Superfoods (updated 1/30)

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It took me 4.5 hours to assemble this. I hope it helps.

What is a superfood? As one site puts it superfoods are "a special category of foods found in nature. By definition they are calorie sparse and nutrient dense meaning they pack a lot of punch for their weight as far as goodness goes. They are superior sources of anti-oxidants and essential nutrients - nutrients we need but cannot make ourselves. We all may be adding more salads and vegetables to our diets, but concern over the quality of foods grown on mineral depleted soils makes Superfoods an intelligent choice."

Açaí

• A remarkable concentration of antioxidants that help combat premature aging, with 10 times more antioxidants than red grapes and 10 to 30 times the anthocyanins of red wine.
• A synergy of monounsaturated (healthy) fats, dietary fiber and phytosterols to help promote cardiovascular and digestive health.
• An almost perfect essential amino acid complex in conjunction with valuable trace minerals, vital to proper muscle contraction and regeneration.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bu5EGz57PwA[/youtube]

[NEW!] Apple Cider Vinegar

• Relieves dandruff, itchy scalp, thinning hair and even baldness (add royal jelly and leave on overnight)
• Soothes tired, aching muscles and joints (take a warm bath containing 1 cup ACV)
• Strengthens the heart and reduces arrhythmia
• Aids blood vessels, arteries and veins
• Improves digestion
• Relieves chronic fatigue
• Zaps sore throats and laryngitis (gargle)
• Treats insect bites
• Is an effective aid for female discomforts and can help shrink an enlarged prostate
• Helps control and normalize weight
• Helps lower blood pressure
• Eases arthritis (by flushing toxic crystals from joints)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woN9c6YpBjU&feature=fvst[/youtube]

Barley Grass

• Contains all the nutrients a human body needs
• contains 18 amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins
• Because barley green’s proteins are polypeptides, or smaller proteins, they can be directly absorbed by the blood.
• Green barley leaves are packed with enzymes, which are the body’s spark plugs. Most people do not get the enzymes they need, because cooking foods destroys enzymes. Fresh barley grass is said to have thousands of active enzymes.
• Green barley grass is also said to have a high alkalizing effect, because it contains the buffer minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_sBUBgDxds[/youtube]

Bee Pollen

• slowing down the premature aging of skin
• excellent prophylaxis and therapeutic treatment against the precocious symptoms of old age
• an increase in mental and physical abilities
• improvement in metabolic systems and the removal of other cardiovascular symptoms such as arteriosclerosis, cerebral insufficiency, and other sequelae
• stimulates the metabolic system
• natural appetite suppressant
• able to perform better sexually... after just one month of taking bee pollen
• Relief from the discomfort of PMS
• bee pollen contains an anti carcinogenic principle

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpzcxC8bWKo[/youtube]

Blue Green Algae

• Wholefood source of over 100 nutrients
• Rich in antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, enzymes, amino acids
• Good source of iron
• Richest natural source of carotenoids
• Immunosuppressant effect against abnormal cells
• Promote growth of probiotic intestinal bacteria
• Bind harmful toxins to remove from body
• Detoxifying action, help reduce kidney damage
• Improve halitosis (bad breath)
• Help the digestion process
• Lower levels of "bad" cholesterol, raise "good" cholesterol
• Reduce allergic rhinitis symptoms
• Help to reduce oral precancerous lesions

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5gK9_4P04U[/youtube]

Raw Cacao Beans
Watch out if you're a former coffee drinker. Helpful if you want to get off coffee.

• highest natural source of magnesium
• highest natural source of chromium
• highest natural source of iron
• highest natural source of manganese
• highest natural source of zinc
• highest natural source of copper
• highest natural source of vitamin C
• highest natural source of antioxident
• has all the healthy co-factors needed for metabolism

source: Food Matters (Stream available for Netflix members)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ2njUKFgdg[/youtube]

Chlorella

• powerful detoxification aid for heavy metals and other pesticides
• Detoxifies Your Body
• Improve Your Digestive System
• Helpful in Fighting Cancer
• Natural Digestive and other Enzymes
• Is an Alkaline and helps balance your body's pH
• Normalizes blood sugar and blood pressure

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlar8l39szo&feature=fvst[/youtube]

