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The Magnificent 11 SuperFoods

11 December 2008

Wouldn’t you love to access your fridge at home, like a mechanic accesses his toolbox, to heal yourself, as he would ‘heal’ his car? Sounds impossible right? Well it’s not. Through today’s research a lot of the old anecdotes are now confirmed if not exceeded in their validity. We all heard the sayings “Eat your vegetables they will make grow big and strong” or even “It’ll put hair on your chest!” (Though that latter one I still have my doubts on). Through scientific research they have confirmed certain foods are in fact higher pound for pound in their nutritional and phytochemical content, thus making them ‘SuperFoods’, or foods that give you more bang for your buck. What are phytochemicals? Phytochemicals are naturally occurring compounds that plants produce to protect themselves (against bacteria, viruses and fungi), improve their structure or even act as chemical messengers within the plant. Once eaten by humans however, they (phytochemicals) take on a new role turning into some of the most potent health enhancing substances known to man. “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” (Hippocrates –AKA: ‘the father of medicine’ 460BC – 370BC) So where to start and what are the best Superfoods? In the media there seems to be more and more foods being labelled ‘SuperFoods’ in a bid to cash in on this new catch term, unfortunately this is causing confusion within the public. So I have selected my best of the best, to get you kicked started quickly to optimum wellness. To begin your journey to optimum wellness it only takes one serve a day from the selection of SuperFoods below. Add more if you desire, though rotation is the key. So here are my magnificent 11: 1. Turmeric: Anti-oxidant, brain health, digestive health, anti-inflammatory, liver tonic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial 2. Garlic: Anti-microbial, lowers cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, assists weight loss, digestive health, anti-carcinogenic 3. Cinnamon: Blood sugar lowering, digestive tonic, anti-microbial 4. Blueberries: Anti-oxidant, assists weight loss, anti-carcinogenic, diabetic protective, vision health 5. Quinoa: High (complete) protein grain, low allergenic, low GI, high fibre 6. Walnuts: healthy heart & brain, high in EFA’s 7. Flaxseeds: healthy heart, joints & skin, anti-inflammatory, high in Omega 3’s 8. Red Grapes: Anti-oxidant, antiaging, heart health, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic 9. Broccoli: Liver detoxifier, anti-carcinogenic 10. Green Tea: are fantastic anti-oxidant, helps weight loss & anti-carcinogenic 11. Salmon: Anti-inflammatory, healthy heart, joints & brain, protein rich Other notable mentions include: Maca (Peruvian vegetable), Noni juice, Pomegranates, Rooibos Tea, Goji Berries, Spirulina, & Avocados. You won’t find vitamin enriched Cereals (or the like) in the SuperFood group, every SuperFood is a ‘whole’ (unprocessed) food.