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What Are Superfoods and What is So "Super" About Them?

Remember when healthy-life social media influencers put kale into everything, and açaí smoothie bowl shops began popping up on nearly every corner near a high-end gym? These and other superfoods have been trending topics in recent years with the rising popularity of incorporating healthy foods while moving away from harmful fad diets. However, many people are left wondering what exactly makes a food “super”. Hopefully, this article can help shed some light on the answers.

What Defines a “Superfood”?

A superfood is anything that contains many vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and antioxidants that can help fight diseases and boost your overall health. No specific food group category houses all the superfoods, so many options are available for various recipes. Additionally, many are plant-based, so vegetarian and vegan meals are very good to consider adding to your meal plan if you want to include more superfoods.

Now, let’s go over some of the compounds that make foods “super.”

Vitamins and Minerals

You’re probably familiar with vitamins and minerals from your parents telling you to eat your carrots to develop a healthy body, or to drink milk daily because its calcium helps you build strong bones. But what exactly do vitamins and minerals do? They’re actually vital compounds needed for your body to function correctly.

Food provides the energy your body needs to perform the necessary processes for living. Vitamins and minerals help your body better digest the food to receive the maximum amount of nutrients and energy possible and perform at its best. For example, the various B vitamins are essential for cellular processes such as cell growth or the production of enzymes. Iron is a mineral needed for oxygen to travel through the body for energy production.

Healthy Fats

Many health-conscious people are used to hearing that fat is bad for you. However, not all fat is equal. Healthy fats are monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats that boost your health in various ways. They can lower your risk of developing heart disease, bolster good cholesterol (HDL) levels, and help you feel more satiated after a meal. A specific type of polyunsaturated fats—called Omega-3 fatty acids—can provide excellent benefits for brain health and joint pain.

Antioxidants

To understand the importance of antioxidants, we must first understand free radicals. Free radicals are molecules with incomplete electron shells that steal electrons from other molecules, which damages those molecules. They help in some bodily functions, like fighting off infections. However, too many free radicals can damage your cells through oxidative stress. Experiencing oxidative stress for too long can kill cells and damage your DNA, increasing your risk of developing cancer. Some lifestyle and environmental factors increase the formation of free radicals.

On the other hand, antioxidants work as the natural “off” switch for free radicals by donating some electrons to stabilise them and prevent entering oxidative stress. Hence the name antioxidants. Maintaining a healthy balance of antioxidants and free radicals is necessary for ideal physiological function and helps lower your risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer.

Examples of Superfoods

Now that you know more about some of the components of superfoods, you may want to know which ones to look for in the store or online. The following are a few of our favourites.

Berries

Berries are often called nutritional powerhouses for their high amounts of antioxidants, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Some very nutritional ones include blueberries, açaí berries, and goji berries. Goji berries in particular are popular in Eastern medicinal practices for helping treat high blood pressure and diabetes.

Seeds and Nuts

Seeds and nuts are the basis of any good trail mix and contain considerable amounts of healthy fats, fibre, and veggie protein. Research suggests regularly eating seeds and nuts may protect against heart disease. They’re a great source of nutrients and calories that you can utilise in various recipes and help support weight loss. Some options that we offer include almonds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and walnuts.

Spirulina

When talking about superfoods, spirulina is arguably one of the most super of them all. This blue-green microalga is jam-packed with nutrients and antioxidants. Historically, the Aztec people liked to boost their energy and endurance levels with spirulina. More recently, studies indicate that it may possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains a plant-based protein called phytocyanin, making it an excellent protein supplement for those on vegetarian and vegan diets.

Turmeric

Turmeric is one of the most popular spices in Indian cuisine. It’s used in many Asian traditional medicinal practices. It is known for its bright yellow colouring and importance in curry powders. Studies suggest that turmeric supports an array of benefits for your health, and its main active ingredient, curcumin, is an impressive antioxidant. It is best to use it in meals with black pepper and fats, as these help your body absorb the nutrients as much as possible.

Barley Grass

Bright green barley grass leaves are an excellent source of an assortment of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and chlorophyll. This nutrient-rich grass shows great potential in helping boost immunity and healthy hearts. The compounds in barley grass are easily absorbed in the digestive tract, making it a wonderful addition to any juices and smoothies with readily available benefits.

Quality You Can Trust

At The Herbal Connection, we offer dried, diced, or powdered forms of these fantastic foods and herbs (and almost all have certified organic options!). We are committed to providing trustworthy wholesale ingredients to our clients so they can create the best blends of superfoods on the market. Check out our extensive selection today!