Acai Health Watch

Antioxidants aren’t just limited to exotic fruits like pomegranate and acai.  They aren’t even limited to fruits and vegetables.  While you may know that going for colorful vegetables like spinach, broccoli and carrots will supply you with antioxidants, there are even more options!

What are antioxidants?  Antioxidants are molecules that help prevent cells from oxidation, a process that damages cells.  Natural foods like acai have been shown to contain high levels of antioxidants.

Nuts such as almonds and pecans also have antioxidants.  Beans and legumes are packed wtih antioxidants as well.  In addition, look for whole grains in anything you eat, from cereal to bread, pasta and more.

This article points out some additional antioxidant tips and sources:

“Don’t overcook veggies. The best way to eat them is raw, followed by lightly steamed. Cook them at the lowest possible temperature for the shortest amount of time.

Use the right oils and flavors. Cooking with fresh extra virgin olive oil and using spices such as sage, marjoram, rosemary and thyme will boost the antioxidant content of meals. Two more tasty sources are garlic and fresh ginger.”

How to eat more antioxidants – Press-Telegram.

We strongly support of eating superfoods as part of a healthy diet.  Hardly any effort is needed to integrate superfoods like the acai berry into your daily routine.  Some foods you may not have thought of, like sweet potatoes, have significant health benefits.  You may already be eating many superfoods and not even realize it!

Here’s an excerpt from a helpful list of recognized superfoods:

Citrus Fruits. It’s a known fact that Vitamin C is a great help in building up our immune system. Grapefruits and oranges are only two of the citrus fruits that are rich in vitamin C and other nutrients, plus they’re fun to eat too.

Tomatoes. A rich source of lycopene and other health-giving nutrients, tomatoes are often used as sauces for pasta dishes and other recipes. They can be eaten raw too.

Avocados. Avocados by themselves provide more health benefits than other foods combined. They are one of the best sources of fiber, and contain 60% more potassium than bananas.

Brown Rice. More people may find white rice more palatable but when it comes to the health properties, brown rice has more to offer. That’s because white rice has been refined and tend to lose much of its nutrients in the process.

Salmon. Fish is a great protein for almost any dish and makes an excellent substitute for red meat. Aside from raising environmental concerns, farmed salmon tend to be fattier and contain less nutrition. Every list of top 10 superfoods should have a protein and fish is possibly the best for you.

Acai Berry. It’s relatively new to the food market and basically impossible to get in fruit form in the United States, but the nutritional value of the supplements you can find is undeniable. While you can’t use it as a primary food source like many native Brazilians, you can use it as a supplement to the rest of your diet.

Your Diet and the Top 10 Super Foods: the Key to a Healthier Lifestyle: Naturopath and Homeopath, Portland, Oregon.