Health

The 6 Newest Super Foods to Add to Your Diet

Sure, they may be trendy, but there's a reason these foods are being hailed as "super"

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Maca Lepidium meyenii, thankfully more commonly known as maca, is a root plant native to the Andes of Peru known for it's positive effects on energy and fertility. "Maca has been a staple in the Peruvian Andes for thousands of years," says Wilde. "This super food increases energy, endurance, strength, and libido. Dried maca powder contains more than 10 percent protein, nearly 20 amino acids, including 7 essential amino acids. As a root crop, maca contains five times more protein than a potato and four times more fiber."

According to Frances Diaz, RD, maca also aids in digestion, and is full of calcium, vitamins B1, B2, and B12, which translates to more energy and endurance during workouts, and better muscle repair. "Maca Root has been shown to increase circulation, giving skin a more youthful look and nourishing the endocrine system for hormonal balance and cleared skin," says Diaz.

Maca can be purchased in a powder form, making it easy to incorporate into your diet by adding to a morning or pre-workout shake or smoothie.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Cacao

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Older comments

Love this

by Mollysunshine Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 02:11AM Report as inappropriate

interesting...

by 92jess11 Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 11:07PM Report as inappropriate

Cacao by itself is very bitter, so I suggest sticking with dark chocolate that has a high cacao content. Bee pollen, can't try that since I am allergic to pollen period. Spirunia tastes like and smells like fish food. But more realistically, eat your fruits and veggies because these are the "original" superfoods that are actually palatable and safe to eat. If anything these are "fad" ingredients that will need more research to show an effect worth purchasing (let alone trying to eat!).

by hiddenexpose Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 01:23PM Report as inappropriate

I've seen most of these on Dr Oz and will be trying them soon. Nice information, thanks!

by EricaC123 Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 12:35PM Report as inappropriate

I've never heard of any of these but I appreciate the information. Its seems worth looking into.

by msbrown822 Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 05:50AM Report as inappropriate

Cool info! I have never heard of Spirulina.

by yestfl Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 09:56PM Report as inappropriate

Bee Pollen???!!!!!

by Chris213 Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 04:20PM Report as inappropriate

This intrigues me enough to look into these foods further, but doesn't provide enough data on things such as how much to consume to see benefits -- or whether any of them are harmful in large doses (as is vitamin A).

by purple9a Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 03:56PM Report as inappropriate

What breakdown of the actual benefits of these super foods! So often we are told that xyz is a great "superfood" but not necessarily why or how it works. I use spirulina and eat hemp seeds but this makes me want to venture out and get some chia seeds as well!

by HeathRene Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 01:40PM Report as inappropriate

A great article but realistically, dark chocolate. But if I see these in the everyday supermarket, I will try them since I now know about their benefits from this article..

by cmarie Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 01:04PM Report as inappropriate