Top 25 Superfoods List you Need to Eat Now! [Part Two]

Contents

Superfoods are diverse foods that have amazing nutritional and health benefits. Regular consumption of superfoods will lead to a healthy lifestyle, promotes wellness, and can even cure some medical conditions.

In Part 1 of our Top 25 Superfoods List, we showed the first 12 nutrient-dense foods  and the reasons why they are included in our top superfoods list. In this article, we will present the rest of the superfoods and the optimal health benefits they can offer.

top-superfoods-list -part-2

Part OnePart Two
1. Turmeric13. Spirulina
2. Apple Cider Vinegar14. Papaya
3. Green Tea15. Kale
4. Coconut Oil16. Ginger
5. Avocado17. Garlic
6. Chia Seeds18. Seaweed
7. Asparagus19. Walnut
8. Flaxseed20. Spinach
9. Dark Chocolate21. Lemon Water
10. Wheatgrass22. Beets
11. Pomegranate23. Broccoli
12. Blueberries24. Bitter Melon
25. Sweet Potato

SPIRULINA

At one time or another, you may have heard of spirulina, but are completely clueless as to what it is and what it is for. You are not alone. You’re probably surprised that it is included in this superfood list. How can it be a superfood? Find out why.

Two Types of Spirulina
1. Arthrospira platensis
2. Arthrospira maxima

Arthrospira is consumed as a whole food or diet supplement.

Nutritional Content of Spirulina

  • Iron
  • Iodine
  • Protein
  • Vitamin B12, C, and E
  • Calcium
  • Chromium
  • Copper
  • Chlorophyll
  • Iron
  • Magnesium
  • Phosphorus
  • Nucleic acids (RNA and DNA)
  • Phycocyanin
  • Essential amino acids
  • Carotenoids (beta-carotene)
  • Phytonutrients (chlorophyll, sulfolipids, polysaccharides, and glycolipids)

Health Benefits of Spirulina

  • Natural detoxifier and cleanses the body of toxins
  • Anti-inflammatory properties
  • Antioxidant properties and balances the body’s pH levels
  • Anti-cancer properties
  • Boosts energy and the immune system
  • Improves endurance
  • Reduces fatigue
  • Promotes digestive health
  • Natural appetite suppressant
  • Eliminates Candida
  • Relieves HIV/AIDS
  • Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels (1)
  • Lowers risk of stroke
  • Speeds up weight loss
  • Relieves sinus problems

Spirulina is actually the first ever superfood on the planet and is also nutrient-dense. Even NASA chose spirulina to be among the first plants grown in space. If you don’t have adventurous taste buds, you can have spirulina in different forms. There are spirulina tablets, powders, flakes, and liquid supplements.

PAPAYA

When we speak about superfoods, it’s hard to forget papaya. With all its health benefits, papaya deserves a spot on this list. Even Christopher Columbus called papaya “the fruit of angels”.
2 Main Varieties
1. Mexican (bigger)
2. Hawaiian (smaller)

papaya tree with fruits

Nutritional Content of Papaya

  • Vitamins A, essential B vitamins, C, and folic acid
  • Fiber
  • Copper
  • Potassium
  • Magnesium
  • Amino acids and enzymes (papain)
  • Flavonoids, beta-carotene, lutein, cryptoxanthins, and zeaxathins

Health Benefits of Papaya

  • Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-infection properties
  • Promotes healthy skin and eyesight
  • Reduces acne and treat burns
  • Promotes normal blood pressure and regulates the heart rate
  • Boosts immunity
  • Promotes healthy digestion
  • Prevents oxidation of cholesterol
  • Good fiber source and prevents constipation
  • Promotes a healthy heart
  • Natural remedy for heart disease, atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis
  • Helps digest protein
  • Promotes weight loss
  • Protects against colon, mouth and lung cancers
  • Treats ulcers
  • Relieves Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Exercise caution in your consumption since papaya is high in fructose which can have harmful effects when taken in excess.

