A Guide On What Are Superfoods, And Their Various Benefits

Believe it or not, food can be a pretty powerful medicine. So many foods out there have been shown to help decrease the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and the list goes on.

Incorporating some foods, superfoods in particular, into your diet can help to keep you healthy and disease free.

What are Superfoods?

Superfoods are foods that are very rich in vitamins, nutrients, and phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring chemicals that are usually found in the coloring of many foods. Ever wonder what makes a blackberry so dark? Phytochemicals! Blackberries are extremely healthy and full of these chemicals making them a superfood. Superfoods are also great for general health and weight management. They tend to be low in calories. When it comes to preventing disease, people want a magic pill. It would be great if there was one but for now, food will have to do! You can cut your risk of cancer and other diseases with these superfoods.

LIST OF CANCER FIGHTING SUPERFOODS

Now that we established what are superfoods, let’s look at the list below to see if you anready have anyof thes ein your household. Superfoods are closer to you thank you think!

Broccoli - This tree-like vegetable is the best choice out of all the cruciferous vegetables (like cauliflower, cabbage, and kale.) Broccoli contains much more of a special ingredient that the others do not. Sulforaphane is an extremely potent compound found in broccoli. Sulforaphane helps to boost the body’s protective enzymes. It also helps get rid of any cancer causing chemicals in the body, especially the ones that cause tumor growth. Broccoli has been shown to fight breast, liver, lung, prostate, skin, stomach, and bladder cancer. Eat broccoli whenever you can! The more, the better!

Spinach - The ultimate green vegetable…It is the perfect example of a superfood. This green leafy veggie is loaded with vitamins and antioxidants. It is especially high in vitamins A and K. It also contains flavanoids. Flavanoids are potent compounds found in some fruits and vegetables that have been shown to actually help in the treatment of some types of cancers. Cancer fighting superfoods don’t only prevent cancer but can also help to treat it. Other benefits of spinach include improving brain function, eyesight, and gastrointestinal function.

Berries - Blackberries, blueberries, raspberries strawberries…all the berries fall under the superfood category! Two berries in particular rank a little bit higher on the superfoods list: blackberries and raspberries. These two berries contain a special phytochemical called anthocynanin. This phytochemical slows down the growth of premalignant cells in the body. Berries have been shown to fight colon, esophageal, oral, and skin cancers. Include about half a cup of berries into your diet each day to get the benefits. stomach as well as the intestines. They typically come from ingesting nitrates, which is a common food preservative. Eat less preservatives and more garlic to keep your GI tract clear of cancer! Next time you’re cooking up some pasta, chop up some garlic. PS. The chopping or crushing of the clove helps to release more of the beneficial enzymes! So chop away!

Tomatoes - The epitome of a cancer fighting super food! Tomatoes contain an ingredient called lycopene. This antioxidant does wonders for fighting against disease like cancer and heart disease and can help our skin! Tomatoes are also rich in vitamins such as A, C, and E which all have antioxidant properties against cancer and other disease. Eating raw tomatoes will be beneficial but heating them up will help to release a little bit more of the lycopene, making it easier for the body to absorb.

Avocado - This delicious superfood does more than make for a great guacamole. Avocados are excellent in fighting free radicals. Free radicals are what cause damage to our cells, which can in turn lead to cancer. The biggest chemical found in avocados that helps fight these free radicals is called glutathione. Avocados have also been shown to destroy the virus that produces hepatitis which is a big source of liver cancer!

Sweet Potatoes – The best kind of potato you can eat! Sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene. Beta carotene is what gives sweet potatoes (and other orange veggies like carrots) their beautiful color! Aside from giving them a nice color, beta carotene makes sweet potatoes a superfood by fighting against all kinds of cancers.

Pomegranate - This fruit should be especially consumed by women. Pomegranates contain a bunch of different chemicals that have been shown to suppress aromatase. Aromatase is a substance in the body that produces estrogen. Estrogen feeds breast cancer. Aside from breast cancer, pomegranates have also been shown to fight colon cancer. Chop up a pomegranate and dig out those seeds for a cancer fighting, healthy, and delicious snack!

Mushrooms - This fungi has a ton of powerful, cancer fighting and health boosting properties. Mushrooms have a ton of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and proteins to keep our cells healthy and cancer free. Not only do mushrooms fight cancer cells but they also prevent them from forming in the first place. They do this with the powerful compound called lectin. Mushrooms are also great for strengthening our immune system. A strong immune system equals a stronger fight against cancer.

Brazil Nuts – The Brazil nut is probably the least popular of all the nuts but it is also probably the best nut for you! Brazil nuts are packed with selenium. Selenium is a very powerful antioxidant that can protect against heart disease and cancers. It helps fight free radicals. Prostate cancer in particular is fought by consuming the selenium in Brazil nuts. Next time you’re at the grocery store, skip the almonds or the walnuts and reach for the Brazil nuts. They have a delicious nutty flavor and offer a wide array of health
benefits.

Did we miss out on your favorite superfood? Let us know in the comments and we would be happy to add to the list!