Well Women Guide to Superfoods for Optimum Nutrition

What are Superfoods?

Superfoods are foods that have high nutritional value. They are not a "cure", but incorporated into your diet, they can help prevent many illnesses, make you healthier, boost libido, stamina and are capable of anti-aging your skin and body in general.

There are very many superfoods that can be incorporated into your diet for optimum nutrition. Some can ward off all kinds of illnesses by boosting your immune system and providing so many nutrients and amino acids, that you need never take a vitamin supplement.

Top of my list for containing everything you need is Goji Berries

Goji berries are almost a "complete" food. Make sure you buy them 100 per cent certified organic. They are a deep red dried berry, about the same size as a raisin, are sweet and taste a bit like cranberries or a cross between cranberries and cherries. They were discovered in the Himalayan Mountains and are much cherished by Tibetan Monks who even give them their own two week yearly celebration.

You can add them to smoothies or sprinkle them on your breakfast cereal add to yoghurt or just enjoy them on their own as a snack.

When used as a food supplement, they provide an extraordinary amount of nutrients such as vitamins B1, B2 B6 and E. They also contain as many as 21 trace minerals such as zinc, iron, copper, calcium, germanium, phosphorus and selenium.

.They are known to be the richest source of carotenoids of all foods on earth!! and contain more beta carotene than carrots.

They are also one of the highest natural sources of vitamin C and per weight contain more vitamin C than oranges. (the same weight in Goji berries as the weight of an orange)

They also contain 19 amino acids (8 essential)and this quantity is 6 times higher than bee pollen.

They are also rich in EFA's the healthy omega's

Goji berries contain immune system boosting polysaccharides and one such polysaccharide substance contained within the fruit even stimulates the secretion of rejuvenative human growth hormone by the pituitary gland.

Many people have claimed that they have never felt better when they have incorporated Goji berries into their diet and of course they have antiaging properties too. They may also help autoimmune disease and fibromyalgia sufferers and many have said that they feel a lot better when Goji Berries are consumed on a daily basis.

Goji berries improve mood and are also said to be a natural aphrodisiac. In tests on elderly people over a three week period, 35 per cent recovered sexual function and studies found that there is a 5 in 10 chance of recovering sexual function in the elderly. Just think what they could do for those in a younger age bracket!!!

Indeed, legend has it that Li Qing Yuen lived for 252 years because he consumed them daily and drank them as a "soup" Hmmmmm......!!!!

At the end of the day, they taste great so for that reason alone, just eat them for pleasure and any improvement is a bonus!!!!

I have found a smoothie recipies on the internet which incorporate Goji Berries.

Rawfood Smoothie

2 oranges

1 mango

1 squeezed lemon

Handful of Goji Berries

Spirulina

This is a microscopic fresh water blue-green algae that grows in lakes of Asia, Africa and Central America.

It is tiny, barely half a millimeter in length yet is said to be a "superfood"

It is mainly a protein, almost 65 per cent, and contains 8 essential amino acids.

It is natures richest source of vitamin E.

It is also high in beta carotene, anti-oxidants, gamma linolenic acid and chlorophyll.

Spirulina also contains the B complex, essential trace minerals and iron.

Rich in phytonutrients, it can only benefit you long term by providing super-nourishment and aiding health.

Who will it benefit?

It benefits anyone, particularly those who are chronically ill, the elderly, those on a weight loss plan, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and more.

It is best taken blended into a smoothie or mixed into a drink, either water or juice.

It is recommended that you start with a teaspoon a day and then gradually increase.

It can also be purchased in supplement form.

Lucuma

This is a fruit and grows in Peru. (notice all the best things seem to come from South America or the Himalayas)

It has orangey-yellow flesh and a strong aromatic maple like taste. (like maple syrup) and is nutrient rich.

It is rich in carbohydrates, fibre and many vitamins and minerals such as beta-carotene, B3 and iron.

It can be blended with bananas or other fruit to make a fabulous smoothie and has a multitude of other uses such as addition to baby food, yoghurt or other desserts.

Known as the "Gold of the Incas" this exotic fruit comes from an evergreen tree of the Sapotaceae family and has been honoured since ancient times in Peruvian culture.

Well worth incorporating into a healthy diet.

Mesquite Powder

This powder is packed with protein, is a high fibre source and is high in magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron and zinc. Due to it's high fibre content, it is therefore able to stabilise blood sugar and because of this, it is beneficial to those who are trying to lose weight and diabetics.

If you enjoy smoothies, you will love mesquite powder which can be added to smoothies for extra nutritional value.

Mesquite powder is made from the ground up ripe seed pods of the Mesquite Tree and has been used since ancient times as a dietary supplement. It's high fibre content means it takes 4-6 hours to be digested therefore preventing blood sugar peaks and keeps you from feeling hungry for some time. This makes it ideal in weight control as it has a diciplining effect on appetite.

