With our expanding knowledge of food-related science, it seems like there are constantly new foods that are being labeled as superfoods. Remember when everyone was crazy for kale? Or quinoa?
It can be a tough task to find out all the benefits of the food you put in your body, but fortunately, there’s no need to dive into research articles, below is a list of the top superfoods of 2019.
Sumac
A spice commonly found in middle-Eastern dishes, sumac’s growing popularity is due to its exorbitantly high anti-oxidant levels—176 times more concentrated than kale. Adding a teaspoon of sumac to your dish—whether it’s rice, lentils, or even pasta—will add a citrus aroma that will also enhance the flavor.
Tigernuts
While technically not a nut, these tubers are gaining notoriety for their insoluble fiber and healthy fats levels. They also provide the enzymes amylases and lipases, which aid in digestion. Best of all, with their coconutty taste, you can eat them by themselves right out of the bag, add them to your favorite smoothie recipes, or grind them into flour to give a nutritional kick to your favorite baking recipes.
Gooseberries
Move over acai, because gooseberries provide double the amount of antioxidants, while also providing 33 percent of the daily does of vitamin C. Best of all, you can snack on them without feeling guilty; gooseberries are mostly water—88 percent, and only 10 percent carbohydrates and one percent fat.
Blueberries
This item can be found in nearly any grocery store! Blueberries contain phytochemicals that help combat inflammation. Additionally, studies have linked blueberries to reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, and memory loss.
Beats
Beats are rich in vitamin B, iron, copper, magnesium, potassium, and manganese. They also contain betalains, which has been linked to preventing inflammation-related diseases such as heart disease, obesity, and even cancer.
Sauerkraut
A probiotic, cabage-based fermented food, sauerkraut is high in vitamin C, and K, as well as antioxidants, and beneficial bacteria that boosts gut function.
Avocado Oil
Boasting lower levels of saturated fats compared to other oils, plus containing high levels of antioxidants, replacing your other cooking oils with avocado oil will mean your meals will have heart-healthy fats, and help lower bad cholesterol—plus it’s great for your skin!
Papaya
This tropical fruit is rich in carotenes, which help prevent oral cavities and lung cancer. It has also been known to assist with controlling blood pressure, and digestion, and it’s high in fibrin which helps prevent blood clots.
Tomatoes
This superfood accounts for approximately 80 percent of lycopene consumption, which fuels the body’s disease-fighting capabilities. Tomatoes are also high in potassium which increases heart health, and they have been known to reduce bad cholesterol, preserve brain and nerve tissues, and improve sleep and memory retention.
Garlic
One of the more malleable foods on this list, garlic can be added to nearly any recipe, and it does more than just enhance a dish’s flavor; garlic has been linked to decreasing the chances of developing certain types of cancer. Additionally, garlic helps treat psoriasis and cold sores, reduce acne, and it can even help prevent contraction of the common cold.
