Superfoods are foods that have certain nutrients that can boost health and lower the risk for many diseases such as heart disease. They are foods that have extra health benefits and can be included as part of a healthy lifestyle.
A healthy lifestyle can lower the risk for diseases, as well as keep life insurance rates affordable. Life insurance rates are lowest when you are young and healthy, but it is possible to get life insurance after a heart attack from companies that offer no-exam policies like ANICO.
The cost may be higher if purchased after a heart attack or diagnosis, so it’s important to compare rates for the most affordable coverage. We’ll discuss the impact of superfoods on your health, examples of superfoods, and how your health connects to life insurance.
What are superfoods?
Superfoods are foods that are high in nutrients and low in calories. They are nutrient-dense, meaning they are packed full of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that lead to good health. You can think of superfoods as foods with maximal nutrition and minimal calories.
Benefits of Superfoods
Most superfoods are also full of antioxidants, phytonutrients, fiber, prebiotics, or probiotics. These substances all have some extra boost to our health and wellness.
Antioxidants are compounds that help protect the cells of the body from damage. Free radicals are substances that are produced as a result of normal body processes and cause oxidative damage within the body.
Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals, which prevent or reverse this oxidative damage in the body. This can help prevent many chronic health conditions like heart disease, arthritis, and some types of cancer.
Phytonutrients are a type of antioxidant found in plant foods. These nutrients give fruits and vegetables their rainbow of color. Phytonutrients can help prevent many chronic diseases and boost overall health.
Fiber is also found in plant foods, especially whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Fiber helps prevent constipation and can also lower cholesterol levels.
Prebiotics and probiotics can boost health in many ways. They help with the colony of healthy bacteria that live in our digestive system and are thought to boost immunity, lessen inflammation, improve gastrointestinal health, and lower the risk of chronic diseases.
Prebiotics feed our healthy bacteria, and probiotics are live microorganisms that take up residence in our digestive system.
Examples of Superfoods
There are many examples of superfoods in each of the food groups. Fruits and vegetables have a large number of superfoods, but there are superfoods found among all the food groups.
Fruit and Vegetable Superfoods
Eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables is helpful in getting different antioxidants, phytonutrients, and fiber. You will find superfood options in these fruits and vegetables:
- Avocados
- Berries like blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries
- Cabbage and sauerkraut
- Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and limes
- Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower
- Dark leafy greens like kale and spinach
- Orange vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, and butternut squash
- Prebiotic foods like apples, bananas, garlic, onions, and asparagus
- Tomatoes
Whole-Grain Superfoods
Whole-grain superfoods include quinoa, brown rice, and oats. These grains are great sources of fiber and a variety of vitamins and minerals.
Protein Superfoods
Fish and seafood are two protein superfoods because they contain omega-3 fatty acids, which benefit your heart, brain, and joints. Other protein superfoods include:
- Legumes like beans, peas, and lentils (these could also count as vegetables)
- Nuts and seeds like chia seeds and flaxseeds
- Soy products like tempeh and tofu
Dairy Superfoods
Yogurt and kefir are great dairy superfoods because they have probiotics. They also have vitamins and minerals that play a role in many body functions.
Other Superfoods
Other superfoods that are full of antioxidants, phytonutrients, or prebiotics include:
- Dark chocolate
- Green tea, black tea, and coffee
- Probiotic options like kimchi, kombucha, and miso
- Red wine
Life Insurance and Health
Life insurance is necessary to help protect your family’s finances and provide financial resources to cover end-of-life expenses. Life insurance rates are based on age, gender, occupation, health status, and medical history.
Life insurance is cheapest when you are young and healthy, but you can find affordable rates by searching online or working with an insurance agent. Everyone should eat superfoods as part of a healthy diet to boost health and keep insurance rates affordable.
Eat Your Superfoods for Good Health
Superfoods should be eaten as part of an overall healthy diet with a variety of foods from all the different food groups. These superfoods are tasty and are found in most supermarkets. They can be included as part of many meals and snacks.
Melissa Morris
Melissa Morris writes and researches for the life insurance comparison site, ExpertInsuranceReviews.com. She is a university professor of nutrition and a certified sports nutritionist.
