The world is teetering on the brink of an obesity epidemic, and there are a host of diseases plaguing just about everyone today:
• High cholesterolrn• Diabetesrn• High blood pressurern• Heart diseasern• Strokern• Cancers
It isn’t any wonder why we have become more conscious about our health and are constantly going to great lengths to ensure that we eat the right kinds of foods to keep both our bodies and spirits healthy. In our quest for what is best for our bodies and minds, we have come upon what is now widely known as the “super foods”.
People who have, until very recently, subsisted on foods rich in unhealthy fats, empty calories, refined sugars, and heavily fried carbohydrates are surprised by how amazing they start to feel after throwing out an unhealthy diet and embarking upon a lifestyle that involves eating these super foods. Not only does the body benefit, the brain does, as well. Consider this equation:rnHealthy body + healthy brain = emotional well-being
With high amounts of bioactive nutrients and antioxidants in these super foods, both your body and brain are fuelled in a good way, and you start feeling good about yourself, as well.
The best thing about super foods is that they are derived straight from nature, and nature has equipped these foods with the ability to provide our body with the complete nutrition it needs. Super foods have long been known to have the ability to provide us with:
• Superior nutritionrn• Disease-fighting substancesrn• Brain enhancers
To ensure we get all these benefits, we will need to consume these super foods in the closest state possible that nature provided them. There are hosts of super foods that are available in produce stands, the fruit section of your local grocery, health food stores, and sometimes even in your own backyard:
1.) Peaches – the peach is often one of the most overlooked fruits today. However, this underrated fruit is among the most powerful super foods available. It can give you a clear complexion, get rid of worms and other parasites that plague the intestinal tract, it is a proven cancer-fighter, and it contains substances that have a mild sedative effect. Peaches have long been used to calm hyperactive children, help relieve mild anxiety, and enhance sleep at night.
2.) Acacia berry – if you are looking for a natural mood enhancer, look no further than the acacia berry. Improving the mood is only one of its many benefits. In fact, the acacia berry can help you lose weight safely and naturally. It works by regulating the body’s blood glucose levels to lessen the frequent onset of hunger pangs. With a healthy diet, regular exercise, and acacia berry, losing weight will be simpler and easier.
3.) Blueberry – one super food that packs a power punch in antioxidants, the blueberry is a potent brain super food. So potent in fact that scientists have realized its potential in fighting Alzheimer’s disease. Useful in restoring normal brain functions, as well as fighting the emergence of cancer cells, the blueberry is one of nature’s “small but terrible” guardians of our continued youthfulness and brain cell regeneration.
4.) Almonds – for most people, this nutty super food is best served embedded in chocolate. What many don’t realize is that almonds contain substantial amounts of zinc and Vitamin B12. When taken together, these substances are a potent remedy against bad moods. What’s more, almonds are rich in healthy monounsaturated fats that are essential in maintaining arterial health. What better way to fight heart disease than with generous helpings of this oblong nut. Almonds also bring with it the power of iron, which is beneficial in raising blood iron levels, fighting against fatigue, and guarding against iron-deficiency anemia.
5.) Magnesium – if you find yourself frequently sluggish and irritable, a lack of sleep or stress may not merely be the culprits. You just may need a healthy dose of magnesium. In fact, more than half of all adults in the U.S. have a shocking deficiency in this essential nutrient, which can mostly be found in raw unprocessed chocolate and cocoa. Imagine if we were replete with magnesium – we’d be more energetic and cheerful – the world would be a better place!
6.) Maca – with more and more distractions in a fast-paced world, it isn’t a wonder that
anxiety and depression have risen considerably that it is considered commonplace today. This is the reason why there are a lot of people addicted to prescription anti-depressants and mood lifters. The processed chemicals found in these prescription medicines can pose a danger to your health; therefore, you will need to consider a more natural alternative. The Peruvian root powder, known as Maca, comes in tea form and is rich in more nutrients than can be found in most fruits and vegetables. High levels of potassium, calcium, iodine, and magnesium contained in this Peruvian root have been proven to lift depression, prevent anemia and fatigue, as well as enhance our brain’s abilities.
With all the wonderful abilities these natural super foods have proven, more and more people have been turning to these foods and consuming them in as close to their natural state as possible. In fact, medical science has included these foods in the list of nutritional essentials geared at helping our bodies and minds function more efficiently and effectively.
In today’s world, longevity and an improved quality of life are the objectives that people have started investing in. If you are looking forward to improve your health, brain functions, and moods, it would be wise to do thorough research to separate the wheat from the chaff. Apart from the foods mentioned above, you may be tempted to consume other exotic-sounding foods because of their perceived health benefits. However, it will be a good idea to choose foods which have been backed by scientific research and reliable data.
Let nature takes its course. Through regular exercise and a healthy diet accompanied with generous portions of these super foods, you are sure to live a long, healthy, and happy life.