It’s A Bird! It’s A Plane! It’s a… Superfood?

You’ve heard all about them. Like an eclectic team of superheroes, the superfoods roam day in, day out, rescuing humans from poor nutrition and an unhealthy lifestyle. We’re told they offer long life, health, beauty, and even happiness. But how can we know who to trust? Can anything really be that good, that healthy?

The term “superfood” has been in use since the 1980’s, but really started gaining popularity in the new millennium. Superfoods go beyond normal food by offering irregularly high amounts of various beneficial nutrients, like fiber, vitamins, phytochemicals, and antioxidants. These nutrients, in the right proportions, are vital to maintaining a balance which will keep one healthy and thriving.

Superfoods can be split into two categories: the exotics superfoods, and the ones you might find in your own kitchen. Salmon, broccoli, kale, oats, almonds, dark chocolate, and blueberries are common enough to find in every grocery store, but have various super-properties. Exotic superfoods are things like goji berry, quinoa, acai, and pomegranate. You might have never heard of them, but they can have amazing health benefits. The trick is understanding why you need them, how to prepare them, how much and in what proportions they will be optimal, and where to find them.

By incorporating superfoods into the diet, one can not only become healthier, but actually prevent diseases and treat existing conditions. The most important part is having a good understanding of why you’re consuming the foods you eat. Only by doing so can one make an informed decision about the healthiest diet for them.