What are superfoods and why you should use them

in #health7 years ago

What are superfoods and why you should use them

Superfoods are nutritionally the densest foods on the planet and have been used for thousands of years by indigenous peoples to heal the mind and body. In today's toxic world, it is a good idea to include them in your diet to improve your performance, increase vitality and feel rejuvenated.

We may be the most overfed generation in human history, but at the same time the most undernourished and with the most chronic diseases. The Western diet full of refined and industrialized foods have eliminated minerals, vitamins and nutrients from our daily diet that are vital for optimal health.

One of the ways to improve our health quickly and easily is to increase the intake of superfoods, nutrient-rich foods that have a powerful effect on human health.

Superfoods are mostly raw foods that are more dense in nutrients than processed and cooked foods. Enriched enzymes are also full of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and phytochemicals, which help protect us against diseases. Full of antioxidants and have a broad therapeutic potential and anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Lemonade with Chia

Superfoods is a trend that grows every day. More and more people are discovering that they feel better when they add them to their diet. Chia seeds (my personal favorite, I use it on my morning bagel and here in Mexico we make Lemonade with chia!), Andean maca, spirulina and chlorella, and old grains such as quinoa, among many others are increasingly popular and are increasingly easy to find in stores and supermarkets.

The Mayo Clinic defines superfoods as those foods that meets at least three requirements. Which are an excellent source of fiber, vitamins, minerals; with a high content of phytonutrients and antioxidant compounds such as vitamins A and E and beta-carotene; and of low caloric density. All of them factors that makes superfoods able to help reduce the risk of heart disease and other health conditions and disorders.

With our lifestyle it may not be easy to consume the necessary nutrients to have an optimal performance in life. We have forgotten the true purpose of eating which is to nourish our bodies. Currently refined, processed, fried, sweet and fatty foods are the quickest and most easily available options, they are also usually the cheapest. With them we satisfy our appetite without getting the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals to be healthy.

From a young age we began to have important nutritional deficiencies that in the long run affects our health and mood. Whenever we feel tired we turn to quick fixes like coffee, sodas, energy drinks like red bull and candy and need more and more of it in order for it to work.

The good news is that in most cases you can reverse the situation with a change in your diet.

Superfoods are a solid source of dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals that will help us achieve our wellness and health goals. They are full of antioxidants that support the immune system, help detoxify and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improving our physical health.

Who would not want to add foods that protect us from diseases to your shopping list? What super foods do you use? Please let me know your preferences and experiences in the comments below.

Sort:  

Try chia and almond milk pudding! You can add dates and blueberries (another superfood) for some sweetness.

Completely agree with you on our society being over-fed but undernourished. Simple sugars keep becoming a bigger and bigger percentage of daily calories for the average person. We're not hummingbirds!

i appreciate that. thanks man

You the man, Luis. I have never been super healthy and it is these kinds of posts that remind me to put a little more consideration to it.

Thank you for being you.

Thank you, @ericwilson! I appreciate you and your comment. I cannot take all the credit. EmancipatedHuman's articles are a collaborative effort of Michael Bach and me. @mexresorts

Followed @mexresorts as well! Great stuff.

Thanks for the follow, followed you back :)

Quinoa is a great part of any diet!

i love love love love quinoa. the red one, especially.

They don't call them super foods for nothing, great info on staying healthy. Great post.
follow me!

good information in post

This is very good drink specialy for summer.make you fresh.
I always drink in summer .

Is it possible Americans and much of the Westernized World could be victims of starvation and not even know it? I wonder if this (lack of nutrition in the average person's diet) isn't just an advanced version of what has gone on in many countries that have fallen victim to tyranny.

great information, thanks for posting!

I fully agree that the processed food industry is a problem, but I find these superfoods to be a marketing hoax.
All fresh seeds, vegetables and fruit are healthy and deserve to be eaten. Local, seasonal products that are native to your climate are often better than exotic options.
So if you have the money, there is no reason not to buy superfoods, but if you are just a normal guy like me, just try to eat fresh and buy what you like.

On topic, my favorite superfood is kale. But I dont put it in a smoothie, I like to stew it with potatoes like my ancestors have done since many generations :)