PRODUCTS LABELED "SUPERFOODS" DECIDELY FILL THE SHOPS OF SUPERMARKETS, AND HEALTHY FOOD STORES - SHOPPING AREAS OF MALLS. HOW NOT TO MISTAKE IN THE CHOICE OF NATURAL DOPING? AND THERE ARE ANY EFFECT FROM THEM? WE COLLECTED 15 MOST USEFUL SUPERFOOD, WHICH YOU CAN BUY IN THE EMIRATES. AMONG THESE THERE ARE FASHIONABLE NEWS, AND VETERANS OF HEALTHY FOOD. CHOOSE YOU.
Products that are now commonly called superfoods first appeared on tables at vegetarians, vegans, and raw foodists. They needed alternative sources of protein, amino acids, B vitamins and minerals instead of animal products. The famous raw food nutritionist David Wolfe was one of the first to include cocoa beans, acai berries and goji berries, spirulina algae, the most popular superfoods in the diet of his clients. Following his example, world celebrities followed. Madonna, Sting, Gwyneth Paltrow have repeatedly confessed their love for super-eating. And now chia seeds, Peruvian poppy and coconut oil can be bought at almost any supermarket in the Emirates. And the assortment of products marked Superfoods in organic stores and cafes is completely amazing. Roots, leaves, stems, seeds, algae and berries in the form of powders, juices and extracts from the most incredible corners of the planet promise to return youth, vitality and a flowering appearance. These wonderful plants usually grow in hard-to-reach places, for example, in the jungle of the Amazon or Tibet, and are characterized by a high content of vitamins, trace elements, proteins, amino acids and other useful substances. Plants, as a rule, are well known to local peoples and are used in traditional medicine. By the way, that is why similar products can be found in their own country. For example, the wild rosehip broth familiar to us contains a record amount of vitamin C and could also claim to be superfood, but it was probably less fortunate with marketing. Another question is that buying rose hips in the Emirates is sometimes more difficult than drinking smoothies with exotic acai berries. So let's taste it.
Goji berries
Chinese goji berries, similar to hard raisins, were among the first to appear among superfoods and were the first to be criticized. Aggressive advertising of these berries on the Internet promised quick weight loss. Of course, neither these, nor any other berries alone can not get rid of extra pounds. Vitamin C they are really rich, besides one tablespoon of goji contains one third of the daily intake of vitamin A and 1 gram of protein. However, berries are, in principle, useful, and goji is not unique in this. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, sea buckthorn, blueberries, cloudberries, lingonberries have no less advantages. As for dried goji, it is most delicious to add to morning porridge, slightly soaked in hot water or milk.
ASAI BERRIES (Acai Berries)
These dark blue berries were first discovered in 2004 during an expedition to the Amazon forests. Scientists have noticed that the natives who eat them constantly look young, cheerful and active. So for acai in the American press, the name youthberry was fixed, and the acai bowl (a bowl of acai) was served in all the famous vegan and organic cafes in Los Angeles, a mecca for healthy eating. In the Emirates, you can try the Acai bowl in the Fruiterro di Brazil juice bar at the JBR in Dubai, at The Acai Spot Café (Deira City Center), at The Surf Café (Jumeirah Beach Road). Powdered acai (1-2 tablespoons per day) is good to add to yogurt, desserts, milkshakes. Berries are rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, vitamins (A, C, E, B1, B2, B3), minerals (calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper) and fiber.
MAKA PERUVIAN (Maca Peruvian)
An orange colored powder with a slightly spicy, slightly bitter taste is "Peruvian ginseng", a cruciferous root crop known to the ancient Incas, growing in Peru, Bolivia and Argentina at an altitude of 4000 meters. Maca is sometimes called an aphrodisiac, but it acts better on men. Maca is an adaptogen (a tool that helps the body increase resistance to external stress factors), a natural tonic that can also balance hormonal balance (women are better off using it in the first half of the cycle), help to cope with stress and fatigue, and restore strength after playing sports, like and any high-carb product. Contains vitamins (B, C, E) and minerals (calcium, zinc, iron, phosphorus).
SPIRULINA (Spirulina Powder)
The beneficial properties of this algae are not in doubt. It is a source of iodine, and useful vegetable protein (up to 60% of weight), and minerals (including calcium and iron), lowers cholesterol, improves metabolism and intestinal function, especially useful for those who eat little protein, do not eat meat or dairy products. One trouble is the taste and smell of the algae is appropriate, they smell of mud and swamp. Spirulina is most often added to green juices and smoothies. In addition, spirulina powder diluted with water produces an excellent regenerating facial mask.
CHLORELLA (Chlorella Powder)
Another simple powder algae contains, in addition to protein and minerals, including magnesium for calm and good mood, also hemoglobin, which increases hemoglobin, and is also an absorbent, cleanses the skin and intestines, normalizes blood glucose levels. The use of these algae in the diet significantly increases the concentration of B12 in the blood of vegans.
CHIA SEEDS
Small black seeds, similar to sesame, were still loved by the Aztecs and Mayans, they were the main diet of the Aztec army. These seeds are an extremely balanced product; they contain equal amounts of proteins, fats and plant fibers, which gives them a unique nutritional value. They are also rich Omega 3- the most scarce and at the same time essential for our body fatty acid. And 25% of the fiber in these seeds improves digestion and intestinal function - just add two tablespoons of chia in a smoothie or juice. When in contact with the liquid, the seeds swell, so they are used to make puddings and vegan desserts. If you pour the seeds with coconut or almond milk and put in the refrigerator, you get something like an Italian panacotta. Seeds are good for breading fish or vegetables. You can buy them at almost any supermarket in the Emirates.
