Aging, in any living thing, is a process of wear and tear as a result of consistent use, day in and day out. We all know that nutrition is a key element to vitality, and that the food we eat can have a significantly positive impact on our bodies and be a significantly important factor in determining how well we fare as we become older.
The science behind so called “super foods” is becoming increasingly known in households everywhere, however, there are a select few foods in the “super” category that deserve extra attention because they deliver so much substance in surprisingly small amounts.
What makes these foods so incredibly important is the concentration of vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids that they contain, all of which play essential roles, individually, in how our organs function.
Avocados
Avocados are technically considered to be a fruit, rather than a vegetable, and are produced in, and exported from, many equatorial countries around the world, primarily Mexico. Avocados are considered a super food because not only are they highly concentrated in Vitamins C, B (all), D, K, and E, but they are also incredibly rich in monounsaturated fats, specifically oleic acid.
Unsaturated fats are incredibly important because almost every part of our bodies, from the neuronal connections in our brains to the cartilage in our knees, relies on essential fatty acids to not only function, but also to perform.
Chard
Chard, in all its varieties, is simply amazing. Not only is it densely rich in pretty much every vitamin one can think of, but it is also delicious, especially when prepared with vinegar and garlic, which, also happen to be incredibly beneficial to one’s health.
All the “greens” are loaded with vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, but also have the minerals magnesium, manganese, iron and potassium, the combination of which make chard and other greens unbelievably efficient as a food source.
Lambs Quarters
Lambs Quarters are technically a vegetable, and they are not commonly seen on grocery store shelves, however many “country folk” are well aware of their existence and subsequent value in terms of nutrition and taste alike.
Unfortunately, it is widely considered by farmers to be a weed, and therefore not cultivated, harvested, and sold as readily as other vegetables and legumes are. Technically, lambs quarters are the leaf of the plant (or weed – Chenopodium Album) and are extremely versatile in culinary applications, such as frittatas, casseroles, salads, and many, many other dishes.
Dark Chocolate (Pure Cacao)
Obviously, one of our most precious organs is the heart, and foods that maintain heart health are paramount to maintaining ourselves. Dark chocolate, or at least chocolate that has at least a 70% cacao content, contains an insane amount of the antioxidants and bioflavonoids upon which our cardiovascular systems function and thrive.
Plus, as a bonus to the physiological positive impact that chocolate has on our hearts, it can also simply improve our mood, which always improves our health.
Papayas
Papayas are an unbelievably delicious fruit that grow predominantly in tropical regions of the world, and they contain copious amounts of Vitamin C, Vitamin B (folate), and a very powerful digestive enzyme, known as papain. When it comes to supporting one’s digestive health and overall comfort, papayas are one of the most nutritious and healthfully beneficial foods out there.
Blueberries
Blueberries aren’t just pretty to look at and tasty in pies, they are something that you could survive on for a long time if you were stranded in the wilderness because of how nutrient and mineral rich they are. One blueberry contains more of the vitamins C, K, and fiber than most other foods contain in much larger volumes when compared. Plus, they are as versatile as they are delicious.
Food is tantamount to preventative medicine. Diseases can be both avoided and thwarted by the healing power of the food that we choose to consume, and, in addition to the foods listed in this article, there is no shortage of options of foods that we can prepare, eat, and enjoy that will also help us not only live longer, but live well.
