When you’re looking to boost your body’s health and keep your diet smart, superfoods are poised to become your best friend. Thankfully, the sheer amount of delicious superfoods that can have a versatile use is difficult to number. From snacks to entrees, to key ingredients in more complex dishes, understanding what superfoods are available is key. You can even prevent certain diseases and boost your brain’s functions with specific superfoods. To help you unlock the ultimate you, here are ten superfoods that supercharge your mind and body’s health:
1. Broccoli
The food that kids love to pretend to hate, and which almost all grown adults love is actually one of the most universally nutrient-packed vegetables you can buy. These green vegetables are packed with bone-boosting vitamins such as A, K, and C that are essential to preventing cancer risks. With the sheer amount of awesome recipes you can incorporate broccoli in, not to mention how it can provide a star side dish for most meals, it’s hard to overstate how easy it is to include this superfood in your diet.
2. Eggs
Despite being high in cholesterol, eggs are otherwise incredibly healthy, allowing them to easily fit into the superfood category (just make sure you keep to one egg a day if you want to avoid cholesterol issues). The antioxidants in the yolks are fantastic for your eyes, and can even reduce muscular degeneration. Add to this the skin-protection eggs provide from UV rays, and the brain-boosting, memory-enhancing choline that’s packed into eggs, and you’ve got a bonafide superfood.
3. Tea
While coffee can be somewhat of a superfood in (strict) moderation, its grating, stomach-irritating effects make it hard to include in your diet at times. Tea, especially unsweetened teas, is a great alternative that will keep you energized, caffeinated, and content. Tea reduces the risk of bothersome diseases such as diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and gum disease. Not to mention the way caffeine can help you concentrate and get through the workday with ease.
4. Avocados
Not all fats are bad for you, despite the hyper-obsession many health nuts have with them. The monosaturated fats contained in the delicious fruit are known for increasing the efficiency of your blood flow and can supercharge your brain’s ability to process information. If you have high blood pressure, avocados can significantly decrease your blood pressure as well.
5. Yogurt
If you love sweets, but want something that is less horrible for your health (and in fact is excellent for you), yogurt is a stellar choice. The healthy bacteria that help make yogurt allow you to maintain a balanced gut that will fight off diseases and upset stomachs. The calcium-rich nature of yogurt can also boost your body’s ability to fight off the development of osteoporosis.
6. Oranges
Fruits are often included in the superfood category, but some fruits stand out as being especially healthy for you. Oranges are one of the most vitamin C-packed fruits on the market and are critical for helping your body create white blood cells and important, disease-fighting antibodies. Adding an orange to your daily snack list is highly recommended.
7. Fish (or Fish Oils)
Salmon is especially notable when we’re talking about superfoods. The amount of omega-3 oil in even a basic serving will keep your brain function high and immune system boosted in major ways. If you’re not a fan of fish, however, it’s important to just buy some daily omega-3 fatty acid fish oil pills from your local grocery store. With how convenient and cheap this superfood is, there’s no excuse to avoid it in your daily diet.
8. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of the key ingredients in many of the world’s most delicious, satisfying cuisines. However, many of these (looking at your pizza) can be far from healthy for you. Thankfully, tomatoes on their own, or when they are placed in a more balanced recipe, are definitely a superfood. They protect you from UV ray damage, lower your cholesterol and prevent some forms of cancer.
9. Kale
Kale has become a health-nut favorite for a reason. The superfood helps form healthy new cells, is packed with amazing vitamins, and even has a fiber-rich nature. For those who have hernias, or are trying to keep their hernia from requiring hernia repair surgery, kale is an especially highly recommended superfood. The amazing leafy green can also decrease your chances of developing many forms of cancer (including ovarian and breast cancer).
10. Dark Chocolate
While this delicious sweet is indeed a superfood, it is primarily healthy only if eaten in moderation. An ounce of dark chocolate a day provides a dose of valuable, healthy antioxidants to keep your body happy. Not to mention the natural stimulants (including caffeine) that are packed into the tasty treat which will increase your focus, mood, and concentration.
Create the Ultimate You
With the right dose of superfoods every day, you’ll begin feeling a newly elevated ability to concentrate on your work and hobbies. Not only are these superfoods packed with health benefits, but they taste absolutely amazing. Consider grabbing two or three of these superfoods during your next grocery store trip and you’ll set off on a journey that will keep your body and mind in tip-top shape.