You may have come across the term “superfoods” in an aisle of your local grocery store, in an advertisement online, or from a friend who loves to scour the market for freshest and healthiest produce. And it suddenly piqued your interest. That’s probably why you’re here right?
If you’ve been learning about superfoods and trying to get into the bandwagon, you’re on the right page. In this piece, we’re going to discuss why superfoods must be on your plate or glasses at least one meal per day.
But first, a little background on superfoods
There’s this connotation that superfoods are the types of food that always come from the ancient civilizations (that we probably don’t know much about), or that they’re always the ones with weird-sounding names and weird looking appearance.
To be honest, some superfoods really look weird when looked at raw (like shilajit from the ancient Ayurvedic medicine) and some are real medical staples that have been around for centuries. But it’s not all about that.
Some superfoods are actually familiar fruits and veggies that you always see in grocery stores and supermarkets. While some of them are native plants that you can actually easily grow and harvest in your own backyard!
Basically, superfoods are nutritionally dense foods that can give you the nutrients that you need every day. Most superfoods are plant-based, but some come from different kinds of seafood (cod liver oil from cod fish is a perfect example of that) and other animals.
They also contain a high volume of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants which are all crucial in keeping the body in tip top shape.
Some of the superfoods that are existing today can be eaten raw, like berries and other fruits. Some are also cooked, steeped into tea, or processed into a health supplement like powder, capsules and tinctures. No matter how you like your superfoods, there’s a format that will suit your taste.
But before we completely geek out on the endless facts about superfoods, let’s cut to the chase. Below are some of the benefits that you will enjoy if you include superfoods in your diet.
1. You may become more energized
If you always feel tired from completing your daily tasks, you might be lacking some iron in your body. People who have a deficiency in iron often experience fatigue as one of its symptoms or side effects.
If you’re one of those people, you might want to eat superfoods like spinach or kale which are both great sources of iron. Including these greens in your diet will certainly help you maintain normal iron levels in the body and your energy levels at the same time.
2. Your immune system may become stronger
Superfoods are nutritionally dense foods so it’s not surprising if they boost your immunity to some level. Depending on what superfood you’re going to take, the chances of getting a stronger immunity are either slim or great. But it’s most likely great.
Several superfoods are quite known for improving the immune system. The best candidate for that is the leafy greens that normally contain a hefty dose of vitamin C.
3. You may have a healthier gut
Powdered greens that have probiotics in them will certainly help you with your constipation.
Probably the number one reason why you suffer from this gut-wrenching disease is because of the decline in the numbers of specific probiotics in your stomach.
Remember, it’s all in the gut. So make sure to keep it in a healthier shape by including superfoods in your diet that are rich in probiotics.
4. You may maintain a healthy blood pressure
With the help of superfoods, you can keep your blood pressure in check. Eating a ton of healthier foods then couple them with healthy supplements will certainly help you maintain a healthy blood pressure. Which also automatically reduces your chances of getting a stroke.
Take beetroot powder for example. They are rich in nitrates which are converted into nitric oxide inside the body. Nitric oxide will then work wonders for your heart health like relaxing your blood vessels to help lower your blood pressure.
5. You may be spared from oxidative stress and damage
If you have bad habits like eating too many oily foods and smoking, free radicals can develop which can spark oxidative damage to the tissues in your body.
If your body continually suffers from oxidative stress, you might suffer from neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s, respiratory disease, and cancer growth.
But if you drop these bad habits, start eating healthy and incorporating superfoods into your diet, oxidative stress will be the least of your concerns. Especially if you eat superfoods that are rich in antioxidants like nuts, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Final Thoughts
With all the health benefits that many superfoods have to offer, it’s no wonder why more and more people are starting to incorporate them into their healthy diets and lifestyle.
If you’re one of those people who are trying to get back in shape, or at least want to get back to the healthy curve again, trying out superfoods that will suit your taste and special dietary requirements (if you have one) is a great start! Superfoods like lion’s mane mushroom, acai berries, chaga extract, and more, will certainly give you the nutrients that you need.
However, keep in mind that eating or drinking superfoods alone is not the only key to a healthy lifestyle. You still need to fill your yummy with other healthy foods and proper meals to get the much-needed vitamins and nutrients.
Regular workouts are also a crucial factor in maintaining a healthy and fit body. So don’t forget to dedicate a period of your day or week for either a short run or a full session at the gym. This way, you can burn all the calories and trim the fats that you’ve been worrying about.
Did you enjoy reading this article? There’s more at superfoodsaustralia.com.au.