Top Seven superfoods that affect everyday life

This is most likely not the first time you’ve come across this term lately: although there is no scientific definition of what we mean by “superfood”, we can define it in a symbeeotic way, as food that your body loves: even taken in small quantities, superfoods offer extraordinary levels of nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

These foods of high nutritional value have become popular in recent years due to a growing interest in quality food. They may often appear as something exotic, more a “fashion” or marketing ploy. On the contrary, these are foods that have been consumed for hundreds or thousands of years by ancient civilizations and have been and are still being used today by many of them. Let us have a look together, to see specifically why they deserve to be on this list

1. ONE OF THE TOP SUPERFOODS: TURMERIC

This spice is probably the most powerful anti-inflammatory provided by Nature – that is why it is called natural ibuprofen. Curcumin, the photochemical responsible for its intense orange colour, is an active ingredient with this property: it is an excellent balm for arthritis, joint and muscle pain. In addition, it is considered a powerful anti-cancer agent since it favours the elimination of toxic cells and promotes the formation of anti-cancer substances such as glutathione. Furthermore, it strengthens the immune system thanks to its antimicrobial, antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal effect. It also has notably high antioxidant power, which helps to combat various external agents such as environmental pollution, tobacco smoke, solar radiation, stress, and poor diet.

Greek Organic Honey and Turmeric use

Easy to add to smoothies and vegetable or fruit juices. You can also prepare a vinaigrette for salads. Enjoy it with Greek yogurt, oatmeal or breakfast pudding. Of course, use it to sweeten any Symbeeosis mountain tea.

2. THE AMAZING GINGER

This root is an excellent anti-inflammatory. It also helps prevent allergies, infections, colds and flu, by activating and strengthening our body’s defences. It is recommended for digestion as it reduces abdominal swelling, prevents gas build-up and stimulates the function of the pancreas, causing it to produce digestive enzymes. It is excellent for people with colds as it stimulates blood flow and activates and speeds up the metabolism. It helps eliminate toxins due to its high purifying power. In addition, it is an ally for people sensitive to dizziness or nausea during travel.

Greek Organic Mountain Tea and Ginger

In the mornings, on an empty stomach, prepare a mountain tea with ginger and add the juice of half a lemon along with a teaspoon of honey. Wait 20 minutes before drinking (drink this tea also after meals, especially if they are excessively hearty).

3. A MODEST BUT EXTRAORDINARY SEED

Flax is a humble seed, whose high content in alpha-Linolenic fatty acid (omega-3 family) makes it very interesting; remember, this essential fatty acid cannot be synthesized by our body, and we need to obtain it through our diet. Flax is mainly rich in proteins, minerals such as Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Manganese, and vitamins C and B. Normal consumption of this seed regulates blood lipids and helps fight bad cholesterol; it also contains linoleic acid (omega 6). Flax is high in soluble fibre (pectin and mucilage), favouring intestinal transit; it also helps control blood sugar. Flax seeds also contain phytonutrients that balance our hormones.

How should it be consumed? Ideally, it should be purchased whole and ground at home, since its oils are very sensitive to heat and if they are bought already ground, they are usually stale (remember to store them in the fridge). A trick against hair loss? Put a tablespoon of ground seeds in a glass of water and leave it overnight. The next morning, take the seeds together with the water, which will be loaded with mucilage; this water can also be applied directly to the scalp and left to act before washing the hair. Systematic use will lead to observable hair loss decrease.

4. THE EFFECTS OF ANCIENT ALGAE

Spirulina and Chrorella are exceptional because of their high chlorophyll content, which cleanses, oxygenates and energizes our cells but, above all, they are known for being powerful natural chelators, helping the body to eliminate heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium and chrome. Rich in protein, minerals, iron, and vitamin B12, they are a very good option for a vegetarian or vegan diet, as they provide a lot of energy to help combat weakness, fatigue, or apathy. Spirulina is helpful in weight control diets due to its satiating power if consumed half an hour before meals; it has an antioxidant effect and strengthens the immune system. (It is very important to consume algae derived from certified, controlled cultivation, to avoid heavy metals).

5. RED POWER

Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and currants, strawberries… these fruits are very rich in vitamins C, B and E and minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and iron. Their extraordinary antioxidant properties are well-known, due to a high flavonoid content (tannins and anthocyanins, responsible for the red-bluish pigment) that helps  combat the adverse effects of free radicals. In addition, their normal consumption (for example, with yogurt and honey) helps to cleanse the body of liquids and toxins due to their diuretic and purifying effect.

6. A BUNCH OF HEALTH

Broccoli has multiple beneficial properties, but here we highlight the high sulforaphane content, a powerful anti-cancer molecule. This molecule activates the so-called Nrft2 pathway, a protein that controls the way certain genes are expressed:  this pathway is stimulated by sulforaphane, helping to deactivate carcinogens and favouring their release or excretion, as well as deactivating genes involved in inflammation. To maintain this molecule, it is recommended to consume broccoli with sprouts(added to salads), raw or steamed for up to three minutes.

7. HONEY, A REAL ELIXIR

Honey is not usually included in lists of “superfoods” because we are very used to it, but we should remember that it is a food that has been benefiting human health for thousands of years, with multiple demonstrated properties. Beyond its nutritional properties, honey is a magical food. The process of creating honey is fascinating: the pollination, the community of bees with their own language, their dance and finally the honey… it is a real elixir, a true gift from the gods! Rich in antioxidants and amino acids, vitamins C, B1, B2, B3, B5, minerals such as calcium, silicon, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, iodine, zinc, gold, and silver.

As many recent studies confirm, honey is rich in folic, citric, lactic, phosphoric, and acetic acid. An excellent natural source of strength, it provides fast energy boosts to the heart muscles. It favours the production of serotonin, relaxing our system and helping us to fall asleep, reducing metabolic stress. Somewhat counterintuitively, it regulates blood sugar levels and does not create sugar insulin spikes due to its ideal balance of fructose and glucose. It helps relieve constipation through a mild laxative effect and also has a brain function impact. By consuming honey, our body is fortified against allergens. It is a sort of mild “vaccine”; it also has antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Symbeeosis Greek Organic Functional Honeys

You can visit our product range to see different versions of functional honeys suitable for your needs