Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Superfoods are a group of foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and plant-based nutrients with antioxidant properties called phytonutrients. Corporate food companies have gone to great lengths to create and market foods that have little to no nutritional value, which we usually refer to as “junk food”. The products are created by food scientists and designed to be addictive, and it's worked—many people in the United States and a growing number of countries around the world are eating processed foods, which increases the risk for many diseases.
Ideally, one should focus on eating a diet full of fruits and vegetables. Adding superfoods is part of the equation and can help you on your journey towards health and happiness.
Wheatgrass, which comes from the wheat plant, is a superfood rich in phytonutrients. Able to be cultivated indoors or outdoors, it grows in the United States and Europe. Wheatgrass is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and can be used as a snack or meal replacement when consumed as a powder.
Wheatgrass is rich in:
Goji berries contain potent antioxidants. They are rich in phenolic acids, tannins, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and certain vitamins. Native to Asia, where they're commonly consumed, goji berries contain vitamins A and C, iron, and potassium—they are a great addition if your goal is to improve health.
Cinnamon is one of the most used spices, derived from a unique tree bark. It is used in traditional medicine, including Ayurvedic medicine, and by many cultures. The spice can be added to coffee, oatmeal, rice, and many other foods. It's been shown to have many health benefits.
The acai berry comes from the Amazon region of South America, where it has been consumed for hundreds of years by indigenous cultures as both a food and drink. This powerful fruit, rich in polyphenols and antioxidants, has become increasingly popular worldwide over the last decade.
Maqui Berry is a deep purple fruit that grows wild in the southern parts of Chile. It is harvested for commercial use by the Mapuche Indians and has powerful antioxidant properties. Its ability to protect against oxidation comes from its high content of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins—specifically delphinidins, the strongest antioxidants of all anthocyanins. A 2017 study in Food & Function demonstrated that maqui berry when consumed with a high-fiber diet, maintained high-level antioxidant capacity.
It’s commonly known that bees make honey—some may also be familiar with royal jelly, a common supplement made from a secretion that worker bees produce. However, few know that bees also make propolis, a substance made by extracting specific ingredients from plants, beeswax, and flowers. Propolis is also known as “bee glue”.
Propolis comes from the Greek words pro, which means “at the entrance to,” and polis, which translates to “community” or “city”. Propolis is the glue used to keep a beehive together, and it has many substances within it. Cardol and quercetin are two of many active ingredients found in bee propolis—these substances help provide its medicinal benefits.
The Incas of South America used propolis to fight fevers, while the Greeks and Romans used it to heal wounds.
Spirulina is an easily digestible nutritional supplement that belongs to a family of blue-green algae and can be taken in a pill or powder form. Spirulina comes from a type of bacteria scientists call cyanobacteria, specifically Arthrospira platensis. Learn more about spirulina.
Spirulina contains a complete source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.
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This Wellness Hub does not intend to provide diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. Read more. The content provided on this Wellness Hub is for informational purposes only. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health-related diagnosis or treatment options. Information on this Wellness Hub should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. The claims made about specific products throughout this Wellness Hub are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.
