The Most Nutritious Superfoods

There seems to be some conflicting information online concerning which foods get listed as "superfoods."

The ones that I'm about to mention definitely deserve the title!

So why should you care about superfoods?

It's simple. Good nutrition is very important for staying healthy, so eating more nutritious foods will make you healthier!

Here are a few of the best.....

Acai

Acai is definitely one of the world's best superfoods.

This superfood can be found in the tropics of Central to South
America. The most notable concentrations lie in the floodplains and
swamps of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil.

The fruit produced by the palm is small, round, and
purple-black in color. It's very similar in appearance to a grape.

Here is what this berry contains and its related nutritional
breakdown:

• Beneficial fatty acids - Omega 6 and 9. Fatty
  acids reduce bad cholesterol while maintaining good cholesterol levels.


• Potassium - the most abundant mineral in
  this berry. It helps in the regulation of the body's water balance,
  acidity, and blood pressure.


• Antioxidants - plays a large role in the
  maintenance of the vascular cardiac system and may help in blood
  circulation.


• Rich in fiber - almost 25% of the
  berry's dry matter. It's important for the elderly or anyone concerned
  with digestive health and regularity.


• Calcium - The second most abundant
  mineral present. Required for the maintenance of bone mineral density.


• Phytonutrients - Are compounds that
  occur naturally in highly nutritious botanicals like this berry. More
  than 16 in total, they are strong antioxidants that assist in
  anti-aging and combat health disorders.


• Vitamins - A,B1, B2, B3, C, and E. The
  benefits of these vitamins are extensive. Some include: collagen
  production for healthy cartilage, natural energy production, processes
  amino acids and fats, helps restore damaged tissues, and helps protect
  cellular membranes.


• Anthocyanins - an antioxidant also
  known to exist in red wine. There is 30 times the amount of anthocyanin
  in this botanical than red wine.

As you can see, this berry is a truly outstanding superfood. We
strongly recommend it as a nutritional supplement to maintain good
health.

Goji

Experience the nutritional benefits of this legendary berry.

Many already have added this berry to their diet and consider
it to be one of the best natural remedies.

Chances are, you have at least heard of this amazing botanical.

This berry might be the most well-known
and respected of all the superfoods.

Before we get into its amazing health benefits,
let's take a look into some basic background information.

It's scientific name is lycium barbarum
and it is also commonly referred to as wolfberry.

The majority of this berry can be found in a region in
north-central China as well as in parts of Mongolia.

The fruit is bright orange-red, 1-2cm in length, and has a
somewhat oval shape.

Wolfberry has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands
of years. Its uses include: enhancing the immune system,
improving eyesight, protecting the liver, boosting sperm production,
and improving cardiovascular circulation.

Here is a nutritional summary of this amazing berry and some
potential benefits.

• 19 amino acids - the building blocks of protein,
  essential nutrition for the body. It contains more protein than whole
  wheat.


• 21 trace minerals - including calcium,
  germanium, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc. Trace minerals work with
  enzymes which help your cells to function properly.


• Antioxidants - many of the items listed
  here can be described as antioxidants. In fact, this berry contains an
  impressive 22,000 ORAC units per gram. You can learn about ORAC units here.


• Vitamin C - contains 500 times more
  vitamin C per ounce than oranges. This well known and essential
  nutrient is required for metabolic processes.


• Vitamins B1, B2, B6, and E - vitamin
  complex B helps the metabolism, maintains healthy skin, supports the
  immune and nervous systems as well as other benefits. Vitamin E has
  been studied for its numerous health advantages, mainly relating to
  heart and coronary issues.


• Carotenoids - large amounts of beta
  carotene which converts to vitamin A. With greater amounts found than
  in carrots, this nutrient is vital for good eye health.


• Beta-sitosterol- an anti-inflammatory
  and also helps in lowering cholesterol.

As you can see, this berry is quite phenomenal. It really is in a class
of its own when it comes to superfoods.

Mangosteen

What is mangosteen and how can its xanthones benefit me?

If you're asking that question, you've come to the right place.

Its scientific name is Garcinia mangostana
named after Jaque Garcin, the first person to publish an article about
its health benefits in 1697.

The tree that bears this fruit is believed to have originated
in the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas, both part of the Malay
Archipelago.

