Will Superfood Powders Improve Your Longevity?

We’re told that superfood powders are a bit like Superwoman: they have super powers.  What we all need to get the right dose of important vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals. But will they improve your longevity? And are they really worth spending your money on?

By now, you’ve probably come across articles (or at least a few headlines) proclaiming that most of the food we eat is nearly devoid of nutrition. You probably know too, unless it’s organic, even the freshest food has been grown using pesticides, herbicides and other toxic chemicals. Worse still, many of the foods we pick up in the supermarket every day are genetically modified. They also contain all sorts of unnatural sugars and hard-to-pronounce fillers, unhealthy oils, flavorings and chemicals added to them to improve their taste.

Why superfood powders?

Can superfood powders  give us the longevity and fountain of youth we’ve all been searching for?

Let’s start off by understanding that not all superfood powders are not created equal. There are a number of factors to consider. Not the least of which are the source of the food (where it was grown) and how it was dried and processed. Superfood powders grown in areas where there’s a good chance of heavy metal toxicity are not exactly going to be healthy for you!

Read the label

Also, the whole idea of a superfood powder is that the nutrients have been dried, stored and processed optimally. This ensures the nutrients are intact and bioavailable when they’re ultimately consumed.

As with any other food, it’s important to read the label before buying a superfood powder or blend. You need to know whether there are any:

• Added sugar and sugar alternatives;

• Fillers such as corn or soy;

• Artificial ingredients such as preservatives, colorants or flavorings; or

• Other ingredients that are difficult to pronounce or understand;

• It’s also important to know that the ingredients are non-GMO and organically grown.

What’s your super powder?

Every month there seems to be a trendy new superfood that hits stores promising to fix everything from gut health, strengthen nails and reduce stress levels. Acai, camu camu, turmeric, spirulina, are just some many choices out there. But while they may seem like crazy fads, many of these ingredients have been used in natural medicine around the world, for centuries.

Worried about your nutrition levels?

When dried and powdered, certain berries, roots and leaves can provide a vitamin- and antioxidant-dense boost in water, lattes, smoothies and baked goods—especially if you’re worried about your nutrition levels.

Why consider a superfood powder or blend?

A healthy diet should always be our first priority. This means meeting our unique nutritional requirements through a well-balanced and diverse diet. Your diet should contain as much live and fresh food as possible, from the cleanest sources available.

But many of us don’t eat as well as we should:

• We don’t always have access to a wide range of organically grown food.

• Our personal responsibilities and the demands of our jobs often make it difficult to eat well.

• For health reasons, we may need to get higher levels of nutrients than we can from an otherwise healthy diet.

• We cannot always get the diversity we want from the food we like to eat, and we need to fill this gap.

• We may be vegans or eat very little protein; this makes it important to increase our protein intake from plant-based sources.

Are superfood powders a waste of money?

If you’re following a healthy diet and lifestyle, and you’re feeling energized, relaxed and in good health, then adding superfood powders into the mix may be a waste of money.

However, if you’re not eating well, but you’re prepared to make the dietary changes needed to improve your well-being, superfoods may or may not be right for you.

But if there’s a gap in your diet and you’re looking for an easy source of dense nutrition, superfood powders or blends may be the way to go. They’re quick, easy and powerful, which is a pretty awesome combination!

The big thing when it comes to superfood powders is to “treat them like food,” says holistic nutritionist  Joy McCarthy. “Variety is the spice of life and it’s good to mix it up and not eat or drink the same super powders every single day.”

Healing with Nature

Our Top 10 Superfood Powders

These are the top ten superfood powders, listed alphabetically, to include in your diet:

1. Acai

Acai berries have become popular over the years.  These super berries  are antioxidant-rich. a complex blend of vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

2. Baobab

This is a powerful fruit from Africa. Baobab powder delivers calcium, fiber, potassium, magnesium, antioxidants. It also has very high levels of  vitamin C.   Click here to read more on baobab 

3. Camu camu

This superfood comes from the Amazon rainforest. Camu camu provides amino acids, vitamin C, phytochemicals and minerals.

4. Chia

Chia is a better known seed, widely used in healthier diets for a variet of reasons. It is a good choice due to its high levels of antioxidants, vitamin, mineral and fiber content.

5. Flax

Flaxseed is celebrated for its omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart health.  Don’t underestimate the power of this superfood. It’s also great for digestion.

6. Hemp

Hemp is becoming all the rage. This superfood provides plant-based protein, fiber, omega-3s and amino acids, not to mention calcium, magnesium and iron.

7. Maca

Maca hails from Peru. This superfood is high in bone-healthy calcium. Other notable nutrients in maca,  is its ability to provide a quick energy boost. The superfood is high in protein, vitamin C and copper, among others. Maca  also has some other interesting benefits for sexual health.

8. Matcha

Another favorite. Matcha is a green tea powder from Japan. It is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plan and has many beneficial antioxidant flavonoids.

9. Moringa

Moringa is high in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and amino acids. The powder has a rich, nutty flavor. Found in Asia and Africa, this is a powerful addition to any diet. Click here to read more about moringa.

10. Turmeric

Last but not least on our list is turmeric.  This is truly a super powder with super powers. Great for inflammation. It is also used for both added flavor and coloring, and delivers manganese, iron, fiber, vitamin B6 and other important nutrients.

The bottom line

Superfood powders definitely have a place in your health regime, but only if you are not eating well enough, are time short and need the convenience of a quicker meal. However, importantly not all superfoods are created equal. Choose carefully and read the labels. Superfood powders can help improve your health,  so long as they are used in moderation and part of a healthy diet routine. All of which will contribute towards better health and longevity.

Read more

Did you know you can help prevent hair loss by including these superfoods in your diet? Click here to read more about superfoods.