What makes these superfoods super?

Did you know that avocado is one of nature’s best moisturizers? I love avocado (guacamole, anyone?), but I’ve never really tried slathering gobs of this creamy, nutrient-packed fruit on my face, as I’d rather eat it than feed my malnourished skin with it.

Did you know that durian — yes, the fruit that smells like hell but tastes like heaven — can induce sleep? Oh, didn’t know that durian is loaded with vitamin Zzzzz!

Did you know that bignay, our tropical cranberry, can help with UTI problems as well as with STD (syphilis)? Now, I know.

In case you didn’t know, they’re called “superfoods” because they supposedly have health-promoting benefits and may even help with certain medical conditions, or so the superfoods advocates claim. (Nutrition scientists are quick to dispute such claims, saying that the word “superfoods” is simply a marketing tool used by their advocates. The experts give this caveat: Consumers must not rely solely on superfoods as they cannot substitute for a generally healthy and balanced diet.)

The word traces its roots to Aaron Moss who said (as published in the journal Nature Nutrition), “Humans have many options when it comes to fueling their bodies, but the benefits of some options are so nutritious that they might be labeled as superfoods.”

Aren’t you curious to know what makes some of these superfoods super?

“Nowadays, more and more people are resorting to natural means to become healthier,” says health advocate Angelo Songco of Sugarleaf Organic Market and Café.  “Though most people often resort to medicine and pharmaceutical-based remedies to address health conditions when these already arise, the increasing consumption of organic and natural foods is a glowing testament to the growing popularity of other means to get on the path of health-avoiding disease by eating wholesome foods that truly nourish the body and more than just provide it with empty calories and fuel to function daily.”

Truth is, you may have been consuming superfoods in your daily life and not know it.

Angelo helps us get to know our superfoods: “Most define superfoods as coming from plants though some animal-based products like salmon and dairy-based kefir make the list.  Two major factors put these foods a notch above the rest: the remarkably high nutrients they contain compared to other foods, and specific health benefits they confer when one consumes considerable amounts of these.  Incorporating these into one’s lifestyle is a significant factor in a holistic approach to staying healthy and complements other factors such as taking supplements, exercising regularly, and visiting the doctor.”

And now, here’s Angelo’s list of “practical superfoods” that, when sensibly incorporated into one’s lifestyle, can make one healthier.”

• Coconut. Fact is, good fats can be found in our own coconut — it’s cholesterol-free and high in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, which promotes colon cleansing.  So, why not use your coconut? It comes in many healthy forms such as buko juice and meat, coconut milk, coconut oil, coco nectar, and coco sugar. 

• Avocado. One of the best natural moisturizers around, avocado is rich in vitamins C and E, and omega 3 fatty acids that have “youthening” benefits.  

• Durian. It’s got high levels of essential amino acid and tryptophan, which contribute to inducing sleep.  So, if a cup of herbal tea or a glass of milk fails to induce peaceful slumber, perhaps this spiny fruit can bring on the much-needed shuteye.

• Raw nuts, seeds, and deep-sea fish. They’re good sources of healthy fat. Salmon also contains astaxanthin, a fierce weapon against disease-causing free radicals.  

Super tip: Limit consumption of farmed fish, which are raised with feeds and hormones. 

• Chia seeds. Grown in South America, chia is fast becoming popular in the country.  Aside from its colon-cleansing benefits, it gives a lot of energy as well as protein and omega fatty acids. 

Super tip: Try mixing chia and superfood powders in your daily diet.  Play around with flavor and texture combinations to come up with a savory treat rather than just putting them in anything.  A default way of incorporating superfoods in your daily diet is mixing them in your breakfast smoothie. Super delicious!

• Berries. They naturally have berry-strong anti-cancer properties, flavonols, and anthocyanin, all of which have age-defying properties  (to keep you berry young-looking). It comes as a pleasant surprise that blueberries are now grown locally and organically in the Mountain Province. 

Lucky for those who have access to sapinit (a local fruit that resembles raspberries) and bignay, which help address UTI problems.  

• Goji berry, acai. Goji berry from the Himalayas and açai from the Amazon are two of the most potent antioxidants on the planet. 

Super tip: Eat what’s in season. Not only are they cheaper, they’re also at their optimum level of nutrition and their consumption has a lesser carbon footprint. 

• Mangosteen. It’s incredibly rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It contains the compounds xanthones that fight inflammation in the joints and bones, and skin.

•  Duhat (black plum). The dried and powderized duhat seeds have been shown by research to be a proven remedy for diabetes.

• Malunggay. This highly nutritious herb has many health benefits — it’s anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor. It grows practically everywhere.  We grow our own malunggay in our little garden at home and we toss the freshly picked leaves into our soups.

• Cucumber, sweet potato, leafy greens, zucchini, bell peppers.  They’re all loaded with antioxidants as evidenced by their bright red, yellow, and orange hues. Beta-carotene, which makes sweet potatoes orange, balances the skin’s pH, helps combat dryness, and promotes cellular health. 

• Spinach, tatsoi, polunchai and other greens. They contain lutein, which protects the skin from sun-induced inflammation and wrinkles. 

Super tip: Juice organic vegetables to get the maximum nutrition out of them.  Add a small amount of fruits to make it delicious.  Vegetables like yacon, carrots, and sayote add bulk to the juice without increasing its glycemic index. 

• Raw chocolate. This will surely put a sweet smile on your lips but read RAW.  Most health benefits are lost or diminished the more cacao is processed — that is, heated and combined with milk, sugar, and flavorings.  Raw cacao is rich in flavanols, which improve blood flow to key areas of the brain.  It has also been shown to improve brain function, fight sleep deprivation, fatigue, and the effects of aging. 

• Kefir. It’s touted as the “emperor of yoghurt” or “milk champagne.” It’s got over 30 species of beneficial microorganisms, a serving of which contains several billions of these good bacteria. 

• Green tea. It contains healthy acids and protein, which help improve the complexion.  Regular consumption of green (or black tea) may reduce the risk of age-related degenerative brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s.

These superfoods may just add the prefix “super” to your health!