Truthfully, much like superheroes, superfoods are not a real thing nutritionally speaking. That is to say that the word is not really used among nutritionists and there is not a single, specific food that is the one-stop solution for the prevention and curing of disease. The term 'superfood' is one that strictly describes nutrient-rich foods that would be a good addition to your daily diet to get the most out of your food.
Basically, a superfood is a healthy food that has benefits that go beyond that of typical health foods, and it is something you should be including in your diet. This is why we incorporate so many of these foods deemed super in most, if not all, of our products! Check out our top five superfoods you can add to your daily diet today (especially with the help of Frozen Garden goodies)!
Superfood #1: Dark Leafy Greens
Frozen Garden was practically founded on dark-leafy greens, so how could this not be the first item on our list?!
Spinach, kale, and the like are extremely nutrient dense foods containing fiber, zinc, calcium, iron, and magnesium to name a few. All of which could contribute to their cardiovascular benefits as detailed in the 2018 edition of the peer-reviewed journal, Nutrients. The scientific journal mentions that there are at least 14 studies that found dark-leafy greens had a positive impact on cardiovascular health and the prevention of heart and vascular diseases.
The ability to aid in the prevention of heart and vascular diseases would be enough to get dark-leafy greens the title of superfood, but the benefits don’t stop at that. Dark-leafy greens have also been studied in relation to their ability to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. In the scientific diabetes journal, it was concluded that increasing your intake of dark-leafy greens is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
Even more, dark-leafy greens contain the pigment known as carotenoids, although this is dominated by the pigment chlorophyll which gives these leafy vegetables their green color. Carotenoids, typically known to give carrots their orange color, is said to be active in antioxidant activity that does a multitude of things for the body, including delaying the onset of certain cancers as explained in the “Carotenoids in Nature” chapter of Subcellular Biochemistry.
Overall, dark-leafy greens can have many positive impacts on your health, so it’s good to include them in your daily routine of food intake; however, many people find this difficult to do. Whether it be the taste or the texture, not everyone has found the best way to incorporate this superfood into their diet. That’s why we’ve done it for you!!
Superfood #2: Chia Seeds
Several decades ago, chia seeds were mainly just known for being what took plain pottery and made it pottery that grows. Now, chia seeds are a superfood known for their health benefits, with some people even going so far as to use chia seeds mixed with water as an ‘internal shower’.
As mentioned in the Eat Right Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics article, “What are Chia Seeds”, chia seeds originated in Central America and were a prominent food in ancient Aztec civilizations. The small black and white seeds come from the chia plant, a member of the mint family, and is scientifically known as Salvia hispanica.
Chia seeds contain some seriously super fiber which can absorb up to 12 times its weight in water. Through this water absorption, chia seeds expand which results in a greater feeling of fullness. This means chia seeds can be used to reduce appetite and food cravings. Going above and beyond, as a superfood should, the fiber in chia seeds benefits your gut health as well by feeding your gut flora (the good bacteria necessary for digestive health).
Another superfood quality of chia seeds is that they are packed with antioxidants. These antioxidants aid in fighting the aging and, even, cancerous effects of reactive molecules, or free radicals, in our cells.
Chia seeds can make such a good contribution to your daily diet! For those of use that don’t want to partake in the internal shower trend, but still want to reap the benefits of chia seeds, you’re in luck! We offer plenty of product options and flavors that you can try to get a daily dose of this tiny but mighty superfood.
Superfood #3: Turmeric
Turmeric is a fairly commonly known spice that also has some pretty well-known superfood qualities. Not only does this superfood have a bold and bright color, it also has some super-duper health benefits.
Turmeric can be as powerful as an anti-inflammatory and some studies have shown turmeric to perform similar to the potency of anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical drugs. The bioactive substance in turmeric, curcumin, fights inflammation at the molecular level. This inflammation fighting quality means turmeric can help alleviate some pain or discomfort that comes with diseases associated with inflammation, such as arthritis.
Not only can turmeric help to reduce arthritic pain caused by inflammation, but it can also be linked to an increase in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). Decreased levels of BDNF have been linked to depression and Alzheimer’s. According to the research, turmeric can increase the brain levels of BDNF, thereby delaying and even reducing brain related diseases.
Our brilliant R&D team has found a way to sneak turmeric into a couple of our Smoothies so that you’re able to take advantage of these superfood qualities in the most delicious way possible. If drinking your turmeric isn’t quite your style, no worries, we have just the Garden Bowl for you.
Superfood #4: Berries
Strawberries and raspberries and blueberries, oh my! Berries are a strong superfood that have various properties. Not to mention, berries tend to be quite tasty… and they blend very well.
Berries have a multitude of nutritional value. They’re high in nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Actually, in a scientific journal, the large amount of antioxidants in berries was found to be associated with a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular diseases and even cancer.
Not very commonly discussed is the studied positive effects this superfood can have on our digestive health. We’re not just talking about the internal organs. The benefits of berries on digestive health start at the very beginning of the digestive tract: the mouth. One of the micronutrients in berries was shown to aid in the reduction of harmful bacteria in the mouth. This helps prevent such diseases as periodontal disease.
Now you know, berries aren't just a tasty treat. They have an abundance of healthy perks, so it just makes sense to make sure you are adding berries to your daily diet. It's easy to do this with the help of some Frozen Garden products.
Superfood #5: Raw Cacao
Last, but definitely not least, raw cacao is possibly the tastiest superfood on our list because who doesn't love chocolate?! The fact that it is a superfood makes it even better! Raw cacao comes from the seed of a cocoa tree and is actually a very impressive superfood as it is full of antioxidant compounds like flavanols and polyphenols, not to mention it is on of the highest natural sources of magnesium.
The benefits of this antioxidant compound found in cacao don't stop there! Flavanols have been shown to have skin protective qualities against harmful UV rays! In a study from Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 30 people consumed dark chocolate for 12 weeks and thereby doubled their resistance of UV ray damage.
Flavanols have some astounding health benefits which include the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide has been known to relax blood vessels which can lower blood pressure reducing the risk of heart disease and other heart conditions.
Perhaps the reason chocolate is typically so well loved is because raw cacao actually triggers the release of serotonin, dopamine, and phenylethylamine; three neurotransmitters known to boost mood as described by Blakely Stein in "Chocorotica: Why Cacao is the Ultimate Superfood."
Unfortunately, going out and grabbing a chocolate bar is not going to have the same aforementioned superfood effects as the ingredient raw cacao itself. Most chocolate bars are overly processed which causes the cacao to lose some of its amazingly super abilities. Luckily, we have created delicious recipes that include organic, unprocessed, raw cacao just for you.
Well, friends... That does it for our top 5 superfoods! As you can see, "superfood" is a broad term used to describe a variety of foods that have nutrient dense properties and give some foods a nutritional edge. There are so many other superfood and adding these foods to your daily diet can help improve your health in a variety of ways. Lucky for you, we have some delicious products that can help you introduce and consistently consume superfoods that can benefit you in so many different ways! Be sure to check out our products here, and subscribe to our newsletter below for updates on our latest sales, exclusive discounts, new products, blog updates, and so much more!