It has a sweet molasses/caramel like flavour and is ideal in smoothies and drinks, as well as desserts and as a natural sweetener. You can also use as much as you like.

Purple Corn Powder

Has more antioxidants than blueberries and is extremely high in anthocyanins which are the pigments responsible for the colouring in red, blue and purple fruits and vegetables.

Foods high in anthocyanins are extremely beneficial to the body, encouraging the regeneration of connective tissue by neutralising the enzymes that destroys it and act in lowering cholesterol, protecting eyesight from retinopathy in diabetics and also protecting the nervous system against neurological disease.

They are beneficial in protecting the body from vascular disease by protecting the small blood vessels and capillaries from oxidative damage. Their high antioxidant content means they ward off free radicals and in turn help protect against cancer and the degenerative effects of ageing.

Purple corn is native to the Andes in Peru and is something we can enjoy in powdered form for adding to smoothies, sauces, desserts, puddings cakes and drinks or juice.

It could also be added to kids' baths instead of chemical laden bath fizzers to produce a fabulous non toxic purple bath and the powder can also be used as a non toxic purple face paint.

Blackstrap Molasses

I really rate this product for it's nutritional value, even though it is not one of th latest trendy superfoods. It contains high amounts of iron, calcium, copper, potassium, magnesium and manganese. There are many claims about it's curatative powers, including ability to reverse grey hair, but none the less, for mineral content, it is worth having 2 teaspoons a day in a glass or warm water.

Cinnamon

You either love it or hate it, but cinnamon is actually very beneficial. Just half a teaspoon a day can lower LDL cholesterol.

It can also help lower blood sugar levels, help in controlling yeast infections, has an anti clotting effect on blood, can help with artitis pain and is a good source of manganese, iron and calcium as well as fibre. Sprinkle it on just about anything, especially greek yoghurt with honey. Yum!!!!

Cayenne

Generally only known for its culinary use, Cayenne is actually extremely beneficial to health as it is a natural remedy for circulation, preventing stickiness of the blood and aiding circulation. Can also benefit in treating angina and just a teaspoon infused in hot water can stop an attack in minutes. However, it can be bought in capsule form to avoid tasting a very "hot" liquid.

Due to it's powers in treating circulatory disorders it is very beneficial for piles (haemorrhoids) varicose veins and other circulatory problems. Improves brain clarity and concentration and contrary to what we may think, it is also bebeficial in treating stomach and digestive disorders.

Apple Cider Vinegar

There have been many "cures" reported for the regular drinking of apple cider vinegar. One of the main advantages is its ability to control high blood pressure and it has been known to bring it under control in just two weeks when consumed daily. Just one glass in warm water maybe with a little honey added is all that is needed.

It is beautifying and can restore a healthy glow to the skin when consumed daily.

Other reported benefits are, acne, arthritis, high cholesterol, sinus infections, sore throats, chronic fatigue weight control and many others.

Coconut Oil

Also known as coconut butter, cocnut oil is a raw saturated fat that the body can metabolise quickly. It contains medium chain fatty acids that possess great health giving properties.

Those with liver and or gall bladder or other digestive problems would benefit from using cocnut oil over other oils.

It also has great anti viral anti fungal properties and can fight bacteria and viruses and fungus infections and greatly benefits candida sufferers.

Coconut oil contains no cholesterol and helps lower cholersterol and this is proved by the fact that those consuming coconut oil regularly due to culture, have significantly lower cholesterol levels that those of us in the western world.

It has a direct effect on Thyroid function and metabolism and can increase metabolic rate leading to much desired weight loss. Regular consumtion will lead to restored thyroid function.

It can also be used on the skin and has many reported results in antiageing and dry skin relief. It actually feeds the skin and helps prevent wrinkles and stretch marks.

Coconut oil can be eaten as a dressing, used in smoothies and juices and also eaten as it is, straight off the spoon.

Cocnut oil is the most stable of all oils for cooking and is the most recommended of all oils for heating as it does not form dangerous trans-fatty acids

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Papaya

Beneficial for digestion due to it's enzyme content, papaya is nutrient rich containing high amounts of vitamin C, B complex and vitamin E. Due to it's antibacterial properties, it is beneficial in preventing abnormal bacteria in the intestines. It has a cleansing effect on the stomach and liver. It promotes skin eye and hair beauty when eaten daily. Can be used directly on the skin the enzymes remove dead skin cells.

Papaya has anti cancer proerties and csn also reduce the risk of heart attacks. Papaya lowers cholesterol in the blood. The seeds, when eaten, have properties known to protect against parasites.

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