The concept of nutrition can be pegged as a heavy-duty machine. A piece of machinery needs to be well-oiled and well-maintained for it to be functional for a good number of years. As for the human body, it needs all the proper nutrition that it can get from whatever we eat or drink, for it to grow healthy and perform its functions.
But unlike machines, whose parts, systems, and fuels can be replaced almost instantly, there’s no absolute replacement for the best nutrition that whole foods like veggies, fruits, eggs, meat, and others can provide. You can only supplement it with great products where you can get your daily doses of nutrients. Case in point, superfoods.
Superfoods are nutrient-rich foods that can take many forms and can be a great part of your diet. Most of these complementary nourishments, if taken right, can supply your body great doses of antioxidants, and other nutrients that can boost your immune system to help ward off diseases.
But like mentioned above, these superfoods are not created equal. Some are ground into fine powder, some are powders enclosed in capsules, while others are concocted into tinctures.
So which one’s better? Read on to find out.
Superfood Powders
Dried powdered extracts of herbs, roots, bark, pollen and other plant parts are probably one of the most popular formats of a superfood.
Processes may vary depending on the manufacturer and the plants that are subject for extraction. One of the most common ways is by soaking the herb, or any plant part in a solvent and letting it evaporate. Whatever’s left behind is the concentrated powder of the chemicals that were once in the plant.
Another method is by freeze-drying. It has long been considered as one of the best drying processes to preserve the quality of superfoods. What happens is that the food is completely frozen to keep its integrity, then placed under a deep vacuum to remove all the moisture in the product, and lastly, dried using heat energy causing the ice to sublime, resulting in the final product.
PROS:
1. Dried powder extracts, especially the freeze-dried ones, are easier to transport in normal temperatures and can be stored for a longer period.
2. They’re easily consumable for they can be mixed into almost every recipe that you could think of. For example, the Peruvian staple Black Maca Powder would work well in smoothies, ice cream, and even coffee! Another great superfood is the Siberian Chaga Mushroom Extract which can level up the taste of your latte, tea, muffins, and other pastries.
CONS:
1. Unfortunately, some superfood powders in the market are not totally gluten-free and are packed with fillers, artificial sweeteners, and artificial flavours. These synthetic ingredients may end up doing your body more harm than good. So make sure that you only get your supplies from the trusted makers and legitimate shops.
Superfood Capsules
Superfood capsules are basically powdered extracts that are enclosed in an outer shell. This type works the same way as the capsules used in medication, where in the shell is broken down in your digestive system, then the nutrients will get absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed to the whole body.
There are two kinds of it: hard-shelled and the soft gel. And chances are you’ve probably ingested at least one of these.
Hard-shelled capsules like the Pine Pollen Extract Powder are the more popular type of superfood capsules. Since most of these supplements are simply dried powdered extracts with a closed casing, they only differ on what natural compound the casing is made of.
On the other hand, soft gels are the exact opposite of the hard-shelled ones. These are wider in size and more semi-transparent but are equally effective. This format allows easy digestion and quick absorption of the superfood’s active ingredient
PROS:
1. Capsules, as we’ve mentioned, can be easily absorbed by the body. Therefore, fast-acting.
2. Some super foods tend to exhibit strong scents and unpleasant taste. That’s why despite their health benefits, some people still hate them. But since capsules are essentially tasteless and odourless superfoods, even those with the most awful taste known to man, become more widely acceptable.
CONS:
1. Capsules tend to have a shorter life. So if you do not take them religiously, a jar of superfood capsules might just end up in trash, together with your hard-earned money.
Tincture
Remember when you were a kid, when your parents forcefully put vitamin drops into your mouth while you were helplessly crying? Tinctures are basically just like those. Without the wailing, of course, because you’re an adult now.
Taking tinctures is one of the best ways to ingest all the nutrients you need from a superfood. The most popular way to fix a tincture is by steeping alcohol, water, and the superfood together for a certain time. After that process, the resting liquid, which is the extract, is what makes the tincture. The liquid is poured into a dark-coloured glass bottle with a specialized dropper then makes it way to your shelves.
The benefits of tinctures to your body vary depending on what superfood was used in the soaking process. But all of them are taken the same way. Whether it’s the Shilajit Tincture, a tincture extracted from the Indonesian Ginseng, or mushroom tinctures, you’ll get the most out of them with just a drop into a drink or under the tongue.
PROS:
1. Tinctures, much like the powdered superfoods, are easily absorbed by the body especially when mixed in other recipes. For tinctures, they’re mostly beverages like tea, milk, or lemon juice. But if you’re not in the mood for all the prep work, you can always directly take a squeeze under the tongue.
2. Tinctures tend to have stronger effects on the body, more than tea or supplements. So you don’t have to take them every day. They’re not like vitamins which you should take consistently. We suggest that you start slow and work your way up.
CONS:
1. If you got the right ingredients, tinctures are fairly easy to make. DIY tinctures have been popular these days. But this is where everything gets complicated. Unbeknownst to others, there are plant parts and types of alcohol that can be toxic and harmful. One small mistake can cost someone a great deal of trouble.
We understand that it’s tempting to make or buy home-made tinctures, but it’s best if you buy your drops from legit manufacturers only.
Verdict
There are always pros and cons to each type of superfood. No one can really say which one is better than the other. So it all boils down to your preferences and your needs, and of course, your budget.
But however you like your superfood, whether you like it in your bread or in your coffee, one thing’s for certain. Nothing beats a superfood that’s carefully sourced and expertly tested. And it takes a passionate and professional team to do just that.
Here at Superfoods Australia we make sure that every superfood that we have is pure, potent and meticulously processed to get the best of what nature has to offer. Every organic ingredient in our worktables is either semi or totally harvested in the wild mountain regions from all over the world.
If you’re looking to replenish your superfood shelves, look no further. Shop for authentic superfoods here!
