3 Must-Eat Superfoods to Boost Energy
Reduce the effects of stress and ageing
Superfoods are nutritionally dense foods that contain most, if not all, of the vitamins, minerals and trace nutrients the body needs to thrive.
When incorporated into a whole food diet and healthy lifestyle, superfoods can supercharge your health and reduce your risk of disease.
Discover 3 must-eat superfoods to boost energy and brain health, reduce stress and slow down the effects of ageing.
Which superfoods boost health?
1. Spirulina – Nutritional Powerhouse
1. Spirulina – Nutritional PowerhouseSpirulina is a cultivated or farmed micro-algae named after its spiral shape. It is the easiest algae to digest and one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. Spirulina is rich in protein and contains a full complement of important nutrients including vitamins B1, B2, B3, A and K, beta-carotene (a pigment in plants that converts to vitamin A), copper, iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium and potassium. It’s also high in chlorophyll (a green pigment found in plants) which is a powerful antioxidant that neutralises toxins and stops them from damaging cells.
Spirulina has shown to bind up heavy metals, aid detoxification, oxygenate the blood and reduce inflammation. When the body is cleansed of toxins and red blood cells have more oxygen, energy levels naturally increase.
It comes in a powder or tablet form. You can add the powder to smoothies, juices, salad dressings and soups.
2. Cordyceps – The Stress Buster
2. Cordyceps – The Stress Buster Cordyceps is considered a medicinal mushroom and superfood due to the endless health benefits it offers. It is a type of fungi that grows on the larvae of insects like caterpillars. Cordyceps has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine to alleviate stress and anxiety, increase energy and exercise-related performance, improve libido and stimulate the immune system. It has also shown potential in slowing down tumour growth and killing cancer cells (particularly lung, colon, skin and liver cancer cells) due to a compound it contains called cordycepin.
Another interesting benefit of cordyceps is its ability to reduce blood sugar levels and mimic the action of insulin (the hormone required to get glucose/ fuel into cells), making it particularly beneficial for those with type 2 diabetes.
Cordyceps is said to suppress the proteins that are involved in the body’s inflammatory response – it is effective at reducing inflammation internally and also externally when applied topically on the skin.
Cordyceps comes in its natural form as the fresh fungi or as a powder (the ground down version). You can add fresh cordyceps to food by boiling it first or add the powder to smoothies or soups. Alternatively, add the powder to herbal tea/ hot water and serve as a drink. It does come in a capsule form; however, the majority of supplements contain a synthetically grown form of cordyceps – only buy it from a reputable supplier.
3. Seaweed – Promotes Healthy Weight & Energy Levels
3. Seaweed – Promotes Healthy Weight & Energy Levels There are thousands of different types of seaweed including kelp, wakame, dulse, nori, chlorella and purple laver. Seaweed is more nutrient dense than any land vegetable and contains multiple key nutrients including iodine, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, selenium, omega 3 & 6 and vitamins A, K, B9, E. It is also rich in amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) and some types of seaweed have more calcium than dairy.
As it’s rich in iodine, zinc and selenium, seaweed is highly beneficial for thyroid health as these are the nutrients needed to regulate thyroid hormone production and distribution in the body. Seaweed is also abundant in antioxidants (molecules that protect cells against damage), fibre and anti-inflammatory properties, making it effective for supporting digestive health and combating chronic health conditions like cancer.
You can add seaweed to soups, curries, sushi (nori), stir-fries and salads, or eat them raw as nori or dulse flakes. Seaweed can also be used externally in personal care products such as body wraps, face masks and skincare.
To learn more about superfoods and how to optimise your vitality through diet, take a look at CNM’s Health Coach Course. Learn life-changing skills and knowledge to improve your health, help loved ones and open yourself up to a rewarding new career.
