What are Superfoods? A Complete Guide

There are healthy foods, and then there are superfoods. Blueberries, leafy greens, salmon, and whole grains are just some of the foods packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and other essential nutrients. Superfoods offer an extremely high concentration of nutrients, making them an excellent addition to any diet. 

Superfoods can provide countless benefits when added to a balanced, healthy diet. They can help you maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease, and limit the adverse effects of aging. With Ensō Superfoods, it's easy to incorporate the perfect balance of superfoods into your diet without shopping, prepping, and cooking - add a scoop to your favorite beverage.

The Bottom Line

• What are Superfoods?
• What Do Superfoods Do?
• What Foods Qualify as a Superfood?
• Does Superfood Have Any Side Effects?
• Get Your Daily Dost of Superfoods with Ensō Superfoods

What are Superfoods?

Superfoods don't have an official definition, but most health experts use the term to describe foods with very high nutritional densities. A superfood provides a lot of vital nutrients for minimal calories. 

Superfoods make it easy to get an adequate amount of beneficial nutrients in your diet. They generally provide various critical nutrients such as antioxidants, fiber, flavonoids, healthy fats, and vitamins. 

There are many different superfoods, and each type (or category) provides some unique benefits. For example, nuts and seeds are a good source of healthy fats, whereas leafy greens offer critical nitrates and antioxidants without providing many calories.

What Do Superfoods Do?

When incorporated into a balanced diet, nutrient-dense foods offer numerous health benefits. A daily boost of superfoods can improve overall health, lower the risk of cancer and diabetes, and reduce many of the common side effects of aging. 

Immune Support

Superfoods give your body the nutrients it needs for a robust immune system, which means they can help your body effectively fight off the common cold, flu, and other challenges. Plus, they make it easy to get a good balance of nutrition, which can also help the immune system. 

Most people experience some level of immune decline as they age, but adding superfoods can slow that decline. By consuming immune-boosting superfoods, such as yogurt, blueberries, tea, and mushrooms, you can reduce the chance of immune dysfunction and give your body the tools to fight germs and infections.

Heart Health

Many superfoods, including nuts and salmon, are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, "good fats." These healthy fats can help prevent heart disease. Oats and other whole-grain superfoods can help lower cholesterol, further protecting the cardiac system and reducing the risk of heart attacks and stroke. Garlic is an anti-inflammatory that can also help improve cardiovascular health. 

Inflammation Control

Many superfoods are anti-inflammatory, featuring antioxidants that help reduce the number of free radicals. Free radicals are natural byproducts of digestion and other bodily processes, but too many of them can lead to cell damage, which increases the risk of inflammation and many diseases. 

Anti-inflammatory superfoods help reduce the number of free radicals in your body, lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, arthritis, psoriasis, asthma, and lupus. A diet high in anti-inflammatories can also reduce the risk of several digestive issues: Crohn's disease, colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and Hashimoto's.

Disease Prevention

Many superfoods help your body fight serious cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Beets can reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and asthma. The flavonoids that are prevalent in berries lower the risk of heart disease.

Vitamins A, C, and E, which can be found in dark leafy greens, can prevent cancer and includes a lot of vitamin K, good for the bone and heart health. Green tea is another excellent option to help prevent disease. It's high in catechin, an antioxidant with cancer-prevention properties. 

Stronger Bones

Many people start to lose bone density as they grow older, leading to many problems, including fractures and a higher risk of falling. But superfoods can help counteract this issue. Tea, for example, can help fight osteoporosis. Dark leafy greens, yogurt, and lentils contain nutrients to promote bone health and reduce some of the physical weakness that accompanies growing older. 

Weight Management

Eating a lot of superfoods is a great way to maximize your nutrition without expanding your waistline. Most superfoods, by definition, are nutrient-dense, which means they offer lots of nutrients for a small serving size. Dark leafy greens are shallow in calories but high in nutrition and fiber. Oats and healthy fats are also essential for weight management. Oats offer fiber for good digestion, and healthy fats help you feel full, so you don't eat more than your body needs.

Superfoods can make it easier to avoid obesity, contributing to countless diseases and ailments. They provide lots of nutrition without adding many calories, and many of them are high in fiber, which promotes digestion and reduces the need to snack between meals. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, joint problems, and high blood pressure. 

What Foods Qualify as a Superfood?

Numerous superfoods offer different nutrients and health benefits. Here are some of the top options to consider adding to your diet.

