What makes a Food Super Food?

Superfood has gained great hype in recent years, some call superfood the most beneficial food that can confer health benefits while others think that it is just another marketing hype. Most of the nutritional benefits that superfood render was already known for several years but in recent years it has been recognized that these foods can provide not only general health benefits but they can help fight against several major diseases like cancer, heart problems and diabetes.

To this date no specific definition of superfood has yet been identified and scientists could not yet reached a definite conclusion regarding superfood but there is no harm in eating these foods. The only property that is common in all superfood is the presence of phytochemicals. Phytochemicals or phytonutrients are those nutrients that do not come in the classification of essential nutrients but they are additional nutrients or chemicals present in food. In most of the food phytochemicals are present in the form of color or smell of the food, for example, the blue color of the blueberries is due to the presence of phytochemicals and the smell of the garlic is due to the presence of phytochemicals.

Phytochemicals have the ability to help fight against several diseases like cancer, coronary diseases and hypertension. Therefore berries and other food rich in phytochemicals have been in great demand in recent years. This can be a reality and this can be a hype but the research is under way.

List of best Super food

1. Berries

Berries are top of the list and scientists are highly interested in knowing the chemical makeup of different types of berries and their nutritional qualities. Different berries like blueberries, strawberries, cranberries and acai berries are rich in different phytochemical compounds.

2. Dark green leafy vegetables

Dark green leafy vegetables are another very potent source  of vitamins,  minerals, and antioxidant.  Dark green vegetables like kale, spinach, chard and broccoli contain many essential nutrients as well as antioxidants.

3. Nuts

Nuts contain omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, these fatty acids are healthy for the heart and they can help fight against several diseases. Walnuts are especially rich in HDL cholesterol and they can lower the risk of cancer and heart attack.

4. Tea

There are several types of tea that can be included into super  foods, green tea, black tea and coffee are the best source of phytochemicals and other antioxidants.

5. Seafood

Seafood is rich in vitamin A and omega 3 fatty acids, seafood like shrimps, oysters, salmon, tuna and cod fish are rich source of essential and nonessential nutrients and they are also superfood.