Coconut

• Prevents simple goiter (enlarged non-toxic thyroid) because of its organic iodine content.
• Good body builder, so it is a food recommended for building up the body muscles of thin and emaciated individuals.
• Constipation and for any build-up of gas in the stomach and intestinal tract.
• Coconut milk has been found to help cases of sore throat as well as relieving stomach ulcers.
• Coconut oil has been found to heal cuts, scratches, burns and sunburns.
• The oil has also been recommended for facial massage and is reported to be good as a wrinkle remover.
• Coconut oil is also good for the scalp and hair and makes hair dressing unnecessary.
• Intake of at least 2 Tbsp. of Virgin coconut oil per day can lessen your Vitamin E requirement.
• Coconut water is good for kidney and urinary bladder problems.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeLTJoJtVXI[/youtube]

Dulse (aka Red Seaweed)

• dulse is approximately 22 percent protein
• extremely high in vitamins B6 and B12
• relatively low in sodium
• A small amount provides more than 100 percent of the RDA of vitamin B6, iron and fluoride
• 66 percent RDA of vitamin B12
• The sea vegetable is also quite high in vitamin A, potassium, phosphorus, manganese and iodine.
• high in fiber
• very effective treatment for constipation
• used to remove parasites and was also a treatment for scurvy, a condition brought about by a lack of vitamin C
• natural choice for plant nutrients essential for thyroid gland health and thyroid hormone secretion.
• can be used as an exfoliating body treatment to remove dead skin cells and impurities.
• used in conditioners to help strengthen and soften one's hair.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghRuYoVLkFI[/youtube]

Echinacea

• Colds and flus
• Skin infections such as acne and boils
• Urinary tract infections
• Sinusitis
• Ear infections

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPjRwv2TkTg[/youtube]

Ginger

• has carminative properties (anti spasmic) and can be used to calm in upset stomach, providing relief for the relief of bloating and gas.
• helps stimulate the secretion of mucus, quieting your cough and soothing any scratchiness I your throat.
• has been proven (in multiple studies) to treat feelings of nausea, particularly in the form of seasickness, morning sickness, motion sickness and as a side effect of chemotherapy.
• contains anti viral, anti toxic, and anti fungal properties, and is used for the prevention of and treatment against the common cold.
• acts as an antihistamine and aids in the treatment of allergies.
• displays anti inflammatory properties and can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and various other muscular disorders. The chemical components of the root are instrumental in inhibiting the biosynthesis of prostaglandins which are responsible for causing inflammation. Thus the root has proven to be a highly effective form of treatment, in some cases, even more so than the NSAID's that are traditionally prescribed.
• contains special enzymes responsible for catalyzing the proteins in your food, thus aiding in digestion and the prevention of cramps. The ancient Greeks used to eat ginger after a large meal in order to ease the digestion process.
• Due to its promotion of mucus secretion, ginger protects against the development of ulcers, unwanted holes in the lining of your stomach.
• has proven to help lower your cholesterol levels and prevent the formation of blood clots.
• is often used to settle an upset stomach or treat severe stomach ailments such as dyspepsia or colic. It is frequently used today in developing countries to treat diarrhea.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn72OGRg3B4[/youtube]

Goji Berry

• Anti-Aging & Life Extension
• Look & Feel Younger
• Get Better Sleep
• Protect Your DNA
• Support Your Liver
• Improve Immune Response
• Improve Digestion
• Improve Your Memory
• Support Kidney Health
• Support a Stronger Heart
• Combat Fatigue & Lethargy
• Support Healthy Blood Pressure Levels
• Support Healthy Cholesterol Levels
• Support & Balance Healthy Blood Sugar Levels
• Enhance Libido & Sexual Function
• Help Reduce & Alleviate Anxiety & Stress
• Support & Enhance a Healthy Mood & Brighten Your Spirit
• Combat Inflammation & Joint Problems

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEfcrfUxh_Y[/youtube]

Goldenseal

• Has properties that stimulate appetite, aid digestion, often increase the production of bile and cure digestive problems
• Its anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, and antiseptic properties to help treat inflammations and infections of the eyes, nose, ear and throat
• A very popular cure for infection of the gums or gingivitis
• Natural antibiotic properties
• Used to treat cold, flu, strep throat and other upper respiratory tract infections.
• Goldenseal root helps reduce cold and flu symptoms considerably.
• Extend to boosting the immune system.
• Contains certain chemical substances which work towards strengthening the immune system by stimulating the activity of blood cells.
• Berberine, an active ingredient of goldenseal, works towards increasing blood circulation to the liver and spleen.
• Stimulates the secretion of bile.
• All these properties of goldenseal help in smooth and effective functioning of the pancreas, thyroid, and lymphatic system.
• A goldenseal mixture, when prepared in the ratio 5 ml of herbal tincture / liquid extract to 100 ml of water, can be used for herbal washes in treating skin infections, inflammations like eczema, and measles.
• Aids with female issues - certain chemical substances in goldenseal help regulate the menstrual cycle in women.
• In addition, the goldenseal herb contains many important and useful vitamins like vitamin A, various B vitamins, vitamin C and vitamin E. It also contains calcium, iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium selenium, and zinc.

