What are superfoods? And why is everyone talking about them?
Superfoods are not new, but their huge popularity and interest have put them at the top of wellness trends for 2024, so inevitably, the question on everybody's lips is what are superfoods?
If you've heard about superfoods and are itching to know exactly what they are and how their nutritious ingredients can benefit you, keep reading... We break down the myth around superfoods, powders and their superpowers.
What are superfoods?
The definition of superfoods is nutritiously rich foods that benefit your health and wellbeing.
Superfoods are at the very top of the food chain, beating out the rest with their glittering nutrition and health benefits.
Superfoods are food and supplements packed with the very best nutrients. They give your body what it needs to operate at its best and fight sickness, fatigue, improve gut health, mood and overall wellbeing.
Certain foods and ingredients contain more of these nutrients than other health foods, which qualifies them as being 'super'. Together, they become superfoods. Yes, it's really that simple.
"Superfoods" is not a scientific word - think of it as a way of categorising the best nutrition available to you.
What are the superpowers behind superfoods?
If you're wondering what really makes them so super and why they're better than other health foods.
Well, they're considered superfoods because they are packed wit extremely rich sources of nutrients, more than your average healthy food. We like to think of them as superpowers.
Superfoods are different from other healthy foods because they contain more than one of the good things.
To find out what superfoods are, here's a summary of the common benefits you'll find in Aduna's superfoods:
- Plant-based - your body will thank you
We know we don't need to tell you that plant-based diets are good for you; you already know this and there are enough Netflix documentaries about this. But what you might not know is that plants contain nutrients that you can't find in other foods and these nutrients help you fight off several diseases; these are antioxidants called polyphenols, flavanoids and phytochemicals.
All Aduna Superfood Powders are plant-based, so while they're great for you and your body will thank you, they're also good for Mother Earth. Taking a step towards a more plant-based diet results in 75% less climate-heating emissions, water pollution and land use compared to meat diets. So we're happy to be a part of that reduction in emissions by making all our products plant-based.
- Minerals & vitamins - your foundation to good health
We like to think of minerals and vitamins as the foundation of good health. And that's what superfoods are all about, setting you up with a healthy foundation.
What are superfoods if they're not packed with good minerals and vitamins that make you feel great? Minerals and vitamins are natural elements in food that give our body exactly what it needs, such as vitamin B, vitamin C, magnesium, iron, and so on. Getting the right levels of minerals and vitamins in our diet is important for fighting infections, enabling our bodies to heal when hurt, and for all-around good health.
All these contribute to your overall health and wellbeing, giving your mind and body what it needs to function at its best.
- Adaptogens - your good friend
Adaptogens are like a good friend who is there for you when times get hard. When considering what the main superfood perks are, adaptogens are definitely one of the biggest. They impact how your body responds to stress, tiredness and anxiety - basically, the big three we all face most days.
When you have adaptogens in your diet and feel stressors rise, adaptogens targets the stress in your body and work magic to calm your physical response and help you return to a balanced state.
- Healthy fats - your balancer
Repeat after us: not all fats are bad! Superfoods contain healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats, that actually do our bodies a lot of good.
Omega-3, most commonly found in fish, is well known for its heart health benefits as it reduces certain fats in your blood. Researchers have actually found that people who took high does of omega-3s have a reduction in anxiety symptoms.
Monounsaturated fats in foods like olive oil and avocados contain fatty acids that help weight loss and reduce inflammation and the risk of heart disease.
- Antioxidants - your protector
Antioxidants work overtime to fight off damaging elements that harm our bodies - think of them as your protectors. They are powerful molecules that fight free radicals that can cause diseases and inflammation.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause unwanted damage to cells in your body.
Your body produces its own antioxidant defences, but you often needs to supplement them. Superfood powders and plant-based, whole foods containing vitamins C and E are effective antioxidants.
Superfood vs superfood powder and supplements: what's the difference?
Naturally, when thinking, your mind may go towards actual food. Your fruit, vegetables and other well-known green, healthy foods - but if you're honest, you don't love eating them.
The other problem is that many people struggle to get the right level of nutrients in their bodies through food alone. It takes planning, cooking, and prepping, and often, by the time you go to use the food items, the sell-by date has expired, and you have to go back to the store.
The good news that you can get superfood benefits in other ways. You can enjoy superfood powders and supplements that are much quicker and tastier to consume than a giant bag of kale.
What is a superfood powder?
Superfood powders are plant-based ingredients ground into a fine powder. They contain the same goodness as superfood foods but are available in a nutrient-dense product that can add to your water, breakfast or smoothie.
Our Aduna Superfood Powders are made from natural plant-based fruits packed with nutrients. It all started with baobab for us, which is hand-collected by female producers in rural Africa. The fruits are cracked open, ground down into a powder, and sieved.
You can shake, sprinkle or stir superfood powders into your smoothie, breakfast or glass of water.
What is a superfood supplement?
A superfood supplement is a capsule that contains nutrients, minerals, and vitamins of healthy foods. It is taken daily as a quick and easy way to get the health benefits with minimum effort.
Our Aduna Organic Moringa Capsules are a superpower to your immune health, supporting energy release and targeting skin health.
What are superfoods: 10 everyday superfoods 'foods'
Superfoods 'foods' are a list of foods that contain many health benefits. So when you think what superfoods are, your mind might go to an elaborate list of expensive, whole food and unattainable foods, but here are ten everyday superfoods foods you'll have at home:
- Spinach
- Berries
- Eggs
- Nuts
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Avocado
- Sweet potato
- Mushrooms
- Kale
What are superfoods's big health benefits?
Nutritionists and dieticians believe that adding nutrient-dense superfoods to your daily diet is the key to unlocking a host of health and wellbeing benefits.
Here are the top 5 ways superfoods have a positive impact on your health:
- Give that immune system a boost
The vitamins found in superfoods are great for boosting your body's natural immune system. Your immune system is the backbone for fighting off and bouncing back from illnesses and for preventing you from getting sick. If you need a helping hand, our Super Green Blend is your perfect immune boosting sidekick.
- Clear up fogginess
The nutrients found in superfoods can help your overall brain health, so they can help you fight that brain fogginess. Essential for those busy days when you're spinning lots of plates.
The antioxidants found in superfoods have been proven to give better clarity and concentration. Our Mind Blend has been nutritionist developed and approved to help our customers regain focus and clarity while remaining productive throughout the day.
- Give your heart some loving
Superfoods are a great way to care for your heart and cardiovascular system. They help regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels, fighting the contributors to poor heart health.
Cacao is the best superfood for supporting your heart and cardiovascular system. Our delicious Aduna Super-Cacao Powder is high in cacao flavanols, which are scientifically proven to maintain elasticity of blood vessels and support blood flow. Adding cacao to your diet will do its job, and it tastes delicious.
