"Superfood"
is a term used to describe any of nature's foods that nutritionists and health
professionals widely consider as being a nearly "perfect food." While
there is no uniformly-accepted definition for the term, in general it refers to
any food that contains proportionately large amounts of high-nutrition elements
like vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals.
Phytochemicals,
incidentally, are chemicals that have disease-fighting properties. (A
commonly-known phytochemical is beta-carotene, for example). Fresh fruits and
vegetables containing phytochemicals have been shown to reduce the risk of
cancer and inflammation, while strengthening the immune system.
Examples of
Superfoods:
Some foods
that are widely considered to be superfoods are relatively common foods that
are well-known to most people. Meanwhile, others are relatively rare and a bit
harder to find.
Some
superfoods that can commonly be found at a supermarket are beans, blueberries,
red grapes, papaya, pink grapefruit, broccoli, oats, oranges, pumpkin, salmon,
soy, spinach, tea, tomatoes, and walnuts.
Meanwhile,
there are other superfoods that are a bit more rare, such as spirulina, flax
seed, guinoa, chlorella, maca, noni, mangosteen, goji berry, acai, camu camu,
wheat grass, barley grass, acerola cherry, and blue-green algae - just to name a
few. Most or all of these can be easily found at local health food stores and
websites.
Spotlight
on Blue-Green Algae:
One of the
most interesting is the superfood called blue-green algae. The scientific name
for it is aphanizomenon flos-aquae. In its natural state, it is a simple
aquatic plant that can be found naturally in rivers, lakes and ponds. Despite
being called algae, it is actually a type of bacteria called cyanobacteria.
Blue-green
algae is one of the few superfoods listed above that is generally not consumed
"as is", but rather is taken in pill form or as a powder, blended
with other nutrient-rich foods.
This
superfood is nutrient-rich and very digestible. It contains high-quality
protein, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and enzymes. It is also a great source
of beta-carotene, vitamins, minerals and chlorophyll.
Like its
distant cousin spirulina, the superfood is thought to boost the immune system,
helping the body to fight infection. Some studies show that it can increase the
growth of friendly bacteria in the intestines. The chlorophyll in blue-green
algae may aid in the healing of wounds and burns.
It is easy
to see why blue-green algae is referred to as a superfood: it contains so many
nutrients.
Ways to
Consume Blue-Green Algae
Incorporate
the superfood into your diet by using the powder form in:
* shakes: try
blending with natural ingredients such as fresh fruits, hemp seeds, flax seed
oil, and honey.
* smoothies: mix
blue-green algae with coconut meat and water for a real treat.
* tonics: blend
into water and add a touch of lemon, sea salt, and cayenne pepper.
* with
oatmeal: mix the blue-green algae with oatmeal, raw almond butter, maple
syrup or agave nectar for a delicious treat.
This
superfood contains a host of dynamic proteins, phytochemicals, nucleic acids,
enzymes and carbohydrates that boost the immune system. When the powder is
mixed into shakes, smoothies and other natural foods, it can be not only an
extremely nutritious treat, but also a very delicious one, as well.
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