5 ‘superfoods’ that may surprise you
Mention superfoods and the usual suspects come to mind: salmon, blueberries, oats and tomatoes.
Known for their high nutritive content and low additives or contaminants, superfoods are believed to be superior to other kinds of food.
While there is no accepted scientific definition of the term (and experts have insisted that eating a balanced diet is better overall), the quest to identify individual foods based on their health benefits goes on.
The latest comes from FITNESS magazine, which listed 10 superfoods it says are good for women.
While some are well known (tomatoes, whole-grain oatmeal, dark chocolate), a few others are hard to come by in the Philippines or are super expensive (brussel sprouts and tart cherries).
However, here are a few superfoods that may surprise you:
1. Red meat!
Who knew? Often seen as the culprit of every major lifestyle disease known to man (type 2 diabetes, cancer, hypertension, arthritis), red meat is now being touted as a superfood…BUT only when it’s sourced from grass-fed cows. According to FITNESS, a report from the Union of Concerned Scientists said that grass-fed cows have more conjugated linoleic acid, a group of chemicals shown in animal studies to fight cancer. The meat also has more omega-3 fatty acids which are good for the heart. Eat lean cuts two or three times a week.
RECIPE: How to make adobo salad
2. Curry!
Research by the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center shows that curry may help prevent diseases like multiple myeloma, lymphoma and breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancers. As a side benefit, said FITNESS, scientists from UCLA report that the antioxidants in curry have the potential to break up plaques that cause Alzheimer's disease. No word yet on how much curry to ingest in order to reap its benefits. So, for now, sprinkle liberally on chicken, veg, tofu, fish, shellfish, potatoes and rice.
MUST TRY! Munggo guisado with curry and coconut milk
3. Pistaschio!
We know nuts are considered a superfood (except when you’re allergic to them) but pistaschio, especially, reduces the risk of diabetes. "Pistachios are high in protein, fiber, and healthy monounsaturated fat, all of which contribute to the slowing of carbohydrate absorption in the body," FITNESS quotes Cyril Kendall, Ph.D, author of new research from the University of Toronto.
RELATED: Lose weight by eating nuts
4. Coffee!
Yep, java junkies can get their caffeine fix AND lower their risk for Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, and colon and liver cancers. Plus, coffee seems to increase the body’s antioxidants. Women who drink 6 eight-ounce cups a day are also less likely to develop high-blood pressure. If that’s too much for you, go decaf, which is still loaded with antioxidants, suggests FITNESS. Warning: a Starbucks grande counts as 2 cups.
INFOGRAPHIC: Coffee 101: How to serve the perfect cup
5. Shrimp!
Afraid of the high cholesterol in shrimp? Not to worry, says FITNESS. The magazine cites a Rockefeller University study claiming that eating around a cup of shrimp every day can raise your good cholesterol level. Shrimp, too, has only 90 calories for a serving of around 85 grams, according to dietitian Ellie Krieger of the Food Network.
SIMPLE AND DELICIOUS: Sautéed shrimps with green beans
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