Eat Superfoods to Look Younger and Improve Health

Introduction

Take an in-depth look at what the positive effects are to eating more color rich, dense plant 'superfoods', and in eating more of the health enhancing properties of good 'superfood' fat foods. 'Superfoods' are a classification of certain types of whole foods (minimally processed whenever possible) that are believed, and have been shown, to be good for you. If you begin to make a conscious effort to include more of these superfood recipes into your weekly diet, and commit to understanding why they are good for your body, then you will be living a healthier life inside your body.

Main Digest

Of Course, you should know fresh and raw is best but, whether canned, frozen, or minimally processed, it is far better to eat them this way than not to eat them at all. Eating these health enriching 'super foods' will help you look and feel your best, and younger. They will, also, help you lose excess weight and maintain it, reduce your risks of life long diseases, give you longer lasting energy, and a feeling of full satiation after eating them. So let's get started on some of the best super foods you need to be eating to reach your healthy body goals.

Contrary to many dieting fables, feeling and looking good has less to do with the quantity you eat and more to do with the quality of what you eat.

Beyond fewer pounds and greater energy, studies have unveiled that the consumption of certain foods and avoidance of others can significantly reduce the risk of numerous conditions and diseases including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, cataracts and blindness.

Food is arguably the most important field in non-drug medicine, with science increasingly turning to nature in its quest for solutions to the growing health crisis. Figures show that 95 percent of people die from heart disease, cancer or diabetes - these top three killers all being diet related. In fact, eight out of the top 10 causes of death in the US have dietary correlations.

With the consensus diet trends of the West today, fast life-styles, processed foods and soil depletion, many people aren't getting the nutrition they require for optimum or even adequate health. Superfood recipes, packed with a rich and varied supply of nutrients and phytochemicals, are the heroic dynamos that serve as valuable expedients on our journey to healthier living.

These kings and queens reign by virtue of their outstanding compositions and offer a cornucopia of gifts to the body and its functioning. Superfoods are the most health-promoting, anti-aging, disease-fighting, mood-enhancing, beautifying, nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich foods on the planet; the piece de resistance of the plant kingdom with astonishing benefits.

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The Worlds Top Superfoods

Aloe Vera

The inner gel of the aloe vera leaf contains around 200 active compounds with over 75 nutrients. These include 20 minerals, 18 amino acids and 12 vitamins (even vitamin B12 - one of the very few plant sources of this vitamin). Aloe vera has anti-microbial properties fighting fungi and bacteria and contains anti-inflammatory plant steroids and enzymes. Aloe vera also aids digestion and elimination, boosts the immune system, and is incredibly healing and beautifying for the skin, stimulating collagen production and moisturizing.

Goji Berries

Goji berries contain 500 times more vitamin C than oranges and more beta-carotene than carrots as well as 21 minerals, 18 amino acids, B vitamins (B1, B2 and B6) and vitamin E, efficacious polysaccarides that excel at boosting the immune system and other complex compounds that work their bio-magic in the body. Goji berries are said to deter aging (eaten daily by the most well documented case of longevity, Li Qing Yuen, who reportedly lived to the age of 252!), boost your libido, lower cholesterol and improve vision. They also show anti-cancer potential due to their content of germanium, a trace mineral known to induce the production of the powerful anti-cancer agent interferon.

Chocolate (Cacao)

Pure chocolate contains over 300 compounds including psycho-actives such as PEA (phenylethylamine) the 'love chemical' that releases dopamine in the pleasure-centers of the brain and is said to induce feelings of excitement, attraction, and euphoria, and the feel-good cannabinoid anandamide that mimics the effects of marijuana and has recently been attributed to the 'runner's high' experienced by athletes. Tryptophan is also known for its mood-enhancing traits and increases levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Chocolate is an aphrodisiac king, these chemicals no doubt contributing to such efficacy, and contains 'nature's Viagra' arginine that enhances arousal and sensation in men and women. Chocolate is also the highest antioxidant food on the planet, exceeding blueberries, grapes and green tea, is exceptionally high in magnesium (great for the heart and nervous system) and contains the beautifying mineral sulphur. No wonder it has been called 'the food of the gods'! Note that these properties are highest in raw cacao (pure and unrefined) which is leagues apart from commercial chocolate products, containing none of the detriments such as sugar, hydrogenated fats, milk, additives, agro-chemicals and solvents.

Chlorella (and Spirulina)

Water grown algae such as chlorella and spirulina have phenomenal nutritional value. Chlorella is 60% protein (19 amino acids including all eight essentials), contains all the B vitamins (including B12 - a rare plant source), vitamins C and E, a wealth of minerals and trace minerals, nucleic acids (RNA and DNA) and chlorophyll (the highest quantities of these ever found in a natural source), as well as essential fatty acids and a host of phytochemicals. Chlorella is exceptionally good at detoxifying the body of pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides and PCB's. It also contains age-defying nucleic acids, is immune and blood boosting and shown to be an effective aid aside cancer treatments. Chlorella is the most popular supplement in Japan, classified by the government as a 'functional food' and taken daily by over 7 million users. Aside a few differing benefits, chlorella and spirulina have many parallel virtues. As a note, grasses such as wheat and barley grass are also potent detoxifiers, bursting with life and high in enzymes, chlorophyll, antioxidants and amino acids.

