What if the legends were true and there is a fountain of youth or an elixir of life? Unfortunately, no such thing has been invented or discovered yet, but there are foods that come close. So-called ‘superfoods’ are foods that contain rather high levels of amino acids, minerals, and vitamins that can not only make you healthier but also add years to your life. What is more, these foods can help reduce the risks of heart disease, diabetes, as well as cancer, and they can make you look better too.
All sorts of berries
Berries are amazing – they are rich in antioxidants and loaded with fibre as well as vitamins. Exotic goji and acai berries can be found in different beauty products, while cranberries, strawberries, and blueberries have always been considered a treat. Not only do they taste amazing, but they may even help lower your risk of developing chronic diseases. Natural antioxidants found in wild berries can help your body stay healthy and young for a long time, so feel free to eat these instead of candy bars.
Salmon
Omega-3 fatty acids are great for your brain and heart, and there are few foods that contain as much of them as salmon does. Besides being low in calories, it also has an incredibly small percent of saturated fat, which means that salmon delivers a powerful, high-protein punch with every serving. What is more, salmon is also high in B vitamins, and if you eat it regularly, you will be able to slow the growth of plaque that can clog your arteries and lower your blood pressure. A research done at the University of California in Los Angeles has shown that a powerful omega-3 fatty acid found in salmon may be able to help prevent late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Ginger
Ginger is the spice for the brave – slightly spicy yet enjoyable and incredibly powerful. It has been around for ages, and it’s been used for pretty much everything from flavouring dishes and treating illnesses such as upset stomach to reducing unwanted inflammation. It is also great for boosting metabolism and immunity; you can cut it into small pieces, put the pieces in a jar of honey and eat a teaspoon of this strange mixture every morning to ensure that you stay healthy during flu season.
Green tea
Green tea is famous for its many benefits: it boosts metabolism and energy, clears skin, and helps with weight loss. For more than 5,000 years, green tea has been used in beauty and health industry, and it’s proven that it does wonders for one’s health. It is full of antioxidants, and it can help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, but it also contains EGCG, an ingredient that slows irregular cell growth. This is one of the reasons why it’s a popular ingredient in anti-ageing products. For example, famous KORA organics age-defying exfoliator contains green tea, and it makes your skin look young and fresh again.
Leafy greens
Unlike frozen and canned vegetables, fresh leafy greens are more flavourful and have more vitamins. Broccoli, kale, parsley, spinach, turnip and mustard greens, as well as chicory, dandelion, and wheat and barley grass are rich in magnesium, potassium, iron, as well as vitamins, which makes them perfect foods for maintaining one’s health.
Sadly, no food can immediately improve one’s bad health nor can it perform a miracle and starve-off a chronic illness. Still, there are foods that are proven to have greater health benefits than most, and it is these ‘superfoods’ that we should include in our daily routine. Don’t be afraid to try something new and exotic – different recipe, new product, or a smoothie with ingredients you didn’t dare try before. Your body will be grateful for the effort, and you’ll be happier and healthier.
Mia Taylor is a fashion and beauty enthusiast from Sydney and writer for www.highstylife.com. She loves writing about her life experiences. Travelling and enjoying other cultures and their food with her husband is a big part of her life. She is always on the lookout for new trends in fashion and beauty, and considers herself an expert when it comes to lifestyle tips.
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