• Beans and legumes: Beans and legumes, such as lentils, offer lots of protein, minimal fat, and fiber. Beans also contain a high level of magnesium, phytonutrients, iron, and potassium, and they're far more affordable than many other protein sources, such as meat.
• Oatmeal and whole grains: Oats are another great source of dietary fiber, and they can reduce the risk of heart disease and help maintain a healthy weight. Oatmeal is a good source of zinc, phosphorus, and thiamine. Other whole grains, such as wheat, quinoa, and buckwheat, also provide vitamins E and B and other minerals. 
• Berries: Many berries have high levels of flavonoids that can reduce the risk of heart attacks. Blueberries provide vitamin K, manganese, and a lot of fiber. Acai berries include many antioxidants and amino acids, and goji berries are high in vitamins C and E. Raspberries, cranberries, and tart cherries are also superfood berries.
• Dark leafy greens: Arugula, collard greens, kale, Swiss chard, spinach, watercress, and mustard greens are superfoods. They contain high levels of cancer-fighting vitamins A, C, and E, including lots of fiber and antioxidants. 
• Salmon: This fish is a source of healthy protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which may lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. 
• Sweet potatoes and pumpkin: Sweet potatoes have many of the same vitamins as leafy greens and are also high in fiber. Pumpkin is high in vitamin A, potassium, and antioxidants.
• Tea: All types of tea can help with hydration and provide antioxidants. Green tea can help lower blood pressure. 
• Yogurt: Yogurt is a good source of protein, calcium, and vitamin D, and it also contains vital probiotics that can help with digestion.
• Spices: Ginger offers vitamin C and helps regulate blood sugar. Garlic is an anti-inflammatory, as is cinnamon.

Incorporating some of these superfoods into your plan for healthy eating can restore your body, boost your overall health, and lower your risk of certain diseases.

How Can We Incorporate Superfoods Into Our Diet?

The best way to get all the benefits that superfoods offer is to incorporate them into a balanced diet.

Enjoy a Cup of Tea

Consider switching out a portion of your coffee intake for tea. Green tea is an excellent choice for an afternoon pick-me-up because it can help lower blood pressure and reduce stress.

Build a Better Breakfast

Rather than pouring a bowl of cereal in the morning, make yourself some oatmeal (porridge). You'll feel fuller and get all the heart-healthy benefits of eating a whole grain. If you sweeten your oatmeal with honey and add some berries, you can boost your immune system and get even more antioxidants and flavonoids.

Try Meatless Monday

Try choosing one night per week to have a meat-free meal for dinner. Substituting beans or legumes for beef or chicken is a great way to lower calories and fat intake while getting enough protein and fiber. You'll lower your grocery bill; beans are far less expensive than meat.

Add Some Greens

Spinach, kale, and arugula all work well in salads, and you can combine them with milder lettuces, such as romaine to limit some of the bitterness. Collard greens, Swiss chard, and mustard greens are all easy to cook and offer high iron, vitamins, calcium, and potassium levels.

Up Your Hydration Game

Getting enough water every day is essential, but you can also include superfoods in your hydration routine. With Ensō Superfoods, it's easy. Just add a scoop to a glass of water and enjoy! 

There are many ways to incorporate superfoods into your diet, but some require more time and effort than others. The right supplements make it easy to get all the benefits of superfoods and essential vitamins without in-depth meal planning and expensive grocery lists. Read more about how Supergreens powder offers the most efficient way to get all your body's critical superfood nutrients. 

What Superfoods are in Ensō Superfoods Powder?

Here are some of the critical ingredients in Ensō Superfoods powder:

• Spirulina powder: Spirulina is a type of algae with a high level of antioxidants. It's also a good source of protein, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, C, and potassium and calcium. 
• Kale powder: Kale offers exceptional support for digestive health. It provides lots of fiber, calcium, and vitamins B, C, and K.
• Matcha green tea powder: Matcha is high in fiber and antioxidants and is an excellent source of energy that many people prefer to coffee.
• Ginger root: Ginger helps support the immune system and promotes healthy circulation and inflammatory processes.
• Broccoli powder: A good source of various nutrients, broccoli provides bioactive compounds, vitamins, and minerals.

With Ensō Superfoods, you can be confident you're getting the nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants your body needs. Subscribe now!

Does Superfood Have Any Side Effects?

Adding superfoods to your diet can provide many benefits, but there are some potential side effects to consider.

• Allergic reactions: Certain foods, including superfoods like green tea, can cause allergic reactions in some people. Symptoms may include asthma, skin rashes, and headaches. 
• Interactions with medications: Vitamin K can interact with some drugs, especially statins, antibiotics, and anticoagulants.
• Digestive problems: Some people experience diarrhea when taking superfood supplements or changing their diet to include more fiber and leafy greens. 

