Published: 20th August 2023

Superfoods For Vibrant Health

You’ve most likely heard of superfoods before. These are the foods that are prized for having the ability to boost your body with a potent array of nutrients. Many are promoted as having miraculous powers such as eliminating symptoms, increasing energy, reversing grey hair – or even ageing.

However, you may wonder, are they really worth all the hype?

There are scores of foods that have been awarded the superfood title such as: blueberries, grapes, broccoli and tomatoes. And many more come with exotic names from far away lands such as lucuma, açaí, baobab and moringa.

But the question is, can all of the various superfoods on offer lead to vibrant health?

So what are superfoods?

Superfoods are considered to be foods that are exceptionally nutrient dense and therefore highly beneficial for your health.

Basically, a superfood’s nutrient composition is notably higher than what is readily found in a single food, or, in some cases, even an entire meal. When ingested on a regular basis, a true superfood can significantly boost your body with a wide spectrum of nutrients.

While there are many foods that are given the status of a ‘superfood’, there are, in fact, very few that can offer an exceptional range and level of nutrients.

Key superfood nutrients:

  1. ENZYMES: required for all metabolic functions like digestion
  2. ANTIOXIDANTS: protects against cellular damage from free radicals, anti-aging
  3. PHYTOCHEMICALS: known for disease fighting properties, hormonal balancing
  4. VITAMINS: the fundamentals of good health, both fat and water soluble
  5. MINERALS: required for multiple functions including energy production, bone and nerve health
  6. ESSENTIAL FATS: important for cellular, endocrine and skin health
  7. AMINO ACIDS: building blocks of protein, vital for skin and muscles

Why take superfoods?


It’s of growing concern that it’s no longer possible to obtain all of the required nutrients for health through our diet alone. This is due to the fact that most of the soil used to grow crops has now become depleted due to industrialized farming practices.

Research has shown that commercially grown fruits and vegetables lack many key nutrients – even when organically grown. Therefore, superfoods can play a powerful role in helping to bridge the nutritional gap.

But before you rush out to purchase the myriad ‘superfoods’ on offer, it’s important to understand that many do not contain the nutrient spectrum, and amounts, required to be deemed worthy of such status. So it’s a good idea to carefully read the nutrition label before you buy any product titled: Superfood.

Meet the superfood all stars:

Superfoods for Vibrant Health

 

1) SPROUTS – one of the most nutrient dense foods on earth with potent medicinal properties. They are literally a powerhouse of nutrients containing between 20 to 30 times the nutrient value of a full grown plant. They are rich in vitamins, minerals and amino acids with different types having different health properties. For example, broccoli sprouts have high levels of sulphorphane a key nutrient with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer benefits, while sunflower sprouts are rich in essential fats, chlorophyll and protein required for cellular health and healthy red blood cells.
 

2) SEAWEED – packed with essential nutrients and is exceptionally rich in minerals (around 10 times higher than terrestrial plants!). Seaweed is the best dietary source of iodine which helps to nourish your thyroid gland. It contains vitamins B and K, is rich in zinc, magnesium and iron, and has a spectrum of antioxidants to help protect your cells from damage. What’s more, seaweed can also help protect your body from exposure to radiation (mobiles, computers, Wi-Fi) and heavy metals.

3) ALGAE – the oldest plant form on earth with remarkable health properties. It’s able to repair the DNA and RNA within the cells and helps to remove harmful heavy metals and carcinogenic compounds from your body. The world of edible algae includes varieties such as: spirulina, sea moss and klamath blue-green algae. Protein rich chlorella is fast becoming a popular favorite. This is because it helps your liver to detoxify while giving key nutrients to your system at the same time. And it’s the richest source of chlorophyll in the world!

Remember, a true superfood is one that is ultra nutrient dense. Given the times in which we are living, it may well be necessary – even crucial for our health – to incorporate these into our diets on a regular basis. Which, in turn, can lead on to glowing vibrant health.