4 Superfoods That Won’t Break the Bank 1

4 Easy-to-Find Superfoods That Won’t Break the Bank

The same key nutrients that give high-priced health foods their disease-fighting powers can be found in other fruits and veggies.

Miracle Food: Acai

A fruit from the acai palm tree, which is native to Central and South America.

Miracle Nutrient: Anthocyanins. Advertisers claim that these antioxidants have antiaging properties that boost metabolism and repair skin damage. While such statements are unproven, scientists do believe anthocyanins offer other benefits, like inhibiting cancer cell growth and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Common Sources: Anthocyanins are by no means unique to acai products. More common sources include apples, cherries, grapes, radishes, blueberries, and nearly every other purple, blue, or red fruit or vegetable.

Miracle Food: Goji

Also known as wolfberry, goji is a red-orange berry most commonly found in China.

Miracle Nutrient: Carotenoids. Some makers of goji products claim this berry can work miracles like extending one’s life. There’s no proof of that, but goji is particularly rich in the carotenoid beta-carotene, which the body turns into retinol, a form of vitamin A that may boost the immune system.

Common Sources: Plain old leafy greens are an excellent source of beta-carotene. A half-cup serving of boiled spinach provides 230 percent of your daily value (DV); the same amount of kale offers 190 percent DV. Carrots are another source (one raw carrot provides 175 percent DV), as are apricots, peas, and red peppers.

Miracle Food: Pomegranate

A large, seeded red fruit grown around the world, originally native to Iran and the Himalayas in northern India.

Miracle Nutrient: Polyphenols. You may have heard that these antioxidants lower cholesterol, but that claim is still up for debate. Studies do indicate, however, that they can reduce the risk of heart disease. A 2010 study found polyphenols may also guard against age-associated mental decline.

Common Sources: Aside from simply eating a pomegranate, you can also get polyphenols from widely available sources such as Concord grapes, red wine, artichokes, parsley, strawberries, and all forms of tea.

Miracle Food: Spirulina

A type of blue algae that grows in warm, alkaline water; cultivated species are grown in warm regions worldwide.

Miracle Nutrient: Protein. Spirulina is composed of up to 70 percent protein, which helps your body repair damaged tissues and build bones, skin, and muscle. However, because spirulina is highly absorbent, there’s a potential risk of contamination from heavy metals and other toxins.

Common Sources: Along with lean meats, eggs, and dairy products, good protein sources include nuts (almonds have 21 grams of protein per 100-gram serving) and soybeans (which offer 12 grams of protein per 100-gram serving).

Article taken in part from www.oprah.com

Disclaimer

All content on this website is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Always consult your own GP if you’re in any way concerned about your health.