There are few things as delicious as a nice greasy burger fresh off the barbecue. Add a side of fries and a nice frosty beer and you've pretty much achieved heaven on earth. However, these foods that we find so tempting and delicious are, if consumed on a regular basis, doing great damage to our bodies that can dramatically impact our health now, and increasingly so as we age. Now, no one wants to give up the good things in life completely. You're not really living if you don't indulge yourself now and again. But, like anything in life we must be sure we only succumb to these cravings in moderation. The rest of the time we must give our bodies the healthy fuel they need to continue to function at their highest level, and help increase our success of enjoying a long, healthy life. That is where superfoods are of such great benefit.
The best thing about this list of the top 10 superfoods is you don't have to sacrifice flavor in order to enjoy their benefits. These natural foods are bursting with vitamins, minerals, and disease fighting anti-oxidants. Oh, and one more thing, they are bursting with flavor. Prepare them properly and each one of them can rival that hamburger and fries in deliciousness any day. Now, pretty much any fruit, vegetable, nut, seed or fish is good for both your body and brain, but these superfoods stand out above even their healthy peers, giving your body its daily quota without having to resort to huge quantities. So, now that I've pumped up these little culinary miracles, let's get to the list. Here are the top 10 superfoods to improve your health:
10 - Yogurt
Granted, a food that is produced by the bacterial fermentation of milk doesn't sound that tasty, but most people find it quite delicious. It, like most dairy products is rich in calcium, critical is building strong bones and prevent osteoporosis, as well as being helpful in the prevention of colon cancer. It is also a good source of protein, vitamin B, and contains beneficial bacteria that aid in digestion. Manufacturers of many yogurts are also bulking them up with healthy additives such as folic acid, vitamin D and omega 3s.
9 - Spinach
This Popeye favorite is another great source of calcium. In addition it is loaded with vitamins A, C & K, iron, and is a great source of fiber. It contains flavenoids that help protect against memory loss later in life, and also a healthy dose of lutein, which prevents cataracts among the elderly. With all these benefits and more, this dark, leafy green is fully deserving of the moniker, Superfood.
8 - Steel Cut Oats
High in fiber, rich in protein, this hearty breakfast cereal is about as healthy a way to start out your day as you can find. Proven to lower cholesterol levels, this grain can help keep your body functioning at its fullest ability. Add some berries, applesauce, walnuts and cinnamon for even more nutritional punch!
7 - Walnuts
Almonds, Cashews, Pecans, Brazil nuts. All these tasty little snacks are superhealthy when consumed in moderation, but they all must bow before the healthiest nut of them all, the walnut. Walnuts are a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids, a superfood within a superfood that protects the heart, mind and body from a laundry list of diseases and degenerative conditions. They have also been shown to have tremendous antioxidant properties. Eat in moderation though. Like all nuts they are high in fat. Too many will have you packing on the pounds.
6 - Bananas
Monkeys love these things for a reason. They are delicious and packed full of nutrients. High in fiber, with high quantities of vitamin B6, potassium and magnesium, these easy to digest, quick convenient snack fruits are an essential part of a healthy, active lifestyle. Loaded with carbohydrates bananas are of particular benefit to athletes or others leading an active lifestyle that need to fuel their body on the go.
5 - Garlic
While garlic isn't really a food you want to eat by itself (though some people do) it can be added liberally to other dishes to provide flavor. However this nutrient packed clove isn't just for spicing up dishes, it is a superfood in its own right, with plenty of disease fighting characteristics. Eating garlic regularly can lower blood pressure, and is a powerful aid in the prevention of heart disease. The selenium contained in garlic has been shown to help prevent certain forms of cancer, such as stomach or colon cancer, and garlic oil is thought to provide protection against many of the secondary diseases often suffered by diabetics. This superfood might leave you with bad breath, but the rest of your body will thank you.
4 - Salmon
It's about time some meat showed up on this list on the top 10 superfoods. I mean, some of us need to satisfy our inner carnivore. Salmon is delicious, and can be prepared many different ways to add some variety. One of the best sources of Omega 3 fatty acids, this oily fish of course has all the disease fighting health benefits that Omega 3s provide. It is also a great source of protein, essential to providing energy and building muscle, and is rich in calcium, magnesium and B vitamins.
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