Are you looking for a great Superfoods list? Superfoods, sometimes called “functional foods” are those which, compared to other foods, are exceptionally high in nutritional value.
For a food to be considered a Superfood, it must contain very high amounts of vitamins, minerals, and especially important, antioxidants.
These powerhouse foods can have a positive impact on health, helping to aleviate or in some cases aid in the prevention of many of our most common diseases.
As an example, all the berries on our superfoods list pack quite a nutritional punch.
A small servings, usually just a cup, has more than 100 mg of vitamin C, which can surpass the vitamin C
content of an orange! In addition to high levels of vitamin C (a powerful antioxidant on its own), berries also contain high levels of calcium, folate, potassium, and magnesium.
Furthermore, most berries contain large amounts of flavonoids and phytochemicals. These powerful antioxidants are responsible for giving berries their bright color.
Here is a Superfoods list of some of the most common and most powerful Superfoods known:
Acai Berry https://steemit.com/food/@bibian/acai-berry
The first food on our superfoods list is the acai berry which is high in antioxidants, minerals, and many other nutrients. Because of this, it is an ideal food to detoxify the body. Acai berries show more trace elements than any other food source tested to date, and have very high protein levels (more protein than eggs, without the
cholestrol). Acai berries also have high levels of glucosamine, making it useful to arthritis pain sufferers.
Goji Berry https://steemit.com/food/@bibian/benefits-of-goji-berries
Goji berries contain high levels of vitamins and antioxidants, as well as essential fatty acids (EFAs) which are necessary for the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system. There are more than 18 amino acids in the gogi berry, along with high levels of beta carotene, iron, vitamins B1, B2, B6, E, vitamin C, and 21 trace minerals. These little superfoods protect the body with a high amount of protein, which along with the high antioxidant properties, help detoxify the body naturally by removing pollutants from the blood and fighting free radical damage. The gogi berry has also been used for centuries to treat skin rashes, chronic liver disease, allergies, eye problems and tuberculosis.
Noni Berry https://steemit.com/food/@bibian/noni-berry
Noni berries are considered one of the strongest natural defenses against cancer and diabetes, and can even help promote weight loss. Noni has been used to detoxify the body and clean out the system, including the blood. The strong antioxidant properties of noni berries fight both bacteria and free radical damage. The antioxidants within the noni berry can aid in lowering LDL cholesterol which can help reduce, and possibly prevent, the onset of arteriosclerosis. In addition to heart health, the noni berry has anti-inflammatory properties and has also been found to boost immunity.
Mangosteen https://steemit.com/food/@bibian/benefits-of-mangosteen
Mangosteen has a high content of pericarp, which is in the Xanthone family of antioxidants. Xanthones are some of the most powerful antioxidants known. It has been found that mangosteen has positive effects on acid dyspepsia, moderate asthma, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and eczema. Mangosteen has highly effective antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties Recently it has been found that mangosteen can help inhibit acne and staph infections. It has also been found to regulate insulin, which is why many diabetics have begun eating mangosteen and its extracts.
Blueberries https://steemit.com/food/@bibian/blueberries
Blueberries are full of fiber, minerals and vitamins and loaded with healing antioxidants. Blueberries appear to help delay the onset of age-related loss of cognitive function and also to boost memory. Rich in the powerful antioxidants proanthocyanidins and anthocyanosides, these little superfriuts can help prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease, and retard the loss of visual acuity as well as eye fatigue. Besides all of these great benefits, blueberries can strengthen the overall immune system and increase metabolism, thus helping with weight management.
Pomegranate https://steemit.com/food/@bibian/pomegranate
Pomegranate is rich in many minerals and antioxidants. It has been shown to prevent, and even treat, some cancers, and promotes the lowering of blood pressure and “bad” cholesterol (LDL) while raising levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL). Pomegranate also appears to avert osteoarthritis and prevent plaque buildup on the inner walls of arteries. Some studies have shown that pomegranate can even protect against neonatal brain injuries if taken by pregnant women. Additionally, it may prevent or slow the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Raspberries & Blackberries
These berries are full of fiber, minerals and vitamins and loaded with healing antioxidants. They contain ellagic acid, a plant compound that combats carcinogens (cancer causing compounds). They are also rich in proanthocyanidins, antioxidants that protect against cancer and heart disease.
Sea Vegetables (such as Kelp, Nori, Dulse and Bladderwrack). https://steemit.com/food/@bibian/sea-vegetables
Sea vegetables contain the widest range of minerals out of all individual foods. They are rich in iodine, important in the proper functioning of the thyroid, which in turn controls your metabolism and therefore your energy level and ability to maintain a healthy weight. Sea vegetables have also been shown to balance the functioning of the endocrine glands, such as the pituitary and the prostate, and also the pancreas. In addition, they have been shown to thicken cell membrane walls and strengthen the immune system.
Dark Green Leafy Vegetables (such as kale and spinach).
Dark green leafy vegetables are rich in minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium and are an excellent source of vitamins K, C, E, and many B vitamins. Dark green leafy vegetables also provide a variety of phytonutrients such as beta carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which protect our cells from damage and our eyes from age-related problems, among many other effects. Dark green leaves even contain small amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids which are critical to the proper functioning of the brain, nervous system and other important body functions.
Blue-green algaes (including spirulina and chlorella).
A superfoods list wouln’t be complete without blue-green algaes, which contain polysaccharides, antioxidants, nucleic acids, and peptides. In addition, they are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, phenolic antioxidants, chlorophyll, B vitamins, carotenoids and minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc. Blue-green algaes strengthen the immune system, preventing viruses from entering cells. They also help eliminate toxins from the body, protect the intestinal lining against peptic ulcers and inhibit inflammation. Consuming blue-green algaes regularly promotes the reduction of allergy symptoms, blood pressure and cholesterol.
Use this superfoods list and see where you can incorporate superfoods into your diet. It is recommended that you eat several servings of a variety of the foods on this Superfoods list each day. Our superfoods list is by no means exhaustive, but it provides you with a good starting point for some of the most powerful. So eat up and enjoy a longer, healthier lifestyle.