Superfoods are a group of foods that are low in calories, but absolutely packed with nutrients.  They hold large doses of polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and are also an amazing source of essential nutrients. Superfoods nourish your whole body and provide nutrients that you may be deficient in due to illness, poor diet, or inferior nutrient content in soils. The western world has been slow to catch up with what indigenous and native people around the world have known instinctively for centuries – the health benefits of Superfoods are, quite simply - astounding!

Let’s get to know some Superfoods a little better:

Shiitake mushrooms are an edible mushroom native to East Asia, they grow on decaying logs and are cultivated and consumed in many Asian countries. Shiitake mushrooms are considered a medicinal mushroom in some forms of traditional medicine.

Shiitake Mushrooms:

1. Help to lower high cholesterol, prevent narrowing of blood vessels and benefit overall heart health.
2. Help your liver to function efficiently.
3. 3. Strengthen your immune system.
4. Are rich in iron and perfect for vegetarians, vegans and those prone to anemia.
5. Are rich in antioxidants, proteins, potassium, iron, Vitamins A, B, C, and D.
6. Contain more than 50 kinds of enzymes, including pepsin to aid digestion.

Beta glucan- what’s the hype about?

There has been a lot of hype about ‘beta-glucan’, in a nutshell by using beta-glucan you will be looking after your digestive regularity and heart health. Derived from oats and barley, Beta glucan is a soluble fibre (which means it binds to the bile acid in the gut known as LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and limits its absorption back into the body). The soluble fibre that binds to the bile acid passes through the digestive tract and is eliminated as body waste. This means less bad cholesterol circulating in your body and less risk of developing heart disease in the future. Soluble fibre also slows down stomach emptying and will make you feel fuller for longer.

Matcha Green Tea

Did you know that matcha green tea has ten times the antioxidant and nutritional content of regular green tea? Here are some ways in which it is beneficial to you:

• Heart Health. Studies have shown Matcha green tea to be related to long-term heart health because of its ability to lower harmful blood cholesterol, LDL levels. The flavonoids in green tea also relax the blood vessels so blood can flow more easily, protecting you from heart attack.
• Weight Loss. Green tea has been shown to help with weight loss due to its fat burning ability. Studies show that green tea’s polyphenols help increase metabolism and therefore help with fat loss.
• Prevention of Diabetes. Green tea has been shown to help keep blood sugar stable, helping prevent type 1 diabetes or helping diabetic patients manage their blood sugar levels by regulating blood glucose.
• Prevention of Arthritis. Green tea has been shown to help decrease inflammation and slow the breakdown of cartilage in arthritis.
• Skin Health. Green tea’s powerful antioxidants protect the skin from the harmful effects of free radicals, which helps prevent wrinkles and aging of the skin.
• Stress Reducer. Green tea contains an amino acid L-theanine, which helps decrease stress and anxiety, keeping your mind calm yet sharp.
• Energy Booster. Matcha acts as an energy booster and an “afternoon pick-me-up” but without the crash and jitters of coffee. Buddhist monks used to use it to help them focus during meditation!
• Detoxifies. Matcha, unlike other green teas, is grown in the shade and therefore is richer in chlorophyll which helps detoxify the body.