What are superfoods?
We can present superfoods in nutshell by saying that they are foods that contain a wide range of nutrients in large quantities. If you would like to read more about superfoods and their health benefits, read our Superfood guide.
Though superfoods becoming more and more popular and present in the media, many think that only exotic, foreign, and highly expensive foods can be truly super, it is worth taking a look at the domestic market and even in our own gardens, since there are so many great foods cultivated in our country that are rich in nutrients and can be considered superfoods. The advantage of choosing autochthonous foods is that we support domestic agriculture, while also protecting the environment by not consuming tropical foods brought from the other side of the planet.
It is worth taking a look at superfoods to discover which fruit, cereal, seeds, and vegetables are unbelievably high in nutrients and have exceptional health benefits, and are also not at all hard to obtain.
Let’s see these 5 autochthonous superfoods we have gathered that are very accessible and also incredibly healthy:
- Rosehip
Rosehips are considered a superfood because of their very high vitamin C content., which is about 22 times higher than the more popular goji berries. Besides being rich in vitamin C, rosehips also contain other valuable nutrients, such as pectin, flavonoids, and vitamin A. They are also very good for supporting our immune system, therefore we should consume them as extracts or teas throughout the year.
2. Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are often compared to the popular chia seeds, and although the two are relatively similar in fiber and protein content, flaxseeds contain more Omega fatty acids. However, flaxseeds also contain lignans, which are phytoestrogens, among many other beneficial nutrients. When consuming flaxseeds, it is important to know that they must be ground first in order to benefit from the positive effects of the nutrients in them. If we consume the seed without grinding it, it will pass through the digestive system without being absorbed.
3. Mushrooms
Mushrooms are probably the most versatile superfood there is, because it contains a lot of nutrients and there are many ways to include them in our diet in the form of main courses, side garnishes, soups or even salted snacks. Mushrooms are considered superfoods because they are rich in vitamins and minerals, they contain a lot of water, have few calories, and are a great source of protein and fiber.
4. Spinach
Mushrooms are probably the most versatile superfood there is because it contains a lot of nutrients and there are many ways to include them in our diet in the form of main courses, side garnishes, soups or even salted snacks. Mushrooms are considered superfoods because they are rich in vitamins and minerals, contain a lot of water, have few calories, and are a great source of protein and fiber.
5. Barley
Quinoa is a very popular side dish, is considered a superfood as well, but we have to know that there are several more simple, yet just as healthy sides that can be grown and found in our country, too. Barley, for example, is a delicious option, which has also been proven to contain the most trace elements among all cereals. Barley can help with indigestion and it can also help your body get rid of animal protein faster. You should always soak barley in water for about 6-8 hours before cooking so that they will definitely cook well.
6. Blue grapes
Besides being great for making wine, grapes are also a very healthy autochthonous fruit rich in vitamins and minerals. Grapes contain vitamin K, potassium, selenium, iron, copper, and manganese. Blue grapes contain more antioxidants than white grapes, therefore being much healthier. The skin of the blue grapes contains a polyphenol called resveratrol, which has antioxidant effects that help fight oxidative stress.
We hope that this information will help you when you’ll be standing in the exotic aisle at the supermarket pondering what to buy and you will eventually choose local products.
Of course, our delicious Boglar Champ mushrooms will always be there on the shelves. We have written about their health benefits here.