If you want to enjoy variety in your diet, papaya is an excellent superfood to start eating right now. You no longer have to go somewhere far to eat papaya because it is now widely distributed all over the world. You can eat it as it is or added in dishes to enjoy the many health benefits it offers while leaving you full and satiated.

KALE

Otherwise known as leaf cabbage, it’s the Brassica variety that is closely related to wild cabbage. Its leaves are green or purple, where the central leaves do not form a head. Kale was the most common leafy green vegetable in Europe until the Middle Ages. There’s a variety known as the “Hungry Gap,” named this because kale is in season during the winter and there’s a time in winter when nothing grows on the land and kale is the only plant that can grow in the frost.

kale

Nutritional Content of Kale

  • Vitamin A, B-complex (especially B6), C, E, and K
  • Folate
  • Pantothenic acid
  • Manganese
  • Magnesium
  • Iron
  • Calcium
  • Copper
  • Phosphorus
  • Potassium
  • Carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin)
  • Omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linoleic acid)
  • Flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol) and polyphenols

Health Benefits of Kale

  • Antioxidant properties
  • Anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties
  • Aids in DNA cell repair
  • Boosts the immune system
  • Promotes collagen synthesis
  • Protects cardiovascular health
  • Lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease, lowers blood pressure, and lowers cholesterol levels
  • Anticancer (especially that of the bladder, breasts, bladder, colon, ovaries, and the prostate)
  • Antidepressant properties
  • Promotes healthy blood clotting
  • Relieves lung congestion
  • Promotes healthy vision and lowers the risk of acquiring cataracts of macular degeneration
  • Promotes gut and liver health
  • Promotes weight loss

Some experts even hail kale as the king of all the super healthy greens because of its nutritional content and amazing health benefits.

Don’t miss out on this superfood’s long list of health benefits by adding it to your diet now in as many ways as you can.

GINGER

In line with our superfood theme, the next one is another cooking staple. The smell of ginger in the kitchen reminds of many fond memories of our childhood or Christmas when ginger-inspired treats are customary.

ginger

Compounds Present in Ginger

  • Carbohydrates (50%-70%)
  • Lipids – (3%-8%)
  • Terpenes
  • Phenolic acids
  • Amino acids
  • Raw fiber
  • Ash
  • Proteins
  • Phytosterols
  • Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, Niacin, and Nicotinic Acid
  • Minerals (Iron, Manganese, Magnesium, Potassium, Phosphorus, and Selenium)

The non-volatile compound called gingerol gives ginger its distinct taste. The major active components are terpene and ginger oil.

Ginger root is often harvested last and harvested by digging. To prevent mildew growth on the rhizomes, cure the ginger for three to five days.

Health Benefits of Ginger

  • Antiemetic prevents motion sickness
  • Anti-cancer properties
  • Anti-inflammatory properties
  • Anticoagulant properties
  • Remedy for digestive issues
  • Remedy for heartburn
  • Reduce blood sugar levels

Other Benefits of Ginger

  • Natural cure for sore throat and cough
  • Clears stuffy nose and nose congestion
  • Improves digestion, remedy for upset stomach
  • Remedy for headaches and/or migraines
  • Remedy for toothache
  • Aphrodisiac properties

You can chop, julienne, mince, grate, or puree ginger, depending on what the recipe calls for. Just remember that young ginger is tender and sweet while the older version is spicy and more fibrous.

You can make gingerbread, ale or tea, depending on what you fancy and what the season is. You’ll learn more about what you can do with ginger with detailed step-by-step recipes in our ginger article, “Spice Up Your Life with a Little Bit of Ginger.” This superfood is backed by research and it gives your dishes and beverages a healthy twist without compromising taste.

GARLIC

As we grow older, we become more conscious of our health. Time and gravity are good reasons to worry about our aging body. They are more reasons for us to include as many superfoods as we can in our diet.

