Four Superfoods to Boost Your Health through the Roof

There are many super foods that you can eat on a regular basis to improve your level of health as well as to maintain it. The list is long but we have done our part to help you to start including these foods in your family meals. Here we focus in on four of these super foods that you need to start getting more of because the benefits they boast for health are through the roof!

Broccoli:

The tree- like vegetable called broccoli is one nutrient rich green machine that packs a wallop in the super spectacular department! This is a very versatile veggie that can be purchased at the supermarket all 12 months of the year and can be prepared in so many mouth-watering ways. It can be grilled, roasted, steamed or stir-fried. It can even be eaten raw. It is a rich source of vitamins A, C and K. It is also an excellent source of beta-carotene and fiber. The fiber content will help keep your weight at an ideal place.

Be aware however that broccoli is not a good choice of a super food if you suffer from an underactive thyroid gland (a condition known as hypothyroidism).

Beans:

Beans are beneficial for the cardiovascular system and aid the heart in being strong and resilient. They are a good source of both soluble as well as insoluble fiber. The former helps the body to eliminate toxins and keeps you feeling full. The latter keeps cholesterol levels low. Beans are also worthy sources of the minerals magnesium and potassium and are high in protein and carbohydrates.

Whole soybeans are called edamame and they are healthy for the heart because they contain omega-3 fatty acids.

Nuts:

Whether you like almonds, walnuts, cashews or pistachios know that they all have their heart healthy benefits and are true soldiers in the super foods army. They are rich in monounsaturated fat which is the good fat that your brain and body requires to maintain its tissues and organs. They are also high in fiber, protein and antioxidants. Nuts help to reduce cholesterol levels and keep weight where it should be.

Just make sure that when you munch on this tasty food that you do so in serious moderation.

Kiwis:

Kiwi fruits are fuzzy funny looking green fruits that are high in their vitamin C content. They are also rich sources of vitamins A and E as well as fiber and potassium. They are very high in antioxidants and help to keep you feeling satiated after you have consumed them. Due to their high fiber content, kiwi fruits have a mild laxative effect on the bowels.

Other Choices:

There are other foods that fall into the super foods group that deserve to be mentioned. Salmon and quinoa are two of these as are sweet potatoes, shallots, rhubarb and pumpkin seeds. Blueberries, acai berries, cranberries and goji berries are also super foods. Two herbs that make the list that you should cook with more include cinnamon and turmeric.

Becca

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How to Get Your Health on Track by Increasing Your Antioxidant

Some foods offer a rich source of antioxidants while others contain few if any antioxidants. But what are antioxidants and exactly how do they benefit our health?

Antioxidants have become one of the popular health buzzwords of our time. But you cannot know if you are eating the right foods that are rich in antioxidants if you do not know what antioxidants are! Help!

What are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants can be described as substances such as vitamins and minerals that can work to fight the damage caused by free radicals throughout the cells in the human body. Antioxidants are capable of neutralizing the oxidation process which can lead to premature aging and can lead to the onset of many diseases. Free radicals, it goes without saying, can be very harmful to the health of humans.

Eating foods rich in antioxidants on a regular basis is easier than you might think because they can be found in an abundance of foods that you can buy at grocery stores and local markets. The more you consume foods rich in antioxidant content the healthier will your body be, both on the inside and the outside.

What Should You Eat?

There are many foods that contain high levels of antioxidants. Here we look at two of the top picks. Both are green, but one is a food and another a beverage.

Broccoli: When it comes to going green for health, broccoli is a true nutrition winner! This is a veggie that is very high in antioxidant content. It is a vegetable that belongs to the cruciferous family and it is instrumental in fighting free radicals when it comes to disease prevention. Broccoli contains a phytonutrient called sulforaphane which reduces the risk of developing a variety of types of cancers.  This green disease fighting machine contains more of the mineral calcium than a glass of milk and more vitamin C than an orange.

Green Tea: All types of tea are healthy for you but green tea is rich in antioxidants. This is the case because it contains high concentrations of catechin polyphenols. This ingredient helps the body to burn fat and it also reduces the incidence of many diseases including numerous forms of cancer, cardiovascular disease and stroke. If you want to shed some pounds then increasing your intake of green tea is a good idea. It is also an excellent choice of warm beverage for those who have high cholesterol. Consume two to four cups a day for the optimum benefits for your health and to receive the high antioxidant content that your body needs!

Becca

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