Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo

5 Superfoods That You Should Eat Daily

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Broward chapter.

 

 

Let’s face it, when it comes to our health we want to eat right and exercise every day, but sometimes we don’t know where to start or what foods we should eat regularly. Superfoods are nutrient powerhouses that pack large doses of antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals. Eating them may reduce the risk of chronic disease, and prolong life.This article will give you five key foods to consume every day that have health benefits to keep you running smoothly.

Although it’s green and leafy, spinach is loaded with key nutrients for every part of your body. It helps reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. When it comes to lowering your blood pressure, spinach can help, as it’s low in calories, high in fiber and packed with potassium and magnesium.   This muscle builder is a rich source of plant-based omega-3s and folate, which can also increase blood flow to your rear end, helping to protect you against age-related sexual issues.

Tomatoes are juicy and sweet and comes in a variety of colors. When shopping for tomatoes you should always pick ones that are red, because they are packed with more of the antioxidant lycopene.  Lycopene is a naturally occurring chemical that gives fruits and vegetables a red color. A diet that consist of lycopene can decrease your risk of bladder, lung, prostate, skin and stomach cancers.  It can also reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Tomatoes are also a great source of vitamin C, biotin, molybdenum and vitamin K.

Carrots are easy to prepare and have a low caloric density. They are spiked with carotenoids, a fat soluble compound that is associated with the reduction of a wide range of cancers.  Also it reduces the risk and cruelty of inflammatory conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.  This root vegetable is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K and copper. Carrots also improve your vision by reducing your risk of macular degeneration.  Carrots also help repair skin tissue and protect against the sun’s harsh rays.

 Blueberries help prevent cancer, diabetes, and age -related memory changes.  The fiber in blueberries helps lower the total amount of cholesterol in the blood and decrease the risk of heart disease. Blueberries are one of the richest sources of antioxidants and contain the health-promoting phytochemical, anthocyanin. They are a great source of vitamin C, which is important for strengthening the immune system. Eating blueberries regularly can give your skin a more youthful look and brighten up dull or sun-damaged skin.

Yogurts are a perfect to-go snack, but when choosing the right yogurt make sure to check the label for “live and active cultures.” Fermentation issues hundreds of millions of probiotic organisms that serve as reinforcements to the multitudes of beneficial bacteria in your body.  This helps boost your immune system and provides protection against cancer.  Let’s not forget that yogurt comes from milk so you will also get other nutrients found in dairy foods, like calcium, vitamin B-12 and B-2.

No matter how you choose to prepare your foods raw, cooked or all packed in a delicious smoothie, you will get a variety of superfoods that allow your body to help itself.  All these foods give you nutrient that you need daily. Spinach, tomatoes, carrots, blueberries and yogurt all have their individual benefits that keep you actively healthy and might even help you make healthier choices throughout your day.

Daughter, sister, best friend, feminist, vegan, animal lover, adventure seeker and student, not in that order. 
Ana Cedeno is a journalism major and campus correspondent for Broward College. Originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador, she immigrated to the United States when she was twelve years old and continued her education in the sunny, politically contradictory, swamp state of Florida. She has since been published by both her college newspaper and the online grassroots journalism publication Rise Miami News. A fan of literature since age 6, she's an enthusiast of language and making her opinion known, while still hearing out the other side and keeping an open mind for growth.