The term superfood is very named today, so if you are one of those who are attracted to the Internet and social networks, surely you have already heard about it or superfoods, as they are also called. But have you really stopped to find out about that term? What’s it about? It is possible that yes, but if you still have no idea what it is and are interested in maintaining good health, we invite you to read on and expand your information on superfoods and get to know them more closely.
It is a fact that times change and progress, as well as improvements in all aspects of life are discovered; therefore, scientifically, the food and health that go hand in hand have today an importance and a direct relationship on your well-being, vitality and daily energy. Hence, more and more literature, studies and recommendations on what should be eaten, how and the correct way to do it, in order to maintain an optimal state, since the natural way of life should be good health and not the sufferings with which are lived today.
In view of the amount of scientific studies that have been generated in this matter, in which the good incidences of the adequate feeding on the human organism are verified, and also the overwhelming evidences on the bad feeding and the direct relation on the diseases, certain specialists, doctors and nutritionists insist every day more on the consumption of natural, pure and less processed foods.
However, consuming natural and less processed foods, and having a balanced diet will help in the maintenance of optimal health a lot; but, in addition to this, why is it advisable to include so-called superfoods? What are they and how do they help, even with certain diseases? First of all, when talking about superfoods we talk about super nutrients, which come from trees, shrubs, plants, seeds, fungi, herbs, tubers, among others; in short, about a wide variety of foods full of properties that in some cases are referred to as “authentic off-road”.
These foods or superfoods contain high amounts of minerals, vitamins, phytonutrients and phytochemicals, they are polyvalent, protect the body and have no harmful effects. Superfoods inject what the body needs in high concentrations, so much so that in a single seed, for example, they introduce the greatest amount of healthy components that a daily meal cannot give when eaten daily. Also, there are for all tastes and needs: to lose weight, for the brain, skin, hair, fertility, etc .; there are also specific diets full of benefits for your health.
Therefore, some experts say that its consumption can prevent the development of certain diseases, support the immune system by the amount of antioxidants that they provide, reduce the risk of chronic diseases and are magnificent as detoxifying or depurative before the toxic world of today. Consequently, these superfoods, which are very much in vogue at present, have been used by ancient peoples to equally heal body and mind.
However, the western world buried by refined, industrialized, processed, fried, sweet, fatty foods, etc., as quicker options, has diminished the well-being and the health of the individual by massively commercializing such harmful foods, which also, have proliferated endless diseases and that the pharmaceutical industry has taken advantage of to profit with the growth of the percentage of medicines sold to cure such ailments.
Fortunately, in contrast, the tendency to ingest or add more and more superfoods to the daily diet is a fact and that is why many people are discovering that chia seeds, andean maca, spirulina, quinoa and chlorella, among many others, for example, make them feel better about health and they have created the habit of consuming those foods that are part of superfoods. And with all this trend the concept of food as medicine has been dusted off, however Hippocrates said “that food is your medicine and medicine is your food”.
But what are those blessed foods that today are treated like superfoods? Mayo Clinic recommends a weekly menu in which a list of the following should be added to the daily diet: Acai, avocado, olive oil, agar agar, celery, aloe Vera, wasabi, wakame, green tea, stevia, tepezcohuite, rhubarb , spirulina, reishi, turmeric, coconut, chia, espelta, chaga, equina, quinoa, moringa, pineapple, flax, propolis, kombucha, ginger, royal jelly, garcinia, kale, edible seeds, cabbage, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, yogurt and kefir.
All of them contain, indistinctly, properties such as: antioxidants, some are slimming, combat constipation, help maintain adequate levels of cholesterol, protect the heart, keep skin fresh, others contain vitamins (A, B1, B2, B6, B9 , C and E), minerals such as potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, iron, copper, sulfur, omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, improve muscle pain, flu states, clean certain organs, are energetic, digestive, antidepressant and natural relaxants, provide chlorophyll, among others.
However, although many organizations and specialists such as Mayo Clinic, Medical New Today, the National Cancer Institute, nutritionists and physicians Mauricio González, Christina Lima, among others, openly support the term superfoods, all its properties and possibilities, there is a great number of opponents who do not approve this terminology and the approach that has been given to so-called superfoods.
On the contrary, this group of experts talks about superfoods as a creation of marketing, social networks and an exotic fashion, but not of the scientific community, since there is not enough scientific evidence to confirm these products or foods. so many virtues and consequently no food in itself can be a superfood.
Also, they accept and assume that there are many healthy foods, abundant in the usual environment and the right thing is a balanced diet that includes all the nutrients that the human body really needs. In addition, it is necessary to stop perceiving the so-called superfoods as the saviors of health, since they can be misinterpreted and used as a way to compensate for a bad diet or bad habits, when actually, they should simply be included and combined in an appropriate way with the rest of meals and preparations.
Finally, it is advisable that you always maintain a proper, complete and balanced diet that includes all the necessary nutrients; also, be alert to any message from your body, go to your medical and laboratory check-ups annually and stay in physical activity. Whether you accept superfoods or not, always inform yourself and do not hesitate to consult your specialist.
ALFA