Superfoods For A Super YOU!
by Ryan Muetzel
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” - Hippocrates
For anyone in the process of their Journey of a Lifetime through resonance with a conscious healthy lifestyle, it is very likely that the mention of superfoods comes up in discussion from time to time. For those readers who are unfamiliar with what superfoods are, the term superfoods within the circle of veganism often refers to types of foods thought to be nutrient dense that offer a broad spectrum of potential health benefits. Although the term has been pirated by a variety of companies for marketing purposes, the use of superfoods within an already healthy diet has the ability to both provide a myriad of health benefits as well as allowing for the creation of an immense number of taste and flavor sensations. Whether your taste buds are in the mood for sweet, salty, bitter, bland, or a combination of these, there are superfoods available to spice up any dish that you create.
Although I do not know of Schnozberries growing anywhere in nature other than in the imaginings of the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, there are a variety of other berries considered to be superfoods that are quite delicious and exist in this space time consciousness. Goji Berries contain one of the highest concentrations of protein of any fruit, are loaded with vitamin-C, contain a variety of trace minerals, are high in fiber, and also contain iron, calcium, zinc and selenium as. These are tasty, sweet berries that are perfect to add to your salad, to throw in your blender to sweeten up a juice or smoothie, or to just munch on throughout the day as a delicious snack to provide a quick energy boost.
Mulberries are tart, sweet berries that contains phytochemicals such as anthocyanins and antioxidants such as resveratrol, lutein, and zea-xanthin, which are thought to help protect the body from free radicals derived from oxygen that are purported to play a role in various aging and disease processes. These wonderful little berries only contain around 40 calories per 100 grams, and they are also great natural sources of vitamin-C, iron, potassium, manganese, magnesium, as well as a variety of the B-complex vitamins.
Pure raw Cacao in the form of Cacao Powder and Cacao Nibs are another favorite superfoods of mine as they do a great job of satisfying my chocolate cravings without the processing and high amounts of sugar often found in commercial chocolate treats. In its raw, unheated form, Cacao preserves the antioxidants of the Cacao Bean such as resveratrol and polyphenols as well as providing generous amounts of vitamin-C, omega-6 fatty acids, tryptophan and serotonin. It has been reported that in February of 2008 Dr. Gabriel Cousens conducted a study on Cacao and found that raw Cacao has the ability to benefit diabetics as a safe food for them to eat since it was found to raise the blood sugar levels of the participants less than almost any other food and was even found to raise insulin sensitivity. Cacao in the raw form was also found to not be toxic to the liver unless combined with sugar. Since the sweet taste of the sugar in chocolate is what attracts many people in the USA to munch on over $18 Billion worth of chocolate, according to EuroMonitor 2015 estimates, the combination of another superfood has the ability to sweeten up the taste of raw Cacao, thereby adding even more health benefits without the negative side-effects often attributed to added sugar in the diet.
Lo Han, also know as Monk Fruit, is a sweetener from nature that has been used for a very long time in Chinese Medicine in order to counteract internal heat build up. The Chinese call this fruit the “Longevity Fruit” as a result of an extraordinary number of residents in the Guangxi Providence (where Lo Han is found to grow on the steep mountain fields) were found to live to be over one hundred years old. This fruit, which is strangely the cousin of the Cucumber, is around 300 times sweeter than sugar, which makes it a great addition to any dish where you wish to bring out the sweet flavor of your creation without adding unnecessary sugar or calories. Although I do like to use the pure, unrefined, green stevia in sweetening up liquid drinks, shakes and smoothies, I have found the Lo Han, and in particular the condensed Lo Han Extract powder to work quite wonderful when making raw, dehydrated, or frozen vegan dishes, especially any chocolate treats.
Two other of my favorite superfoods are Spirulina and Chlorella. Spirulina is a blue-green algae that contains a significant amount of iron, calcium, niacin, potassium, magnesium and B-complex vitamins. It also has a high concentration of essential amino acids, with protein comprising around 60-70% of Spirulina by dry weight. A 2008 study published in the Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism found that adult volunteers between the ages of 60-87 showed significant reduction in cholesterol by consuming 8 grams of Spirulina per day for 16 weeks versus a placebo. Other published studies have shown Spirulina’s ability to lower average levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol.
Chlorella is a green algae that contain high levels of chlorophyll. Although Adam Sandler was not too impressed with chlorophyll in the movie Billy Madison, I think he would be impressed with Chlorella’s abilty to detox heavy metals from the body, including those from radiation and chemotherapy. Like Spirulina, a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food showed that 8 grams of Chlorella taken per day divided into two doses helped to lower cholesterol and blood glucose levels. There was also a study out of Japan published in the Journal of Medicinal Food where researchers stated: “Chlorella intake resulted in noticeable reductions in body fat percentage, serum total cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose levels.” As much as I love the science and health benefits of Spirulina and Chlorella, their easy addition to a healthy diet by simply adding them into juices or smoothies, as well as their ability to create delicious salads and dehydrated foods such as kale chips truly put these darling algaes into the category of superfoods.
For specific tasty and delicious recipes utilizing the superfoods I mentioned in this article, I highly suggest you check out the book Nourishment for the Spiritual Warrior by David Burke and Dr. Alyssa Wampole. This book contains an in-depth look at many more superfoods and contains some of the best juice, smoothie and raw vegan food recipes I have ever seen. To purchase the superfoods supplements I mentioned in this article at some of the most reasonable prices around check out ApolloGenesis.com. If you have any questions or comments for me on this or any of my other articles in Austin Fit Magazine will find my contact information on my website RyanMuetzel.com. Since you truly are what you eat, be sure to consume superfoods while on your journey toward becoming a new, super you! Blessings, Love and Light to all! Namaste.