SUPERFOOD STATUS

Everyone knows it’s important to eat well, but is it possible some foods could be more healthful than others? These powerhouse ingredients are more commonly known as superfoods. They pack a wallop when it comes to nutrition and giving your body a boost. While most have heard of the benefits of common superfoods like salmon and blueberries, there are lesser-known superfoods that should also be on your radar. Here’s just a few to consider:

Seaweed

Forget veggies that grow on land, sea-grown vegetables like seaweed are packed full of minerals. In fact, some types of seaweed have more iron than beef and more calcium than cheese. Furthermore, seaweed is said to possess healing properties, which include lowering cholesterol, reducing water retention and promoting weight loss.

Kefir

What is kefir, you ask? It’s a cultured dairy drink that tastes like yogurt and contains a lot of important amino acids, vitamins and minerals. It’s rich in probiotics, which help boost the immune system and aid in digestion, and uses carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to promote cell growth, maintenance and energy.

Goji Berries

These bright orange-red berries, also known as wolfberries, are said to be the key to the fountain of youth. Some studies have shown drinking goji berry juice could improve one’s mental health, athleticism, happiness and quality of sleep.

Barley

Everyone touts brown rice, but what about its lesser-known cousin, barley? This complex carb not only lowers cholesterol and blood pressure in people who suffer from high cholesterol, it also contains eight times the amount of fiber as brown rice, which helps keep appetites in check longer.

Wheatgrass

The powers of wheatgrass are nothing short of remarkable. Just two ounces have the same nutritional value as five pounds of the best raw organic vegetables.

Need more vitamin A? Wheatgrass has twice the amount as carrots. And as for vitamin C, which is popular during flu season, wheatgrass is king, putting oranges to shame.

It also contains the full spectrum of B vitamins, as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, amino acids, potassium, chlorophyll and protein.

Wheatgrass fans say its nutrient-rich content boosts immunity, kills harmful bacteria in the digestive system and treat common ailments such as anemia, diabetes, constipation, ulcerative colitis and joint pain.