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Top 5 Superfoods and Why They're Super

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We hear about a new 'superfood' every month and as soon as the medical experts comment on its benefits we see the grocery stores and health food shops lined with offers and discounts on that particular product. Yet since the rise of blueberries a few years ago there have been so many superfoods that it's hard to remember what they are and what they do. Here is a list of the top 5 superfoods and what they can do for you...

Bananas

The list of benefits that bananas have is almost unending. They're packed with tryptophan which can help you get to sleep, carbohydrates to give you healthy, slow released energy and vitamin b6 to make hair, skin and nails healthy as well as help beat stress and anxiety. They're even deemed to help lower blood pressure and prevent heart disease and cancer with their high levels of antioxidants.

Chop up one banana and put it in a smoothie maker with 1 glass of skimmed milk, 2 tablespoons of natural yoghurt, a squeeze of lemon and half a cup of porridge oats for a yummy stress-busting, energy releasing breakfast shake.

Salmon

Yes, you've heard this one before and it's frustrating because salmon can be so expensive, but it's true. Salmon is full of omega 3 oils which have a hugely positive impact on our brains. Not only do they prevent blood clots, heart attacks and dementia but they can even help treat depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder too.

Try buying frozen salmon in packets of 8 or 10 when they're reduced at the supermarket. They'll keep for months in your fridge and are very easy to cook with boiled potatoes for a delicious and simply lunch.

Baked Beans

This announcement was one that shocked most of us, having eaten baked beans with chips and sausages since being a youngster and never considering them healthy in the slightest. Baked beans are in fact a great source of iron, calcium and protein. Yet more importantly than that they contain a lot of fibre that moves through the digestive tract and is processed by friendly bacteria in the intestines. This process produces chains of fatty acids which protect the colon and intestine walls to protect against damage and even cancer in later life.

Beetroot

This is one of the most popular superfoods as it can be so easily grown in the garden. Beetroot actually reduce the risk of strokes and coronary heart disease because they're full of antioxidants that reduce cholesterol. Along with broccoli they're also high in folic acid, making them perfect to eat during pregnancy to protect the unborn child from spina bifida.

Chop up one small beetroot into cubes and put into a smoothie along with one carrot and one apple for a deliciously refreshing summer drink.

Broccoli

Last but not least, this is the superfood that adults love but kids tend to hate. It's been dubbed almost anti cancerous as it can help kill the bacteria that cause gastric ulcers and cancer and it also help process oestrogen, so the risk of breast cancer is considerably lessened. Because it's also high in potassium and beta carotene it prevents against heart disease, too. Is there anything broccoli can't do?!