What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word “SUPERFOOD”?

Is it those delicious berries or maybe your favorite protein bar?

Well, you’d be surprised to know that there aren’t exactly any superfoods, it’s just a marketing term used to promote the high nutritional content or health benefits of some foods.

Nevertheless, these superfoods are certainly a healthier alternative to whatever else we eat in our meals.

By including these healthy foods to our diet, we might just ensure to meet our daily needs of nutrients such as proteins, minerals, carbohydrates, etc. So, why not start right now?

Plant-based superfoods are considered the best because of their high nutritional value and positive health effects. Here are the Best Vegan Superfoods that you can start taking today for a healthier and happier life.

1. Goji Berries

Goji berries are what you can call a complete nutritional superfood. Being highly nutritious, these fruits are high in protein, fiber, antioxidants and minerals like iron, copper, vitamins (vitamin A & C), and more.

Studies even suggest that goji berries can be extremely helpful in diseases like Alzheimer’s, among others. They contain 8 essential amino acids and more than 20 different minerals. (1)

Besides eating raw, you can also eat goji berries in the form of Raw Goji Berry Organic Powder from Raw Nutritional.

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2. Pomegranate

When it comes to nutrients, we often choose to disregard the value of fruits. But, we shouldn’t. Some fruits, including pomegranates, are a very good source of antioxidants, vitamin C and other minerals and vitamins essential for our body. Moreover, ellagic acid and punicalagin present in the pomegranate seeds are known to be helpful in preserving collagen in the skin. (2)

A study confirmed that antioxidants present in pomegranates can help improve endurance and energy levels in the body. A different study revealed that drinking pomegranate juice on a daily basis can help with heart-related problems by improving blood flow to the heart. (3),(4)

3. Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice, which has been commonly used in cooking by people around the world for hundreds of years. It contains many health benefits and has amazing antibiotic qualities.

Some studies even show that turmeric can help cure cancer and other similar diseases. It gets its unique, yellow color from a compound called Curcumin, which is known to be highly anti-inflammatory and may help with aches and arthritis. (5)

When consumed raw, turmeric has an unpleasant taste, this is why it is sometimes consumed in the form of Turmeric Extract tablets/capsules for the best results.

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4. Cacao and Dark Chocolate

Raw, unsweetened chocolate is definitely good for you. The trick is to consume the dark stuff without the sweetened part.

Dark chocolate, which is made of cocoa seeds, is highly nutritious and rich in antioxidants, according to research. A study shows that cocoa contains even more antioxidants than fruits like Acai berries and blueberries. (6)

The polyphenols and flavonols content in cocoa help improve the natural health of arteries and may also be helpful in cardiovascular problems.

Want better results? Try this super tasty Cacao Powder, which is an amazing source of calcium, magnesium, and antioxidants.

5. Acai Berry

Acai berry is a reddish-purple fruit, which is considered highly rich in antioxidants. Some studies show that acai has a higher content of antioxidants than any other berry fruit.

Acai berries are also known to have an impressive nutritional value and a rich content of minerals, including iron, copper, potassium, zinc, manganese, among others. A study suggests that acai could be helpful in improving cholesterol levels by reducing LDL cholesterol in the body. (7)

Besides raw acai berries, a good alternative source would be this Raw Acai Berry Powder.

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6. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamins, including Vitamin C, B6 & D. They are also a very good source of minerals, including iron, magnesium, and more. The magnesium content of sweet potatoes helps improve the overall health of the various bodily functions.

A study also suggests that antioxidants in sweet potato peel may help reduce the risk of cancer by reducing the oxidation in the body.

7. Flax and Chia Seeds

Both chia seeds and flax seeds are rich in fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6. According to Healthline (8), Chia seeds are also a good source of fiber and protein.

Studies also suggest that flax seeds have visible benefits in breast cancer. (9)

If you do not prefer to eat flax seeds directly either because of the bitter taste or some other reason, consider taking one scoop of Vegan Pro - a protein powder containing flax seeds as one of the primary ingredients - per day with your food or in shake form to help your body meet its protein needs for the day.

REFERENCES:

(1) WebMD (e.d.) Goji Berries: Health Benefits and Side Effects From https://www.webmd.com/diet/goji-berries-health-benefits-and-side-effects

(2) ScienceDirect (e.d.) Punicalagin From https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/punicalagin

(3) PMC (n.d.) Performance Enhancing Diets and the PRISE Protocol to Optimize Athletic Performance From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4408745/

(4) PubMed (e.d.). Effects of pomegranate juice consumption on myocardial perfusion in patients with coronary heart disease. From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16169367

(5) Cancer Research UK (e.d.) Turmeric From https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/complementary-alternative-therapies/individual-therapies/turmeric

(6) HealthLine (e.d.). Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate From https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-health-benefits-dark-chocolate#section2

(7) PubMed (e.d.). Euterpe oleracea (açai) modifies sterol metabolism and attenuates experimentally-induced atherosclerosis. From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22139433

(8) HealthLine (e.d.). 11 Proven Health Benefits of Chia Seeds Form https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-health-benefits-of-chia-seeds#section1

(9) PMC (e.d.) The Effect of Flaxseed in Breast Cancer: A Literature Review From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5808339/