The issue of belief in superfoods: illusion or reality?

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Goji berries, açaí bowls, hemp seeds, matcha: these are the superheroes of the superfood league. They come crunchy, colorful and super fresh in the form of salads, green smoothies or muesli. This includes certain types of fish and meat. And suddenly they’re everywhere: Salad bars and smoothie stands popping up on every corner. Their victory fits perfectly with the current lifestyle: “You are what you eat!” mantra. In our First World, where prosperity has deteriorated, the ritual has attained cult status. For many, the menu has become a lifestyle statement. Vegetarian or vegan, carb-free or organic only; Eating becomes a matter of faith. And now superfoods!

The term “superfood” has become a buzzword. Foods with a particularly high nutrient density are behind this modern German term. They contain many vitamins, minerals, trace elements or secondary herbal active substances. They also need to be as natural as possible. If you want to know exactly, you can look online and find long lists extolling in detail the qualities of chia seeds, beets, blueberries, or kale.

1. Flaxseed: Just 100 grams of the small seeds contain a whopping 35 grams of fibre.
2. Quinoa: Inca grain, a mixture of protein and carbohydrates, provides the body with the fuel to stay productive for hours.
3. Hemp seeds: They contain many proteins and amino acids that help the body burn fat.
4. Bamboo salt: According to Buddhist monks, it has a cleansing effect.
5. Wheatgrass juice: The high chlorophyll content stimulates the detoxification process of the liver.
6. Goji berries: To contain Antioxidants and iron.
7. Almond oil: It contains particularly high amounts of vitamin E, which protects body cells against the attack of free radicals.
8. Moringa: Soft cubes made from the “Tree of Life” provide the body with plenty of energy thanks to their high nutritional density.
9. Matcha tea: Epigallocatechin gallate contained in green tea prevents fat storage in the body.
10. coconut water: The clear liquid does not contain oil and contains a mineral mixture of potassium, sodium and manganese.
11. Camu Camu: Amazonian fruits contain 60 times more vitamin C than oranges.
12. Chlorella: Freshwater microalgae contain more protein than meat and are therefore ideal for beautiful hair.
13. Ashwagandha: The powder known as “Indian Ginseng” minimizes stress-related skin imperfections.
14. Cocoa beans: Cocoa seeds stimulate the body’s production of happiness hormones.
15. Chia seeds: The high calcium content of chia seeds melts belly fat.
16. Agavi syrup: It is sweeter than sugar but has a quarter fewer calories.
17. Coconut blossom sugar: This is a particularly low-glycemic sweetener.
18. Avocado: Their green meat contains plenty of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and, above all, unsaturated fatty acids.
19. Shiitake mushroom: This delicacy contains vitamins B2, B3 and B6, as well as a large amount of vitamin B5, called pantothenic acid.
20. Acerola: This fruit, which has almost no calories, is rich in vitamin C and also contains high levels of potassium, magnesium, folic acid, calcium and vitamin B.
21. Acai: The fruit has been revered for centuries for its antioxidant and energy-boosting properties.
22. Activated carbon: The fine, black powder is obtained from coconut shells and is best for clear skin.
23. Aloe vera: It has a skin-refreshing, immune-stimulating, cleansing effect and increases the skin’s natural shine.
24. Cabbage: Vegetable It provides plenty of iron and potassium, is said to lower blood pressure, and contains the trace element manganese, which is important for strengthening bones.

Goji berries and the like may still be a bit exotic in this country, but familiar things are also popping up among the superfoods: beets, for example, or vegetables like broccoli and carrots. Pomegranate seeds are just as important as avocados or dates. So what’s the excitement about the new in the old? Are superfoods really that great? Or is it just another trend in an oversaturated world?

“The term ‘superfood’ sounds appealing to most people,” says Tommaso Cimeli. The Zurich nutritionist confirms what science has long proven: “Some foods and drinks contain particularly healthy ingredients. And these are abundant in superfoods.

The pulp of açaÍ and pomegranate fruits has been proven to have antioxidant properties and, thanks to its high nitrate content, it is claimed that it can be converted in the body into nitric oxide, which has a positive effect on blood pressure and blood clotting. Salmon, on the other hand, contains a disproportionate amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which help people with heart problems. Tree nuts and many other types of nuts contain so much natural protein and fiber that they are especially valued by vegetarians, who use them to balance meat-free foods.

Apart from keeping you healthy, superfoods are also said to be able to keep the aging process under control and even protect us from possible diseases. It is a shame that there is currently no binding definition of superfoods, according to the European Food Information Center (EUFIC). The fact that a balanced and healthy diet has positive effects is not new. “Diet,” Cimeli says, “not only regulates our digestive system, but is 50 percent responsible for whether you can still rely on a solid immune system as you get older.”

Is this the real reason why health- and shape-conscious people stock up on a quick smoothie or a crunchy salad with salmon strips for lunch? Or is it more that the idea behind it fits perfectly with today’s times? Every day, we cooks, who cannot prepare every meal at home on the stove due to lack of time, ease our conscience by sipping a super healthy ready-made smoothie with pureed açaí fruits and pomegranate seeds and adding it to the salad. have a canteen with slices of fresh salmon or chew on local tree nuts as an afternoon snack. After all, we want to believe that this can increase the value of canteen food and we can live healthier lives.

But unfortunately it’s not that simple. Because ready-made smoothies are far from being a panacea. If you want to significantly impact your health through diet, you have to do more. “It is important to get adequate amounts of important vitamins and trace elements and, of course, to take them regularly,” says Cimeli. This means that superfoods are only truly great when consumed consistently and in sufficient quantities.

A varied menu with lots of fruit, vegetables, “healthy protein” and a reasonable amount of carbohydrates is “still the best possible way to eat well and healthily,” says the professional. If you also know which “superfoods” really have a “super effect” and include them in your daily menu naturally and without much fanfare, this is of course better! And if you add to all this a targeted sports and exercise program, you will definitely get in great shape.

Source : Blick

Malan

I am Dawid Malan, a news reporter for 24 Instant News. I specialize in celebrity and entertainment news, writing stories that capture the attention of readers from all walks of life. My work has been featured in some of the world’s leading publications and I am passionate about delivering quality content to my readers.