What Makes a Food a Superfood?
These days our supermarkets shelves are literally awash with an almost infinite variety of food products that are marketed as superfoods. But what exactly are superfoods and what makes a food a superfood? Time to find out!
What Makes a Food a Superfood?
Superfoods are pure, ancient foods, created by the force of nature. They are found in some of the finest, most remote and untouched corners of our planet, where they have been harnessed by indigenous cultures for thousands of years. Superfoods are by definition low in calories and rich in beneficial nutrients, making them an excellent choice for those wishing to pursue a healthy lifestyle. There is however, no legal definition of superfoods, which can lead to significant confusion. To help you identify superfoods the next time you go shopping, we’ve compiled a list of typical characteristics that most superfoods have in common and for why a food is recognised as a superfood.
A high density of nutrients
Superfoods contain a higher density of valuable nutrients (such as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants) than standard food.
A greater diversity of nutrients
Superfoods also tend to contain a greater diversity of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients than regular foods. Take organic Incan berries for example - this super berry from Peru contains a huge array of vitamins (including vitamin’s A, C, B1, B2, B6 and B12), minerals (such as phosphorous), nearly twice as much fibre as dates and significantly more than blueberries, raisins or apricots, as well as an impressive 16% vegetable protein.
A rich source of phytonutrients
Superfoods are often excellent sources of phytonutrients - natural chemicals that are found in plants such as:
- Carotenoids
- Ellagic acid
- Flavonoids
- Resveratrol
- Glucosinolates
- Phytoestrogens
Free from harmful toxins
As a rule, superfoods should be clean, hormone, chemical and pesticide free foods that contain absolutely no artificial additives.
As superfoods are so packed with natural nutrients and free from damaging additives, they not only boast a more intense flavour, they’re also an incredibly useful addition to a vegetarian, vegan or rawfood diet.
Superfoods are often broken down into the following key categories:
Raw cacao products
Such as versatile raw organic cacao powder, raw organic cacao beans, raw organic cacao nibs, raw organic cacao butter and raw organic cacao liquor.
Sea algae and vegetables
This powerful category of superfood includes potent supergreens such as organic spirulina powder and organic chlorella powder.
Dried Roots, Grasses and Vegetables
For example, organic wheatgrass powder and organic maca powder.
Dried Berries and Fruit
Such as vibrant organic goji berries and sweet, organic mulberries.
Vegetable Fats
Includes exotic superfoods like aromatic coconut oil and cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil
Nuts and Seeds
Incorporates crunchy nuts such as organic almonds and organic cashew nuts as well as nutritious seeds such as organic shelled hemp seeds and organic chia seeds
Bee Products
Such as bee pollen, raw honey and bee propolis
Medicinal Mushrooms & Super Herbs
This special category of superfoods includes mushroom extracts such as organic chaga, reishi and maitake mushroom extract and herbs such as Brazilian ginseng powder and organic guarana powder
Superfood supplements
This incorporates a selection of vitamins, minerals and unique supplements such as omega-3, protein powders and probiotics
Superfood snacks
These days there is also a wholesome range of superfood snacks available at most good superfood stores. These tempting snacks, such as raw chocolate and kale chips, are made from organic superfood (and often rawfood) ingredients and are simply ideal for on the go.