Are we being lie to about superfoods? Nutritionist revealed all we need to know about currently most popular ingredients of healthy nutrition!

Is Goji berry indeed much healthier than berries?  Is coconut oil healthier from sunflower oil? Nutritionist Vesna Bosanac for the magazine Like! reveal strengths, weaknesses and reasons for the popularity of each of the so-called ‘superfoods.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

Thanks to the antioxidant activity of its components, cinnamon has a positive effect on the teeth, helps to protect the colon from cancer, protects brain cells and lowers the concentration of fat, LDL and total cholesterol in the blood. Furthermore, increasing the sensitivity of cells to insulin, which is useful in the prevention and treatment of type II diabetes. People consume cinnamon and given the fact that it has a positive effect on the joints. Cinnamon oil is effective against bacteria and fungi.

However, although not the first choice of pastry, and cassia proved to be effective in maintaining health. It helps regulate blood pressure.

Turmeric

The most common active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, the pigment expressed yellow. Curcumin shows antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Aids in preventing viral diseases and tumors. It stimulates brain health, wound healing and the formation of glutathione in the body which is an antioxidant. This spice in Ayurveda is being used in the treatment of obesity, depression, diabetes, atherosclerosis and cancer. The active ingredients of the spice is better melting in oil than in water. Therefore, it is necessary to add turmeric in dishes that are prepared with oil. In this way, comprehensively utilize its valuable components. My opinion is that with the addition of turmeric should be cautious. Turmeric is a spice worthy of attention, but it cannot neutralize the damage that makes poor and irregular meals.

Chia seeds

Chia seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, dietary fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals.

In folk medicine of Central America, chia seeds are used as means of helping maintain appropriate blood sugar levels and regular bowel movements. Chia is rich in mucus. This is the fiber that in contact with water swells. Appendix seeds chia dishes thereby resulting viscous consistency. This feature is beneficial in regulating appetite or with diet for weight loss and detoxification. Chia seeds do not contain gluten, so they in their diet may include people who are allergic to gluten. My opinion is that these seeds can enrich our diet. To avoid saturation, turn them into your diet from time to time. You can add them to yogurt and eat lunch.

Spirulina

Spirulina is a microscopic blue-green algae rich in vitamins (C and E) and minerals. From the subsequent it should be mentioned magnesium, zinc, calcium, selenium and iron.

Furthermore, this algae is source of essential fatty acids and one source γ-linolenic acid (Eng. Gamma-linolenic acid, GLA). Clinical studies show that intake of GLA helps relieve arthritis and heart disease. Spirulina is used as adjunctive therapy in normalizing cholesterol levels and to boost immunity.

My opinion is that spirulina can be used as a dietary supplement.

Avocado

Avocados are foods extremely rich in fat. Even 77% of the energy value comes from fat. Although the botanical origin of the avocado is fruit, because of its high fat content, it is classified in the group of food fats. Additionally, comprising dietary fiber, vitamin C, K and folate.

I believe that avocados can enrich our diet, but should be viewed only as foods rich in fat.

Coconut oil

Almost 90% of the mass of coconut oil refers to a saturated fatty acid which badly affect the health of the heart and blood vessels. Therefore, the oil, and flour, to be seen in this light. In contrast to animal fat, this oil does not contain cholesterol.

Coconut / almond milk (beverage)

A hundred grams of cow’s milk contains about 3.3 g of protein, and 100 g of coconut milk contains 2 g and 0.4 g almond protein. We should know how almond, coconut, soybean, rice milk, is not milk than drink of vegetable origin. The quality of proteins of plant origin, including these drinks, it is worse compared with protein of animal origin. However, these drinks may be an alternative to people who are allergic to milk proteins. Advice is to choose herbal drinks enriched with vitamins and minerals (primarily calcium and magnesium).

Maca powder

The root of maca contains protein, fat and carbohydrates. There are phytochemicals such as glucosinolates, flavonoids, alkaloids, and the like.

Taking maca powder can improve endurance and immunity and brain function. You can added it in yogurt, tea, or milk.

Himalayan salt

Himalayan salt has pink color due to the presence of iron oxide. It contains 95 to 98% of sodium chloride, which is present in the classical salts.  This salt should not be given precedence over our ordinary sea salt.

Goji berries (Lycium barbarum)

Goji berries are widely used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of a range of health problems; eye diseases, skin rashes, psoriasis, allergies, insomnia, liver disease, diabetes, tuberculosis, kidney disease and others. They can be eaten raw, drinking their juice, made as smoothies, mixed with tea, add the dried fruit, cereals, energy bars, and even soups. This fruit contains components that demonstrate antioxidant properties.

This fruit can easily be included in our diet, but it is not superior to us closely berries such as blackberries, blueberries and raspberries.

Share this post