We read and hear more and more about the beneficial effects of superfoods. But why have they become so popular? Why do we call them “super”?
Well, let's start with a concrete example. We wake up, make our favorite breakfast drink (like a smoothie), but now we add a spoonful of Spirulina. What does this mean in terms of nutrients? The next online meeting or daily task is just around the corner, but you've already filled your body with the nutrients equivalent of 1 kg of carefully selected fruits and vegetables. Yes, just one spoonful of spirulina can do that. NASA also considers this bright green wonder food to be one of the most nutrient-dense foods in the world, so they also consume it during their expeditions.
Fortunately, the culture of harmful and unhealthy dieting is slowly becoming a thing of the past. The emphasis is no longer on counting calories, but on the real nutritional content of food. As a result, the focus is less on losing weight and gaining weight, but on whether we are healthy? Thus, during meals, we increasingly pay attention to eating as many nutrient-rich and healthy foods as possible, which makes our body and soul feel full. And various superfoods can be of great help in this.
How long have we been talking about superfoods?
The name “superfood” is not a new concept coined by an enthusiastic Instagram influencer. The term can be found in the 1915 edition of the Oxford Dictionary. In fact, most of these superfoods (or we can also call them superfoods) have been used in Eastern medicine for thousands of years, but only recently (i.e. in the 1990s) have they gained greater popularity in the Western world.
Superfoods are great because they contain significantly more nutrients than other foods and are extremely high in antioxidants. However, they also have many other benefits.
Why are they so impressive?
- They have a high antioxidant, vitamin and mineral content
- Immune system and energy boosters
- They can successfully prevent inflammation
- They can improve mood and effectively help against depression.
- They may support digestion
- More and more studies show that they have an effect on blood sugar control
- They can help you lose weight.
- There may be new panaceas for preventing various (viral or bacterial) diseases
- They can help fight cancer, which is supported by a growing number of studies
What additional benefits do superfoods offer?
So, obviously, they're super healthy. But what else is at play in their popularity?
Nourishing the body and mind
In addition to making us physically healthier, nutrient-rich foods can also have a huge positive impact on our mental well-being. Many superfoods can be very valuable in managing stress, fatigue, and depression. Taking care of our minds is just as important as taking care of our bodies.
Easy, fast, high-quality and versatile nutrition
Thanks to their growing popularity, finding superfoods is no longer a challenge, even in the smallest cities. What's more, if you buy them, you can find plenty of recipes and tips for preparing them or adding them to your everyday meals. The possibilities are endless! Just think about our organic mushroom blends: would you like to add them to your coffee or tea? Or would you rather spice up one of your main dishes or sauces with them? Feel free to experiment! Their versatility is probably one of the reasons why these beneficial delicacies have gained such immense popularity.
Eye-mouth stimulus
One thing will never change: the human passion for beautifully presented and delicious food. With the right ingredients, superfoods can be incredibly delicious. Something can be incredibly healthy and nutritious, but if you don’t enjoy eating it, then it’s time to change your lifestyle! One of the main pillars of maintaining a healthy lifestyle is being able to maintain a habit in the long term. Plus, luckily, superfoods can be prepared in a very aesthetic way, which definitely adds to their enjoyment value (I’m secretly thinking about those deliciously presented acai bowls...hmm). Just take a look at my Instagram for #superfood posts and you’ll understand what we’re talking about!
A great source of nutrients for vegetarians
For those following a meat-free diet, superfoods can be a major source of nutrition. For example, hemp seeds, rice protein, chlorella, and spirulina are rich in protein, while medicinal mushrooms are high in vitamin D.
Superfood powders – even more options
The good news for those who love convenience is that superfoods are now available in powdered form. These products can become part of your meals almost unnoticed, without having to completely change your habits. Let's not forget that if we wanted to take in a similar amount of nutrients from raw superfoods as products available in powdered form can provide, it would be a challenge for many of us. (Just think about how many nutrients are in 1 spoon of spirulina mentioned at the beginning of our article.) It's amazing how much we can increase the nutritional value of our meals by adding just a little Matcha, Chlorella or Spirulina (to our drinks, smoothies, salad dressings, desserts, main courses...etc.)!
Other interesting facts about superfoods:
One of the biggest benefits of superfoods is that many of them are adaptogens, which means they adapt to the needs of our bodies. They have a calming effect when we need it – research shows they can help combat insomnia, while increasing our reaction time, memory and energy. Isn’t that what we all want? Basically, adaptogens are like all-in-one solutions! Say goodbye to the never-ending cycle of morning coffee and evening sedatives!
- Camu Camu contains significantly more Vitamin C than an orange
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- Spirulina is also used as a food coloring due to its bright color.
Over the past year, we have become fully convinced of the importance of maintaining our health. Ultimately, there is no better protection against most viruses than our own immune system. COVID-19 has shown us that we cannot always rely on medicines and vaccines – sometimes the only thing we can trust is our own health.
Superfoods can fill our daily lives with an incredible amount of nutrients – but many people still don’t know about them. Our mission is to change that! We want more people to know how exciting it can be to take your body (and mind) to the next level with superfoods.
