The term “superfood” was coined and first used to boost banana sales in the early twentieth century. But labeling some food as a superfood has resurfaced and become a food trend in recent years to influence consumers’ behavior.
Unfortunately, superfood is only a marketing strategy meant to mislead people into buying food that is not a superfood that manufacturers claim them to be. In fact, superfood is a term that many experts have repeatedly disproved as there is no such thing as a food packed with so many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. But the good news is that the food that some businesses continue to classify as a superfood is genuinely beneficial to your health; it’s just that it lacks the whole range of health advantages that it is advertised to offer. So, if you really want to be healthy, you’ll need to eat a well-balanced diet and supplement it with two or more of these superfoods.
Superfoods for a Super You
The secret is out that the superfoods trend is only a myth, but it is a term that people still use as the majority of these foods are rich in vitamins and high in antioxidants. Consuming more of them could make your immune system stronger, which could help you fight some serious diseases like stroke, arthritis, cancer, heart disease, and respiratory infections. So, if you think about it, these superfoods are healthier than any junk food or fast food. Whether you’re young and in perfect health, or you’ve been using senior living services or have advisors, here are a few that you should increase your intake of:
-
Avocado
Avocadoes are high in healthy fats that you need to keep your heart healthy while lessening your chances of stroke and other heart diseases. These delicious fruits are also rich in niacin riboflavin, fiber, potassium, folate, minerals, magnesium, and vitamins B6, C, E, and K. So, if you’re into smoothies, guacamole, and avocado toasts, then you should know it’s good for your overall health.
-
Green tea
Everyone loves tea, but regardless of the tea you like, they are all full of vitamins and antioxidants and low in calories, which means they are excellent for hydration and your overall health. Green tea, in particular, would be the most helpful in combating some health problems that come with age and an unhealthy diet, like stress, arthritis, carcinogens, cancer cells, etc.
-
Berries
Flavonoids, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are all abundant in berries, which means you can eat as many strawberries, cranberries, acai berries, blackberries, raspberries, and all kinds of berries as you like. Including them in your diet will let you worry less about some serious health issues related to heart diseases, cancer, diabetes, urinary tract infections, and high blood pressure.
-
Nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds can help lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation, reducing your chances of developing certain types of heart diseases. Vitamin folate, fiber, protein, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and healthy fats are all abundant in this type of diet. Walnuts, pistachios, almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, pecans, macadamia nuts, and other nutritious nuts and seeds to include in your diet, as they are low in calories suitable for anyone who want to keep their weight in check.
-
Eggs
Many individuals may object to eggs being included in healthy foods because they are high in cholesterol. Still, moderate consumption of eggs, like most foods, is nevertheless beneficial. Even if you eat six to 12 eggs each day, your health will be fine, and that is a large enough number that you should not be concerned about consuming too many. Eggs are high in vitamin A, B vitamins, selenium, iron, choline, and many other nutrients. So, even if you accidentally consume more than 12 eggs in a day, you will be okay, as these health benefits should help offset the bad side of eggs.
-
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are a flavor enhancer that can be used as extra ingredients in soups, pasta, and burgers, but you shouldn’t just use them as a topping, as they have a wide range of health benefits. They are low in calories and high in protein, fiber, and antioxidants, which are good for your digestion, muscle building, and maintaining a healthy weight.
-
Dark chocolate
Everyone enjoys a good chocolate bar despite it being not the healthiest food. Fortunately, dark chocolates are different from regular chocolates since it contains flavonoids and antioxidants that aid in the restoration of your immune system. The vitamins and antioxidants in dark chocolates help your body become stronger to fight against cancer cells.
Superfoods may be a deceptive marketing ploy utilized in the past to influence dietary trends, but with a well-balanced diet that includes them, they can give you the health benefits you need.