There are plenty of foods that we know are good for us, but a handful of foods have been elevated to “super” status by some because of the multiple health benefits they have. Although the term “superfood” has been scoffed at by some, this buzzword helps to categorise foods that do more than most to give you a boost of vitamins and minerals. With this in mind, we thought we would discuss what makes some of these foods so good for you and the areas they can improve when it comes to your health.
Blueberries
For many, blueberries are thought to be super because of their anti-oxidant capacity (they have the highest capacity of any fruit) and this is certainly true as anti-oxidants are thought to strengthen your immune system and decrease the risk of certain cancers. Antioxidants, however, are not the only benefit of blueberries; they have also been proven to prolong visual health through deterring certain age related eye health issues such as macular degeneration and the development of cataracts. This is because blueberries are high in compounds called anthocyanosides which have been proven to aid visual health.
In addition, blueberries are thought to boost your mood and are fantastic at aiding digestion. If you’re not such a fan of just eating them by the handful, try stirring them into porridge or blending up as part of a smoothie.
Avocado
Many people avoid avocados because of their high calorie content (a decent sized avocado is around 400 calories). Whilst high in calories, avocado is mostly made up of monounsaturated fat and are one of the healthiest things you can eat on a regular basis because of their levels of potassium (great for regulating blood pressure), B6 (needed for a strong immune system) and vitamin E (essential for a healthy complexion).
Incorporating avocados into your diet is the perfect way to boost your mood as well as your health and can be eaten simply by halving it and eating alone or by adding to salads.
Kale
Kale comes from the cabbage family and is a phenomenal source of numerous vitamins. Kale is extremely rich is vitamin A (essential for protecting against certain cancers and heart disease), vitamin C (needed for healthy tissues in the body which support vital organs) and vitamin K (needed for blood clotting and strong bones).
The great thing about Kale is that it is so rich in essential nutrients that you don’t need to stuff your face with it every day to get what you need. Add a large handful to salads and stir-fries or steam for a few minutes and serve as your chosen side vegetable to get an instant boost. You can even bake it in the oven for 10 minutes to make kale crisps!
There are plenty of ways to incorporate superfoods into your diet; from grabbing a handful of blueberries as you head out of the door to work to taking the time to create a tasty meal packed with a variety of superfoods. Take a little time to research some of the most beneficial foods and go the extra mile to keep yourself happy and healthy!.
