When it comes to weight loss, what works for one person may not work for another. This is mainly because there are several factors at play, including your body type, your lifestyle, your metabolic rate and most importantly, the level of your physical activity and the quality of your diet. The good news is that certain nutrient-rich foods can lend a helping hand along the way. These foods fall into the superfoods category and they are excellent fitness companions. These superfoods don't just supply your body with many of the essential vitamins and minerals, but also contain certain compounds which may support a healthy metabolism as part of a balanced diet.
Why You Should Watch Your Weight
The main reason for maintaining a healthy weight is to take care of one’s health. Maintaining a healthy weight is associated with a lower risk of a range of long-term health conditions. Additionally, maintaining a healthier weight and diet can also raise your HDL (good) cholesterol and lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol. You may even start to see these health benefits just by losing a small percent of your body weight.
Matcha Green Tea
Both matcha and green tea come from the same Camellia sinensis plant. However, while green tea refers to the actual leaves, matcha is the ground powder of the green tea leaves. You can drink matcha the same way you can drink regular green tea.
Matcha is an excellent source of the polyphenol, EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which is a plant-based compound with powerful antioxidant properties. Matcha contains significantly higher levels of EGCG than regular green tea, increasing its metabolism boosting and thermogenic effects in the body. Inside the body, EGCG could have beneficial effects against obesity. This is because EGCG has been found to have the highest biological activity among green tea molecules.
You can shop matcha with us here at Superfoods Australia.
Turmeric Tea
Turmeric, also known as the golden spice, is popular in Asian cuisine and has been a part of traditional Indian or Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Most of turmeric’s health properties can be attributed to curcumin, a compound which it contains that has strong antioxidant properties. For a long time, the spice has been considered one of the healthiest foods around the world. Adding this to your daily diet provides you with a range of health benefits. It contains powerful soothing effects and is a very strong antioxidant. It is believed that drinking turmeric tea or warm turmeric water may support a healthy metabolism as part of a balanced diet.
Furthermore, turmeric tea is also known to be good for the digestive system, which is key to a healthy metabolism. Consider including turmeric tea in your daily diet, as a refreshing tea to take with any of your meals.
Maqui Berry
The Maqui Berry is an exotic, dark-purple fruit that grows wild in South America. It’s mainly harvested by the native Indians of Chile, who have used the leaves, stems and berries medicinally for thousands of years.
The antioxidant abilities of Maqui berry help the body deal with free radicals. Due to this, a person may feel healthier and more energetic, and Maqui berry may support a healthy metabolism as part of a balanced diet.
You can easily add Maqui Berry to your diet with Maqui Berry powdered extract available from Superfoods Australia. The powdered extract form makes it easy to add to smoothies, meals, and even works as a tea!
Pine Pollen
The list of benefits of pine pollen is almost endless, with some referring to it as a natural fountain of youth. Pine pollen started as a Chinese remedy, and over the course of thousands of years, it has evolved into a modern-day superfood. Pine pollen is, as the name suggests, the pollen of pine trees – and as the pollen is the male reproductive part of flowering plants, you can see why it would be packed with vitamins and minerals. There are over 200 nutrients in pine pollen, which makes it one of the most nutritionally rich natural supplements out there.
The list of benefits of pine pollen include boosting brain power, supporting hormone imbalances, and like we mentioned the fountain of youth before, it has been linked to having many anti-ageing properties. Pine pollen contains plant sterols that make it an adaptogen, and what an adaptogen can do in the body is help support areas of the body that may be in distress or experiencing long periods of stress. Adaptogens can help to provide balance to the body and ensure that you can recover and heal from these stressful periods. And the healthier you and your immune system is, the healthier your body will be too.
Pine pollen can be added to your diet in a number of different ways, including powdered extract, capsules and tinctures – check out our range available at Superfoods Australia here.
Maca Root
A staple of the Peruvian culture, maca plants are grown for their roots, and can actually come in a variety of different colours. The maca plant looks a little like a turnip and is packed with vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and phytonutrients. Some of the benefits of maca include improving moods and concentration, boosting physical performance and balancing hormones. It is also said to aid in adrenal functioning which means that it can help to boost your energy levels, while also easing everyday tension.
Maca root has an oat-like taste which, in the powdered extract form, makes it a simple addition to your diet in smoothies and baked goods! Shop maca root powder with Superfoods Australia here.
Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight requires effort, patience, and determination -- but with a balanced diet, regular exercise and a few superfoods on your side, you'll be giving yourself the best possible start.
This article is general information only and is not medical advice. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting a new supplement.
