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There’s a general increase in health and wellness awareness. People are becoming more conscious of the many diet-related benefits as well as diseases such as obesity and diabetes. And so, it’s no wonder that the masses have been increasingly choosing superfoods for their numerous benefits such as boosting immunity, detoxification of the body, and stress reduction.
Several food manufacturers have begun adding superfoods-based ingredients to their products, just to benefit from this increased interest in wellness and health.
We have all also learned about the so-called "Blue Zones" where people live well past 100 — a feat attributed toa healthy diet and health style.
Since the ‘blue-zone’ diet is rich in superfoods, it seems the ultimate solution in this quest for a long and healthy life could be including superfood powders in one's daily diet. But let’s find out if that’s true!
Superfood powders are made from nutrient-dense and antioxidant-rich vegetables and fruits. Additionally, these products may also include chia, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds, as well as moringa for its detoxifying properties.
To make superfood powder, nutrient-dense ingredients like fruits, roots, leaves, and seeds are dehydrated and ground to a fine powder. Some manufacturers freeze-dry the ingredients.
But others use vacuum drying — a process where ingredients are evaporated at low temperatures. This method helps preserve nutrients in fruits and vegetables, ensuring that vitamins, antioxidants, and other beneficial compounds remain intact.
By now, you may be wondering if there's any difference between superfood powders and superfoods."Superfoods" is a term that refers to foods that are regarded as super healthy due to their high nutrient content in terms of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and antioxidants. Their high nutrient density comes with low calories.
Due to their substantial nutrients and low calories, these foods are regarded as very healthy.
Superfoods are what superfood powders are made of.
Superfoods include:
Dark leafy greens like kale and spinach.
Berries – a great source of antioxidants that fight free radicals.
Eggs – contain a complete range of nutrients needed for health.
Kefir and yogurt – both contain protein, calcium, potassium, B vitamins, and probiotics.
Legumes – a source of plant-based protein, fiber, essential vitamins and minerals.
Nuts and seeds – a highly nutritious package of proteins, healthy fats, and minerals.
Garlic – hascholesterol-reducing qualities.
Olive oil – contains high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyphenolic compounds which areanti-inflammatory and reduce the risk ofheart disease.
Ginger – contains gingerol that gives ginger itspotential medicinal properties.
Turmeric – containscurcumin which has anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties.
Avocado – this nutrient powerhousecontains fiber, healthy fats, minerals, and vitamins.
Salmon – a greatsource of omega-3 fatty acids, proteins, minerals, and vitamins.
Sweet potato – high in nutrients and fiber.
Seaweed – an important source of iodine and fiber. Some species containvitamin B12 crucial for vegan diets.
Green tea – has manydisease-fighting and disease-preventingproperties.
Spirulina – a type of blue-green algae found in oceans and lakes. It’s high in iron, beta-carotene, antioxidants, and B-complex vitamins.
These and other superfoods are used to create superfood powders.
Superfood powders provide an overall spectrum of nutrients including plant proteins, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. A single scoop can contain a range of nutrients that would otherwise require a plate full of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, eggs, and more to achieve.
Research has found that when vegetables and fruit are dried and converted into powder form much of thenutrient value is preserved, making powders a valuable way to add healthy vegetables and fruit to your diet. With a longer shelf life than fresh fruit and vegetables, superfood powders are an easy way to boost your nutrient intake.
Since the nutrient value of fruits and vegetables in superfood powders is largely preserved, the diverse health benefits of the minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients they contain can also be expected to boost your health.
Superfood powders are quick and easy to incorporate into everyday meals. You can make a quick drink or sprinkle some on a salad. You don't need to shop for loads of different fresh food to make up all the nutrients you need to be healthy.
Aside from their nutritional value, the phytochemicals in superfood powders have health advantages. These includelowering the risk of major chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and other age-related diseases. Phytochemicals protect against the action of free radicals that cause oxidative stress. Oxidative stress leads to cellular damage, which contributes to numerous illnesses.
Some superfood powders contain ingredients that are known to be high in fiber. Some high-quality products specifically state the types of fiber included, such asbaobab or flaxseeds. If you're looking for a fiber-rich option, check the ingredient list for fiber sources like oats, baobab, and flaxseeds.