Garlic has been a known superfood for centuries now. Humans have been using it for more than 7,000 years to date. Even the holy book of the Indians, the Vedas, included garlic as one of the most useful Indian plants. The Egyptians also used it early on since it grew along the Nile River. As their civilization prospered, the use of garlic was limited to the slaves and common people because the royalty, rich, and the merchants made use of herbs and spices from the far off lands they conquered.

garlic

Healing Properties of Garlic

  • Antiseptic and antibacterial properties
  • Antioxidant abilities
  • Anti-thrombotic effects
  • Good for the gut
  • Boosts immunity
  • Anti-tumor and anti-cancer
  • Reduces blood glucose levels
  • Reduces lipid levels
  • Vasodilator

Remedy for the following ailments/conditions:

  • Cancer
  • Inflammation
  • Infection
  • Heart health
  • Ear infection
  • Toothache
  • Cough and cold
  • Warts
  • Sore throat
  • Stuffy nose and nasal congestion

It is common to see and hear garlic referred to as a “superfood” by health experts and garlic did not disappoint as proven in history time and again. In line with the current trend of superfoods made into supplements for ease and convenience, there are also garlic supplements available you can take to enjoy its medicinal properties without having to deal with its strong odor and taste.

Like with the rest of functional foods popularly grown nowadays, the power of garlic is undeniable. It’s a culinary delight that has saved millions of lives over the years. If you want to know more about garlic, read “The Power of Garlic” article on our site and add more garlic in your diet from now on.

SEAWEED

Not all superfoods grow on land. They can also be found in the ocean, take seaweed, for instance. It’s a favorite of many coastal inhabitants and is not something that is new to us. Although it is not a staple in our diet, seaweed is something we should consume more to get our fair share of this underwater superfood’s many health benefits.

seaweed dish

Main Types of Seaweed

Green algae (phylum Chlorophyta) – freshwater and terrestrial algae
Brown algae (phylum Ochrophyta) – marine algae
Red algae (phylum Rhodophyta) – marine algae
Its color actually determines where the seaweed has grown. Green algae are harvested closer to land and brown to red is from deeper in the sea. The blue-green species like spirulina (cyanophyta) is actually not algae, but photosynthetic bacteria.

Common Seaweed Names

  • Algae
  • Kelp
  • Kombu/konbu
  • Egg wrack
  • Wakame
  • Sea spaghetti
  • Dulse/dillisk
  • Nori
  • Seagrass
  • Sea lettuce
  • Irish moss
  • Carrageenan

Nutritional Components of Seaweed

  • Iodine
  • Iron
  • Calcium
  • Folate
  • Magnesium
  • Potassium
  • Protein
  • Vitamins A, B12, C, and K
  • Dietary fiber (2)

Health Benefits of Seaweed

  • Antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties
  • Anti-cancer (breast)
  • Anti-coagulant properties
  • Promotes thyroid and brain health
  • Prevents the absorption of cholesterol and sugar
  • Treats rashes, wounds, and burns
  • Suppresses the appetite
  • Promotes good digestive health and weight loss
  • Promotes good heart health
  • Promotes healthy and glowing skin
  • Detoxifying properties
  • Helps regulate hormones
  • All-around tonic
  • Boosts the immune system
  • Cervical ripening and prevents PMS
  • Promotes long life

Other Benefits of Seaweed

  • Hydrocolloids (carrageenan, agar, and alginate) are used as thickening agents or as an emulsifier in toothpastes, ice creams, and fruit jellies. Carrageenan is also used in soaps, lotions, shampoos, lubricants, and skin cream.
  • Textile printing
  • Extracts toxin from wastewater
  • Softening agent in making organic skin care products and the cosmetic industry

The sea gifted man with seaweed. Let’s make the most of it and eat as much as we can to enjoy its many health benefits. Who knows, we may not outlive the Okinawans but we can enjoy a long and quality life together with our loved ones.

WALNUTS

Most of the time, we equate superfoods with fruits and veggies we know. In this case, it’s a nut. Walnuts are a superfood many of us surely wouldn’t mind eating. This crunchy treat is not only best eaten as it is but can be added to different dishes and snacks for an added crunch.

walnuts

Common Types of Walnut

English or Persian Walnut – native to Persia (thinner shell and easily broken)
Black Walnut – originated from Eastern North America (not commercially grown because of its pungent flavor and hard shell)
White Walnut – or butternut is also a native to America (sweeter with an oilier taste)

If you plan to consume lots of walnuts, store them properly to prevent insect infestation and the growth of fungus. The largest walnut grower is California, with around 2/3 of the world’s crop growing there.