FLAX SEEDS (Flax seeds)
The product, more familiar to Russians, in its properties is not inferior to overseas chia. The benefits of flax seeds are the same -Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, as well as alpha lipoic acid. In addition, flax seeds contain estrogen-like substances that normalize the hormonal system of women. They can be added to cereals, smoothies and salads, as well as used in baking instead of eggs and for desserts, like chia seeds.
Coconut Oil (Soconut oil)
One of the unconditional fetishes of adherents of healthy eating. This oil can (and should) be fried, you can put it in cereals, grease pancakes with it and spread on sandwiches instead of cream, which is especially important for those who do not eat dairy products. The oil has a pleasant non-greasy texture and a light coconut aroma. Contains many important acids, rich in vitamins E and K, helps to better absorb calcium. Coconut oil is recommended to be applied to the skin and hair for hydration and nutrition.
Cocoa Powder and Cocoa Beans
This powder resembles the usual chocolate in color and smell, it is obtained from cocoa beans using a cold press, but unlike ordinary chocolates, there is no sugar, no fat, no milk, only cocoa. And it contains minerals important for mood, magnesium and potassium minerals and a large amount of antioxidants and bioflavonoids. The powder itself is bitter, so it is usually added to baked goods, cereals, smoothies for a pleasant aroma and chocolate flavor. In addition, the cocoa itself, which is now often sold in its natural form, that is, ground (ideal for a light snack), contains about 300 different substances, of which one in six is responsible for a specific cocoa flavor. The most important ones: anandamide, arginine, dopamine (neurotransmitter), epicatechin (antioxidant), histamine, magnesium, tryptophan, phenylethylamine, polyphenol (antioxidant), tyramine and salsolinol.
Baobab (Baobab powder)
The fruit of the "tree of life" can be tasted fresh in Africa or Australia. The powder from its pulp is now becoming one of the most fashionable superfoods. Firstly, it is delicious, reminiscent of caramel grapefruit. Secondly, it contains a lot of fiber necessary for digestion. And finally, vitamins. Baobab is a good source of calcium and potassium, and antioxidants and vitamin C it contains more than the famous goji berries.
LEAVES OF MORINGA (Moringa powder)
Another fashionable novelty, ready to argue with the "veterans" of goji berries and acai. Moringa plant lives mainly in the Himalayas, is also found in Asia and Africa. Powdered leaves are added to salads and smoothies. They have almost everything that vegans and adherents of healthy eating dream of -vegetable proteins, 20 amino acids, 46 antioxidants, iron, calcium, vitamins A, C, E and B.
VITGRASS OR WHEAT GROWS (Wheatgrass powder)
Freshly squeezed wheat germ juice is served worldwide in vegetarian and organic cafes. It is rich in vitamins and minerals and, most importantly, saturated with chlorophyll.like the aforementioned chlorella seaweed, but tastes more pleasant. In fairness, it should be noted that almost any green juice, such as spinach or parsley, has similar properties. If there is no special screw juicer at home for squeezing juice from various leaves and herbs, then Vitgrass powder, which is now sold in almost all supermarkets, will help to prepare a vitamin drink.
KALE, KALE
Nothing but a variety of cabbage, according to which for a few years now the adherents of healthy eating all over the world have gone crazy. Its useful properties were known even to the inhabitants of ancient Greece and Rome. Unlike many superfoods, this vegetable is our native, European, moreover, it is grown in the Emirates. You can buy it at all supermarkets. It is added to NurturMe dry baby food, to most green juices, and Kale chips and ready-made organic kale and broccoli soup are sold at Holland & Barrett. Raw feces are added to salads, juices and smoothies, and heat-treated is suitable for garnish, with eggs, in soup, just like spinach or any other cabbage, for example. It has few calories, enough protein and fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, including a loading dose of vitamin C, beta-carotene and, most importantly, feces contains unique glucosinolateswhich, according to recent scientific studies, are able to prevent the growth of cancer cells. Kale lowers cholesterol and is good for the eyes thanks to lutein.
Broccoli
Yes, yes, the usual, it would seem, broccoli was also awarded the title of superfood for minerals, protein and B vitamins in the composition, folic acid, magnesium and calcium, vitamin D3, which helps the absorption of calcium, as well as rare vitamins PP and U. In addition, like feces, broccoli is considered an oncoprotector. It contains sulforaphane in large quantities (even tablets of sulforaphane extract from broccoli are sold), which prevents stomach, bladder and breast cancer. Broccoli also has a negative calorie content! That is, to digest this product, the body spends more calories than it contains.
BARLEY GROWS (Barley grass powder)
Barley, familiar to many, also fell into the ranks of superfoods, which once again proves that it is not necessary to go to the ends of the world for superfoods. The most useful are young, freshly cut shoots of plants — they contain the maximum amount of nutrients. Therefore, fashionable barleygrass powder is made from sprouts. It is rich in minerals-potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and B vitamins, in addition, it contains antioxidantsindicated for arthritis, lowers blood glucose and cholesterol to prevent diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It is enough to add 15 g of powder to a smoothie or juice. The only limitation is barley contains gluten, so it should not be used with a true allergy, celiac disease.
Text: Maria Bogdankevich
