You may have heard the phrase ‘super-food’ being used before, possibly on cooking channels or on health and fitness websites; but do you know what they are & why they are so super?
It has been proven that certain foods contain the nutritional benefits to considerably improve our health and bodily functions. Some are powerful enough to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes, as well as having a positive effect on our mentality and emotions.
In general terms, a super-food is an edible substance packed with ‘good-stuff’ - such as antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and polyphenols. Factoring them into a balanced diet will reduce the risk of illness, disease and infection. There are hundreds of health benefits in super-foods; we have listed a few below:
- Antioxidants – shield our bodies from cell damage, help prevent disease & promotes brain health
- Vitamins & Minerals – support immune system, aid growth & development & cell repair
- Polyphenols – fight foreign cells (cancer), protect skin, promote brain health &reduce inflammation
Blueberries - packed with vitamin C, potassium and numerous antioxidants. Not only can they reduce your risk of cancer or heart disease, they are also a great anti-inflammatory. Furthermore, berries can reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Broccoli - great for suppressing the growth of tumours & reducing the risk of cancer and strokes, due to its high antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying micronutrient content. It also contains high levels of the vitamins A, B6, C and K.
Salmon - rich in omega 3, which lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. In addition to this, Salmon contains fatty acids that are good for the brain. Omega 3 in salmon can also protect the skin against UV induced skin damage.
Nuts - contain plenty of minerals and healthy fats, as well as being full of protein. One half cup of mixed nuts contains about 13 grams of protein, although – you need to be careful as nuts can contain a lot of calories, which could result in weight gain The best nuts for consumption are walnuts (good for your heart), almonds (stabilise blood sugar) and cashews (high in omega 3).
Quinoa – a small grain-like seed packed with nutrients, with over eight grams of protein per one cup. It is one of the only grains or seeds that contains all nine essential amino acids our bodies are unable to produce themselves.
Maintaining your health is important for a long and quality life. In addition to this, the incorporation of super-foods into your daily diet will enable you to look and feel your best. Damaging diets of junk food and sugar lead to a number of serious health problems, and is the main reason that an estimated one in every four adults in the UK are classed as ‘obese’. Obesity leads to cardiovascular diseases, cancer, respiratory problems, gastrointestinal issues and type 2 diabetes, just to name a few. Above all, the utilisation of a healthy diet will strengthen your immune system and reduce the risk of you becoming hospitalised or claiming on your insurance. Insurance companies will decide on your health insurance rates accordingly, and having any of the health issues above linked to obesity means your premium is likely to be much higher in comparison to a healthy individual.
Our team of experts will help you find the best cover and price for your lifestyle, including insurers who will reward you for eating healthily. To get a free, no-obligation quote call us on Freephone 0809 10 18 1999 or fill in our simple online quote form.