Bee Pollen

Called the 'perfect food', bee pollen has an awesome constitution. Around 40% protein of a highly digestible form, these magical grains house 16 vitamins, 28 minerals, a host of enzymes, hormone precursors (that stimulate hormone production), lecithin, fatty acids, nucleic acids and antioxidant phytonutrients as well as yet identified constituents. Studies have revealed antibiotic and cholesterol lowering abilities, immune system enhancement and excellent skin healing traits. Pollen is also believed to be an anti aging food, discovered by Dr. Tsitsin, chief biologist at the Longevity Institute in Vladivostak, to be eaten daily by over 200 natives of Georgia (formerly the Soviet Union) that were living upwards of 125 years of age! Try to get fresh or unheated pollen to reap the benefits of all the enzymes and healthy constituents.

Other bee products such as honey and propolis are also potent healing superfoods.

Food to Eat for Healthy Looking Skin

Pomegranates

Pomegranates are loaded with an antioxidant vitamin, vitamin C. Plus, the juice from the seeds contain ellagic acid and punicalagin. The first substance fights free radical damage; the second substance may increase your body's ability to preserve collagen. Collagen helps keep skin looking moist, young, and soft.

Blueberries

Blueberries have become notoriously known for their antioxidant power. They have more antioxidants than almost any other plant food. Blueberries help protect your skin, and acts as a natural sunscreen to protect skin against sunburning, strengthens overall brain functioning, and helps you fight emotional stress.

Kale and Spinach

These two veggies, and many others, have high levels of the antioxidant vitamins A, C, D, E, and K. and other compounds known as phytonutrients. These natural plant food substances help guard against sunburning the skin, strengthen heart (cardiovascular) health, and helps protect you from developing cancer.

Cold Water Fish

Sardines, salmon, mackerel, tuna, and other small ocean fish species.

Do not care for the taste of fish? Well, you can still get your omega-3s in smaller amounts in flaxseed, walnuts, almonds, grass-fed beef and free range poultry meats and eggs. Omega-3 fats are great for sharp mental functioning, reduces risk of developing heart disease, cancer, and lowers the risk of developing behavior and mood disorders (depression).

Japanese Superfood Prevents Flu Infection

Recently scientists have discovered that bacteria found in a traditional Japanese pickle can prevent flu. Could this be the next superfood

The research, which assesses the immune-boosting powers of Lactobacillus brevis from Suguki - a pickled turnip, popular in Japan - in mice that have been exposed to a flu virus, is published today (06 November) in the SfAM journal, Letters in Applied Microbiology. Suguki enthusiasts have often cited its protective powers but it is not known yet whether the same effects will be seen in humans. Human clinical trials using a probiotic drink containing Lactobacillus brevis KB290 bacteria are underway and scientists are hopeful that, given a suitable quantity of bacteria, foods containing them may turn out to be the next superfood.

Control Brown Age Spots on the Skin

Green tea, Black Tea and White Teas

These healthy brews contain a superfood substance called catechins. This phytonutrient helps prevent skin damaging sunburns. Another substance found in green, black, and white tea leaves is another phytonutrient known as polyphenols. This nutrient chemical may possibly help to reverse, or prevent, brown age spots on the skin.

Both of these phytochemicals have also shown to help protect us against heart disease, cancer, and stroke.

Tea contains half the amount of caffeine than coffee. Black tea, in particular, has been shown to improve oral mouth health. Teas can be drank either hot or iced, and can be used as a flavoring agent in marinades and other dishes.

Maintain a Rosy Skin Glow

Olive oil, coconut oil, and lean animal saturated fats such as grass-fed beef and free range poultry meats and eggs.

Olive oil is mostly a monounsaturated fat. It also contains a small amount of polyunsaturated fat, so do not over use it. Extra virgin olive oil has a higher level of the antioxidant vitamin, vitamin E. Olive oil also activates the secretion of bile in the gallbladder, and regulates pancreatic hormones better, and more naturally, than prescription drugs. Consequently, it also lowers the incidence of gallstone formation.

Coconut oil increases energy levels by boosting your metabolism. It is mostly a saturated fat food source (60%), to a lesser degree, it has a small amount of monounsaturated fat oil, and a trace amount of polyunsaturated fat.

I would suggest cooking with both of these healthy fats, alternating their use in specific dish recipes, for example; coconut oil for stir frying and frying meats and vegetables, olive oil for salad dressings and meat marinades.

Lean sources of poultry and animal fats come from mostly grass fed, free range livestock. As mentioned earlier, these healthy proteins and fat food sources are higher in omega-3s than conventionally, mostly grain fed, meat sources. Omega-3s improve blood circulation, leaving skin with a rosy, supple look and feel.

Dietary Fluids

What dietary fluid substance helps to better distribute all of these healthy food nutrients to where they are needed throughout your body?

Why it is water, of course!

No other fluid solvent does this more efficiently than pure water. Water will carry away toxic body wastes, hydrate all body cells, and consistently lower and maintain a more desired body weight, naturally.

Would I kid you here?

No, I absolutely would not. After all, this is a chosen area of serious passion for me. This strategy does work, and I might add, eating more as nature had intended for us to eat has brought me out of a state of ill health, to enjoy a much healthier body and lifestyle today!

You can do it this way too, and be most successful at eliminating, or easing, many different health challenges that you are currently, and frustratingly, tolerating at the moment. At the very least, it should make you feel better knowing that you are actively trying to do something to improve your dismal situation. Start adding superfoods to your recipes today!

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Cite This Page (APA): Langtree, I. C. (2009, June 25 - Last revised: 2024, June 9). Eat Superfoods to Look Younger and Improve Health. Disabled World. Retrieved September 7, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/fitness/cooking/superfood.php

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