Superfoods are the latest term that is garnering hype in the food world. There is no food group called superfoods, and there are no set criteria for what makes a food a “superfood”. This can leave many people feeling unsure what superfoods are, and what makes these superfoods so super.
Simply put, superfoods are foods that are nutritionally dense and benefit our health when added to our diets. However, not all superfoods are made equal. Some superfoods can only be consumed in one way, are hard to access, or benefit our health in a minor way that we don’t see as important. Below are three superfoods that will make a difference to your health and are also easy to access and versatile to use.
Black Beans
Black beans are a simple addition to any diet. Available both canned and dried, they can be found in almost any grocery store and used in a variety of ways. Black beans are high in heart healthy fiber, fat free protein and contain numerous minerals and vitamins, including iron, manganese, calcium and vitamin A. Black beans are also a great source of folic acid and flavonoids. Flavonoids have antioxidants abilities and contain some omega-3 fatty acids.
Black beans benefit your health in many ways. They contain lots of soluble fiber which helps lower blood cholesterol that promotes arterial and heart health. Due to the high content of protein and fiber in black beans, they are also great for regulating digestive issues and controlling blood sugars.
Blueberries
Blueberries are only in season for a short time. However, you can still enjoy them year-round. Frozen blueberries contain just as many, if not more, nutrients than fresh blueberries because they are flash frozen immediately after they are picked, instead of being shipped to the store. Blueberries are one of the highest antioxidant foods that you can access and contains resveratrol, gallic acid, lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin K, vitamin C, manganese, and fiber.
When it comes to your health, blueberries are an incredible food. Because of the high amount of gallic acid contained in blueberries, they can protect our brains from degeneration, neurotoxicity, and oxidative stress. Studies have also shown that blueberries slow cognitive decline and improve memory and motor function. In addition to these great benefits for the brain, blueberries also combat aging, fight cancer, support digestion, and promote heart health.
Kale
Kale is another nutrient-dense food that is versatile in how it can be used, from juicing to sautéing to using it in a salad. Kale contains vitamin A, B vitamins, calcium, copper, magnesium, iron, copper, potassium and phosphorus.
With all the vitamins and minerals in kale, it’s not surprising that kale will benefit your health in many ways including, protecting your eyes, helping you lose weight, reducing the risk of degenerative bone diseases, boosting your immune system, and fighting against arthritis, asthma, and autoimmune disorders.
The three superfoods listed here are easy to get and easy to add into your diet. Adding even just one to your diet on a regular basis will give you insurmountable health benefits.
