While you’ve probably heard the term “superfood” thrown around like there’s no tomorrow at the local Whole Foods store, there’s a lot more to it than just some slang for kelp.
Of course, this doesn’t imply that any of the foods on this list will give you any superpowers, each of them is above average when it comes to the number of nutrients, fiber, or fatty acids.
Essentially, superfoods can outperform the rest when it comes to your vitamin, mineral, and overall nutrition intake, and it’s why they’re valued as much as they are.
A healthy grocery list is one way to incorporate these into your daily diet, but do note that a lot of these can be much more expensive than their “non-super” counterparts.
This is offset by the fact that they have properties that can help improve your overall health as well as deal with some underlying issues that some are facing, such as skin problems and gut health.
Fermented foods
You may have been exposed to superfoods without even knowing it, as some like yogurt, pickles, and even Korean kimchi are often put in this category.
The amount of attention these have been getting is largely due to the positive effect they have on gut bacteria as well as their helpfulness in dealing with depression.
While some are fermented with naturally occurring microorganisms, others need starter cultures to begin the fermentation process, which can sometimes improve both the taste and texture of said food.
However, not all fermented foods and drinks are equally as valuable, and you’ll find that it’s only the ones with live cultures that are truly helpful.
Beer, wine, and bread sadly don’t qualify for this food category, which doesn’t mean they don’t come with advantages of their own.
Berries
Skin health has had a centuries-long connection with the intake of berry fruits, and recent studies have confirmed the positive effects they can have.
The majority of them contain a chemical called anthocyanin, which gives them their signature vibrant colors, and it’s been found to be able to reduce the risk of heart attack for women.
Additionally, these anthocyanins can contribute to protecting against cancer and diabetes.
One good example to take note of is Acai berries, which are chock-full of antioxidants and can improve your digestive tract and immune system.
Another good thing about them is that you can consume them in a variety of forms, from juices to smoothies, and even with some peanut butter on your beloved PBJ sandwich.
Seeds
The time of seeds being relegated to bird feed is long gone, and they’ve become a crucial part of healthy diets across the globe.
These tiny pods packed with healthy fats and minerals are available in many forms, each with its own benefits it provides.
Of course, pumpkin and sunflower seeds have been around for a while, but Chia seeds have only recently taken the world by storm.
They’re packed full of omega-3 acids and fibers, as well as vitamins and minerals, and you will be surprised to find out they taste amazing too.
You’ll have no trouble adding them to your smoothies, yogurt drinks, and even morning oatmeals for a quick boost of nutrition.
Coffee
Yes, coffee is technically a seed in and of itself, but the way it’s consumed makes it radically different from the rest of the seeds on this list.
It’s hard to imagine a drink often associated with an unhealthy lifestyle is now classified as a superfood, but studies found that 1-3 cups of coffee a day greatly reduce the risk of death.
The polyphenols in it provide a variety of health benefits, including lowering the risks of Parkinson’s, type 2 diabetes, and even certain forms of cancer.
Of course, it’s also been proven that it can be highly addictive, and turning it into a need from a want can be detrimental to your daily routine if you had one before implementing coffee into your life.
Dark Chocolate
Right after coffee, we have chocolate, which is yet another item that we often relate to an unhealthy lifestyle.
However, that only applies to regular chocolate, and even that is only if it’s consumed in unhealthy amounts, as chocolate helps the body release endorphins, also known as happiness chemicals, into our bloodstream.
What we’re really talking about here is dark chocolate, the kind that kids tend to stay away from for its bitter taste, but the flavanols found in them can radically improve the functionality of blood and lymph vessels in our body.
In fact, it can even improve one’s mood through the impact it has on gut bacteria, but this is only true for chocolate that was at least 85% cocoa.
Final word
While some of the foods on this list can be found in your pantry, you may have to look far and wide to find the others.
You’ll surely run into some steep prices, but if you can afford it, you’ll be doing your body a huge service.
Incorporating these foods into your daily diet will have your body thanking you for it in no time.