Food is essential in life. You’ll die without it, and you can extend your life by eating well. Much of our human existence is shaped around food and the diets that we choose.
That is why people are rushing to the market to pick up “superfoods” or ordering online now more than ever. If you are wondering about ordering online, here you can learn more.
While there is no set, rigid criterion for deciding what is or is not a superfood, there are numerous options that are being praised as such for their high density of nutrients, vitamins and minerals that keep our bodies healthy.
Salmon, many types of berries, broccoli, quinoa and green tea are well-known superfoods for their nutrient-enriched qualities. Each of these foods are famously super for different reasons, but all of them pack a lot of the stuff your body needs to feel and function at its best.
What Can Superfoods do for You?
A food item doesn’t simply have to be nutritious to be deemed a superfood. It has to be especially nutritious, packed with essential nutrients and micronutrients as well as other qualities that do the body good.
Generally speaking, there are three things that you can expect of nearly any superfood:
- Antioxidants
- Sulforaphane
- Inflammatory-fighting fats
Antioxidants exist in a lot of the things we eat, including some varieties of chocolate, but are especially powerful in vegetables and veggie-based items. These compounds work to reduce and even stop cell damage caused by oxidants and free radicals. Green tea is one hefty source of antioxidants, which is probably one reason why it has been a staple in some societies for thousands of years.
Sulforaphane is produced when we eat leafy, green vegetables like broccoli and spinach. It has also been used in some treatments plans for various ailments like osteoarthritis, skin disorders and even certain cancers. This powerful chemical is what gives these leafy greens their bitter flavor, and is known to work wonders on the body when assumed as part of their regular diet.
Anti-inflammatory fats can be found across the superfood family, from kale to salmon. Chronic inflammation is a symptom of many conditions, including depression, certain cancers and Alzheimer’s Disease. Spinach, kale, tomato, nuts and a slew of other options are available anywhere you shop for groceries.
It’s Not Hard to Improve your Health with Superfoods
Most any superfood can be cooked to your specific tastes, added to dishes or even enjoyed on their own. These items are also not at all difficult to find in your local grocery store, so there is no need to drive to that specialty shop miles away to get your superfoods. Look for:
- Raw nuts
- Blueberries (which are known to be jam-packed with antioxidants)
- Salmon (filled with good anti-inflammatory fat)
- Legumes
- Broccoli
- Spinach, kale and other leafy greens
- Quinoa (a gluten-free rice-like option that is an important staple in many diabetics’ pantries)
- Green tea
No single food or combination of foods can ward off or treat cancer, but you can improve your odds at staying healthy by including more of these nutrient-dense foods into your everyday diet.