What are the Benefits of Superfoods?

What are the Benefits of Superfoods?

 

Lots of people want to be healthy—or healthier—and so they seek out vitamins. However, the best way to be healthy is through the consumption of real foods that contain lots of healthy nutrients. That’s where superfoods step in. Superfoods are great for the body because they are high in vitamins, fiber, minerals, and/or healthy oils that contain omega 3 fatty acids. But what are the benefits of superfoods? Sure, they contain great nutrients, but why does the body really need these nutrients? Well, the fact of the matter is that we all need nutrients to keep our strength both physically and mentally. Plus, nutrients are essential for staying in shape even as we get older. For instance, consuming superfoods high in vitamin E allows us to age at a slower rate, meaning that our skin would continue to be firm for many more years before any signs of wrinkles show up. Plus, vitamin e superfoods slow the hair from graying. Similarly, other superfoods have their benefits, which is why parents are always telling their children that carrots strengthen eyesight and spinach strengthens the body. Superfoods are essential in everyday diet. So let’s dive to the most nutritious superfoods and discuss each of their benefits:

 

Leafy Greens
Leafy greens are pretty much most of your green veggies, such as Kale, spinach, mustard, and dandelion greens. The benefits of these superfoods is that they are low in calories but still have plenty of vitamins, like vitamin A, C, and K. Plus, they have great minerals like potassium, folate, and calcium.

 

Cruciferous Veggies

Cruciferous veggies are the veggies that fight off cancer and other diseases. Have you ever been told that eating a certain vegetable can protect you from an illness? Well, it’s true. Cruciferous veggies, such as broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, artichoke, and kale, can fend off cancer cells and reduce the production of free radicals. So next time you see broccoli, don’t run away!

 

Avocado

Who knew that a delicious, citrusy guacamole dip would be both yummy and nutritious?! Well, now you can enjoy avocados like never before. Sure, avocado might be fattening if you overconsume, but eating it in the right quantity is actually highly beneficial. For instance, avocado is filled with healthy fats that contain omega 3 fatty acids. Plus, other great nutrients found in this great fruit are oleic acid, lutein, folate, vitamin E, monounsaturated fats, and glutathione.

 

Blueberries

Filled with vitamin K and C, magnesium, fiber, and copper, blueberries are great antioxidants. This makes them wonderful for keeping the body in shape. Best of all, they can reduce bad cholesterol and fight off diseases like cancer and diabetes.

 

Beans

Eating beans can curb appetite since they help raise levels of the hormone leptin. Additionally, beans contain a blend of B vitamins, calcium, folate, and potassium. Beans are also high in protein, making them great for muscle growth without having to gain excessive calories.

 

Walnuts

Much alike avocado and healthy oils (like olive oil, grapeseed oil, and sesame oil), walnuts contain omega 3 fatty acids, along with vitamin E, melatonin, copper, and magnesium.

 

Wild Salmon

Wild salmon is wonderful, especially if you want to detox your body from the bad fats. Wild salmon is high in omega 3 fatty acids. Though, it also contains protein, vitamin D, selenium, and vitamins B2, B3, B6, and B12. This superfood protects the body from cancer, cardiovascular problems, macular degeneration, cognitive decline, and even depression. It’s recommended to eat two servings of wild salmon a week to reap the benefits without overdoing it.

 

Dark Chocolate

Yup! You now have an excuse to buy and eat chocolate without feeling guilty for doing so. However, you have to be sure that you get dark chocolate (meaning that it should be dairy-free). This superfood is high in antioxidants and can help lower bad cholesterol among other great benefits.

  

As you can see, there are many benefits of superfoods. Still, you should keep in mind that too much consumption of any one of these foods can make you gain weight. So just because walnuts are high in omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin E and can help you grow out healthier, shinier hair from within doesn’t mean that you should eat a bowl of them in one sitting. In fact, you should always know your limit with any sort of food. For instance, you should only eat a handful of walnuts a day, and no more. At the same time, these superfoods are by no means the only superfoods out there. In reality, all healthy foods (fruits, veggies, grains, oils, nuts, seeds, meats, etc.…) are superfoods; so if you eat a balanced diet that doesn’t include saturated, processed foods, you’ll definitely achieve good health!