Nutritional Contents of Walnut

  • Omega-3 fatty acids
  • Antioxidants (Ellagic acid and melatonin)
  • Proteins
  • Dietary Fibers
  • Iron
  • Calcium
  • Copper
  • Manganese
  • Magnesium
  • Phosphorus
  • Potassium
  • Selenium
  • Sodium
  • Zinc
  • Vitamins A, B-complex, C, E, and K
  • Carotenoids (Beta carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin)
  • Essential fatty acids (EFAs) (alpha-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, and arachidonic acids)
  • Flavonoid (catechin)

Health Benefits of Walnuts

  • Improves heart function , reduces blood cholesterol levels, and regulates blood pressure
  • Improves metabolism
  • Controls diabetes
  • Promotes weight loss
  • Anti-inflammatory, act as an astringent, and anti-cancer properties
  • Improves mood
  • Promotes brain function and boosts memory and cognitive processes
  • Boosts stamina
  • Improves bone health
  • Manages weight and prevents obesity
  • Induces and improves sleep
  • Improves men’s sexual health
  • Adjunct management for type-2 diabetes treatment
  • Promotes glowing skin

This perceived brain and power food can be eaten in two ways, with or without its shell. You can have candied or pickled walnuts or add them to other dishes, or you can eat them raw or toasted. Also, walnut oil can also be drizzled on salads.

Other Walnut Benefits

  • Walnut inks and dyes

Walnuts are highly perishable, which is why they should be stored in air-tight containers and placed in the fridge. Include the skin when eating walnuts even though some may tell you otherwise. If you’re not sure what the skin is, it is the white and sometimes waxy or flaky exterior of the walnut. It is the richest part with around 90% phenol level. Adding walnuts to your meal not only enhances flavor but also adds an extra crunch when used as a topping or added to your favorite dishes. If you want to munch on something healthy, just eat walnuts instead.

SPINACH

Most of us grew up watching Popeye, right? In the series, Popeye grows big muscles and becomes very strong after eating a certain type of veggie, which is spinach. If it was considered a superfood back then, it’s needed more now when people’s diets lack nutrition and are full of chemicals and preservatives.

spinach

Types of Spinach

Savoy is the most commonly sold type in the US and has dark green, curly and crinkly leaves.
Flat or smooth is easier to clean than the Savoy variants and has smooth, broad leaves.
Semi-savoy is actually a hybrid and has somewhat crinkly leaves and a similar texture to savoy, but is easier to clean.

Spinach is often sold bunched, loose, canned, packaged fresh in bags, or frozen. Just remember that how it was stored affects its nutritional value over time.

Nutritional Content of Spinach

  • Vitamins A, B6, C, E, K, and Thiamine
  • Protein
  • Calcium
  • Copper
  • Fiber
  • Folate
  • Iron
  • Manganese
  • Magnesium
  • Niacin
  • Phosphorus
  • Potassium
  • Selenium
  • Zinc
  • Carotenoids (beta-carotene and lutein)
  • Flavonoids
  • Glycoglycerolipids

Health Benefits of Spinach

  • Antioxidant properties
  • Promotes a healthy heart and blood circulation
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Boosts memory, brain function, and mental clarity
  • Protects the GI tract
  • Protects against prostate cancer
  • Anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties
  • Promotes bone health

In reality, the reason why Popeye ate Spinach was because of an error in placing the decimal point in its iron content, giving the misconception that it was ten to twenty times more than its actual value. Nonetheless, it’s undeniable that spinach remains to be an amazing superfood we all need for good health and for a long life because it is considered to be one of the most nutrient-dense superfoods out there.

