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 4 of 4)
61. i eat and mix cooked quinoa /flax seed and yoghurt with fresh blueberries together and have it for breakfast everyday delicious
Posted at 7:40PM on Apr 1st 2008 by annemarie roble
62. As a Holistic Health Practitioner and Nutritional Specialist, I'm shocked and embarrassed (for you) to see that you included something such as SmartWater or and kind of Vitamin Waters in your list of Superfoods.
First off, any sort of water has been stripped of it's natural minerals, then sweetened with fructose, high fructose corn syrup or the like and then had vitamins and it's minerals added back to it. Not to mention the fact, that according to flavor, with some companies, each will vary with it's actual vitamin/mineral content. There is no standard across the board on this. Where do you see such a product as natural or even as a Superfood? Superfoods are naturally occuring whether organically grown or not, they are not stripped of their nutritional content only to have a certain, select set of nutrients replaced and they certainly are not sweetened with fructose, aspertame or any such artificial sweetners.
All of that research, only to find out that you didn't get the facts straight! Stick to something you know and leave the world of nutrition to the experts!
Posted at 7:44PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Charlie
63. My understanding is Spinach is best when cooked for it's food value (Raw not that great).
Collard Greens and Red Peppers With EVOO is Super for the Diet(Cooked). Check it out!
Posted at 7:49PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Vida Crudup
64. Anyone know if there's any difference between Atlantic and Pacific salmon? And fresh water salmon? Especially in Omega3s. Also, Quinoa is great tasting. I disagree that it's a fad: the decisive book about it was published in 1996. It is, however, expensive in this country. But it works. Ever seen an obese Peruvian? After climbing those hills they're all skinny! Quinoa helps.
Posted at 8:19PM on Apr 1st 2008 by bill123hb
65. DARK CHOCLATE IS A A SUPER FOOD
Posted at 9:04PM on Apr 1st 2008 by R OSE
66. your list was looking pretty good till I got to the vitamin water. Which manufacture paid you to list vitamin water? Or was it just a blonde moment?
Posted at 9:36PM on Apr 1st 2008 by richard
67. one more question, when did water become classified as a food, let alone a smart super food?
Posted at 9:39PM on Apr 1st 2008 by richard
68. www.mymonavie.com/ga can help explain the 18 reasons why anybody young or old should be a consumer of this product. If you are looking for a way to increase your pocketbook you might want to take a look at the different ways that you can help yourself and your friends improve their life both in their health and their wealth. www.mymonavie.com/ga
Posted at 9:40PM on Apr 1st 2008 by John
69. I was wondering why Flac Seed isn't on your list. I was under the impression that it is very good for us.
Posted at 9:41PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Dorthy Vendrame
70. Why isn't flac seed in your list of the top 10?
Posted at 9:43PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Dorthy Vendrame
71. another good tip is to save your toenail clippings until you have enough to brew a nice cup of tea. it really puts a bounce in your step!
Posted at 9:45PM on Apr 1st 2008 by richard
72. The newest, hotest SUPER FOOD is called AgariGold with H1X1. Check it out here...www.mywaiora.com/109639. All natural, filled with lots of nutrients including 18 amino acids, 46 enzymes, 14 essential minerals, vitamins B1,B2,B3,B5, and others. Amazing positive testimonials. You can't go wrong with this Super Food!!! www.mywaiora.com/109639
Posted at 10:30PM on Apr 1st 2008 by Jan
73. Quinoa is an excellent source of nutrition as is amaranth, teff and most other whole grains, if they are freshly milled. Most of what passes itself off as whole grain breads or foods in the grocery stores are nothing but starch and gluten or as we call it around here "dead flour". Once grain has been milled it will oxidize within 72 hours and most of the nutrients will be lost. As has been mentioned in other comments, flaxseeds should be on the top of your list for superfoods, high in alphalinoleic and alphalinolenic acid, mucilage and lignans it helps with major colon issues and definately helps your skin as well as giving your body more energy to run on. Check out this website: www.wholeearthgranary.com
Posted at 12:22PM on Apr 2nd 2008 by whole1
74. When I clicked on Number 3 .... Paris Hilton ... I got a terrible Trojan virus. It needs to be removed.... someone needs to be checking these posts at AOL
Posted at 1:47PM on Apr 6th 2008 by MICKI
75. Vitamin Water's are not good for us or the environment. They are not a "super food." Vitamin waters lead consumers to consume too much and as we know, most Americans will not only have one. The consumption of vitamin water leads to excess vitamins in the consumer's urine which then gets flush into our water supply and eventually into the ocean and absorbed by sea life, much of which we and other wildlife consume. The promotion of all these vitamin products is not healthy for our environment and if consumers focus more on actually eating foods that are good for them, that contain vitamins, they have no need for such types of waters.
Posted at 3:38PM on Apr 10th 2008 by leilah
76. I have been in the health field quite awhile and I have just come across a product that is high in anti-oxidents, anti- inflammatory, Omega 3,6&9, and allot of amino acids along with viatamins & minerals.
This product has truly amazed me.
www.myzija.com/remu
It can't hurt to take a look at it, if you are needing better nutrition.
Posted at 4:17PM on Apr 10th 2008 by Pat
77. acai is part of 19 fruit blended functional beverage. www.mymonavie.com/tinytom
Posted at 7:16PM on Apr 10th 2008 by tinytom
78. Good food is a key to good health and so is exercise. If you want the best soap for your skin and hair, I have used bobskinsoap for over 3 years now. It's the best!
Posted at 9:43AM on Apr 29th 2008 by Sue W