Green Drink Reviews

My Favorite Power Foods & Superfoods

September 27th, 2006

There are many great foods that are high in nutrients, antioxidants, or other substances and they all deserve their day in the sun. But these are my all-time favorites, foods that are really special—not just for health, but for many reasons. Check up on these power foods:

Bee Pollen

Pollen is one of the natures most amazing products. These little globules contain more nutrients than almost any other food source. They have many times more protein than meat, being almost 30% protein. Pollen contains over 16 different vitamins and minerals (including trace minerals), and is rich in enzymes and amino acids. It is also extremely low in fat. In fact, pollen enhances the production of HDL cholesterol (the good fat) and decreases the production of LDL cholesterol (the bad fat). It acts as a powerful antioxidant (containing flavonoids, rutin in particular), has antibacterial and antiviral qualities, and helps to increase the production of blood cells (both white and red), while balancing white/red blood counts. Is it even necessary to go on?

Bee pollen goes great in so many things. Sprinkle it on your cereal or peanut butter toast, add it to juices or just eat it plain. I do.

Pure Cocoa

Cocoa is primarily a powerful antioxidant, being extremely high in flavonoids. Flavonoids reduce risk of heart disease and help clean the bloodstream and arteries of fat and other toxins. Cocoa also helps keep blood pressure down and regulates blood flow, not unlike a low dose of aspirin. One of its sexier qualities is that it helps the body process nitric oxide, which give it its famous aphrodisiac qualities. For a comparison, Viagra achieves its special erectile effects by blocking a chemical that inhibits nitric oxide in the system. Cocoa encourages production of nitric oxide. Either way, you end up with the right substance in the right place. Plus, cocoa is found to promote the brain’s production of endorphins and natural opiates.

Of course, sweetened cocoa, or chocolate, contains much of these benefits, but pure cocoa is, by far, the best. You can add pure, unsweetened cocoa to your breakfast oatmeal, or hot coffee. Try adding it to the already chocolaty Mexican Mole sauce.

Spirulina & Chlorella

I put these together, because they are often sold together. But it’s important to note that spirulina is “blue-green algae” and chlorella is “green algae.” Spirulina is rich in carotenoids (including beta-carotene), which are among the most important antioxidants around, and high in vitamins and minerals (including B vitamins and iron). Chlorophyll is just one of the many phyto-chemicals found in spirulina and it is high in protein and essential fatty acids (particularly GLA, a fatty acid that is more difficult to find). Chlorella, also rich in enzymes, minerals and chlorophyll, is also found to chelate certain heavy metals from the blood, liver and intestines, including aluminum and mercury. The combination of spirulina and chlorella is a winner!

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