8 Superfoods That Actually Work

What are superfoods? You may ask this question if it’s the first time you heard this term. Short definition – superfoods are foods with concentrated nutrients. This means that even when you rake them in small quantities, they contain many beneficial ingredients that are easily absorbed by your body. They can thus contribute to your health and well-being.

Superfoods are not uncommon foods, but common foods used in the past to prevent and treat various diseases.

These types of food are very rich in vitamins, antioxidants and many other phytochemicals. Antioxidants neutralize the harmful elements which are destroying cells in our body.

These are some of the top superfoods that have been tested and proven to actually work.

Apples

Apples are an excellent source of antioxidants. The health benefits of eating apples are many. They are rich in vitamins and provide anti-aging, anxiolytic, sedative and antipyretic protection. Research has shown that adult women who have regularly eaten apples had a 13% to 22% lower risk of developing heart disease

Almonds

Almonds are rich in nutrients, such as iron, calcium, vitamin E, fiber, riboflavin and magnesium. A scientific research published in Nutrition Reviews last year showed that almonds as a food can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. The fatty acid content of almonds, 91-94% of which are unsaturated, may partly explain this fact. Finally, almonds also have the highest fiber content of any other dried fruit.

Broccoli

Broccoli is rich in fiber, folic acid, potassium, calcium and phytonutrients. Phyto-nutrients are substances that reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer. Broccoli also contains beta-carotene, an antioxidant, and vitamin C.

Berries

Berries are rich in nutrients and antioxidants. According to a study at the Harvard Medical School, older people who eat a lot of blackberries (and strawberries) are less likely to develop some forms of dementia than other people of their age who did not include them in their diet.

Leafy greens

Research has shown that a high intake of vegetables such as lettuce or spinach greatly reduce a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Spinach, for example, is rich in antioxidants, especially when it is raw, boiled or very slightly boiled. It is a good source of vitamins A, B6, C, E and K. Except for vitamins, it’s rich with selenium, niacin, zinc, phosphorus, copper, folic acid, potassium, calcium, manganese, betaine and iron.

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are rich in fiber, β-carotene, complex carbohydrates, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and carotene. The Science Center for Public Interest in the United States compared the nutritional value of other vegetables with that of sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes came out first because they are superior to vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, protein and complex carbohydrates.

Avocado

Many people avoid avocados because of their high fat content. They believe that avoiding all fats will not endanger health and make it easier to control our body weight. This is a myth. About 75% of the calories in an avocado come from fat and, more specifically, monounsaturated fat.

Avocados are also very rich in B vitamins, as well as vitamin K and vitamin E. They also have a high fiber content of 25% soluble and the remaining 75% insoluble fiber. Studies have shown that regular avocado consumption reduces blood cholesterol levels. Researchers from Ohio University found that avocado-derived nutrients stopped the cancerous cells of the mouth. They even destroyed some of the pre-cancerous cells.

Salmon

This is the -king of superfoods!

Salmon is a fish with many significant health benefits. This is mainly due to the fact that it is one of the foods with the highest concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. Consumption of fish rich in ω3 is currently associated with reduced risk of heart problems, such as heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure and high triglycerides in the blood.

In addition, Omega 3 fats reduce the risk of developing brain-related problems. This way, they’re reducing the risk of cognitive decline in older people. Recent reports also show that salmon contain some small bioactive protein molecules that can provide specific support to the cartilage of the joints.

At the same time, just like all fish, it reduces the risk of eye problems. Another substance found in salmon is selenium, which is associated with reduced risk of inflammation of the joints. It also makes salmon a strong antioxidant protection.

In conclusion…

So, how do you use all these beneficial properties in your favor? For starters, you should definitely include superfoods in your diet! However, remember that the way to go is to have a balanced and healthy diet. Don’t expect superfoods to work if you otherwise go for trash food. However, go for a balanced diet and the superfoods you add to it will give your nutrition a boost.