Author: Dr. Blaise Ntacyabukura
The current outbreak of diseases has increased the need to find solutions from the natural environment, with more and more people now turning to food of high nutritional value that can improve the quality of their lives and promote their health. Those foods are known as superfoods.
Old research data suggest that superfoods are a very good option to improve overall health, boosting the immune system, increasing the production of hormones, and promoting the smooth operation of the various organ systems of the human body. In the 21st century, the term “superfood” drove sales of each specific food item, not because they are really super, but because everyone needs a shortcut to good health.
New studies however suggest that there is no food that is good enough to promote health alone, and there are other equally nutritious foods that are not called superfoods! Instead, they suggest everyone create a “Super Plate, full of different healthy and flavorful foods”. There is no doubt that superfoods are often nutritious but it’s clear that the term is more useful for driving sales than it is for providing optimal nutrition recommendations.
With that said, each superfood item mentioned below should be included in a balanced diet and consumed in moderation and prudence. The most important superfoods according to the data obtained from several studies, are the following:
Fruits
Pomegranate, berries, blueberries, avocado, raspberries, strawberries, goji berry, chickpeas, grape, acai berry, hippophaes.
Dried nuts
Walnuts, almonds, cereals.
Pulses
Red beans, cocoa, sweet potatoes, mastic.
Vegetables
Broccoli, spinach.
Seaweed
Spirulina, chlorella.
Milk products
Kefir, donkey milk.
Herbs
Ginger, ginkgo biloba, tea (Camellia Sinensis).
Bee products
Honey, royal jelly, wax
Quick health benefits:
Health Benefits of Tea
Reduced relative risk of cancer
Cardioprotective effect
Improving memory and learning skills
Reduce the incidence of joint diseases (arthritis)
Prevent neurological diseases and aging
Health benefits of Hippophaes
Enhancement of the function of the nervous system
Protection against cardiovascular diseases and immune enhancement
Antioxidant activity: free radical scavenging
Strong anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and healing action
Health benefits of Blueberries
Cerebral function and reduction of neurodegenerative diseases and blood pressure
Prevention of various types of cancer
Prevent and help with constipation and diarrhea
Hepatitis C virus protection and infection of the urinary tract prevention
Health benefits of Royal Jelly
Adjustment of blood glucose levels: Royal jelly appears to reduce blood glucose levels and improves lipid profile
Contribution to connective tissue, muscle, and skeletal tissue. Evidence suggests that royal jelly acts as a means of protecting ligaments, muscles, and skin
Improving neurological, endocrinological, and metabolic disorders
Effect on urinary and genital system
Elderly disorders, insomnia, increased appetite, better mental and psychological functioning of the elderly.
Health benefits of Spirulina
Improve effect on blood glucose level, pulmonary function
Immune system enhancement
Antiviral effect
Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity
Health benefits of Maize
Nutrients absorption and inflammation suppression
Immune system strengthening
Antidepressant action
Vision strengthening and protection
Improvement of the lipid profile and regulation of blood sugar levels
Health benefits of Maca Plant
Improvement of sexual function and increased fertility
Improving the symptoms of menopause
The antimicrobial and detoxifying action
Antidepressant action
Supportive in the endocrine system, adrenal glands and thyroid, while promoting regulation of metabolism
Health benefits of Ginger Root
Cardiovascular disease prevention
Digestion
Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory act
Health benefits of Pomegranate
Antioxidant activity
Hypertension Prevention and endothelial function improvement
Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease
Superfoods, when consumed even in small quantities is beneficial for the human body due to the number of beneficial substances contained. Don’t forget to include them in the daily diet. Explore individual foods and learn how to select, prepare, and enjoy them.
For more details, reach out to healthcare providers on BYON8 to get a personalized nutritional plan.
Source:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/10-superfoods-to-boost-a-healthy-diet-2018082914463
van den Driessche, J. J., Plat, J., & Mensink, R. P. (2018). Effects of superfoods on risk factors of metabolic syndrome: a systematic review of human intervention trials. Food & function, 9(4), 1944–1966. https://doi.org/10.1039/C7FO01792H
留言