Health is becoming more and more of a priority for individuals, families, and society as a whole. This has led to more awareness than ever about all of the good things we can put in our bodies, and all of the bad things that should be avoided. Not all that tastes good is bad for you, and indeed, many of the best food options can also be utterly delicious.
One of the most important focuses in the last few years has been on the emergence of superfoods. These seemingly miraculous foods can bring an impressive number of benefits, but what defines a superfood? And which should you be incorporating into your diet? Read on to find out…
What defines a superfood?
A superfood is, in essence, food that is considered to be extremely healthy. It doesn’t have to necessarily do any one thing, or contain any specific vitamin or nutrient. Rather, a superfood should be high in nutrients, rich in compounds, and be low in calories. Many people believe that superfoods are defined as a specific group by dieticians, but this actually wasn’t how these foods came to be named.
It was actually first coined in the early 20th century, when a company was attempting to encourage more people to buy their product described it as a superfood due to its nutritional qualities. Now, the name has grown to mean more.
We expect a great deal from our superfoods, far more than from any old piece of fruit or nut. People won’t simply buy something because it is called super. They want to know for sure that this type of food is truly healthy, and has more benefits than others.
They tend to be natural foods that have been shown to be beneficial to your health, in the treatment or prevention of various conditions and illnesses. Superfoods have been linked to heart health, a boost to your immune system, lower cholesterol, cancer prevention, and more.
Superfoods go above and beyond a normal healthy food choice. While you may consider all fruit and vegetables to be healthy, superfoods tend to be the next level of good for you. You may be better off reaching for an apple than a chocolate bar, or choosing a salad over a cheeseburger. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that your healthier choice is a superfood.
Superfoods are generally known to be rich in any one of, or a combination of, the following nutrients or compounds:
Antioxidants 
Antioxidants help you to get rid of compounds that can cause harm in your body. Too much of anything can be a bad thing, even the products of oxidation. The unstable molecules that could harm your cells have been linked to cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Antioxidants can help neutralise these molecules, helping to prevent disease.
Vitamins
Vitamins are vital for our bodies, helping them to develop, grow, and function properly. They are essential organic substances that you can find in a variety of food, not just the fruit and vegetables that most people think of when they hear the word vitamin. Each vitamin plays a different crucial role in helping your body to heal, to look good, and to feel good.
Minerals
Split into macro and micro-minerals, you need varying amounts of these each day for a healthy diet. Macro-minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium are needed in higher doses, and you can find large amounts of these in many superfoods. You may only need trace amounts of other minerals like iron and zinc, and it is far better to get these from superfoods than from a tablet.
Choosing the right foods
It can feel overwhelming sometimes to try and eat and drink healthier. One day you are advised against drinking tea in the morning, the next you are told it is the best choice you can make. Using the term superfood can make it easier to find out what you should be incorporating into your diet to have you looking and feeling better.
Just remember, a balanced diet is key. Only eating one type of food, even if it is super, won’t give you everything you need to stay healthy. Try a little of everything in moderation, and check out our list of superfoods that can give you that little something more.
What are examples of superfoods? Here’s our list!
There are many different foods that can be described as super, and some are definitely more super than others. Some of the key examples of superfoods are:
- Dark, leafy greens – including kale, spinach, Swiss chard, and more, dark leafy greens are rich in fibre, vitamin C, zinc, potassium, iron, and anti-inflammatory compounds. They are wonderful for combating or preventing chronic illnesses and even cancer.
- Berries – incredible superfoods packed full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fibre, berries like raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and more are superb at preventing disease and improving your immune system.
- Teas – green tea in particular is known for being chock full of antioxidants, with strong anti-inflammatory properties. It can even be helpful in weight loss, making this a popular choice for many people.
- Legumes and pulses – soybeans, lentils, peas, peanuts, and more make up this category of superfoods. They are rich in nutrients, and a great source of vitamin B, protein, and various minerals. They can be helpful in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as helping with weight loss.
- Nuts and seeds – these are also often rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, and so on are all examples of superfoods.
Final thoughts
You can try and work as many superfoods into your diet to improve your all around health, boost your immune system, or detoxify your body. And yet it can often be difficult to get enough fresh foods to make a difference. They can also be a little pricey to buy from your average shop. That is where superfood supplements come in.
You can find many of the nutrients, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that you need in Zeolite superfood powders. These can be easily incorporated into any diet, and you may be astounded at the potential benefits that come with these powders.
If you are looking to boost your immune system, reduce fatigue, and feel healthier than ever, give superfoods and superfood supplements a try for yourself.
