These days, we hear a lot about superfoods and their impact on your life and health. But these so called superfoods are not always the best ones we can introduce to our daily eating habits. I personally think that superfoods are many foods we can find amongst the plant based spectrum, whether it is a nut, seed, fruit, vegetable or a legume. It is necessary to say that superfood can be almost anything that has healing properties which almost every plant has, expect those that can be poisonous for various reasons.
The Oxford Dictionary definition states a superfood is “a nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being." According to this statement, the superfood can be something simple like apple, more sofisticated quinoa and a dragon fruit with great anti-cancer properties. But these are only few examples of natural foods that can benefit you and your health in a long run.
The variety is also a key and while introducing these new superfoods into your diet, it is important to note, that it is necessary to eat a variety of beneficial fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, legumes and grains of various textures, smell, colors and taste.
We can get foods that have some amazing beneficts and impacts on one overall wellbeing but the real superfoods are those that have the highest possibleconcentration of nutrients within.
Foods labeled as superfoods, often being sold in the form of powders, are a great addition for healthy eating but should be used merely as an addition together with the proper and a varied plant based foods. They can be used daily and some in smaller quantities because of the concentration of the vitamins and their health power.
I would like to tell you more about the 3 specific superfoods, which are my personal favorites and point out what are their benefits on ones health and how to use them in an every life. The regularity of using them is different to every person, according to their needs, tastes and sometimes the budget as well, as certain superfoods can be more expensive than other. It is though worth it to try and see for yourself.
BAOBAB
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| photo source: baobab-bio.com |
The tree of baobab itself can grow to enormous sizes and carbon dating indicates it may live to be 3000 years old. During dry seasons it take the water from the sources it gathered during the monsoon season. So, in dry summer it gives its produce so crucial for farmers and the locals. There is no specific plantation, it belongs to the whole community. Baobab is amazing as medicine for all kinds of diseases.
The fruit is dried directly on the tree and then harvested, removing the seeds and by sifting the final product is then produced, the one rich in nutrients bringing the vitality. Baobab is abundant source of minerals, vitamins and fiber - which is 50% of the fruit, and its antioxidant power is the greatest amongst all foods in the world.
Baobab powder is raw, vegan, kosher, low GI, with no lactose and gluten, no sugar, no additives and preservatives, ideal for sports people and pregnant women as well. It has double the amount of nutrients as acai, also a superfood.
One 10g portion has 5g fiber, 4g carbohydrates, 27 mg vitamin C which is whopping 33% of RDV, 200 mg potassium (10% RDV) and only 25 calories.
Uses:
- sprinkle on: salads, fruit, pancakes, porridge
- add in baking: bread, brownies, cookies
- mix in: porridge, soups, icecreams
- prepare drinks: juices, smoothies, water
Useful tip:
Mix 1 tsp of baobab with a raw 1-2 tsp apple cider vinegar in pure clean water. drink it the first thing in the morning and/or 20min before each meal to aid digestion.
Mix 1 tsp of baobab with a raw 1-2 tsp apple cider vinegar in pure clean water. drink it the first thing in the morning and/or 20min before each meal to aid digestion.
TOP 10 benefits:
- support of the proper digestion
- gives energy
- healthy immune system
- the highest amount of antioxidants
- anti-aging afect
- collagen for healthy and glowing skin
- ideal before and after the workout
- natural detox
- optimal blood pressure
- regulates blood sugar levels
MORINGA
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| photo source: tierra-moringa.com |
There are no additives and preservatives, it is raw, vegan, sugar free, gluten free, and kosher
Moringa is full of nutrients, as mentioned above, it has 23% of plant protein, 13 important vitamins and minerals, high levels of antioxidants, is high in iron and contains 31% fiber. It has double the amount of beneficial nutrients than spirulina.
One 10g portion contains: 260 mcg vitamin A (33% RDV), 160 mcg vitamin K (213 % RDV), 2 mg vitamin E (17% RDV), 238 mg calcium (30% RDV), 72 mg magnesium (19% RDV), iron 6,55 mg (47% RDV), 3g fiber, 2,3 gr protein and 27 calories.
Uses:
- sprinkle on: salads, grilled veggies, rissoto, pasta
- add in baking: bread, healthy cakes and desserts
- mix in: soups, pasta, dips, spreads and dressings
- prepare drinks: green smoothies, juices
Useful tip:
Mix 1-2 tsp moringa powder with natural apple juice.
Mix 1-2 tsp moringa powder with natural apple juice.
TOP 10 benefits:
- reduces tiredness and exhaustion
- healthy and glowing skin
- anti-aging affect
- growing and maintenance of muscle mass
- supporting of immune system
- healthy nails and hair
- healthy bones and teeth
- anti - stress efect
- detox
- optimal blood pressure
CACAO
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| photo source: exportperusac.com |
Cacao contains 300 vital antioxidants, especially flavanoids which are plant antioxidants with anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-oxidants properties. They protect the cells from the internal and external sources and harmful substances. Flavanoids present in cacao beans positively affect the cardiovascular system, blood pressure and the correct blood circulation.
Raw cacao powder is dried in the sun under specific temperature and is considered raw, because of its least processing and there is nothing added in it. Conventional cocoa (note, not cacao) is alkalized for the mass production, and often has added dried milk, sugar and other additives. Raw cacao thus has 10x more beneficial flavanoids and other substances. There is 4000 mg flavanoids in 100g of cacao powder.
Cacao has 5x antioxidants than goji berries, 100x more than blueberries and green tea. It has similar levels of antioxidants compared to those of moringa and matcha green tea powder.
Raw cacao powder is vegan, kosher, has no sugar, no gluten, no additives and preservatives.
The temperature while preparing and using cacao, has no negative impact on the efficiency of flavanoids.
One 10g portion contains: 1,3g fiber, 1,14g protein, 37 mg phosphorus (5% RDV), 24 mg magnesium (6,4% RDV) and 16 calories.
Uses:
- sprinkle on: cereals, porridge, fruit, icecream
- add into baking: cakes, cookies, muffins, raw desserts
- mix in: hot chocolate, mocha coffee, puddings
- prepare drinks: coctails, smoothie, hot chocolate, frozen coffee
TOP 10 benefits:
- prevents strokes and promotes the cardiovascular health
- healthy, hydrated skin
- combats free radicals
- enhances physical and mental wellbeing
- lowers blood pressure and improves blood circulation within the body
- improves digestion through production of digestive enzymes
- pushes toxins out of the body
- increases insulin sensitivity
- superb anti-aging benefits
- used as a natural cough suppressant
It is important to mention, it is best to buy these from reputable sources in an organic quality to avoid additives and metals and for the most benefits possible.
sources:
aduna.com
