There are many foods with positive health effects. For example, we already wrote about ginger, turmeric and lemon, but there are many more products, which can have a positive effect on our health. Nuts, avocado, garlic and oily fish also have nutrients, which are good and necessary for a healthy body. And then there are foods such as goji berries, hemp seeds, acai and alfalfa, which are packed with vitamins, minerals and other substances and are therefore called superfoods are called.

What are superfoods?

Superfoods are foods with a high so-called nutrient density. This means that compared to regular fruits and vegetables, they contain more nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and good fats. Superfoods are said to therefore make an important contribution to good health and are a good addition to a healthy diet. However, the Nutrition Center believes that superfoods do not exist because the claimed health effects of superfoods are generally insufficiently scientifically substantiated. They emphasize eating healthy and varied foods; to get all the important and necessary nutrients in that way. The term “superfoods” is otherwise not protected and may be used by anyone. Most superfoods in the Netherlands come from abroad and are mainly available in dried form, as purees or extracts or in capsule or powder form. However, there are also local fruits and seeds, which have a high nutrient density and can be classified under the label superfoods.

Vitamins, minerals and more

As mentioned, superfoods are superfoods are full of good nutrients. Exactly what is in them varies, as superfoods come in all shapes, sizes and colors. The nutrients, which superfoods are known for and can have a positive effect on your health, are: vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, protein, amino acids, and secondary plant substances (color, fragrance, and flavor compounds, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins). Because many superfoods come from distant countries and undergo a long transport route and many processing steps before they reach us in Europe, the nutritional value is lower than if you were to consume the superfoods locally. Locally, by the way, there are foods in Europe, which you can classify under superfoods. Superfoods can make your daily diet thus enrich it enormouslybut are not no substitute for a healthy and balanced diet.

Cons

It sometimes seems like there are only benefits to superfoods. As if eating it makes you instantly healthier and as if there were no adverse effects to be. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. In principle, there is nothing wrong with nutrient-rich fruits and seeds and they are good for your health. Even with superfoods, however, you must be careful to avoid them, just like regular foods, moderately EAT. After all, too much is never good. Some superfoods, in addition to the healthy nutrients, also contain nutrients, which are less good for your health. For example, cocoa is said to have a beneficial effect on the blood vessels due to certain substances, but chocolate also contains a lot of saturated fat, which actually increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. An excess of certain superfoods can also lead to other health complaints. For example, a large amount of goji berries can lead to symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. In addition, there is always the risk of allergic reactions. So always pay close attention to what you eat and make sure that you well-informed are (by yourself or another). If you are on medication, always check that the superfoods are compatible with the medication.

Examples of superfoods

There are of course many different superfoods and you can also make countless different lists of the best or most important superfoods, which are. In the end, it all depends on the benefits you are looking for in food and what you want to add to your diet. We’ll go into more detail about some superfoods in a future article, but we’ll mention a few in advance so you have somewhere to start in your search for what best suits you and your situation. Superfoods include: raw cacao, chia seeds, goji berries, coconut oil, ginger, turmeric, chlorella, wheatgrass, ginseng and moringa. As local superfoods, we can add: dark leafy vegetables (like spinach and kale), garlic, blueberries, walnuts and millet.

Do you want to cook healthier? Try our CURCUM!