8 Superfoods You Should Eat This Season by for Natural Society
The “buy local” food movement has grown in recent years, and so has awareness of the benefits of eating seasonally. However, those wishing to add a hit of fresh superfoods to their diet do not have to compromise on buying local with exotic or out of season produce, which is often expensive and may have travelled thousands of kilometres. Many traditional autumn favorites – or spring and summer for those of us in the Southern hemisphere – have superfood status that is much deserving of recognition.
Here are 8 foods I consider to be ‘super.’
1. Apples
With dozens of varieties available, the humble apple has long been a staple. The apple’s reputation as an effective doctor-repellent (an apple a day keeps the doctor away) is indeed true, with the consumption of at least one apple a day being associated with a lower risk of developing lung and colon cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, and pulmonary dysfunction.
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Higher doses of pectin, which is found in apples, have even been shown to reduce levels of the radioactive isotope Cesium-137 in the organs of children affected by the Chernobyl incident(2). Besides pectin, the apple’s ability to protect against degenerative diseases and aging are also attributed to the presence of vitamin C and various polyphenols.
2. Cranberries
This tart little fruit is not only associated with Thanksgiving in North America, but is also widely known for its ability to prevent the recurrence of urinary tract infections. In addition, research has found that daily consumption of cranberry juice protects against cardiovascular disease by preventing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and reducing platelet aggregation. Cranberry juice also improves vascular function in people with coronary heart disease, reducing vascular stiffness.
Check out other health benefits of cranberries here.
3. Kale
Kale is one of the most popular superfoods, due to its high vitamin and mineral content, as well as containing over 20 phenolic compounds. In comparison with the poor availability of calcium in spinach, calcium from kale has excellent absorbability. Kale has also been shown to reduce glaucoma risk, improve blood lipid profiles and may promote detoxification and reduce prostate cancer risk.
