Jill Sonlin
There are healthy foods, and then there are next level up superstar foods known as superfoods. These powerful foods are loaded with nature’s finest combinations of antioxidants, vitamins, and other essential nutrients needed for health and wellness.
Superfoods are called “super” because, if eaten regularly, they can add major health benefits to your body and years onto your life. They are known for promoting a strong immune system, improving heart health, preventing cancer growth, lowering inflammation, and lowering cholesterol. They even have been associated with healthier younger-looking skin, improved digestion and waste evacuation, healthy body weight, increased energy, and better mental focus.
Examples of superfoods are those with high Vitamin C content, like citrus fruits; oranges, clementines, grapefruits, lemons, and limes. Colorful freshly picked blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries are also great options.
“Cruciferous” vegetables found in the cabbage family include broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and rutabagas amongst others. These mighty warriors contain a powerful chemical called sulforaphane, known for its cancer and disease-protective qualities. Sulforaphane stops free radical cells from causing DNA damage that can then turn into cancer. In this process, it has been shown to inhibit cancer growth and metastasis.
Dark green leafy vegetables are another jam-packed group of veggies. Containing numerous essential nutrients, chlorophyll, and other compounds, they support a strong immune system, defend against sickness, promote healing, remove toxins, are high in fiber, low in calories, and encourage a healthy microbiome.
Garlic serves as another major player in the world of supercharging our immune system. With its many potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, along with antibacterial and antiviral effects, this little workhorse bulb carries an unbeatable punch for boosting our immunity naturally.
Eating garlic raw is the ideal way to maximize its nutritional potential and to do what it does best, fighting unhealthy cells while stimulating the growth of new healthy cells. I know it’s intimidating to think about eating raw garlic but try this. Finely chop or mince a small amount and add to fresh salads and salad dressings, hide it in sandwiches, or add to soup. Not too difficult and the benefits are so worth it.
Other worthy superstar ingredients are green tea and matcha. Mushrooms, avocados, legumes/beans, and nuts and seeds, such as walnuts and Brazil nuts make the list as well. Grains, such as buckwheat, millet, and quinoa have been known for their nutritious superpowers since ancient times. Finally, spices and oils like turmeric, ginger, and coriander, olive and flaxseed oils, can boost the nutritional value of any dish.
Plant superfoods are best eaten raw or lightly cooked, as the cooking process kills most (if not all) of the valuable nutrients. Vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants are mighty, but heat destroys them.
As always, choose organic versions whenever possible to keep pesticide sprays out of your body. These disease-causing sprays found on nonorganic produce counteract any potential health benefits you are looking to gain from eating superfoods.
Add these rockstars into your diet and watch how quickly they go to work for you, by enriching your immune system with the very best nature has to offer.