7 health-boosting superfoods to start eating right now

There are many nutrient-rich and health-boosting superfoods that have been proven to significantly improve people’s health and well-being.

Even though there is no medical definition, superfoods can be classified as nutrient powerhouses that pack large doses of antioxidants and vitamins that help in fighting diseases, making people more energetic and even lose weight.

While there are many things that can be incorporated into a healthy diet, this list focuses on things that can be eaten and are readily accessible to most people:

Avocado

So good for you that it actually makes other superfoods combined with it healthier. Avocado is rich in oleic acid which lowers the risk of heart and inflammatory diseases. It also enhances the body’s absorption of carotenoids-essential nutrients found in leafy greens and red or yellow vegetables.

Add avocado to a salad and you actually amplify the nutritional value of virtually everything else in the bowl. And don’t be afraid of the avocado’s fat content- those are good fats and it’s what makes it creamy, delicious and incredibly nutritious.

The avocado is a tree that is native to South Central Mexico. (Source)

Kale

While all leafy greens should be part of a healthy diet, including spinach, it’s Kale that packs the greatest punch. Rich in various essential vitamins, a cup of kale actually matches and sometimes surpasses a cup of milk in terms of calcium content. Its complex chemical composition can help to fight cancer and can actually repair DNA in damaged cells.

Sauteed or steamed, pureed or boiled, this hearty veg maintains its nutritional content regardless of the preparation. So if you think you don’t like kale, just try preparing it another way.

Kale is among the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. (Source)

Sweet Potatoes

Trumping even the carrot as a primary source of beta-carotene, the orange-fleshed sweet potato provides a variety of health benefits in one simple-to-cook and easy-to-eat package. The popular root vegetable helps to balance blood glucose levels while also raising blood levels of vitamin A, which is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system and eyesight.

Best served steamed or boiled, you can optimize its nutritional benefits by drizzling on a small amount of a healthy fat like olive oil to enhance your body’s nutrient absorption.

Sweet potatoes have a creamy texture and a sweet-spicy flavor that makes them ideal for savory dishes. (Source)

Broccoli

Broccoli helps to detoxify the body systems, reduces inflammation and is rich in antioxidants, making it one of the best things you can eat to maintain health and possibly prevent certain types of cancer.

The key to healthy broccoli is preparation, overcooking not only makes the vegetable soggy but also destroys all the nutrient value. Lightly steaming it will maintain its texture, flavor, and its incredibly powerful health benefits. You’ll just have to deal with the taste.

Broccoli contains antioxidants that can help the body in a variety of ways. (Source)

Garlic

A staple ingredient in virtually every type of cooking, garlic is an ancient remedy whose medicinal properties stand the test of time. Garlic can improve a meal just as easily as it improves your health.

With a variety of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties, garlic boosts your immune system, helps with metabolic functions and has been shown to have certain cancer preventative properties. The key to keeping its health benefits: let it sit after chopping or crushing and never overcook it.

Garlic has long been recognized for its potential to reduce our risk of certain diseases. (Source)

Blueberries

Packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber, this berry might actually improve memory and slow down or postpone certain cognitive disorders related to aging. As fruits go, the blueberry is relatively low in sugar and can help maintain a healthy glycemic level when eaten on a regular basis.

Cheaper and more readily available than the recently lauded goji berry, the blueberry also maintains its nutritional value when frozen, which means you can reap benefits of this sweet and tangy fruit all year round.

Blueberries are highly nutritious and among the world’s most powerful sources of antioxidants. (Source)

Almonds

Delicious and versatile, this much-loved nut is actually a seed whose high-fat content can satiate a craving while simultaneously improving your overall health. Almonds are rich in monosaturated fat which reduces unhealthy cholesterol levels and lowers the risk of heart disease.

A great source of vitamin E, the almond can help improve overall cardiovascular health and is thought to reduce certain signs of aging.

Although almonds are high in calories and considered energy-dense, they provide a whole range of critical nutrients. (Source)

—

DISCLAIMER: This article expresses my own ideas and opinions. Any information I have shared are from sources that I believe to be reliable and accurate. I did not receive any financial compensation in writing this post, nor do I own any shares in any company I’ve mentioned. I encourage any reader to do their own diligent research first before making any investment decisions.