Make way for Superfood - mydigitalfc.com

With an increase in processed food, stress and competitive living, an increase in lifestyle induced diseases including type two diabetes, heart disease, obesity, hypertension, allergies and cancers have increased. While medicine and medical therapy is always the number one remedy for ailments, many people are looking at alternatives to fight illnesses. Certain food which have been around from time immemorial but were sidelined due to the popularity of wheat and rice are suddenly finding popularity as the world discovers their health benefits.

According to nutritionists, eating particular food can give you good health, improve your energy levels, and actively help to reverse certain diseases like lifestyle induced diabetes, heart disease and cancer. These food have been classified as superfood as they have the ability help you fight and prevent diseases. They are nutrient-rich foods which have large amounts of phytonutrients, chemical compounds occurring naturally in plants.

According to Bewellbuzz.com, eating superfood regularly makes your body healthier, helps you flush out toxins more frequently and leaves you with a healthy glow. It also helps you maintain your weight and you can continue to remain healthy without having to take annoying vitamins or mineral tablets. Superfood contain antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, essential fatty acids, polysaccharides, enzymes and glyconutrients to name a few.

The Goji berry is also known as wolfberry and belongs to the same family as potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes, tobacco and chili peppers. Goji berries have been scientifically proven to contain vital nutrients beneficial to the human body. According to reports, they are rich in vitamin C (2,500 gm per 100gm of fruit), beta carotene, vitamins B1 and B2, vitamin A compounds, iron, amino acids, and antioxidants. As per the US department of agriculture, goji berries have one of the highest free-radical destroying potential of any food.

Acai berries, originally from South America, have started gaining immense popularity across the world as one of the richest food sources of antioxidants and also for their ability to fight cancer and reduce inflammation. Acai berries are particularly high in Omega-3 fatty acids and have been shown to promote brain function and diminish the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, Omega-3 fatty acids play a key role in cognitive and behavioral function of the brain. Açaí berries also contain plant sterols which are known for their cholesterol absorption qualities.

Quinoa referred to as a grain, is actually a chenopod, related to species like beets and spinach. Quinoa is a great source of dietary fibre, is gluten free, has a large mineral content and its protein content is very high. Though quinoa has been around for centuries (from the time of the ancient Incas in fact), it is only now that it has gained popul arity. According to researcher Philip White, while no single food can supply all the essential life sustaining nutrients, quinoa comes as close as any other in the plant kingdom. Quinoa seeds contain high-quality protein and large amounts of carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals. The seeds have a higher nutritive value than most cereal grains. The soluble protein content of about 15 per cent in quinoa is much higher than that found in cereals such as wheat, barley, oats, rice, and sorghum. Quinoa leaves are eaten as well as the seeds.

Amaranth is a grain that is much sought out today. Amaranth is very high in protein (it has a 30 per cent higher protein value than pasta, rice, wheat, oats and rye) and fibre. The leaves are edible and the grains are similar in looks to cous cous. While its prices sky rocket worldwide due to its demand, here in India, awareness on its nutritional benefits is now slowly increasing. Amaranth is very widely available in India, in fact Hindus, have been consuming food made from Amaranth, or Rajgira during certain religious periods for centuries.

Teff is native to Ethiopia and is a very small grain that contains high concentrations of proteins, amino acids and essential minerals. Teff is such a small grain that 3,000 grains weigh only 1 gm. It is gluten-free, and very high in fibre, protein, iron and calcium. A cup of cooked Teff contains 387 mg of calcium which is 40 per cent of the US recommended daily allowance.

A popular food in India, Chia seeds or Sabja (as they are known in India) are gluten free highly nutritious seeds, containing high levels of protein and Omega-3 fatty acids. Research by scientists in the University of Queensland, Australia showed that consumption of chia seeds has a protective effect on the heart and liver. Chia seeds also contain phytoestrogens, high dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals and certain antioxidants. A 2009 animal study at University of Litoral, Argentina re ported that chia seed intake prevented onset of many health problems.

All plants and vegetables are sources of naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, fibre, iron, protein, calcium and other healthy ingredients. Human health benefits when our bodies are given a diet rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains like the above.

According to nutritionist and author of The Essential Guide to Vitamins and Minerals, Elizabeth Somer, the effect that diet can have on how you feel today and in the future is astounding. Even people who are healthy can make a few tweaks to their diet and the impact will be amazing. Some 50 per cent to 70 per cent of suffering could be eliminated by what people eat and how they move: heart disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension can all be impacted. You don't need specific foods for specific ailments. A healthy diet incorporating a variety of the super foods will help you maintain your weight, fight disease, and live longer. Not only can they lower your risk of heart disease and cancer, many of these foods are also anti-inflammatory. zz

(The writer is the owner of wellness centre Back to the Basic)