Acai Berry - The acai (pronounced a-sigh-e) palm tree and its berries are indigenous to Central and South America. The palm tree is thin and approximately 25 meters high with groups of branches and ribbon like leaves. The berries hang from the branches in large clusters. Each tree produces about 20 kg of fruit per year and is one of the leading crops in Brazil. It was first used by tribes in the Amazon for various medicinal purposes, among them the ability to build and strengthen the immune system, fight infection, protect the heart, and as a natural remedy for erectile dysfunction. It was also revered as an energy food, and was traditionally pulped to make wine.
Barley Grass - Barley grass is an extraordinarily rich source of many vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, although it does not, as sometimes claimed, contain absolutely all the nutrients needed for human health. The dried shoot is approximately 4% glutamic acid (needed for recharging antioxidants), 4% methionine (needed for the production of natural SAM-e), 3% vitamin C, 1% valine, and 1% calcium. A single tablespoon contains a day's supply of beta-carotene, betaine, biotin, boron, copper, iron, lutein, magnesium, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamine. It also contains nutritionally significant amounts of alpha-linoleic acid, oryzanol, potassium, selenium, zinc, and the tocopherols that make up vitamin E. Barley grass doesn't contain every nutrient, but it comes closer than any other food. The medicinal action of the dried shoot is due to its content of hordenine, not to be confused with a plant chemical with a similar name that is implicated in celiac disease.
Cocao Powder - Cacao beans and nibs, the raw materials for making chocolate, are high in flavonoids, contain more antioxidants than most fruits and appear to lower cholesterol in people with high cholesterol. In fact, the whole cacao fruit was used medicinally among the Maya, Olmec and Aztecs, and was spread from there to Europe after the Spanish conquest of those peoples. From the 16th through the 20th centuries, medical texts reported no less than 100 medicinal uses of cacao. Most commonly, the uses were to encourage weight gain, stimulate appetite, stimulate the nervous system and improve digestion and elimination. Of course, we know cacao as the source of chocolate, the decadently delicious, luxurious guilty pleasure. There are, however, some very good reasons that chocolate is a worldwide favorite food and flavoring, and scientists are discovering more of them every day. Among their discoveries: - Dark chocolate, which contains more cacao and less fats and sugars, can positively benefit the cholesterol profile - Cacao provides the same amount of antioxidant polyphenols as a glass of red wine - Cacao stimulates the production of natural antidepressants in the body, as well as containing its own stimulants, theophylline and caffeine- Cacao beans are rich in magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese and potassium. They are also a good source of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, E and pantothenic acid.
Coconut Oil - Coconut Oil has been found to be one of the most healthful fats that people can eat, and it has powerful antibacterial and antiviral properties. Populations in southeast Asia and the Pacific islands who use coconut oil as the primary source of fat often have less heart disease than people of other regions. I cannot suggest this stuff enough, I find it to be one of the best things to add to your diet and I have used it with very significant results in my health.
Chia Seeds - When we think of Chia seeds, invariably an image comes to mind of the Chia Pet – a clay figurine with Chia sprouts for hair. However, most of us do not realize that Chia seed is highly nutritious, medicinal, and it has been used for centuries for its beneficial properties. Chia was a staple for Incan, Mayan, and Aztec cultures. “Chia” is even the Mayan word for “strength”, and Chia seeds used to be referred to as "Indian Running Food" because they are so energizing. Apache and Aztec warriors sustained themselves by bringing the seeds along while on conquests, Aztecs used Chia as a legal tender, Indians of the southwest depended upon them during long trading expeditions, and they were also used by the Indians and missionaries as a poultice for gunshot wounds and other injuries. Today, Chia seed is being rediscovered and embraced as a “superfood”, and it is quickly becoming popular among nutritionists and herbalists alike.
Chorella - Chlorella is a single celled algae that some scientists believe may be among the Earth's oldest living organisms, but it was only in the 1960's that Japanese scientists began to study chlorella as a tool of good health. Natural health enthusiasts know chlorella well as a detoxifier, immune stimulator, and excellent source of general nutrition. This is another one of my favourites, I add this to a shake every morning and notice that I have alot more energy throughout the day and just generally feel alot better.
Chlorophyll - Chlorophyll is actually the green pigment in plants, which gives them their green color, it is extremelly important in the function of plants, and also provides us with numerous benefits. It has been known to help in the growth and repair of tissues, it helps neutralize all of the pollution that we intake even in the air we breath, (this is a great supplement for smokers.) It efficiently delivers magnesium and helps the blood in carrying the much needed oxygen to all cells and tissues, It is also found to be useful in assimilating and chelating calcium and other heavy minerals, It had been seen to have a good potential in stimulating red blood cells to improve oxygen supply. These are just a few of the benefits that have been recorded, this is truly a miraculous supplement that I would suggest to anyone.
Hemp Seeds - Hemp has a bad reputation as being an illegal narcotic, which deters many people from the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. However, the plant's Latin name means "useful hemp", and the seeds are one of the most nutritious substances on earth. Hemp seed contains all the essential amino acids and essential fatty acids that our bodies need, which makes it a perfect protein supplement. No other single source provides such a complete protein in a form that is so easily digested and absorbed by the body. Hemp seeds contain all the essential amino acids and essential fatty acids necessary to maintain healthy human life. No other single plant source has the essential amino acids in such an easily digestible form, nor has the essential fatty acids in as perfect a ratio to meet human nutritional needs.
Spirulina - For centuries, the native peoples of Mexico, Africa and Asia have eaten spirulina and made it one of their major sources of protein. The blue green algae is plentiful in lakes and inland bodies of water that are warm and alkaline. The plant's chemical makeup is 65% amino acids, including the essential fatty acid gamma linolenic acid (GLA). The high concentration of amino acids has made spirulina a popular nutritional supplement for those who are unable to obtain sufficient calories and protein through diet alone, particularly athletes who burn calories at a high rate. In addition to amino acids, spirulina is also a rich source of numerous other nutrients, including many essential vitamins and minerals. Test tube and animal studies suggest that spirulina boosts immune system function, which may make it useful as an antiviral and anticancer supplement. Finally, in vitro and animal studies suggest that spirulina may be useful in blunting allergic reactions. Research into the medical benefits of spirulina is ongoing, but there is no doubt about its nutritional benefits. Among other things, it contains as much iron as equivalent weights of beef.
Wheat Grass - Wheat sprouts contain a very high level of organic phosphates and a powerful cocktail of antioxidant molecules. According to research recently published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, the antioxidant activity of catalase and peroxidase appears very strong. Addition of a small amount of wheat grass powder to food is known to prevent cataracts in aging dogs, and may have a similar effect in people. Wheatgrass juice has been called by some the "ultimate blood purifier", and according to available research data, this may very well be true.
These are all considered superfoods, and they all have a high nutritional value, obviously there are hundreds of other foods in the world that are healthy for the body, but I have tried to narrow down this list to what I would consider the most healthy foods on the planet. Add any of these things to your diet and you will notice results, just remember to be consistent.
