The nutritional content of the typical diet has dwindled to a worryingly low level in recent times, particularly in the Western world. We very often don’t have enough time to buy and prepare wholesome meals and so rely on frozen and processed foods. Such foods do not typically supply us with the healthy and balanced diet our bodies require. You may have noticed that recently there has been rather a lot of talk in the media about so-called “superfoods”, which have been pointed out by nutritionists. This may lead you to question what superfoods are and how you can access some of their purported benefits. What are superfoods? There are certain foods and herbs in nature that are nutritionally superior to others. They are nutrient-rich and contain natural compounds missing from the vast majority of other foods, which are considered to have potential disease-fighting and health promoting properties. Therefore, superfoods are simply foods with a high nutrient-density per calorie ratio, which are packed with vitamins, minerals, fibre, antioxidants and other important nutrients and are widely thought to be beneficial for your health. They are found in all food groups and range from the ordinary (like spinach), to the exotic (like acai berries). Potential benefits of superfoods Have you heard of quinoa? © Specialist Supplements Ltd 2011  Pronounced “keen-wah”, this is the hottest new supergrain! Well, actually, it’s an edible seed. Quinoa is quickly growing in popularity as a tasty, easy-to-prepare, nutrient-packed health food. In fact, it is close to being a perfect food source in the balance of nutrition it provides. For example, quinoa is an excellent source of protein - 12% to 18% - and is one of few plant sources of complete protein (meaning it contains all of the essential amino acids, the building blocks of protein). It is therefore an excellent food for vegetarians, vegans and anyone else looking for a protein boost.  We love it so much, we have put it into our organic superfood powder blend! Integrating superfoods into your diet can potentially make it easier to detoxify your body and achieve your ideal weight and nutritional status. Certain foods, such as “junk food” or processed foods can raise the risk of disease. By comparison, superfoods are widely believed to enhance health by supporting optimal nutrition. As well as being nutrient-rich, superfoods deliver a range of phytonutrients to support your health. Phytonutrients, also known as phytochemicals, can be found in the majority of fruits, seeds, vegetables and other plant-derived foods in varying degrees. They are basically chemical compounds that have the ability to interact with living tissue and, as such, can be helpful in helping to defend against sickness. It is also generally accepted that superfoods: • act as antibacterial agents, which counteract the effects of bacteria that live in the body; and • have the capability to perform a number of other key functions, including supporting the immune system and acting as detoxifying agents through their high antioxidant content. Superfoods are rich in antioxidants, anthocyanins, Vitamin C, manganese and dietary fibre. This is an information site only [Own Label Products] [Specialist Supplements] [Web Design Service] [Organic Products] [Vitamins and Minerals] [Health Supplements UK] [Protein Shakes] [Meal Replacement Powders] [Vegetarian and Vegan Health Supplements] [Home] [Healthy Living] [Balanced Diet] [Juicing] [Living and Raw Foods] [Detoxification] [Organic Living] [Food Additives and Preservatives] [Food Form Supplements] [Other Products] [Superfoods] [Vegetarians] [Sitemap]