LEMON WATER

As the health revolution goes mainstream, we learn about more superfoods that experts say can make a big impact on the quality of our lives. Although the term superfood has been widely used for just about every fruit and vegetable out there, saying that lemon water is a superfood is an understatement. After all, we can live for weeks without food, but not without water for days. Adding lemon water to the equation makes it a powerful drink we can all be thankful for later on.
Lemon water is essentially water squeezed with lemon juice in it. Aside from giving more life to plain old water and improving its taste, lemon water is rich in nutrients.

lemon-water

Active Ingredients in Lemon Water

    • Vitamin C
    • Lemon Essential Oil
    • Magnesium
    • Potassium
    • Vitamin B6

Other plant compounds:

  • Citric acid
  • Hesperidin
  • Diosmin
  • Eriocitrin
  • D-Limonene

Health Benefits of Lemon Juice

  • Antimicrobial properties
  • Improves mood
  • Promotes alertness and boosts energy
  • Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
  • Astringent properties
  • Boosts the immune system
  • Reduces blood and liver cholesterol levels
  • Treats canker sores
  • Relieves eczema

Benefits of Lemon Water

  • Lemon water is alkalizing
  • Rich source of different vitamins and minerals
  • Helps get rid of toxins and other waste products
  • Great for skin care
  • Aids in weight loss
  • Boosts the immune system
  • Freshens your breath
  • Boosts energy
  • Help reduce caffeine
  • Prevents kidney stone formation

It is best to drink lemon water in the morning to jumpstart your digestion. It also helps build the body’s resistance to disease.

How to Make Lemon Water

Squeeze half a lemon into a glass of water and drink it upon arising in the morning and before brushing your teeth so the bacteria in your teeth from the night before can protect it from the lemon’s acid. Lemon water gives you an energy boost that can last an entire day while at the same time, detoxify the body.

There are different ways to drink lemon water and you’ll find out all about them in our full lemon water article, “Drink Lemon Water and Start your Day Right”. You’ll understand why it is important to include drinking lemon water in the morning a part of your daily regimen.

Check out our full guide on the health benefits of lemon water

BEETS OR BEETROOTS

Many health and nutrition experts dub beetroots as another “superfood”. It was published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that beets can enhance the performance of athletes, especially runners. It can also increase blood flow while lowering blood pressure among adults according to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition. Beets are packed with so many nutrients and flavor.

Aside from being eaten as food, beets are also used as a medicinal plant or as a food coloring.
As a juice, it is something you can drink to easily boost your health and nutrition intake.
Beets give a kick to a plain drink and beetroot juice is one the favorite healthy drinks of many people now.
The natural food pigments found in beets are called betalains.

Two Types of Betalains:

1. Betacyanins – water-soluble red-violet pigment gives beetroot its trademark rich, purple-crimson color
2. Betaxanthins – yellow pigments

beets

Nutritional Content of Beetroot juice

  • Iron
  • Calcium
  • Copper
  • Vitamins A, C, K,
  • Folic acid
  • Potassium
  • Manganese
  • Fiber
  • Phytonutrients Betalain
  • Beet fiber
  • Nitrates

Benefits of Beetroot juice

  • Healthy heart and normal blood pressure
  • Speeds up detoxification
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Boosts libido
  • Fights dementia and increases mental health
  • Provides a slow-acting energy source
  • Combats cancer
  • Prevents and reduces inflammation
  • Improves endurance and stamina
  • Prevents diabetes
  • Promotes better digestion and regular bowel movements
  • Reduces inflammation

Aside from being dubbed as a “superfood”, experts also consider beets to be a “functional food”, a food that both nourishes and nurtures you fully.

BROCCOLI

We hated broccoli as kids. We didn’t like that our parents forced us to eat this particular superfood against our will. They insisted it is good for our health, but of course, we were oblivious to that when we were younger. As we grow older, we realize that we need to make an effort in caring for our health. After all, we are not young and healthy all the time. Aging takes its toll and we start experiencing different ailments that make living a bit more challenging for us. So, if you want to live a better and longer life, adding broccoli in your diet might just do the trick.

broccoli

Common Types of Broccoli

Calabrese broccoli or simply “broccoli” aka “Italian green” grows during the cool season in Calabria, Italy where it originated.
Sprouting broccoli has many heads with thin stalks.
Purple cauliflower heads resemble a cauliflower but are only made up of small flower buds.