At Ensō Superfoods, we create vegan, gluten-free superfood supplements using high-quality USDA-certified organic ingredients, so you don't have to worry about reactions to unknown fillers or artificial ingredients. However, it's always good to talk to a medical professional before adding a supplement to your diet, especially if you are taking prescription drugs or have a family history of food allergies or digestive issues. 

What Changes Can I Expect by Integrating Superfoods into My Diet?

Adding superfoods to your diet can improve your health in several ways. Here are some things to expect. 

Better Overall Health

Superfoods give your body the resources for better physical and mental performance. When you add superfoods to your diet, you can look forward to feeling more energetic and healthy each day. Superfoods help with better digestion and weight management, and they can make your hydration system more efficient. 

Adding superfoods to your diet can promote your body's immune response, metabolism, and sleep. Our Ensō life bundle includes the Vitality and Recharge formulas and our foundational Supergreens powder, making it easy to get all the superfoods your body needs for health, sleep, focus, and energy. 

More Energy

Adding superfoods to your diet can dramatically improve your energy levels. When your body is getting all the nutrients it needs, it's better to provide energy for physical and mental effort. Ingredients like beets, maca root, and mushrooms encourage physical endurance and mental stamina, so you're ready for whatever the day holds. 

Relying on superfoods instead of coffee for energy avoids the unpleasant side effects of caffeine and sugar. With our Vitality blend, you can feel energetic throughout the day without worrying about a sugar crash in the afternoon. Our daily boost bundle gives you both the Vitality blend and our traditional Supergreens formula.

Faster Recovery

If you are active, you know how good vital recovery is. Your body needs time to rest and refresh itself to repair muscles and prepare for the next workout. When you add superfoods that support your body's recovery processes, you can expect to wake up feeling more refreshed and ready to tackle the day's workout, errands, or anything else on the schedule. 

Turmeric is a superfood that offers excellent recovery benefits; it helps your body relax to complete all the natural restorative processes. With the daily wellness bundle, you can get our traditional Supergreens powder for overall health and our turmeric-rich Recharge formula, but remarkable recovery. 

How Do I Choose Superfood Greens Powder?

When choosing a superfood greens powder, it's essential to make sure you find one that you feel good about putting in your body. Look for a product with high nutritional value that uses top-quality ingredients and avoids fillers, artificial ingredients, and sugar/sweeteners. It would help if you didn't have to wade through an ingredient list full of unpronounceable additives and chemicals.

It's essential to choose a well-balanced superfood powder designed to provide the benefits you are seeking. Superfoods powders can support various aspects of health, so choose one that offers the help you want. 

At Ensō Superfoods, we create supplement powders that support better sleep, digestion, immunity, gut health, energy, metabolism, and weight loss. Our products feature over 35 all-natural, plant-based ingredients, including 19 certified organic superfoods. We use fruit enzymes and a non-chalk formula for a tasty drink and easy digestion.

Why Ensō Superfoods?

With Ensō Superfoods, improving your health is easy and affordable. Our 100% plant-based formulas are high-quality natural ingredients and USDA-certified organic superfoods. Get your daily dose of superfoods by adding a scoop of powder to a glass of water or your favorite beverage. 

With our superfood powders, you'll get critical probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants without spending hours researching superfoods and building customized meals. It's affordable; you don't have to change your grocery budget to buy salmon, organic produce, and trendy whole-grain bread. Ensō Superfoods formulas cost about $3 per day, less than a coffee. 

FAQs about What Are Superfoods

Are you still wondering about how superfoods can support your health? Here are expert answers to some of the most common questions. 

What are the most common superfoods?

There are many superfoods, but some of the most common are acai berries, goji berries, blueberries, oats, and beans. Salmon is another everyday superfood, as are leafy greens such as kale, spinach, collard greens, and Swiss chard.

How much of these superfoods do we need?

Eating a high amount of few superfoods can't "cancel out" a poor diet, but adding superfoods to a balanced diet can provide many health benefits. Most experts recommend consuming everything, including superfoods, in moderation. For example, try switching an afternoon cup of coffee for green tea.

Why aren't all healthy foods superfoods?

There are significant benefits to eating a variety of healthy foods. However, the general definition of a superfood is nutritionally dense: providing a high amount of nutrients in a low number of calories. Not all healthy foods fit this description.

What is the #1 superfood?

There is no definitive answer to this question. However, many superfood lists have blueberries at the top.

Is superfood just a marketing scam?

The "superfood" label has been used in marketing campaigns for many foods. This does not mean the concept is fake. Several foods, such as berries and leafy greens offer an excellent nutrient-to-calorie ratio, especially when it comes to antioxidants. 

Get your daily dose of superfoods with Ensō! Try it today.