in apples can reduce people’s risk of lung cancer, Woman’s Day notes, while those in black beans promote healthy arteries. Black beans also contain high levels of fiber, as do edamame and bananas, two more superfoods.

Salmon is also a superfood. Its omega-3 fatty acids are good for heart health, as are those found in walnuts, Woman’s Day states. The omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts can also improve memory and coordination.

Some superfoods are a little more exotic. Goji berries, for instance, are rich in vitamins, “especially B vitamin -riboflavin and vitamin C,” states NaturalHealth365.com. They are native to China and have been eaten in Asia for generations.

Other berries that are easier to find, such as blueberries and cranberries, also offer numerous health benefits as they contain resveratrol, a highly potent polyphenolic antioxidant.

“You’re getting potent antioxidant protection to help your body manage many different types of environmental and self-induced stress from the inside out,” Jeffrey Morrison, founder of the Morrison Center for Integrative Medicine in New York City, told YouBeauty.com. “Resveratrol works to directly bind free radicals [damaging atoms or molecules with one or more unpaired electrons] and enhance the body’s ability to produce our own antioxidants including glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase.”

One final superfood to keep in mind is hemp. It’s been in the news recently due to Naturally Splendid‘s (TSXV:NSP) recent announcement that Nature’s Fare Markets is to start stocking its shelves with NATERA(TM), the company’s hemp-based superfood.

Natural News explains that hemp’s popularity stems from the fact that hemp protein “is one of the very few plant based complete protein sources,” meaning that it contains all nine essential amino acids. It is also “a great source of sulfur containing amino acids methionine and cysteine, which are necessary for cellular detoxification and the production of vital enzymes” and can help with muscle growth and repair.

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