Brassica Oleraceae has other cultivar groups the same as broccoli such as:
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Romanesco broccoli
Kale
Collard greens
Kohlrabi
Brussels sprouts

Nutritional Content of Broccoli

  • Vitamins A, B1, B6, C, E, and K
  • Calcium
  • Chromium
  • Choline
  • Copper
  • Folate
  • Dietary Fiber
  • Manganese
  • Pantothenic Acid
  • Potassium
  • Selenium
  • Carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin)
  • Glucosinolate Phytonutrients (glucoraphanin, gluconasturtiian, glucobrassicin)
  • Flavonoid (kaempferol)

Health Benefits of Broccoli

  • Promotes cardiovascular support
  • Lowers cholesterol levels
  • Natural detoxifying properties
  • Anti-inflammatory properties and prevents allergies
  • Anti-cancer properties (3)
  • Antioxidant properties
  • Provides digestive support
  • Promotes healthy vision
  • Supports sun-damaged skin
  • Facilitates Vitamin D metabolism
  • Improves bone health
  • Protection from chronic diseases

Make sure you wash it first under running water before cooking. For no-fuss cooking and eating, cut the broccoli first in quarters. Healthy steaming is the best way of cooking it to preserve its flavor and nutrients but you can also stir-fry it or eat it raw. Make it a point to eat a cruciferous vegetable like broccoli twice or thrice a week to benefit from its many nutritional properties.

For 2,000 years, broccoli has been consumed by millions for all the health benefits it offers. Don’t be the last to eat this superfood or risk missing out on a great health booster we can all benefit from.

BITTER MELON

Not as popular as the rest of its superfood counterparts, bitter melon is heaven-sent especially for those diagnosed with Diabetes. Studies support that increased consumption of bitter melon can help lower blood glucose levels without plenty of help from artificial drugs.

If you are clueless on what bitter melon is, it is a melon that’s bitter. It looks like a cucumber full of bumps resembling gourds but with an extremely bitter taste. In short, it resembles a lumpy, shriveled up cucumber that tastes as awful as it looks.

Again, it’s one of the many superfoods that is said to originate from India and is grown in many Asian countries. It’s also the reason why there are different bitter melon varieties.

bitter-melon

Nutritional Properties of Bitter Melon
Bitter melon is a rich source of:
Vitamins B1, B2, B3, and C
Calcium
Folate
Iron
Magnesium
Manganese
Phosphorus
Potassium
Dietary Fiber
Phytonutrient “charantin” – hypoglycaemic effect
Polypeptide-P

How does Bitter Melon Work?

The chemicals charantin, vicine, and Polypeptide-P mimic the effects of insulin leading to lower blood sugar levels. They work by boosting glucose uptake including glycogen synthesis in the muscles, adipose tissues, and the liver to increase glucose tolerance. The Lectin in bitter melon also reduces blood sugar concentration and it curbs the appetite by acting on the peripheral tissues, similar to what insulin does on the brain. Bitter melon contains more healing components that not only lowers blood sugar, but helps with many other health conditions.

Health Benefits of Bitter Melon

  • Reduces blood glucose among diabetics
  • Remedy for blood disorders
  • Treats cholera in its early stages
  • Boosts energy and stamina level
  • Relieves eye problems and improves vision
  • Relieves gout pain
  • Remedy for hangover
  • Remedy for piles
  • Improves psoriasis
  • Remedy for different skin conditions
  • Remedy for respiratory disorders
  • Remedy for toxemia
  • Prevents constipation
  • Helps metabolize fats
  • Boosts the immune system
  • Remedy for Herpes
  • HIV/AIDS adjunct treatment

If you’re already taking diabetic medications, consult your doctor and exercise more caution when consuming bitter melon. Regardless of the potential health benefits offered by a superfood, always consult with your doctor before eating them if you have existing health conditions.

