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Superfoods That Are Making A Comeback


Submitted by Farah Lindstrom
Posted on 10 Oct, 2020


Superfoods That Are Making A Comeback
So focused we are on superfoods on the horizon that we sometimes forget the age-old, tried and tested ones. While it seems ideal to consume these new superfoods brimming with health benefits, the price at which these products come at can be a little hard to swallow. In search of a more sustainable alternative, many are reintroducing these nutrient rich-staples into their kitchen.

 

Cinnamon

Cinnamon offers anti-clotting and anti-microbial benefits, boosts brain function and contributes to a healthy colon. It may also help control blood sugar in people with diabetes.

Cinnamon is an excellent source of the trace mineral manganese and a very good source of dietary fiber, iron and calcium. Calcium and fiber are a powerful combination. They both bind to bile salts and remove them from the body. These bile salts have a reduced ability to damage colon cells, decreasing the risk of developing colon cancer.

The benefits of cinnamon on blood-sugar control have been well documented. According to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, seasoning a high-carbohydrate food with cinnamon helped lessen its impact on participants' blood sugar levels Cinnamon reduces the rise in blood sugar after eating because it slows the rate at which the stomach empties after meals.

 

Beetroot

Beetroot is a rich source of folate and manganese and also contains thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, pantothenic acid, choline, betaine, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper and selenium. Beets are also one of the richest sources of glutamine, an amino acid, essential to the health and maintenance of the intestinal tract.

The powerful phytonutrient betacyanin that give beets their deep crimson color is anti-carcinogic properties and is believed to be the reason why many of the potential health benefits of beetroot are being studied.

 

Barley

The fiber in barley helps promote digestion and reduces the risk of colon cancer. Barley might also lower cholesterol levels and protect against cardiovascular disease. Like all whole grain products, barley can help keep blood pressure low and reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes when consumed regularly. Barley is more effective at regulating insulin and glucose responses than whole oats. When consumed as part of a diet containing other whole grains, barley can contribute to a reduced risk of obesity, atherosclerosis, ischemic stroke and overall mortality.

 

Horseradish

Horseradish doesn't provide a significant amount of minerals, but it does contain beneficial carbohydrates, vitamins and phytonutrients that support your health.

Horseradish contains glucosinolates, a family of phytonutrients that when exposed to air, breaks down into chemicals called isothiocyanates. The Linus Pauling Institute reports that consuming isothiocyanates might combat cancer growth, because they control gene activity, and activate genes that prevent tumor growth. Isothiocyanates also help detoxify your body, clearing harmful chemicals, including cancer-causing toxins, from your system before they can harm your health.

The medicinal properties of this plant have been imbedded in folklore, making it a popular traditional treatment for a long list of ailments, from respiratory issues to urinary tract problems. Science seems to be in agreement, with several studies proving horseradish’s worth as an antibiotic, antifungal and antispasmodic.

 

Dandelion

The dandelion is a useful medicinal herb; its roots and leaves are dried and used to make dandelion tea, which contain vitamins A, C and D, and significant amounts of zinc, iron, magnesium and potassium. Dandelion tea has been traditionally used in alternative medicine as a detoxifying agent for the liver.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine, or USNLM, says dandelion is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Sipping the dandelion tea can help ease inflammation. You can also brew the tea and apply the cooled liquid directly to inflamed areas of the skin.

Dandelion tea is also considered to have antioxidant abilities that help your body avoid cell damage from free radicals. It is also reported to be useful as an overall liver or kidney tonic. Recent research at Inje University Biohealth Products Research Center showed evidence supporting dandelion tea as beneficial to liver health and effective in protecting the liver from damage.

 

Cabbage

Just one cup of shredded raw cabbage contains a good amount of thiamine,calcium and iron, along with what’s considered to be very good levels of dietary fibre and vitamins C, K and B6. Cabbage is an old-time superfood.

What makes it so good for you is all the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients in it, like sulforaphanes, anthocyanins and glucosinolates, which are linked to cancer prevention. Cabbage juice is also known to help with stomach ulcers.

 

Sardines

For many years now salmon has taken center stage as a wonderful source of Omega 3 and other nutrients. The downside to salmon has always been their high mercury content. The rule of thumb has always been, “the smaller the fish, the lower the mercury content.”

Sardines are a small fish that are high in omega-3, which is a fantastic anti-inflammatory. And compared to other fish, they contain some of the lowest amounts of mercury, making them safe enough that even pregnant women can eat up to 12 ounces per week, according to the American Pregnancy Association.

These little fish are also filled with minerals like iron, calcium, phosphorus and potassium and contain good amounts of riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-12 and vitamin D.

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