Kelp

• Kelps correct mineral deficiencies.
• A good protective food, valuable in overcoming poor digestion, preventing and overcoming goiter (because it is the richest source of iodine), and rebuilding and maintaining the proper function of all glands.
• Reported to aid in brain development.
• Offsets deficiencies of an inferior diet.
• Kelp helps prevent osteoporosis.
• Beneficial for those suffering from impotence, anemia and emaciation.
• Helps to detoxify the body.
• Helps to increase metabolism.
• May help in controlling obesity because it dissolves fatty wastes through the skin.
• Seaweed bath helps maintain hormone balance for a more youthful body.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yK3RG8e-8iE[/youtube]

Kombu

• Reduces or softens masses such as tumors and cysts in the body
• Very high in sugar, potassium, iodine, calcium, and vitamins A and C
• Contains appreciable amounts of B-complex vitamins, glutamic, acid, starch, and trace minerals

Maca Root Powder

• Increases energy and endurance
• Increases stamina
• Improves sexual function in men and women
• Enhances fertility in people and animals
• Reduces hormonal dysfunction during menopause & andropause
• Can regulate hormonal imbalances
• Has a beneficial action on the circulatory system; Speeds wound healing and reduces anemia
• Enhances memory, learning, and mental ability
• Has a beneficial action on the circulatory system; gives skin a more youthful appearance
• Good for healthy teeth and bones
• Acts as a fungistatic and bacteriostatic
• Acts as an anticarcinogen and antioxidant
• Is an alternative to anabolic steroids, helps to build muscle
• Is non addictive

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUoqEC6Ddpk[/youtube]

Stinging Nettle

• used as diuretic
• used to treat anemia since nettle leaves contain high amount of iron content. It also helps to formation and coagulation of blood cells.
• used in the treatment of arthrites and rheumatism
• protects respiratory and urinary problems
• decreases the risk of eczema and other skin disorders. Additionally, it is used in asthma treatment.
• used in the treatment of benign prostate
• used in the treatment of sinusitis and rhinitis
• protects hair loss (Alopecia)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8_tE5ATjuk[/youtube]

Noni

• boosts the immune system: Noni is considered one of the most nutritious fruits. Many of its nutrients are known to stimulate the immune system.
• stimulates digestion: Noni juice has traditionally been used as a laxative.
• rich in anti-oxidants: Research has shown that Noni juice exhibits better antioxidant activity than grape seed extract and pycnogenol.
• works as an analgesic: The Noni tree is also knows as the 'Painkiller and Headache tree'. Noni has been found to be 75% as effective as morphine sulphate in relieving pain without the toxic side effects.
• has antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic properties: With the presence of active compounds like anthraquinones, scopoletin and terpenes, Noni is effective against bacteria and fungus.
• has anti-inflammatory properties: Noni juice has shown similar results to the newer over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• has shown to be anti-tumor/anti-cancerous: Noni juice contains noni-ppt, which has shown anti-tumor activity.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgLD-A68pYE[/youtube]

Nori

• contains the same amount of proteins as soybeans.
• Quality proteins and almost 70% of it easily digested by the human intestines.
• A reservoir of vitamins for it contains more than 12 vitamins, more than many fruits or vegetables.
• Just two sheets of nori everyday will provide a daily dose of vitamin A.
• The same amount of nori has vitamins B1 and B2, in doses similar to 50 grams of pork meat.
• This alga has more vitamin C than tangerines, and its vitamin C is heat resistant.
• Two sheets of nori have as much iron as one egg or 3 cups of milk.
• Fibers from this alga are reducing the risks of a colon cancer.
• Nori is good for children, high cholesterol patients, and for people watching their weight, because it’s rich in protein, vitamins and minerals and low in cholesterol.
• It has been said that nori has some anti-cancerous qualities and may prevent or relieve stomach ulcers but these claims hadn't been proved yet.

