Many at times, when we go looking for superfoods, we want foods that will take care of all our needs. Companies have created supplements and food substitutes that are to help you solve all your problems. However, sometimes the solution is staring right at you. Foods contain different variations of nutrients and minerals, and while you might not want to give up on your search for the healthiest foods, here are a number of everyday foods that aren’t just readily available, but also have high benefits to your body’s health.
- Berries
Who said sweet isn’t healthy? Berries are not only delicious, they also contain a variety of health benefits such as anthocyanin, an antioxidant that helps keep the memory sharp, fight free radicals, and in recent research, have been proven to help fight heart diseases.
Berries are also an excellent source of fibre, which aids in digestion. Vitamin C, which is recommended for skin firming, can also be found in berries.
- Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes can be found nearly in any market. Many people only consume them once in a while, but the nutrients packed inside sweet potatoes might just change that frequency.
They contain Vitamin B6 which reduces the chemical homocysteine in your body. Homocysteine has been linked to heart attacks and other degenerative diseases. They are also rich in alpha and beta-carotene, which the body converts into Vitamin A that is in turn used to improve bones, eyes and the body’s overall immunity. Other nutrients found in sweet potatoes include vitamin C, manganese, and potassium.
- Spinach
Spinach is one of the most readily available vegetables in the land. But, did you also know spinach has a range of nutrients and minerals such as vitamins A, C, E and K, iron, fibre, magnesium, calcium, and potassium? These nutrients help with replenishment of blood, improve eyesight and boosting metabolism and digestive systems.
- Broccoli
Rich in essential vitamins such as A, C and K (which help with bone health) it’s simple to see why broccoli makes it to the list. However, there’s more to this veggie; it is also rich in sulforaphane which is a type of isothiocyanate, a component that’s been found to help fight cancer.
- Oranges
They are known mostly for vitamin C, an essential element in the production of antibodies and white blood cells that help fight off infections. Vitamin C is also an active oxidant which helps protect cells from free radicals damage as well as produce skin-firming collagen. Moreover, oranges are a source of fibre and folate, the latter being used for by the body to reduce stroke risk, and improve colon health.
- Yogurt
Yes, yoghurt. It’s rich in primary nutrients such as calcium, Vitamin B12, magnesium, and potassium. It is also rich in protein, which has been proven to increase the body’s metabolism, therefore burning excess calories. In some cases, it has also been known to fight osteoporosis.
Overlooking the health benefits offered by these everyday foods is simple. We often want to go looking for a new treat, something new that you can add to your diet (which is ok). But, sometimes, we need to look closer home for the answers we seek.
