As our nutritional knowledge expands, new superfoods emerge, offering a whole host of benefits. Here are 6 new superfoods to add to your diet – and why.
1. Natto
Available fresh and in tablets, natto is a fermented soybean superfood that's full of pyrazine, which has been shown to prevent blood clots. It also has plenty of vitamin K for bone health, polyamine for immunity, and selenium – a known cancer preventer.
2. Nutritional Yeast
I enjoyed this on popcorn the other day, replacing butter and salt. It has a cheesy taste (a little like cheese Twisties) and is loved by vegans, as it's protein-packed and full of vitamin B. Just one tablespoon of the yellow stuff gives you a heap of folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin and vitamins. As well as on popcorn, nutritional yeast can be used in baking.
3. Aronia Berries
If you're tried goji berries, you'll love aronia berries. Hailed as one of the healthiest berries on earth, the aronia has three times more antioxidants than acai and blueberries. This gives them a strong taste, so they're best eaten in a jam or smoothie.
4. Maitake
This "magic" mushroom has been used for eons in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has plenty of potassium, calcium and B vitamins, making it an all-round healthy, healing superfood. Some research suggests maitake mushrooms may also help prevent cancer.
5. Matcha
Matcha tea gives green tea a run for its money. Meaning "to grind tea", matcha is eaten as a whole tea leaf. This gives your body a decent dousing of antioxidants – to prevent disease – and L-theanine, for brain health. Drink it as a tea or add to a smoothie for an instant health hit.
6. Teff
This Ethopian grain – the smallest in the world – is a gluten-free delight. It's easy to eat (either in porridge or in a salad) and has heaps of magnesium, B vitamins, calcium, zinc, iron and fibre. Eat up!
Keen to add these superfoods to your diet? A nutritionist, naturopath or dietitian can help.
Originally published on Sep 22, 2014
