Superfoods - Dispelling The Myths


By Matt Monarch

Much research has been done lately on superfoods. There is a lot of buzz about certain foods, and the truth is that it's very hard to decipher the truth behind the buzz; what foods are actually super? Well, the fact is that there are certain foods out there which have very powerful qualities. Some of them are things which you can find in just about any kitchen, like garlic and lemon. Others are things you'd have to order on the internet from a reputable source. The thing that each individual needs to do is to decide whether your body needs a particular superfood. Obviously different foods have different qualities. Here are three superfoods which may really deserve the title.

Chia Seeds

Chia seeds definitely seem to be what you'd have to deem a 'superfood'. They were once a staple of the Aztecs and were known, and are known, for their ability to increase endurance. For those that exercise a lot, chia is something worth trying out in the future. They have all the essential amino acids (protein), except for taurine, and are also a great source of omega-3 oils, which is not found in so many foods. It's important to get a good balance of omega-3 to omega-6 oils in your diet, and adding these seeds to salads and smoothies is a good way to provide that balance. They also have more antioxidants than blueberries!

Raw Cacao

Pure, raw chocolate is something which most people are content to read about. We've all heard before that dark chocolate had high levels of antioxidants, which it does. But this is due to the high quantity of pure cacao in it. Cacao beans, when eaten raw, are extra good for the body. It is said that cacao, like chia seeds, has higher levels of antioxidants than blueberries. It also has lots of minerals, like zinc, chromium and magnesium, and plenty of vitamins and beta-carotene too. It also has quite a kick and wakes you up in the same way tea does, but gives a steadier stream of energy. Plus, you can buy it raw in many different forms, like cacao nibs, cacao butter, cacao paste and in powder form, so you can make all kinds of raw deserts.

Goji Berries

The last thing on today's list is...Goji berries. As we all know, berries in general are super good for our health, and are very easily added to a smoothie to make it extra healthy. Goji berries, also known as wolfberries, are extra good though; they have 18 kinds of amino acids (the building blocks of protein); a high quantity of calcium, selenium, zinc, vitamin B2 and C, beta-carotene and potassium; and they are also thought to boost your immune system and help you lose weight. So, they seem to do just about everything.

Including all of the above foods in your diet may go a long way to increase your health and stamina, but make sure to try each individually first, so you can figure out which food is giving you the benefits.

Source : http://www.naturalnews.com/

For more information on Superfoods and their health properties you can read more on our website here.


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Previous Comments

Justin commented on 10-Jun-2009 08:53 PM5 out of 5 stars
Helpful!!
John Milanese commented on 10-Jun-2009 11:15 PM5 out of 5 stars
Have tried goji berries
and lately cacao beans(both organic
from health food shops here in melb)
dont know about chia seeds
by the way are they related to amaranth as this is supposed to be
a so called `Aztec Superfood`
I have this for `brekky` every morning with organic oat milk and muesli
would appreciate if authors
could elaborate on this
Anonymous commented on 10-Jun-2009 11:26 PM5 out of 5 stars
We should be promoting regional superfoods .The world's food supply will become less global with the depletion of fossil fuels for cheap transportation... not everyone will be able to grow or import these superfoods. let's really plan for the future and promote healthy regional eating incorporating local superfoods.
Sun~Rose commented on 10-Jun-2009 11:32 PM5 out of 5 stars
Since when is taurine an essential amino acid? It's found only in raw meat (i.e. a dead animal).

I have read that it's 'essential' for cats (and so has to be added to their food; however, how many cats are reading this?

Another use for taurine is that it sometimes helps behavior problems in autism.

It's well not to take any of this stuff as gospel. Yes, for chia, I remember reading that at least one Southwestern tribe that lived in the mountains used to run to their cornfields and back every day (50 miles) eating only chia seeds.