The fruit changes color a few times before ripening
completely. Over a period of a few months, the color of the rind goes
from light green to dark green to reddish-purple. The final color
change happens in less than ten days.

The edible quality of the fruit is at its peak when it reaches
this reddish-purple color.

During this process, the size of the fruit reaches a diameter
of 6-8cm.

Indigenous cultures of South-East Asia have been using this
botanical for a variety of medicinal purposes. Some include the
treatment of dysentery, urinary disorders, diarrhea, eczema
and other skin disorders.

Most of the fruit's nutrition comes from its hard
outer shell, or rind. This nutrition is found specifically
in the previously mentioned xanthones. There are
more than 40 xanthones discovered so far.

Xanthones are powerful phytonutrients that have significant
antioxidant qualities. Some of these health benefits include.

• Supporting the cardiovascular system


• Helping to prevent Thrombosis, also known as a clot in a
  blood vessel.


• Reduces hypertension or high blood pressure


• Supports healthy cartilage and joint function.


• Helps maintain the immune system.


• Promotes good respiratory health, which relates to seasonal
  allergies.


• Maintains good intestinal health

Those were just some of the more well known effects of this truly great
superfood. It would not be surprising if more health benefits are
discovered about this food.

Noni

Let's learn about Noni and what it can do for you.

Morinda citrifolia, also known as Great
Morinda has been used for centuries by many Polynesian cultures.

Morinda citrifolia is a small tree in the
family Rubiaceae. Although it can be found elsewhere, it's mainly known
to grow in the pacific islands. It grows in shady forests as well as in
rocky and sandy shores.

The fruit is oval and ranges 4-7 cm in size. Its color ranges
from green then to yellow, as it ripens.

Naturopathic healers have been using this fruit for a number of
medicinal purposes. Some include treatment for asthma,
lumbago, dysentery, infected boils, menstrual cramps, and even applied
externally to broken bones.

The following is more information on this botanical and its
nutritional advantages.

• Oligo and polysaccharides - two long-chain sugar
  molecules that act as phytonutrients. These help produce a dietary
  fiber which supports proper digestion.


• Strong anti-inflammatory properties.


• Vitamins - Contains good amounts of
  vitamin C as well as a fair amount of vitamin A. (Specific percentages
  will depend on your specific source of noni)


• Beta-sitosterol - a phytonutrient with
  potential for having anti-cholesterol and anti-inflammatory effects.

An increasing number of studies are being done on this fruit. These
studies are helping support what natural healing practitioners have
known for quite some time about Noni. It's truly a great superfood!

Seabuckthorn

What can seabuckthorn do for you?

That's exactly what we will discover.

Also known as nature's multi-vitamin, Hippophae
rhamnoides has a wide variety of health benefits.

Let's first go over some background information.

Hippophae rhamnoides can be found in many
areas throughout Europe and Asia, although about 90% of the plant is
produced in China.

The berries that it produces are soft and orange in color,
ranging from 6-9 mm in diameter.

Chinese natives have been using the medicinal properties of this
botanical for centuries to help in blood circulation,
alleviate pain, relieve coughs, and to aid in digestion.

The oils from the berry have also been effective for
treating dermatitis, eczema, acne, and healing sun-damaged skin.
This quality of the berry gives it anti-aging potential.

What we've discussed so far is just a few of the health
benefits of this amazing berry. Here is a summary of the rest.

• Vitamins C and E - it contains a high amount of
  vitamin C (12 times more than what is found in an orange). Vitamin E is
  also present in good amounts and can help with cardiovascular health.


• Folic acid (or vitamin B9) - is crucial
  for the growth and maintenance of new cells. This vitamin becomes even
  more essential during pregnancy.


• Vitamin K - has been linked to healthy
  blood. It prevents the thinning of blood.


• Carotenoids - containing a large variety
  of these potent antioxidants.


• Omega Complex - including 3, 6, 7 and 9.
  These fatty acids are essential for reducing blood pressure and
  cholesterol levels.


• Flavonoids - these organic compounds
  have shown anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial effects
  as well as being good antioxidants.

Seabuckthorn is another emerging giant in the world of superfoods. More
studies are currently being done on this berry which will provide even
more information on its great nutritional characteristics.

To learn more about simple things that you can do to stay healthy please visit Alternative Health Advice.