Are superfoods really super?
So-called "superfoods" have been experiencing a lot of hype for some time now, but what is behind it?
Due to the large number of different superfoods, there is an immense variety of nutrients. If you are looking for natural supplement alternatives, you will love superfoods. Among other things, they provide you with vitamins, zinc, magnesium and even caffeine! - The bomb, right?
What are superfoods?
Superfoods is a now established term for foods that have a particularly high content of vitamins, minerals and/or phytochemicals.
Our top 10 superfoods
Guarana
Guarana is considered an energy-boosting wonder weapon and originally comes from the Amazon region in South America. The caffeine-rich plant is said to have a strong invigorating effect, which can lead to greater concentration and higher physical and mental performance. The caffeine contained in the seeds of the guarana fruit is bound to tannins. As a result, the stimulating effect is gradually released and can last for up to six hours. Guaraná has been a healthy and natural alternative to conventional energy drinks for some time now.
Contains:
- Caffeine
- guanine
- D-catechin
- choline
- tannins
- theobromine
Açai
The açai berry is a fruit of the cabbage palm, which has the botanical name "Euterpe oleracea". It grows mainly in the rainforests of the Amazon. The berries are round, dark blue and have a diameter of one to two centimetres. In Brazil, it has been an integral part of the local diet for centuries. Due to the large number of nutrients, the trendy berry can be used in many different ways and is particularly suitable for a conscious lifestyle!
Contains:
- unsaturated fatty acids: oleic acid, omega-6, omega-9 and omega-3 fatty acids
- Phosphorus, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc and copper
- Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D and E
Goji berries
The goji berry is originally from Asia and has been used in various Asian cultures for thousands of years. It contains zinc, minerals and essential fatty acids. Goji berries are also packed with essential amino acids.
Contains:
- Vitamin A, B, C and E.
- Antioxidants
- Minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, selenium and zinc
- Essential amino acids
The acerola cherry is native to tropical regions, mainly in South America. The small red fruit originally comes from Mexico, more precisely from the Yucatán Peninsula. Outside the natural distribution area, the plants are still cultivated in Asia, especially India and China. It has one of the highest vitamin C contents of all plants and tastes slightly sour.
Contains:
- Mainly vitamin C (according to analyses, 100 grams of fruit contain over 1677mg of vitamin C)
The native superfood berries contain anthocyanins. These are the reason for the deep blue color of the berries. Anthocyanins are secondary plant substances and are powerful antioxidants. They intercept free radicals in our body and neutralize them. Free radicals are produced by biochemical processes that are triggered by stress or environmental toxins, for example, and damage our cells.
Contains:
- Very high levels of vitamin B
- Vitamin C, E and K
- iron
- magnesium
Lucuma is also known as the "gold of the Incas" and is found exclusively in South America (Peru, Chile, Ecuador). From a purely visual point of view, you might think that lucuma is the child of a mango and an avocado. The fruit with the green skin has a high content of vitamin C, zinc and fiber. It also tastes slightly sour.
Contains:
- Vitamin C
- Zinc
- calcium
- Dietary fiber
- Potassium and iron
Matcha, which means "ground tea" in Japanese, is a type of tea originating from Japan. It has a slightly sweet to bitter taste. As matcha tea is not an infusion but an extract from the tea leaf, it contains numerous effective ingredients, unlike conventional green tea. The plant also contains small amounts of natural caffeine, making it a great alternative to coffee.
Contains:
- Vitamin A and B
- calcium
- zinc
- potassium
- magnesium
If you want to be as strong as Popeye, there's no getting around spinach. By drying and grinding the spinach leaves, valuable nutrients and minerals are retained and are therefore highly concentrated. Spinach is mainly known for its high iron value, but this local superfood contains numerous other nutrients.
Contains:
- Vitamin A, C, E, K and B2
- calcium
- manganese
- zinc
- magnesium
- Iron (35-54 mg per 100g)
Spirulina: The new trend product from the water. The algae can be found in the lakes and rivers of Asia, Africa and South America. It has been used as a staple food there for centuries. The algae contains beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the human body, and not in small quantities.
Contains
- Calcium
- magnesium
- beta-carotene
- sodium
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a plant from the nightshade family and grows exclusively in India and Pakistan. It has been used there for several thousand years.
Contains:
- Withanolides
- alkaloids
- cholines
- fatty acids
- amino acids