However, Dick Gregory and another man ran across America, 50 miles a day, drinking fresh juice. The other man was Gordon Brooks, and here are his words on it (apropos of 'superfoods'):

So in '76 I ran back with him. When I came back with Dick, we weren't trying to break a record. He was trying to do spread the word and he was doing publicity stops that talked of the starving people we have in America. He was also trying to prove that you could be a vegetarian and that you didn't have to eat a lot of expensive food and still be healthy and strong and still do something like run across America.

Better than superfoods would be to find a copy of Dick Gregory's 1972 out-of-print book: Natural Diet For Folks Who Eat. He inspired me not only to be raw, but to use fasting to heal world problems and to go on long fasts.

A current, wonderful example of fasting for others is to be found at www.fastdarfur.org

Sincerely and Joyously,
Sun~Rose

Anonymous commented on 10-Jun-2009 11:37 PM1 out of 5 stars
p.s. I meant to give this a no-star rating, and didn't notice the 5 was checked! I don't have that option, so it gets one star.

Also, I did paragraph and don't know why it printed as one long paragraph. Sorry about that; I don't like to read unparagraphed things!

Sun~Rose
Sun~Rose commented on 11-Jun-2009 12:40 AM1 out of 5 stars
Here's an interesting paragraph on the American Indians and chia's use: (this time I'll try triple-spacing to see if it paragraphs:


CHIA: is familiar to most of us as a seed used for the novelty of the Chia Pet™, clay animals with sprouted Chia seeds covering their bodies. Little is known, however, of the seeds tremendous nutritional value and medicinal properties. For centuries this tiny little seed was used as a staple food by the Indians of the south west and Mexico. Known as the running food, its use as a high energy endurance food has been recorded as far back as the ancient Aztecs. It was said the Aztec warriors subsisted on the Chia seed during the conquests. The Indians of the south west would eat as little as a teaspoon full when going on a 24hr. forced march. Indians running from the Colorado River to the California coast to trade turquoise for seashells would only bring the Chia seed for their nourishment.

Mike Smith commented on 11-Jun-2009 04:44 AM3 out of 5 stars
Before spending $50 per bottle on Goji Juice I would suggest you look at an expose of this product at: http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2007/01/goji.html

I would also recommend the views of the Mayo Clinic at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/health-foods/NU00632