Many superfood powders contain exotic ingredients that you are unlikely to come across in your local store or even in your country. These include ingredients like baobab, moringa, maca root, lucuma, and acai, which have been used for centuries by other civilizations for their health benefits.
Children, teenagers, and adults who hate fresh fruit and vegetables may lack important nutrients and can benefit from the nutrient boost of superfood powders.
Also, the elderly who often lose interest in food and those recovering from illness or surgery can boost their immune system through superfood shakes.
Keeping fruit and vegetables fresh and eating them before they go off is one of the frustrations of modern life. With time constraints and many work and family responsibilities, many people don't get enough time to pay attention to the state of the refrigerator's contents. Too much spoils and gets tossed. With superfood powders, you can depend less on fresh fruit and vegetables, so there will be less wastage.
Many people have a small refrigerator that can't house lots of fruit and vegetables for fresh-keeping. Ingesting the suggested volume of nutrients for optimal health requires daily portions of several fruits and vegetables, which takes up more space than many people have, while a container of superfood powder takes hardly any space.
Superfood powders contain numerous ingredients that support the immune system. These include vitamin C and phytochemicals which provide antioxidants to fight off free radicals; zinc whichpromotes communication between immune cells; and vitamin D whichmodulates immune responses and reduces inflammation.
Superfood powders boast a long list of benefits, but there are also some drawbacks to them.
Few people can afford superfood powders, especially for every member of a family. Many include exotic ingredients that are expensive to source, plus large quantities of fruit and vegetables are required to obtain a relatively small quantity of dehydrated powder, making these products expensive to produce.
Superfood powders are classified as dietary supplements. And so, these are not regulated by the FDA like medicines. That means you can't be sure the product includes what the manufacturer claims — unless these products are third-party verified.
Some people think they can eat anything they like as long as they take a superfood supplement. Sorry, it doesn't work like that. You can't eat mostly over-processed food and think you'll be healthy if you take a superfood supplement.
What you do eat, must provide nutrients – superfood powder only supplements what you are already eating; it's not food as such.
Although superfood powders are made of ingredients known to be nutritionally rich, it doesn't mean they provide the health benefits associated with those nutrients. The research on the health benefits of superfood powders is still limited.
The best superfood powder will depend on your needs as many companies produce single-ingredient powders, which may not provide comprehensive benefits.
Thisproduct provides a mix of organic greens, antioxidant-rich fruits, immune-supporting mushrooms, and a substantial dose of prebiotic fiber. It includes ingredients like wheatgrass, spirulina, chlorella, and medicinal mushrooms such as cordyceps and reishi. The powder is fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, making it a well-rounded supplement.
Start With Fiber offers a range of organic greens powders and plant-based fiber powders as well as combinations of greens and protein powders for optimal health benefits. If you're looking for a superfood powder with a strong fiber component, this is the best option.
Navitas Organics is another third-party verified product for heavy metals, microbial, and nutrition. The company produces single-ingredient-powders. We highlight the Navitas Organics Hemp Powder, which is a complete plant protein powder.
It's made from 100% organic cold-pressed hemp seeds and contains all nine essential amino acids. It's 50% protein by weight and a good source of dietary fiber and minerals (magnesium, iron, potassium).
Miracle Reds Superfood by MacroLife is a comprehensive superfood powder featuring 19 ingredients including berries, probiotics, and enzymes for digestive and immune support. This superfood powder also contains extracts from Ginkgo Biloba, grape seeds, various fruits, and apple fiber.
Among other benefits, the product is said to boost energy, overall health, and healthy aging.
Modern life is stressful, robbing ordinary people of the time needed to shop for fresh ingredients and turning them into healthy meals. Although the research is still skimpy, the top superfood powder manufacturers use the finest ingredients and proper preserving processes. They obtain third-party certifications to ensure they produce products that provide the minerals, vitamins, phytochemicals, and fiber to support health.
In due time, the research will catch up, and although we won't stop eating delicious food, we will use superfood powders in the knowledge that they support our overall health. So, it’s a good idea to pick a powder from verified companies for optimal health.