Trending in 2016
Usually when food is high in antioxidants it gets labeled as a "superfood". Simply put, it will provide your body with the antioxidants it needs to help defend your body against harmful chemicals known as free radicals. (Free radicals are produced in response to airborne pollutants such as cigarette smoke, as well as in response to stress, recreational drugs, and food additives.They damage cells and contribute to accelerated aging and heart disease.) Knowing what we know about the qualify of our air, food, and lifestyle in terms of stress these days, you can see why antioxidant are so important to include in our diet.
There are plenty of common foods that are considered superfoods like tomatoes, apples, and avocado. But if you're into checking out the trends of the seasons, you might want to look into these superfoods:
Pitaya (aka Dragon Fruit)
Dragon fruit can be easily spotted in the stores due to it's vibrant skin and out-of-the norm appearance. That bold color indicates that it's full of phytonutrients, some of which studies have shown can reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Dragon fruit is also rich in Vitamin C, fiber, and magnesium. A small dragon fruit has only about 60 calories, so it's definitely a great snack! You can even add it to a smoothie for some great flavor!
Freekeh
If you haven't noticed, lately there has been a rise in the popularity of ancient grains like quinoa and farro. Well, the next star of the grain show is freekeh. Freekeh, originating from Northern Africa and the Middle East, is a roasted green wheat with a nutty, chewy texture. A half-cup serving contains 10 grams of fiber and 10 grams of protein, which is about 6x the same nutrient count in the same amount of cooked brown rice. The only downside is that unlike quinoa and brown rice, it is wheat, so it's not something that will fit into the diet of someone who is gluten-free.
Tiger Nuts
Tiger nuts are kind of misleading.....they're actually tubers. This is a small root vegetable that was discovered over 4000 years ago. You can sometimes find the nut milk made from this tuber in the popular Mexican drink: Horchata (one of my favorite beverages, by the way). There are about 120 calories in 50 of these as well as 10 grams of fiber and 215mg of potassium. So this is definitely a nutritional powerhouse snack!
Boabab
This is a super fruit hailing from Africa. It almost looks like a skinny watermelon on the outside, but on the inside it contains a powdery pulp that has a pear-like flavor that works well in smoothies, juices, and even baked goods! One of the more impressive facts is that it contains almost 6x the Vitamin C as oranges and twice the calcium of milk! A 10 gram serving also has 4.7 grams of fiber.
Moringa
You might also hear this referred to as the Horseradish Tree or Drumstick Tree. It has edible leaves, seeds, and pods! Some parts of the plant contains as much calcium as milk, more potassium than a banana, and 2.5x the amount of Vitamin C as an orange. Each ounce of the leaves also contains 3 grams of protein!
Turkey Tail Mushroom
Do you think about mushroom powder when you think about adding things to your smoothies? Probably not! But.... you might consider making an exception for this "super fungus". Named for its distinct shape and stripes, turkey tail mushrooms contain polysaccharides, which help to support the immune system.
Hemp Seeds
Hemp seeds are probably one of the more widely recognized foods on this list. Chia seeds also made a huge splash in the nutrition world recently, but even chia seeds are find it hard to compete with hemp seeds. Hemp seeds can help boost your protein if you're following a vegan or vegetarian diet as they contain 10 grams of protein per ounce (compare chia at 4.7 grams). They also contain all 10 amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, as well as some omega-6 fatty acids. They are also rich in magnesium and iron! They're very versatile. You can sprinkle them on salads, blend them into your smoothies, or even make them into a pudding.
Black Rice
This rice is also known as the "forbidden rice" due to its rarity in ancient China. It's rich in phytonutrients and Vitamin E. It also contains a large amount of anthocyanins (as do blueberries), which have been shown to lower the risk of heart attacks and control cholesterol levels. You can use this in any recipe that calls for rice.
Dandelion Greens
Yes, this is the same weed that takes over your garden. But, forget about that... One chopped cup of this stuff contains your entire daily requirement for Vitamin A and nearly as much Vitamin K as kale! The entire plant can be used. From the leaves, to the roots, to the flower itself! The roots can be used for medicinal purposes and can also make coffee and tea. The flowers are used to make wine. And the leaves make an awesome base for a salad. If you find them too bitter, try softening the flavor by blanching them or tossing with lemon juice!
Matcha
This is the powdered version of green tea. You'll find this these days in lattes, cakes, and even in energy balls. It's bitterness balances out the sweetness in a lot of recipes. It contains 137 times the amount of anti-inflammatory EGCG found in regular green tea!
Guayusa
This is an ancient tea that has been part of the culture in Ecuador for centuries. When brewed, one cup contains about as much caffeine as a cup of coffee as well as polyphenols which reportedly help prevent degenerative diseases and chlorogenic acids, which may improve glycemic control and lower blood pressure (think hypertension and diabetes).