Sarina commented on 11-Jun-2009 05:04 PM3 out of 5 stars
Have been drinking Gochi juice for nearly 2 years now and reap the benefits daily.Have recently tried Chia seeds and have them on my oats in the morning and just today l tried a raw cocoa ball with nuts and honey, it was really good. Thankyou for this great info and l recently watched Food Matters and am sharing it with all my friends. Awesome!
saffron commented on 11-Jun-2009 07:42 PM3 out of 5 stars
In reading the above I was reminded of how easy it is to be swayed into believing something...if you read or hear it enough times from different sources...it's hard to know what is true...if we are only using our intellect. OUR BODY knows what is RIGHT for it by the way it responds...We all need to be our own HEALERS...I really enjoy reading various opinions, stories studies etc...but it always comes back to NUMBER One. I'm writing like this because I just read in David Wolfe's "SuperFoods" book that he had 3 or so different studies done on vit.C content in Goji berries...pretty sure he wrote that they found little or No traces. So...hm. I'm writing to myself as well as anyone else who may read this that we need to take our own power back and always question...not block and not own until we have had an experience with it firsthand.I'm so appreciative of people like Matt Monarch,David Wolfe,Daniel Vitalis...passionate guys ...talking to a whole cast of amnesiacs on the verge of waking up...I think we need people like them to get the energy moving. In Gratitude !
Teresa Chessell commented on 12-Jun-2009 09:31 PM5 out of 5 stars
Great to get info about super foods. But would you be able to research the acai berry from the Amazon Rainforest. I am involved with a company producting a super food drink and I would be interested in other peoples opinions on this super food.
Vital Integrity commented on 14-Jun-2009 01:46 PM3 out of 5 stars
hi,
I am quite heartened to find not only information but a vigorous response from participants that challenges the information and it's credibility.
Certain foods undoubtedly have concentrated nutritional benefits HOWEVER they need to be produced in an organic and genuine way to maximise their beneficial properties. This basic premise does seem to be over looked in the assessment of most foods.
Alla Vallejo commented on 17-Jun-2009 07:01 AM4 out of 5 stars
Many foods or "superfoods" may be highly nutritious, but if a person is "sensitive" to the food (or 'reacts' to it) then they will not find it beneficial. In fact, it can add to the aggravation.
We can "generalize" though, and each person should listen to their own body's "signals" as to whether this food works for them or not.
Ian Simpson commented on 20-Jun-2009 05:44 AM5 out of 5 stars
As a chiropractor that has also become very interested in foods since my dads cancer diagnosis I am ammazed by some of the responses, anonymous. Use this to learn from and all raw foods have there place on our table and yes we are all individuals, but it is because we have all tasted and fed on the processed junk that has altered most of our ability to tolerate a berry or a seed that has essential nutrient's. I am open for debate, but please learn and grow come with solutions, don't just despell someone elses research unless you have the facts. Cleasnsing and fasting works for everyone if you can endure the toxity you have put in comming out. You are what you eat and if you don't like the cleansing effects eat better.
Anonymous commented on 21-Jun-2009 06:38 AM5 out of 5 stars
I would also like more info on the acai berry. I'm surprised a fruit with an ORAC score of 1027 isn't listed for its antioxidant power.
Anonymous commented on 21-Jun-2009 11:04 PM5 out of 5 stars
To Sun-Rose, taurine IS actually a essential amino acid, found in meat, fish and breast milk. It acts as a metabolic transmitter and is also known to have a detoxifying effect. Taurine plays a important part in the brain and some researches believe it can help those people suffering from bipolar disorder.In Japan they use taurine to treat heart disease. So...i agree not to take everything you read as gospel, but it does help to read as much as you can.....
Nyamekye commented on 22-Jun-2009 03:12 AM5 out of 5 stars
What about Olive Leaf? Has any of the posters here heard about it's powerful benefits. The olive itself is very beneficial as well.
Lucky commented on 03-Jul-2009 10:59 AM5 out of 5 stars
I have Diabetes type 2 and my Doctor gave me less than three years to live. He says based on his findings that I am going to have a massive heart attack. I have high blood pressure and I wonder if anyone has got any ideas to help me live to the age of 90. I am 51 1.83 metres tall and I weigh 88 Kilos. I don't drink or smoke. Can anybody recommend what food I should eat to improve my health. I already have lemons and filtered water.
Anonymous commented on 08-Jul-2009 11:38 PM5 out of 5 stars
Lucky -
You should check out my website. It will help you get started on the right track.
Anonymous commented on 30-Oct-2009 09:17 PM5 out of 5 stars
raw flaxseed
Carole commented on 04-Mar-2010 03:15 AM5 out of 5 stars
Lucky, you need to start on a raw food diet...lots of green juices and green smoothies. Wheatgrass if you can find where you are. Do some mild detoxing www.ariseandshine.com is one I like. All of what you say can be reversed. Don't let the doctor take away your power with what he says. The mind is a very powerful thing...you can overcome this! Good luck.
Marianne Barrett commented on 12-May-2010 05:46 PM5 out of 5 stars
---has had great results for people with diabetes, they have been able to decrease their insulin shots considerably. I was at a conference with Dr. Alexander Schauss last week, research is being conducted all the time and the amazing benefits of the Acai berry should be made known to the whole world.
Anonymous commented on 18-Aug-2010 04:05 PM5 out of 5 stars
thank u!
coachfactory-outlets commented on 09-Jan-2011 01:18 PM5 out of 5 stars
it is the best one,i like it.
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