Super Foods & Fitness
You’ve probably heard of superfoods before. After all, these foods are everywhere and often make health lists in blogs, on Youtube, and in your local health magazines.
In today’s post, we’ll look at what superfoods really are, what benefits they offer, and what it all means for you.
Ready? Let’s dive in.
What Are ‘Superfoods’?
Unfortunately, no such thing as superfoods exists, at least not as people see them. The term first gained popularity around a century ago and was used as a marketing tactic to sell more of certain foods. The United Fruit Company came up with the term to market bananas as a cheap and nutritious food that offers many health benefits. They were undoubtedly right because bananas are great for us, but their marketing approach was a bit sleazy.
Since then, the term has gained popularity (and notoriety) among health-conscious people. Some link superfoods to good health; others consider the word nothing more than a base for dishonest marketing. But might the truth be somewhere in the middle?
How Are Superfoods Different From Other Food Items?
There are certain foods claimed to be ‘super’ without actually deserving the title. But, the majority of whole foods offer benefits, especially when compared to processed junk items you see on the shelves of your local grocery store.
Superfoods tend to be richer in essential vitamins and minerals that are crucial for our health and well-being. A good example is kiwi, which many call a superfood because a single serving more than covers your daily vitamin C needs. The nutrient is crucial for immunity, brain health, and more.
Many superfoods are also good sources of antioxidants: small but vital compounds that protect your body from oxidative stress. If left untreated, oxidative stress damages healthy cells, accelerates the aging process, and increases disease risk.
Increasing your intake of superfoods can also promote superior fitness results. Many of these foods are lower in calories and highly satiating, making them the perfect addition to any diet, especially one designed for weight loss.
Four Of The Best Superfoods You Should Add to Your Diet
1. Blueberries
Blueberries might not seem special, but these small delights are jam-packed with essential nutrients that promote good health and keep disease at bay. They are also full of antioxidants, with a single cup offering more than 13,000 species that protect your body from oxidative stress.
Plus, blueberries are an excellent source of healthy carbs that promote exercise performance and recovery.
2. Green Tea
Green tea is technically not a food but a beverage. Still, many consider it a superfood (or perhaps a superdrink would be a better title) because of its excellent nutritional profile.
The plant is rich in antioxidants and compounds with potent anti-inflammatory functions that protect your body from invaders, limit inflammatory cytokines, and protect you from disease. Additionally, one of the antioxidants inside green tea (epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG) is claimed to promote fat oxidation, which is beneficial for people interested in losing weight.
3. Dark Leafy Greens
Dark leafy greens, including kale, spinach, and Swiss chard, are fantastic superfoods that promote good health and provide a range of essential nutrients your body needs.
Such foods have strong anti-inflammatory functions in the body, and research suggests that eating more dark leafy greens reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
4. Eggs
Eggs are one of the most criticized foods in existence. One of the most common critiques is that eggs are full of unhealthy fats that clog up our arteries and contribute to cardiovascular disease.
Fortunately, intelligent people decided to test these claims through studies and found no such effects. In fact, researchers found the opposite: eggs are one of the healthiest foods on the planet.
According to data, eggs contribute to healthy cholesterol levels, supply us with the highest quality protein, and provide essential micronutrients like magnesium, manganese, iron, copper, and zinc.
What Are Superfood Supplements, And Are They Worth It?
Seeing the popularity of superfoods, it was only a matter of time before someone came up with the idea of putting together a superfood supplement. The question is, are such products good for us, or just another scam, designed to make money?
Common examples of superfood supplements include organic turmeric root powder, organic ground ginger, and organic Ceylon cinnamon powder. According to their nutritional label, reviews from customers, and research, such supplements are beneficial. Their most notable benefit is that each provides a concentrated dose of a healthy root or herb.
For example, ginger powder is a fantastic health supplement because you’re getting enough of all the beneficial compounds in each serving. As a result, you enjoy benefits like stronger immunity, oxidative protection, blood sugar control, healthy cholesterol levels, and more.