Superfood is a term that refers to food packed with nutrients and health benefits. They may boost immunity and support good health. Superfood powder is a blend of greens, vegetables, seaweed, probiotics, digestive enzymes and more. Some of these blends come with vibrant coloring that can brighten up your diet, and the powdered form makes this blended goodness easy to incorporate into your meals. Here are five superfood blends you need to check out!
- Spirulina
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Spirulina (also know as phycocyanin) is derived from blue algae, which gives it a bright blue hue. It’s rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, iron, carotenoids and antioxidants. Preliminary research suggests that spirulina holds the promise for high cholesterol, diabetes and nasal allergies. Due to its subtle and mild taste, spirulina can be used in an abundance of ways. For a super-packed dose, you can mix the powder with a little bit of water to take as a booster shot. Otherwise, spirulina can be mixed into smoothies, lemonade or even popsicles.
- Goji Berry
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Goji berries are an exotic fruit primarily grown in China, Russia, Turkey and Japan. In China, they are dried for medicinal purposes and are a part of ancient Eastern medicine practices. It is said to boost your immune system, alleviate menopausal symptoms and regulate blood pressure. With a reddish-orange color and tangy flavor, it can be compared to a cranberry. Goji berries can be used to make soup, tea, cookies and smoothies.
- Matcha
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Ceremonial matcha is made from green tea leaves, which is then dried and finely grounded into powder. This powder has a more potent taste than green tea and is traditionally used in Japan as a part of a ritual, hence the name ‘ceremonial matcha’. On the market, there are two different types of matcha: ceremonial and culinary. Culinary matcha is a lower grade; therefore, it has a muddy green color and a milder taste. This is best used for lattes, soup and baking purposes. Ceremonial matcha is a higher grade with a potent flavor and a vibrant color. This is best used for tea ceremonies or drinking straight, where you can enjoy the rich taste.
- Acai Berry
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Acai berries are found in the rainforests of South America with a deep purple color. Loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and fiber, it boasts a variety of health benefits, which includes lowering inflammation, promoting brain and brain health. In a small study with colorectal cancer patients, a daily intake of anthocyanin (an antioxidant found in abundance in acai berries) resulted in improvements. In performance athletes, it appeared to help with exercise-induced muscle injury. The taste of acai berries has been described as a blend of chocolate and berries, with a slight metallic aftertaste.
- Pitaya
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Pitaya (most commonly known as dragonfruit) is a superfruit grown in tropical regions of South America and Southeast Asia. They are high in fiber, vitamin C, betalains and carotenoids. Some of these nutritional factors have been shown to prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and arthritis. Pitaya has bright magenta color with a tropical sweet flavor. It is most commonly used in smoothies.
With this being said, superfoods are not medical cures and should not be used to treat any health issues. They simply have healthy ingredients that can fun to add into your diet!