Are you guilty of not eating as many fruits and vegetables as you should? You’re not alone. According to the CDC, only 1 in 10 American adults eat the recommended amount of fruits and veggies every day.
If you’re looking for a way to add more nutrients into your diet, consider eating more fruits with vitamins, like superfruits. But what are superfruits and how do they benefit your health?
We’re glad you asked.
Keep reading to learn more about superfruits, why they’re some of the best fruits to eat, and examples of superfruits that you should eat more often.
What Are Superfruits?
So, what makes superfruits different from any other fruit? It’s all about the antioxidants. Superfruits are labeled as such because they have high levels of antioxidants. However, you should be aware that there are no specific qualifications in order to be called a superfruit.
In fact, it’s not even an “official” term. It’s more of a marketing phrase used to promote certain fruits that are high in antioxidants. However, that doesn’t mean they’re not good for you! It just means that a superfruit isn’t something designated by the FDA or any other official food agency.
What Do Superfruits Do for Your Health?
Generally speaking, eating superfruits can help you take in more of the following:
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Antioxidants
- Healthy fats
- Amino acids
- Plant enzymes
Eating superfruits may also benefit your mental health, heart health, and overall digestion. In some cases, it’s also believed that superfruits may help lower cholesterol and make it easier to lose weight.
Of course, all of this depends on the types of superfruits you eat, how much you eat, your overall diet, and your specific health.
While your results may vary, experts agree that it’s a good idea to eat more superfruits. You can start small by adding one serving to your diet per day, before working your way up to one serving at every meal.
Common Types of Superfruits You Can Start Eating Today
Now that you know more about superfruits and their benefits, you can start focusing on the fun part: figuring out what to eat. Here are some of our favorite superfruits with ideas about how to eat them.
Acai Berries
These tiny berries, which are originally from the South American rainforest, have exploded onto the health scene over the last decade. Acai berries are high in fiber, iron, calcium, and potassium, giving you an instant health boost.
They may also help you lose weight, by helping to break down fat deposits in the body.
If you have trouble finding acai berries fresh, you can usually find them in a powder version as well. Learn how to make an acai smoothie with fresh or powdered ingredients today, if you need some breakfast inspiration.
Cherries
Before you get too excited, we’re not talking about the maraschino cherries that are typically used as garnish. No, in order to get the maximum amount of health benefits, you’ll need to eat fresh cherries, which are rich in antioxidants and potassium.
Cherries can help reduce the effect of external stressors on your body like UV damage and pollution, which eventually lead to signs of aging.
Eating more cherries may also help you sleep more soundly since they’re a natural source of melatonin. Of course, getting good quality sleep not only helps you feel more rested, but it’s good for your mental health and metabolism. The next time you’re having trouble falling asleep, skip the sleeping pill and instead reach for a bowl of fresh cherries.
Bananas
When you were growing up, you probably learned that bananas are good for you, thanks to all of the potassium they have. While that’s true, they’re full of other important nutrients as well. Aside from the potassium levels, bananas are full of fiber, making them a great snack choice between meals to help you feel full.
They’re also high in iron, so if your levels are low, reach for a banana instead of an iron supplement to see if that does the trick.
A versatile superfruit, bananas are great on their own, mixed into a smoothie, or eaten with a side of nut butter.
Blueberries
If you suffer from chronic diseases like arthritis, diabetes, or IBS, it’s time to start eating more delicious blueberries. Known for their inflammatory properties, blueberries are small but mighty, packed full of fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin K to help you feel your best.
While it might be tempting to add blueberries into your diet via sugary muffins, instead eat them by the handful or throw them into a healthy snack like granola or yogurt.
Cranberries
While cranberries make an appearance every fall, you can benefit from them year-round. Full of vitamin C and E, cranberries may help lower blood pressure and increase good cholesterol levels.
However, they’re best known for helping to lower the risk of urinary tract infections. Similar to blueberries, you can eat more cranberries by adding them to fruit or overnight oats. Or, you can drink fresh cranberry juice straight or add it to smoothies.
If you look for cranberry juice, just make sure you’re choosing an option that is 100% juice, and not an overly sugary cranberry juice cocktail.
Start Eating More Superfruits Today
After reading through this guide, you should now know how to answer the question, “what are superfruits?” By learning more about the benefits of eating these yummy treats, you can make more informed choices in your diet and have peace of mind that you’re fueling the body with the best of the best.
Trust us, you’ll feel better as a result!
Looking for more ideas on how to stay healthy and eat the right foods to feel good? Browse through our other posts for tips on healthy living before you go.
