The benefits listed for each of these Super Foods and by no means comprehensive and we recommend that you take the time to google their other fantastic benefits and properties.
Just a little science before we begin .. a little science:
Human blood pH should be slightly alkaline ( 7.35 – 7.45 ). Below or above this range means symptoms and disease. A pH of 7.0 is neutral. A pH below 7.0 is acidic. A pH above 7.0 is alkaline.
An acidic pH can occur from, an acid forming diet, emotional stress, toxic overload, and/or immune reactions or any process that deprives the cells of oxygen and other nutrients. The body will try to compensate for acidic pH by using alkaline minerals. If the diet does not contain enough minerals to compensate, a build up of acids in the cells will occur.
An acidic balance will: decrease the body’s ability to absorb minerals and other nutrients, decrease the energy production in the cells, decrease it’s ability to repair damaged cells, decrease it’s ability to detoxify heavy metals, make tumor cells thrive, and make it more susceptible to fatigue and illness. A blood pH of 6.9, which is only slightly acidic, can induce coma and death.
In Essence we are seeking to restore alkaline levels for our health and well being. Not only are all of the superfoods below Alkaline forming, they are all related to weight loss. For further details on Alkaline and Acid forming foods please visit Essence of Life.
1. Lemon Juice
Lemons are full of vitamin C and potassium. Vitamin C is excellent in fighting colds, while potassium stimulates the brain and nerves and helps in controlling blood pressure.
Lemons are full of pectin fiber, which helps reduce spasms caused by hunger.
Lemon juice helps in the excretion of substances stimulating unnecessary frequent emptying. The toxins are faster and more frequently discharged from the body and maintain the urinary tract health.
Once you start the day with hydration you normally prevent dehydration of the body and adrenal fatigue. When the body is dehydrated it cannot perform its functions properly, leading to an increase of toxins, the occurrence of stress, constipation etc..
The adrenal glands are located on top of your kidneys and together with thyroid produce energy. They also secrete important hormones such as aldosterone. This hormone regulates the level of water in the body and the concentration of minerals such as sodium, which helps you stay hydrated. The adrenal glands and helps regulate your stress management.
2. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne stimulates digestion and muscle movement in the intestines, which helps restore deficient digestive secretions and aids absorption of food nutrients.
Cayenne also stimulates circulation and blood flow to the peripheral areas of the body.
3. Leafy Greens
Leafy greens are an excellent source of fibre, folate and carotenoids. They are antioxidants, removing free radicles from the body. Here are my top 3 but there are many others.
- Kale: This nutrition powerhouse “offers everything you want in a leafy green. It’s an excellent source of vitamins A C, and K, has a good amount of calcium for a vegetable, and also supplies folate and potassium.
- Spinach: Popeye’s favorite vegetable has 20 calories per serving, plus it’s packed with vitamins A and C, as well as folate. And because heat reduces the green’s oxalate content, freeing up its dietary calcium, “cooked spinach gives you more nutrition than raw
- Cabbage: A great source of cancer-fighting compounds and vitamin C.
4. Onions
Onion’s antioxidants, including its hallmark flavonoid antioxidant, quercetin—also provide us with anti-inflammatory benefits. These antioxidants help prevent the oxidation of fatty acids in our body. When we have lower levels of oxidized fatty acids, our body produces fewer pro-inflammatory messaging molecules, and our level of inflammation is kept in check.
Onions also help stabilise, blood sugar levels and help towards prevention of various cancers.
5. Garlic
Garlic Contains a Compound Called Allicin, Which Has Potent Medicinal Properties. A 1 ounce (28 grams) serving of garlic contains:
Manganese: 23% of the RDA.
Vitamin B6: 17% of the RDA.
Vitamin C: 15% of the RDA.
Selenium: 6% of the RDA.
Plus decent amounts of Calcium, Copper, Potassium, Phosphorus, Iron and Vitamin B1.
Garlic also contains trace amounts of various other nutrients. In fact, it contains a little bit of almost everything we need.
Garlic can combat many ailments, including the Common Cold as it is known to boost the immune system. It can also aid in reducing blood pressure and cholesterol.
Garlic contains antioxidants that support the body’s protective mechanisms against oxidative damage and is therefore an excellent all round de-toxifier.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar’s anti-glycemic effect is very well documented. It blocks some of the digestion of starch which can not only help with weight loss but with diabetes.
As part of balancing the body’s pH, apple cider vinegar creates an overall detoxification of the body. Research shows that it can help stimulate cardiovascular circulation and help detoxify the liver.
