Ten Superfoods

The Ten Superfoods are crucial because they help you boost your pepitide power to prevent imflammation and improve your immune system. All these factors will result in overall better health and vibrant, glowing skin.

Superfood Number 1: Acai, Nature's Energy Drink

Many of you have probably neverheard of this berry, but recent studies have shown that is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world! It's benefits include antioxidants, amino acids, and essentail fatty acids. You may not be able to find it in your typical grocery store, but it is available at health food stores such as Whole Foods and Wild Oats. This berry will help control your high insulin levels which create an imflammatory state. Since inflammation causes aging, this is the perfect food because it help slow down and reverse this process.
WW points:

Superfood Number 2: The Allium Family

The Allium family consists of familiar vegetables and products such as garlic, onion, leeks, scalions, shallots, and chives. All of these foods contain flavonoids that stimulate the production of glutathione- the tripeptide that is the liver's most potent antioxidant. The family of foods is also at the top of the list of foods that help prevent cancer.
Some of the benefits of garlic is that it lowers total cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, and helps fight against neurologiscal diseases such as Alzheimer's. It is best eaten raw because cooking diminishes the power of some of its nutrients.
Some of the benefits of onions is that it helps prevent colds, stimulates the immune system, and helps relieve stomach upset.
WW points: 0 points

Superfood Number 3: Barley

Barley can be used in many ways throughout the day; as a breakfast cereal, in soups and stews, or as a rice subsitute in such dishes as risotto. Barley is high in soluble and insoluble fiberand helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure. The fiber that is found in barley provides food for the beneficial bacteria in the large intestine. This is crucial because this good bateria can crowd out disease-causing bacteria which leads to overall better health. Eating barley on a regular basis will lower your blood pressure, slow starch digestion, and protect against cancer.
WW points: 1 cup of cooked barley - 4 points

Superfood Number 4: Green Foods- Plant Power in Small Packages

This superfood refers to foods that include young cereal grass, wheat grass and barley grass. In terms of nutrition, these grasses share the same benefits as dark green leafy plats but they offter greater levels of nutrient density. The dietary chlorophyll that these foods have will help inhibit disease bacteria, give you better breath and internal odors.
WW points: 0 points

Superfood Number 5: Buckwheat- Seed, Grain, and Health Powerhouse

Although buckwheat is not a true grain, it surpasses rice, wheat, and corn on almost every measure of healthfulness. Many people in Eastern Europe like to eat something called kasha which is dish in which the buckwheat is boiled until it is soft and then served with anything from meat to milk to vegetables. Or it can be used as a breakfast cereal which you can top with berries. Buckwheat will help you reduce and stabalize blood sugar levels following meals which is key in preventing diabetes and obsesity.
Buckwheat is better than grains for the following reasons: It has more vitamins and minerals, it has a healthier fat profile, has a healthier starch and fiber content, reduces high blood pressure, and contains flavanoids for heart and circulatory health.
WW points: 1 cup of cooked buckwheat - 3 points.

Superfoods Number 6: Beans and Lentils

Beans are low in fat, calories and sodium, but are high in complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber. They are an excellent source of protein and are extremely beneficial in an anti-diabetes diet.
WW points:

Superfood Number 7: Hot Peppers

All peppers contain compounds called capsaicinoids which have extraordinary anti-inflammatory, analgestic, anti-cancer, heart healthy effects. Chile peppers are also high in antioxidant carotenes and flavonoids and have about twice the amount of vitamin C found in citrus fruit! Add peppers to salsa, salads, or any dish to make it more flavorful and healthy.
WW points: 0 points

Superfood Number 8: Nuts and Seeds

Eating nuts and seeds can dramatically decrease your risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, and can also control your weight by eliminating hunger pangs, and reduce the signs of aging such as wrinkles and sagging skin. When you're feelings hungry in between meals, grab a handful of nuts. Don't go overboard though because they are calorie-rich and just a small amount will successfully eliminate your hunger for a few hours. Also, try adding nuts to your regular meals by perhaps putting a teaspoon of chopped almonds into your oatmeal or a tablespoon of walnuts in your lunchtime salad.
Nuts are extremely heart healthy because they contain heart-healthy protein, heart-healthy fats, and heart-healthy vitamins such as vitamin E.
Make sure though that the nuts and seeds that you are buying are not salted or oiled, because they additives reduce the health benefits of them and also do not make them as appetite-suppressing.
WW points: for 1 points you can eat 6 almonds or 5 hazlenuts or 3 walnut halves

Superfood Number 9: Sprouts

Sprouts are very nutritious and have high levels of protein and vitamin C. Sprouts are important to eat because as our bodies age, they're ability to produce enzymes declines and sprouts are a concentrated source of living enzymes.
You can add sprouts to your everyday foods by: tossing them in a salad, add them to wraps or sandwiches, stir-fry them with other vegetables, stir them into soups, add them to sushi, add them to baked beans, saute them with onions, or eat them fresh and uncooked.
WW points: 0 points

Superfood Number 10: Yogurt and Kefir- Probiotic Partners in Health

"Cultured" foods such as yogurt and kefir contain healthful bacteria. These probiotic microbes help the body's ongoing fight against infectious diseases by competing with the pathogens for food, nutrients, and survival. Researchers have found that people that have a diet rich in probiotic foods enjoy enhanced immune functions. Yogurt as well as kefir are an important ingredient in losing weight. As a milk product, it is rich in calcium which has been proven to reduce weight gain. Remember: always buy organic yogurt, and avoid yogurts that contain added sugars or sweetened fruits.
WW points: 1 cup of fat-free yogurt or kefir - 2 points


Comments

From my experience, the most

From my experience, the most tastefull, economic and cheap Acai you could find in Whole Foods store in 30FL oz (900 ml) bottle - "ACAISPLASH" Energizing mixed berry drink (Provides 100 mg of Anthocyanins and 3,800ORAC per serving!). It contains 8 berry extracts & green tea extract: Brazilian Acai Berry, Raspberry, Lycium (Goji) Berry, Bilberry, Blueberry, Elderberry, Pomengranate, Cherry, Blackberry and Cranberry extracts). Enough for one month! (30 servings), its price is about $30.00, what is $1.00 per day for being healthy. Enjoy!

Acai

Thank you, Alenka. We copied your recommendation to Resources section.

I'm always looking for new

I'm always looking for new and better foods/vitamins to take i just ordered some discount vitamins online plus my usual herbs, and now im about to get some Acai and other stuff you mentioned in this article thanks for such great information.

Superfoods updates

Please check this site for last updated superfoods--advertised on MSN today. Most of them are already on Dr. Perricon's list:

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/cholesterol/slideshow.aspx?cp-docume...