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Superfoods are a special category of nutrient-rich food that can positively affect your health. As the term was coined primarily for marketing purposes, not all the foods attached to it are deserving of the title.
We present you six best healthy food options you can find in a health food store that are definitely worth their superfood title.
Spirulina
Packed with various nutrients and antioxidants, Spirulina is one of the most popular supplements that can benefit both your body and your brain.
Rich in high-quality proteins, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins B1, B2, B3, copper, and iron, this type of algae is considered one of the most nutrient-dense foods on Earth.
The primary active substance in Spirulina –phycocyanin helps your body fight free radicals and has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Adding Spirulina to your diet may lower your triglycerides and “bad” cholesterol, as well as your blood sugar levels, reduce blood pressure, and ease allergic rhinitis symptoms. You can check out the Health Matters offers and decide between either powder or capsules.
Cocoa Powder
Famous for being the main chocolate ingredient, cocoa powder contains some significant compounds that can benefit your health.
Cocoa is rich in polyphenols, especially flavanols, that reduce inflammation in your body, lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and improve cholesterol.
Cocoa will also improve the blood flow to your brain, boosting your mental performance, and reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
As consuming cocoa powder promotes feelings of contentment, some studies show that it can positively affect your mood and help you ease the symptoms of depression.
Eating up to one serving of cocoa-rich chocolate per day may have protective benefits for your heart, reducing the risk of stroke, heart failure, and heart attack.
You can also use the powder to prepare your own healthy beverages and desserts and indulge in their rich taste.
Chia Seeds
They might be small in size, but chia seeds are full of essential nutrients – omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, fiber, iron, calcium, and phosphorus.
One ounce of chia seeds will provide you with10 grams of fiber, which is almost half of the daily recommendation for a woman over 50. Foods so rich with fiber are usually low in calories, and they make you feel full for longer, helping with your weight loss.
Increased fiber intake will also contribute to your cardiovascular system’s health, as it lowers your blood pressure and cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
You can add chia seeds to your meals, and eat them cooked or raw, soaked before consuming.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is long known as a natural remedy and recognized for all the health benefits it has for your body.
Low in calories, this potent substance is rich in magnesium, iron, phosphorus, amino acids, manganese, and antioxidants. Some of the crucial benefits of adding apple vinegar to your diet are:
- improves digestion;
- improves insulin sensitivity and lowers blood sugar levels;
- lowers cholesterol;
- improves heart health and reduces blood pressure;
- increases satiety and helps with weight loss;
- reduces belly fat;
Even though some of the benefits have been proven scientifically, it’s important to know that apple vinegar is not a miracle cure. It will only give results if you take another step towards improving your health too, such as eating a well-balanced diet and exercise.
Seaweed
Seaweed, a highly nutritious alga that grows in the rocky shores around the world, are mostly used for their health benefits in Japan, Korea, and China. However, due to the major benefits they bring to human health, these sea plants are growing in popularity in western civilization too.
Seaweed is rich with iodine and tyrosine, which your thyroid gland needs to be able to function properly. Each type of seaweed has a unique set of properties, but they all are a great source of vitamins and minerals, as well as a wide range of antioxidants that protect your body from cell damage.
As it contains few calories, plenty of filling fiber, and fucoxanthin, adding seaweed to your diet may also improve your metabolism and help with weight loss.
Coconut Oil
For its unique combination of fatty acids, coconut oil is widely marketed as a superfood that you can now find in any health food store and use in your nutrition and topically.
The main ingredient that makes coconut oil so unique and healthy is MCT (medium-chain triglycerides) – a type of fat that your body metabolizes differently from the others you consume.
When compared with other fats, MCTs increase the number of calories your body burns, promoting weight loss.
Furthermore, lauric acid, which makes up to half of the fatty acids found in coconut oil, is efficient in destroying various pathogen-bacteria, viruses, and fungi, so it’s very potent in reducing inflammation.
To make the most out of it, opt for virgin and organic coconut oil instead of the refined version.
None of these superfoods alone holds the key to staying young and healthy forever. However, adding some of them to your everyday diet and making some other healthy life choices may improve your overall health and well being.
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