[Updated!] Propolis

• Improving Immune System
• Treat Burns
• Increase Fertility
• Potential Cancer Drug
• Bowel Problems
• Dental care
• Protecting Liver
• Improve Antibiotic Effectiveness
• Veterinary Applications
• Other medical benefits of propolis

I'll update the following later...
Raw Honey
Royal Jelly
Spirulina
Turmeric
Wakame
Wheatgrass

Naicin (aka Vitamin B3) for Despression

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K2tqxKf2EE[/youtube]
One of the comments reads, "My son was cured of bipolar and schizophrenia with Niacin therapy in conjunction with a dairy and gluten restrictive diet, which Dr. Hoffer initiated after all orthodox medical treatments failed. He took 3000mg/day for 4 or 5 years and is now symptom free and only needs 1000mg/day. No liver damage. His health is improved and no more violence, paranoia, hospitalizations, police intervention, pharmaceuticals (that only made him worse), or hallucinations. Our lives are? completely changed."

Last edited by kxmode on 31 Jan 2011, 1:36 am, edited 1 time in total.

I don't mean to sound disrespectful, I'm sure some of these foods do offer certain health benefits. I do feel the western diet, in general, is not healthy. Poptarts, TV dinners, boxed meals like Hamburger Helper, chips, crackers, pre-packaged cookies, most juice drinks, most children's cereals and so on generally tend to contain things that aren't necessary and aren't food, but on the other end of the spectrum, a person can only get so healthy.

Eating tons of blue berries will not make one significantly smarter than they already are. Eating tons of foods high in anti-oxidants won't significantly slow a person's aging, and so on.

At best, the healthiest of people won't live beyond their 90's, and those who do live into their hundreds, generally weren't health nuts.

I think most people can utilize most of their potential health by eating a varied, balanced diet low in fat and cholesterol, getting a fair amount of exercise every day and keeping active socially.

I agree with some of Chrono's points. Jack LaLanne was the Health Nut but he died at a relatively unimpressive 96 years old. You'd think with that extremely healthy lifestyle he would have at least broken past the century mark. A large part of his long life -- and also the reason he would never live past 100 -- may have more to do with genetics than lifestyle. His mother, Jennie lived to be 89 years old; his brother Norman lived to be 97. At most, that healthy lifestyle probably bought him only a couple of years. There are some studies that have come to the conclusion that centenarians are born, not made. Until medical science comes up with a way to turn you into a modern Methuselah by rearranging your DNA, you can only aspire to be a Jack LaLanne, but no amount of push-ups and acai juice can make you a Jeanne Calment.

There is also a dark side to healthy eating that people need to be wary of. It's called orthorexia. Like the name implies, it's similar to anorexia although it has more to do with an obsession with eating as healthy or kosher as possible rather than how little.

This is a great list! I really appreciate the effort you put into the presentation. The bullets and clips go above and beyond the usual typo-riddled text soup I see in many forums. I'm bookmarking this for future reference.

How long you live is 5% environmental and 95% genetic. You can over-ride your genes to lower your life expectancy by smoking and doing stupid things and sitting on your ass until the reaper comes, but if you are genetically programmed to die of a brain tumor at the age of 54, no amount of blueberries and wheat grass is going to change that.

I'd be careful with some of this.

Bee pollen, for instance, can cause severe allergic reactions. I've taken kelp before and had complications!

When I think of "superfoods" I think of regular fruits with antioxidants or green things rich in vitamins. Just try to eat healthy. There isn't a food that is the cure or brilliant in that many ways.

Thank you for taking the time to compile this list. It was interesting to read.

This is a great list. I would probably not eat a lot of these things. but I think it is good to have this list anyways. I find it really funny how every once in a while scientists discover that natural foods are actually really good for us. I always do a facepalm when that happens. *of course grapes are healthy*, *of course apples are good*

How long you live is no different than anything else, in that it's about 90% environmental and 10% genetic. If you eat the right foods, and your environment doesn't poison you in the wrong way, you will live for a long time. Nobody has a predetermination to die at age 54 of a brain tumor. There is no destiny.

Was an interesting read, but I'm really leery about "superfoods".

Blueberries are superfoods, pomegranates are, pistachios, quinoa, yerba mate....

It's as much clever marketing as science.

If you want to be healthy, eat things that occur in nature and don't only come wrapped in plastic...

Also, being moderated and sensible helps...

Western diets tend to be way too heavy on protein, animal fats, and processed convenience foods.

If you need a model on how to eat sensibly, look at the traditional diets of Asian peasants and the countries that ring the Mediterranean sea and go from there.

Most gerontologists will disagree with you

Thanks for the list - I've noticed myself drifting, more or less nondeliberately, towards a more vegetarian diet; this'll help with keeping a balanced diet. Though I strongly suspect, given family genetics, that I'm past the halfway mark in any case.