Superfoods: Decoded

FM Staff

Superfood:
Pomegranates
What Makes it Super: Pomegranates contain minerals, calcium, potassium, and iron, plus compounds known as phytonutrients that are believed to help the body protect against heart disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. The antioxidants in the fruit also help retard aging and can neutralize almost twice as many free radicals as red wine. As a further benefit, some researchers suggest that the crunchy seeds help flush fats from the digestive tract.

Superfood:
Walnuts
What Makes it Super: Walnuts are high in omega-3 content, a distinction that makes them unique among tree nuts and peanuts. Walnuts are also known for their high antioxidant activity.

Superfood:
Shellfish
What Makes it Super: While wild salmon and tuna are rich in cholesterol-lowering omega-3 fatty acids, shellfish (mussels, clams, shrimp, scallops, lobster, crab and oysters) are also packed with these hearthealthy fats. New findings reveal that shellfish contain beneficial non-cholesterol sterols.

Superfood:
Tomatoes
What Makes it Super: Loaded with the antioxidant lycopene, tomatoes and cooked tomato products pack a big healthful punch. The antioxidant is said to help lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol, and may even reduce the risk of getting macular degeneration.

Superfood:
Beans and Oats
What Makes it Super: Beans and oats are great sources of fiber. Studies show that dietary fiber—from foods such as apples, barley, beans and other legumes, fruits and vegetables, oatmeal, oat bran and brown rice—clearly lowers blood cholesterol. High-fiber foods are also digested more slowly, so they don't cause spikes in blood sugar levels like white bread, potatoes and sweets do.