We’re going to discuss ten everyday superfoods that can offer tremendous health benefits to your body.
SEE ALSO: 5 Amazing health benefits of Chaga mushroom
It’s raining superfoods everywhere these days.
From Matcha tea to black seed oil, superfoods are talked about in every health magazine and blogs online.
Superfoods provide for the body with excellent nutritional support.
The term superfood refers to foods that have a high level of phytonutrients.
Phytonutrients are members of the family of antioxidants, the leaders in the fighting against free radicals.
Most phytonutrients can usually be found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Some foods contain abundant levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that give them their unique healing and detoxifying properties. And that’s what makes them superfoods.
1# Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is known as a natural stress buster.
Consuming 40 grams of dark chocolate with a higher percentage of cocoa per day lowers stress hormone in people who are prone to it.
It is also good for the heart because it lowers blood pressure, while antioxidants strengthen the immune system [1].
The darker the chocolate, the more cocoa can be found in it.
Dark chocolate contains high levels of flavonoids.
Flavonoid gives the bitter and distinctive taste to the chocolate.
It has been proven that dark chocolate stimulates the production of endorphins (the happy hormone), and contains serotonin, a hormone that stabilizes mood.
It also contains potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, sodium and iron.
Eat it moderately as you would with anything else.
2# Fresh Cottage Cheese
Fresh cheese, made from unpasteurized milk.
It strengthens your bones and helps in building muscles and organs.
Cheese is low in sodium and rich in calcium and proteins. It is perfect for menopausal women as it can prevent osteoporosis which comes due to lack of calcium.
It’s useful for preventing heart disease and high blood pressure.
Cheese is also great for dental health as it prevents plaque formation.
It is also essential in diabetes diet therapy, liver and bile disease.
3# Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potato is one of the most nutritious vegetables.
It is abundant in vitamin A.
Sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties [2].
In addition to the exceptional taste, sweet potato is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals.
It’s rich in beta-carotene and antioxidants that are also crucial for the proper functioning of the brain (the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, etc.).
Sweet potato is virtually fat-free and cholesterol-free and contains very little sodium (too much can cause high blood pressure).
Sweet potato is an excellent source of dietary fiber, which is essential for the proper functioning of digestion, thereby reducing the risk of colon cancer and related diseases.
4# Hot Pepper
Hot peppers have a significant immune boosting power [3].
Capsaicin in hot pepper contributes to fighting obesity, cancer, diabetes, and bacteria that create an ulcer.
There is an interesting fact about hot peppers.
Namely, they warm the body in winter and cool it down in summer.
It may seem strange, but the peppers raise your body temperature, and you sweat, which ultimately lowers the body temperature.
Another benefit of chili peppers is their effectiveness in anticoagulation and prevention of heart attacks and strokes.
Peppers are natural anti-inflammatory foods that also affect the maintenance of normal blood pressure.
Hot peppers contain high amounts of vitamin C, even more than citrus fruits, and are rich in vitamin B6, potassium, magnesium, and iron.
5# Quinoa
Unfortunately, many people have never even heard of this grain.
Quinoa contains all the essential nutrients for good health.
It is rich in fiber, minerals, and proteins, and contains a small number of calories and fat [4].
Studies have shown that a bowl of quinoa every day can reduce the risk of obesity, cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
Quinoa is an excellent source of magnesium, a mineral that relaxes blood vessels and prevents their contraction.
Increased intake of magnesium has been proven effective in reducing the frequency of headaches.
It also contains vitamin B, which improves metabolism in the brain and muscle cells.
Fibers from these grains are excellent protection against breast cancer.
You can combine it with all sorts of vegetables and other grains, and you can make some excellent meals.
6# Avocado
Avocado is a fantastic source of healthy fat and one of the staples of those who’re on the Keto diet.
Avocados are rich in fiber and low in calories.
Fat from avocado is monounsaturated and in combination with vitamin E and carotenoids is essential for the beauty of skin and hair.
It also helps to reduce the bad cholesterol, reduces fat around the stomach and the risk of heart attack.
Avocado is very rich in folic acid and thus suitable for pregnant women as it helps in the development of the brain and other tissues of the baby.
In addition to these health benefits, it is beneficial in stopping bad breath.
7# Tomato
Regular consumption of tomatoes can reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, which scientists say is a powerful antioxidant.
Tomato is also rich in vitamin C, carotene, vitamin E and iron.
Tomato lowers blood pressure and stimulates the secretion of gastric and intestinal digestive juices and thus helps digestion.
Tomatoes can be consumed in the form of juice, salads, soups or fresh and unseasoned.
They’re rich in vitamins and minerals.
Tomato is the most consumed vegetable in the world.
There is a significant difference between tomatoes from stores and those made in your garden.
If you have a garden, plant this marvelous vegetable, you will not regret it.
Tomatoes contain lycopene, the most potent antioxidant from the carotenoid group, which helps in the fight against a cluster of cancer cells.
Lycopene is also useful against other diseases.
It protects lipids, proteins, and DNA from oxidation.
Our body doesn’t produce lycopene, so we need other sources of this powerful antioxidant.
Although it can be found in other fruits and vegetables, the highest concentration is in the tomato.
8# Coconut
Coconut milk is a much better drink than commercial sports drinks, which are full of sugar and artificial colors.
The molecular structure of coconut milk is identical to human blood plasma.
Drinking coconut milk is like a mini-blood transfusion.
During World War II, giving coconut milk to wounded soldiers was a common practice.
Coconut oil speeds up metabolism and accelerates calorie burning, making it an ideal food for weight loss.
Coconut oil has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal properties.
Residents of the Pacific islands considered this oil gift of nature and a cure for all diseases.
Coconut is also full of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
It is an excellent source of manganese as one coconut includes 60 percent of the recommended daily dose of manganese.
It also contains 11 percent of the daily required amount of iron, nine percent of phosphorus and eight percent of potassium.
Coconut is also a good source of protein.
9# Noni
This plant has various healing properties.
Seeds have a laxative and anti-inflammatory effects, and noni fruit is the most crucial part of the plant since it emits a high-quality juice that works on a variety of different health problems.
Noni contains 155 bioactive compounds, and each one of them has a specific role in human health. Very popular is Noni Juice.
Noni Juice can be taken with medications, and in that way, it neutralizes their adverse side effects.
Noni is available in creams, pills, dressings, tea, and tonics. But noni juice is the most popular form.
It is highly recommended to drink this juice as prevention.
Noni provides our body with a variety of nutrients that are necessary to maintain our health. Give it a try!
10# Lentil
Lentils don’t contain cholesterol; they have very little fat and lots of soluble and insoluble fiber, which helps to regulate blood sugar, reduce cholesterol levels and also stimulate digestion.
Lentils are rich in vitamins and minerals, including iron.
They contain large amounts of lysine which can’t be found in other grains, but it is low in methionine, tryptophan, and cysteine, which can be found in large amounts on other grains.
Therefore it is suggested to combine lentils with different grains in the same meal, and in that way, you will get a balanced composition of amino acids.
What’s your favorite everyday superfood?