TRAVERSE CITY -- Everyone knows it's important to work healthy food into your diet but it turns out there's certain powerful foods you should be piling into your grocery cart and lunch boxes.
They’re called super foods and they range from exotic fruits to your basic veggies. 7&4's Kate Fox reports they are capable of remarkable things.
Experts call them nutritional power houses that are jam packed with “super” amounts of antioxidants.They can transform your diet dramatically helping you to live longer, feel and look better and enjoy a healthier lifestyle. And amazingly for some like Angela Mackie they can be the key to survival.
Super Food Enthusiast Angela Mackie says, "Everything just restored to balance, I can't tell you how much better I felt."
Mackie has battled an auto immune disease for most of her life causing her horrible abdominal pain, and inability to digest most foods. After years of failed medical treatments Mackie decided to take a more natural approach and discovered the amazing healing power of super foods.
Experts say super foods contain high concentration antioxidants providing the body with what it needs quickly.
Registered Dietitian Jennifer May says, "It can help prevent damage from occurring to our bodies cells or help repair damage that's already been done."
May says super foods can do things like reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, cholesterol and even ward off cancer.
May explains, "It doesn't take a lot to get these profound benefits, if you can just incorporate a little bit here or there into your regular meal plan, you’re going to reap these benefits."
Greta Peck incorporates super foods in her diet every day and says the anti aging properties are added bonus, "I feel great, I’m 60 years old, most people don't believe that."
Simple favorites like spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and even cinnamon contain something called flavanols.May says, "Just the scent of cinnamon may enhance cognitive abilities, positive ability in controlling blood sugar levels."
It’s the anti oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties in super foods have the potential to prevent cancer. Experts say garlic has the ability to neutralize certain cancers causing compounds and slow down the growth of tumors. A leafy green called watercress is showing is also showing incredible results in this area.
May says, "There was a recent study published last year that showed the positive impact of watercress in preventing breast cancer from initiating or preventing the spread of the breast cancer cells.
Certain fruits are also proving to be a valuable addition to the diet. Studies show mangosteen fruit or juice may improve immune response, treat acne and prevent heart disease. Goji berries, cherries and dark chocolate are also great for heart health.
As for sea buckthorn, it’s a berry with a dense source of Omega 3, 6, 7, and 9 fatty acids.
May says, "Omega 7 has been shown to be very good for digestive health, its one of the only foods that contains that component of all those omega fatty acids, also been shown to be good for skin and hair."
Almonds and flaxseed are also packed with these fatty acids and contain high amounts of fiber.
Many super foods are available in supplement form but don't have the same strength as the fresh whole food.
Oryana’s Educational Outreach Coordinator Sandi McArthur says, "When they consume the foods in their whole state they're getting more than just if they get one particular supplement or one particular herb."
Angela prefers her super foods in tea form. She gave up her career as a nurse to become the proud owner of Light of Day Organic Teas. Where she grows her own hand harvested foods, drying them and creating amazing combinations of super foods you can drink.
Super foods restored balance to Mackie's life and now she hopes to do the same for others.
Mackie says, "If I hadn't gone through this process, if I hadn't become ill, I wouldn't have had this opportunity to become well to share it with other people."
For a link to Light of Day Organic Teas CLICK HERE.
For a list of other Super Foods CLICK HERE.
Fore even more Super Foods CLICK HERE.
