I have a girlfriend is who is a health nut. She recently started eating quinoa and told me about all the wonderful benefits in this little grain. I was actually surprised that this smart food (aka superfood) had so much nutritional value and could also help prevent certain health issues. I wondered whether maybe my meals should include more of these smart foods since they have such great benefits. So I decided to find out what the top smart foods were on AOL Search. I can see why salmon made it to the top of the list. Salmon is full of omega-3 fatty acids which can actually reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, prostate cancer and colon cancer.
Blueberries, spinach and broccoli are filled with antioxidants that can help decrease your risk of certain cancers. The antioxidants help neutralize harmful by-products called "free radicals" that can lead to cancer.
I was actually surprised to see foods such as pumpkin, ginger and sweet potatoes on the list. I didn't know these foods had any health benefits. After further research, I found out that pumpkins and sweet potatoes are actually great sources of alpha-carotene. This is a powerful member of the carotenoid family that helps prevent cataract formation and boosts immunity.
Do you know of a smart food that didn't make the list? If so tell us about it or try searching for smart foods on AOL Search. Also check out AOL Body for additional smart foods and AOL Food for great recipe ideas for smart foods.
Top Searched Smart Foods on AOL Search:
1. Salmon
2. Quinoa
3. Spinach
4. Broccoli
5. Sweet Potatoes
6. Green Tea
7. Pumpkin
8. Vitamin Water
9. Blueberries
10. Ginger
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Reader Comments (Page 3 of 4)
41. I agree that "vitamin water" is not a superfood, it is a fake, man-made source of water that has highly doubtful vitamin additives. Why not have some real live whole foods? Everyone is so concerned about calcium, and no one ever talks about RAW ALMONDS as the best source of calcium that our bodies can use much more easily than calcium in cows' milk (which is bound up in the cow's mucus/protein that makes it undigestible for humans.) Raw almonds are a great snack anytime, anywhere. I also use ground flax seed in everything I cook; pasta sauces, mexican foods, chili, soup, and sprinkled on salads and sandwich fillings. They are a wonderful source of nutrition, and even found in regular supermarkets now, in the baking aisle.
Posted at 5:32PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Susan
42. Allie,you are so cute! Akai juice will prevent or treat cancer-they are just finding out the broad benifits of this amazing fruit. also it tastes great!
Posted at 5:46PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Sean
43. Also- they did not specify WILD salmon, (not farm-raised) is the best for a BALANCE of Omega 3 fats and Omega 6 fats. The Omega 6 are not in the farmed fish, it has to come from the ocean, and they make the Omega 3s work to the best advantage when consumed as one food. And avoid added coloring in those salmon filets--nothing but unhealthful sales tactics! Wild ocean-going salmon doesn't need color added, as the dark salmon color comes from that cold arctic salt water. Read The Maker's Diet by Dr. Jordan Rubin.
Posted at 5:47PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Susan
44. Shame on you, you missed a biggie:
Flaxseed!! Lots of great properties.
Posted at 5:49PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Cheryl
45. For breakfast. drink an 8 oz. bottle of Samazon. Fortified with the Acai Berry and mixed with other fruit juices because only a native Amazonian can stomach the Acai berry plain.
Bluecrabb
Posted at 5:49PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Bluecrabb
46. To the person who wrote:
"I just LOVE quinoa! I also like tree sap thickened with powdered sunflower seed husks - almost as much as lawn clippings sprinkled with sawdust and garnished with guano. All yummy and SO COMPLETELY natural"
Why must you be a smart a** about something you seem to know nothing about? I'm 63 and have enjoying Quinoa for some time now. It has a great deal of nutritional value and tastes really good, by itself or mixed with veggies and/or seasonings and spices. It is not expensive. I pay about $2.50 a pound which is probably about 10-12 cups but ½ cup makes about 3 cups of ready to eat quinoa. It’s much cheaper than cereals or rice, and much healthier. Try it cold (cooked) with chopped fresh fruit for breakfast or cook it with chopped broccoli, onions, green pepper and carrots with a bit of seasoning of your choice. It’s a 15 minute fresh hot meal.
Posted at 6:05PM on Apr 1st 2008 by r dex
47. all I know is when I started eating more grains such as oats, flax seed, quinoa, and more fruit nuts and vegetables, no refined starches, I feel much better, more energy and my arthritis feels much better.
Posted at 6:19PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Pat Wise
48. Vitamin water??? Get real! Fake nutrients added to water does not a super food make. Wonder who is getting paid for that addition ?
Posted at 6:24PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Sue
49. you guy did miss Acai Fruit
Posted at 6:35PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Gleidison
50. For more information go to www.monavie.com
my id 855961
Posted at 6:38PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Gleidison
51. The Acai berry is the most rich fruit in the planet!
www.monavie.com
my id 855961
Posted at 6:39PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Gleidison
52. Here's one that has secret properties that Japanese claim who so ever eats it will not have cancer. NATTO or fermented soybeans may not smell all that good, but we all know that a lot of foods that either don't taste pleasantly or has a bad aroma probably are some of the most healthy foods on the face of this planet. Just food for thought
Posted at 6:42PM on Apr 1st 2008 by HeyzeeThrillz
53. This is the same story you ran about 4 weeks ago...it is time to freshen up and do some work....write
Posted at 6:44PM on Apr 1st 2008 by todd
54. the Monavie juice had Acai Juice plus 18 super-fruits, also omega 3, 6 and 9, and glucosamine.
www.myrichjuice.com
Gleidison Batista
ID 855961
2157082831
Posted at 6:46PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Gleidison
55. Whole foods are the best and all natural whole food supplements run a close second. To see some of the best on the market go to www.stevenjudyitv.com and you will find products for even the most time frazzled people today. To your health. Judy
Posted at 6:49PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Judy
56. Whole foods are your best protection, and all natural whole food supplements run a close second. To see some of the best on the market go to www.stevenjudyitv.com and you will find products that can help even the most time frazzled.
Posted at 6:50PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Judy
57. Excuse me -- Vitamin Water -- I don't think so!!
Posted at 7:11PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Luanne
58. #11...great comment! You need to try those with melted yellow snow. A great source for regurgitus immedius. AND as natural as brown mounds in a dog park.
Posted at 7:24PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Juan Val Daze
59. The Ethiopian grain is called Teff, not Fef.
Posted at 7:25PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Don
60. Want to drink 19 of the highest antioxidant fruit in the world? How would you feel if you ate the nutritional value of 13 fruits a day- EVERYDAY?
www.DrinkYourFruit.com
Is your health worth the price of a pack of cigarettes everyday? Check out www.DrinkYourFruit.com
Posted at 7:26PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Cherryl