Check out our article “Indulge your Sweet Tooth with Bitter Melon” to educate yourself about bitter melon along with cooking tips and recipes you can create with it. It is packed with all the details you need to know about this superfood to help you overcome its taste and make the most of it for your good health.

SWEET POTATO

If you’re looking for a healthy, yummy, and satisfying treat, sweet potatoes are what you’re looking for. Unlike most superfoods that have a strange taste, they actually taste good and feel like you’re eating a dessert every single time.

sweet-potato

Nutritional Content of Sweet Potato

  • Carotenoid (beta-carotene)
  • Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C, and D
  • Biotin
  • Copper
  • Iron
  • Manganese
  • Magnesium
  • Dietary fiber
  • Phosphorus
  • Potassium
  • Complex carbohydrates
  • Polyphenols (anthocyanin, peonidins, cyanins)
  • Resin glycosides

The beta-carotene content of a sweet potato can easily be identified by just looking at its skin. The brighter and more intense the color is, the higher its beta-carotene content is.

Health Benefits of Sweet Potato

  • Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
  • Regulates blood sugar levels and insulin metabolism
  • Healthy wound healing and prevents excessive blood loss
  • Antibacterial and antifungal properties
  • Promotes good eyesight
  • Lowers blood pressure and regulates heartbeat
  • Boosts energy
  • Promotes relaxation and calmness
  • Promotes healthy bone, muscle, blood, and nerve health
  • Protects against sun damage
  • Anti-cancer properties

Cooking with Sweet Potato

You can safely eat the entire sweet potato, tuber, flesh, and skin if they’re organic. If not, it’s better to peel the skin off than to be sorry. They easily oxidize, so it is better to submerge peeled, cut, or sliced sweet potatoes in a bowl full of water if you aren’t cooking or eating them yet.

You will get the most from its nutrients without affecting flavor through healthy steaming but you can also try boiling or stir-frying them if you prefer a different way of cooking them. When eating sweet potato, experts advise adding a fat source to enhance beta-carotene absorption.

Other Uses of Sweet Potato

Sweet potato is not just a food. South Americans combine red sweet potatoes with lime to make a dye for cloth. Meanwhile, all parts of it can be used as animal fodder. Some varieties are grown as ornamental plants in gardens all over the world. Sweet potato vines are best used in home growing systems because it helps remove toxic waste products from the water.

It’s no wonder sweet potato is included in this superfood list. Eating sweet potatoes is a great tasting way to nourish your body without eating a lot of calories. After all, many mistake it for a yummy and creamy fruit when the truth is it’s a vegetable. Furthermore, this Central and South American native root crop has been around for 10,000 years, a testament to its long-lasting appeal and healthy goodness.

Conclusion

This superfoods list is enough to provide you diverse meal options throughout the week without sacrificing taste and nutrition. By mixing things now and then, healthy doesn’t have to be bland and boring all the time.

Health mainly stems from nutrition. By feeding your body right, you give it the right tools to fight off stress, environmental pollutants, lack of sleep, junk and preservative-laden foods you eat daily, among others. There are a lot of things out there that cause stress on your body, and the least you can do about it is to feed it right by planning your meals in advance and choosing healthy foods over junk foods.

Try adding more of these superfoods in your diet and possibly live to be a hundred without needing to use a cane. You only have one body to last you a lifetime. Eating the right food helps you live not only a long life but a healthy and quality one as well.

There are other superfoods not included in this list, but are worth your time and giving attention too. These includes goji berries, quinoa, Greek yogurt, green tea, oatmeal, watermelon, strawberries, eggs, almonds, pistachios, pumpkin, lentils, leeks, and many others along with the ones included in this superfood list. Eating more of these superfoods will help you live life to the fullest extent and promote well-being.

Other Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
http://foodfacts.mercola.com/
http://www.whfoods.com/
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/
https://www.organicfacts.net/
http://www.thehealthsite.com/
http://www.kurakonusa.com/

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