Tuesday, August 19, 2008

10 Surprising Super Foods


From Forbes.com
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"According to experts, superfoods are edibles densely packed with antioxidant vitamins and other nutrients. Despite having been around for years, it's still sometimes surprising which foods qualify as super. Here are 10 delicious foods that happen to be ultra-healthy."
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RAW CHOCOLATE
Raw chocolate--or the cacao nut--is the real super food. (Any chocolate that's below 70% cacao has very little nutritional value.) Along with omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce the risk of heart disease, the bitter nut contains magnesium, plant-source iron and phenylethylamine, said to enhance one's mood
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BUCKWHEAT HONEY
Honey is categorized as a high-glycemic food, which means it causes a spike in the body's sugar levels. But dark honey, like buckwheat, neutralizes sugar levels.The sweetener is also an anti-inflammatory packed with anti-oxidants, which help improve brain and heart functions. It also has anti-bacterial properties and is used to help heal wounds in certain cultures.
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AVOCADOS
This buttery fruit is high in fat, but it's primarily monounsaturated fat, which means it doesn't clog arteries. Avocados are also high in potassium (which can reduce the risk of high blood pressure) B vitamins (which promote healthy skin and muscle tone) vitamin E (which protects against cardiovascular disease) and vitamin K (which improves bone health) as well as insoluble and soluble fiber, which help aid in digestion.
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PUMPKIN
Used most in a super-sweet pie filling, pumpkin, on its own, is highly-nutritious. The fruit contains antioxidants like carotenoids, a defense against cell damage, as well as lutein and zeaxanthin, which can help prevent cataracts and macular degeneration, an eye disease that can result in blindness. When baked with spices--sweet or savory--pumpkin is a delicious, healthy side dish or snack.
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BLACK TEA
Although green tea is often lauded for its health benefits, black tea--more popular in the West--comprises theaflavins and thearubigens, which have been found to be effective in preventing dementia and lowering cholesterol.
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EGGS
This popular, cheap food was once associated with high cholesterol and heart disease. However, more recent studies have found that notion to be false. An egg, on average, only contains 1.5 grams of saturated fat. They also contain vitamin D (which keeps bones strong), choline--a nutrient that aids in heart and brain health--and sulfur and other minerals, great for keeping hair and nails strong.
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CINNAMON
This slightly sweet spice helps to slow down the rush of sugar to the blood, known to affect insulin levels and sometimes cause weight gain. It's also an anti-inflammatory, which means it can help delay the onset of aging.
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TOMATO PASTE
No-salt or low-salt tomato paste has the highest concentration of lycopene of all tomatoes or tomato products. The phytochemical is a natural blood thinner and a strong defense against certain diseases like prostate cancer.
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BLUEBERRIES
The fruit is filled with immune-boosting Vitamin C and antioxidants said to improve brain function. Research at the Boston-based USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging showed that blueberries can help to increase the number of cells in the area of the brain responsible for memory.
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WASABI
Japanese horseradish--a potent condiment often eaten with sushi--has several potential health benefits. It's said to help prevent everything from ulcers and tooth decay to blood clots and asthma. It also has antibacterial properties.
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Bear((( )))

15 comments:

Rinkly Rimes said...

DELICIOUS!

If you want a healthy diet
Buy each item and then try it.

Raw chocolate will enhance your mood.
Avocado helps digest your food.
Buckwheat honey is good for the brain.
Cinnamon makes you young again.
Pumpkin is a cell protector,
Tomato-paste's a cancer deflector.
Wasabi will stop blood clots.
Blueberries help your brain-cells, lots.
Eggs add gloss to hair and nails.
Black tea, brain-power never fails.

Find a recipe for the lot.
Mix them together and what have you got?

A gluggy mess that's not too clever.

BUT YOU'LL BE SURE TO LIVE FOR EVER!

Tabor said...

I have two rules for my food these days. Absolutely no corn syrup or artificial ingredients and food that is fresh and has as small as possible carbon footprint. Read Barbara Kingsolver's recent non fiction. Great book.

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Although I am disappointed that potato chips didn't make the list, I do love everything listed with the exception of the wasabi. I agree that we could all do ourselves a favor by minimizing the processed foods and sticking as close to nature/natural as possible. That's hard to do when we're all so busy and hurried, but it could save us some heartache (literally and figuratively) down the road.
Thanks for the helpful info.

Mental P Mama said...

And I love them all! Great summary bear!

bobbie said...

Good to know that I love most of these. Hmmmm Must remember to pick up blueberries when I go out today.

i beati said...

educating I'm making carrot juice today I crave always veggies

tried to post ahead last night some would some wouldn't I blame blogger exclusively hahahaah loved your sitting bears they are gorgeous all of them snady

A.Bananna said...

I never knew that about wasabi. very interesting! but shhhh! do not tell my children how good these things are! LOL. They love most everthing on this list. In the store the other night they begged me for string cheese,baby carrots, and spinich. lol.

have a great tuesday!!

Becky said...

That is good information - but will it stop me from eating Doritos and Ice Cream? (no!!) I like your Chef Bear - what's his name?

Daryl said...

Love it all except for black tea .. toooooo strong .. toooo tanic acid-y for me ..

:-Daryl

Gary ("Old Dude") said...

great now looking for the 100 best recipes using Avacodos,Tomato Paste and Eggs.

dlyn said...

Thanks for the info Bear - nice to know my recipe is even better than I thought it was!

Wendy said...

Interesting info. I knew chocolate was good for us! Thanks for this posting. BTW - loved rinky rimes comment!

JeanMac said...

So, I guess my He*shey bar probably doesn't make the cut:)

Anonymous said...

Some of those foods are new to me but I'd be willing to try them. Blueberries are also good for your eyes because they are a source of Lutein. Bet your Bears all go for the honey!

Fairy Mae said...

I love avacadoes!!! They are great on anything. I do enjoy an good guacamole!