health

5 superfoods you need to know about today.

Natural Instinct
Thanks to our brand partner, Natural Instinct

The best part? They’re all available at the supermarket.

These days, people are so much more aware of what they are putting in and on their bodies. And that can only be a good thing.

If you’re one of the many people keen to get on the superfood bandwagon, read on. Here’s a rundown of some of the best-performing superfoods you need to know about – and the good news is, they’re delicious, and becoming far more mainstream.

1. Goji berries.

Goji berries originated in Asia – they are small and a bright orange-red, and were traditionally associated with longevity.

Today, they are becoming increasingly popular in western diets and are also included in some natural skincare products.

The berries are very rich in nutrients and can help you feel calmer and healthier as well as assisting with weight loss, sleep and athletic prowess. And there’s also evidence to suggest they can improve skin condition.

You can buy them dried in your local supermarket and taste great tossed in porridge or cereal for breakfast – too easy.

“Goji berries originated in Asia – they are small and a bright orange-red, and were traditionally associated with longevity.” Image via Instagram @windwineandfood.

2. Rosemary extract.

It’s a high source of natural antioxidants that help to restore and protect the skin from environmental free radical damage – sounds good, right?

According to WebMD, rosemary extract can be used to ease digestion problems, headaches, blood pressure, circulation issues and eczema.

It can be added to foods as a spice or the oil can be added to drinks, and it is also often added to soaps and perfumes.

“It can be added to foods as a spice or the oil can be added to drinks, and it is also often added to soaps and perfumes.” Image via Instagram @theslowpokejournal

3. Flaxseed.

These little gems are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, fibre and lignin, which is an antioxidant that is believed to help protect against breast cancer.

According to NutritionFacts.org flaxseed can also help fight diabetes, skin sensitivity and improve your skin’s condition.

All you have to do is buy a bag of ground flaxseeds from the supermarket or a health food shop and sprinkle a tablespoon on top of your yoghurt, cereal or smoothie and voila – you’ll soon be reaping the health benefits.

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4. Onion and garlic.

Look, these guys are hardly the new guys on the superfood block. But the health benefits from the humble onion and garlic are incredible, so it’s well worth upping your intake.

While they make pretty much any meal taste better, they also help ward off colds, inflammation and infection, and are thought to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

The Huffington Post reported on a study from the National Cancer Institute, which discovered that participants who ate two teaspoons of garlic and onions a day had a lower risk of developing prostate cancer.  Another study founds they helped reduce the rate of pre-cancerous tumours in the large intestine.

That’s a great excuse to throw some into your next pasta or stir-fry, right?

“Look, these guys are hardly the new guys on the superfood block. But the health benefits from the humble onion and garlic are incredible, so it’s well worth upping your intake.” Image via Instagram @sv3tlagram.

All of these superfoods taste great and can easily be incorporated into the food you are already eating every day.

It just takes an extra couple of minutes during your next grocery shop – but trust me, it’s so worth it.

 

What’s your superfood secret? 

Here are some healthy (and oh-so good looking) meals and snacks from the world of Instagram:

Want more? Try these:

Sorry George, but denying your kids party food is just plain crazy.

This superfood tastes like bacon and is healthier than kale.