This miracle vinegar helps to break up mucous throughout the body and cleanse the lymph nodes. Believe it or not, research suggests that apple cider vinegar can help with allergies because of its ability to reduce mucous and sinus congestion. When reducing the effects of allergies, it can also help stave off sinus infections and their related symptoms, such as sore throats and headaches.
This vinegar is rich in natural enzymes that can help rid your body of candida—yeasts that are attributed to thrush in humans. Candida also is blamed for creating symptoms of fatigue, poor memory, sugar cravings, and yeast infections.
7. Chillies
The main component in chillies is a chemical called Capsaicin, which is responsible for the intense heat felt. Capsaicin just in the normal eating of chillies can help significantly control insulin levels after eating a meal.
Chillies can have a dramatic impact on your health by helping to boost circulation and also act as a thinner to help protect against strokes.
Capsaicin is also well known to contain a Neuropeptide associated with the inflammatory process and can therefore help with auto-inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid and arthritis. The regular intake of chillies can help to minimise the effects these diseases have on the body.
Capsaicin also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which lend themselves perfectly to the relief of conditions such as irritable bowel, neuropathy caused by the onset of diabetes and psoriasis.
Capsaicin is also a thermogenic compound, and increases the metabolic rate, which aids in the fat burning process. Studies reveal that eating chillies can raise your metabolic rate by up to 23% for about 3 hours.
8. Honey
Beware … some honey, especially the cheap varieties does not even come from bees in is simply sugar in disguise. If possible try to source local honey or manuka honey.
Honey contains flavonoids, antioxidants which help reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease.
Recent research shows that honey treatment may help disorders such as ulcers and bacterial gastroenteritis. “All honey is antibacterial, because the bees add an enzyme that makes hydrogen peroxide,” says Peter Molan, director of the Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato in New Zealand.
Honey is superior in maintaining glycogen levels and improving recovery time than other sweeteners.
Honey has been used in ayurvedic medicine in India for at least 4000 years and is considered to affect all three of the body’s primitive material imbalances positively. It is also said to be useful in improving eyesight, weight loss, curing impotence and premature ejaculation, urinary tract disorders, bronchial asthma, diarrhea, and nausea.
9. Bananas
A medium-sized, ripe banana provides 12 percent of your dietary fibre requirement. Bananas contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber, which is not broken down during digestion, promotes digestive system health. A high intake of soluble fiber may lessen your risk of high blood pressure and diabetes. Eating plenty of fiber-rich foods like bananas may also help prevent stroke, obesity, heart disease and hypertension.
A cup of ripe banana slices contains 0.55 milligram of vitamin B-6, or 42 percent of the amount of vitamin B-6 an adult needs daily. Vitamin B-6, also known as pyridoxine, aids in energy metabolism and the synthesis of crucial neurotransmitters and hormones like serotonin and melatonin. Consuming enough vitamin B-6 regularly from foods like bananas may make you less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis, depression and heart disease.
Ripe bananas fulfill 11 percent of the RDA of potassium in every cup of sliced fruit. Potassium is a mineral and an electrolyte. It is required for the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth and, along with sodium, regulates the cellular membrane potential that allows muscles to contract and neurons to transmit electrical impulses. A diet that includes a high intake of potassium may help prevent kidney stones, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and stroke.
Ripe bananas contain a slightly higher concentration of antioxidant compounds than unripe bananas, says David L. Katz, M.D. Antioxidants are able to inhibit free radicals from damaging DNA and cellular tissue, and a diet rich in a variety of antioxidants may be instrumental in preventing cancer, heart disease, diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.
10. Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower your bad cholesterol (or LDL). Cinnamon may help treat Type 2 Diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels and increasing the amount of insulin production in the body. This also helps with weight loss.
Cinnamon has antifungal properties, and it’s been said that candida cannot live in a cinnamon environment. It also has an anti clotting effect on the blood
So What do we do with this assortment of absolute essential super foods, without having to think and plan every day of our lives.
1. We start the day with lemon in water, whether you prefer half a lemon squeezed into hot water or as I do, PLJ in chilled sparkling spring water. This is on rising … if you eat breakfast you should do so half an hour later.
2. We add a handful more ingredients to 2 to 7 and make an amazing soup which can also be used as a cooking sauce.
3. We make some stunning breakfasts and sweets from ingredients 8,9 and 10.
This doesn’t just make our first miracle diet, it makes the foundation of our diet for life and for health.
Banana Cinnamon and Honey Toastie
Miracle Diets and More 