[:en]5 \”Superfoods\” We Should All Be Eating[:]

The recently-coined term \”superfoods\” often gets a bad rap for making false claims, so before we begin, let me include a small disclaimer here: these foods will not literally turn you into an invincible super-being. They will however, decrease inflammation in your body, increase your energy and vitality, boost your immune system, and in turn, significantly decrease your risk of serious illness, including cancer.  With all the conflicting information available today, it can feel as though everything we ingest is harmful to us in some way. To this we say, not to let fear influence your nutrition. You will find that doing your own research, and nourishing your body with a balanced diet (that includes treats!) is the key to good health.

1) Blueberries: the royalty of anti-inflammation! Blueberries are best known for their powerful anti-inflammatory properties, but they possess many additional health benefits such as reducing blood pressure and preventing heart disease with their high content of potassium, calcium and magnesium. They are also chuck full of cancer-fighting anti-oxidants, and the list goes on. A true superfood!

2) Broccoli: plant based foods are generally recognized for their disease-fighting phytonutrients and alkalizing properties, especially dark leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables, but broccoli is a definite front-runner as it contains much sulforaphane; a compound known to support protective enzymes which flush the body of foreign chemicals and potentially harmful pesticides. It has been recognized as a cancer-fighting food time and time again by numerous studies. As my mother used to say; \”eat your little trees!\”

3) Tomatoes: attention pasta-sauce lovers! Tomatoes possess many nutritious and healing properties, such as Vitamins A, C, and beta-carotene which act as antioxidants that neutralize free radicals in the blood. They have also been associated with enhancing bone health, heart health, and even the condition of skin and hair! For these benefits, the tomatoes must be consumed raw,  however a recent study in Nutrition and Cancer found that cooked tomatoes provide large benefits as well; the heating increases the contents of compound lycopene which has been repeatedly shown to slow cancer cell growth. As well, combining tomatoes with broccoli provides tremendous additional cancer-fighting properties in prostate cancer, and combining them with avocado has been associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer. All hail the tomato!

4) Walnuts: shaped like a miniature brain for a reason; walnuts are nutritional geniuses! On top of providing known benefits for heart health, weight-control, reproductive health in men, diabetes risk, and brain health thanks to it\’s nutritious composition rich in folate, melatonin, and omega-3 fats, walnuts are another known cancer fighter, showing significant risk reducing effects in studies of prostate and breast cancer.

5) Garlic: I could go on for paragraphs about garlic. Commonly regarded as a natural detoxifying agent, garlic has long been and is still used for medicinal purposes; to fight viruses, illnesses, and infection. Its blood cleansing properties and rich mineral and antioxidant properties provide benefits for heart health and reduced blood pressure, prevention of neural degeneration (dementia and Alzheimer\’s), bone health, and disease prevention. And that is well worth the stank if you ask me.

We hope you have benefited from this brief post. There are dozens of other such \”superfoods\” that provide countless benefits to both our physical and emotional health and we look forward to sharing more with you in the future. Have fun and be creative with these foods – enhancing your health could be invigorating and exciting! Blueberry buckwheat pancakes, Sunday sauce, broccoli frittata, carrot-walnut muffins… the options are limitless. Remember, the very best of foods are nutritious and delicious. Investing in your health is always worthwhile.