About Superfoods (Domestic and International Superfoods) ~ Nutritionist's Column Vol.9 (Part 2)

>>Part 1
We've talked about superfoods and the seven nutrients that make them up, but this time we'll be introducing the history of superfoods and superfoods from Japan and abroad.

The History of Superfoods

The Food Power of "Superfoods"

In fact, "superfoods" are foods that have long been believed to have health benefits and promote longevity around the world.
In recent years, these foods have been found to be highly nutritious and have the potential to have health and beauty benefits.
"Superfoods" are packed with the power of food that will make you healthy when you eat them; they are not just nutritional supplements; they are also said to be able to make your mood brighter and more positive.

The term superfood was first used by doctors and experts studying diet therapy. It is defined as food that is highly nutritious and beneficial for health. What constitutes a superfood varies depending on the person who advocates it, but the Japan Superfood Association has established the following definition and standards for superfoods:

Definition of a Superfood

- Foods that have excellent nutritional balance and are more nutritious than general foods, or foods that contain exceptionally high amounts of a certain nutritional or health component.
-It is somewhere between a regular food and a supplement, and can be used both as a cooking ingredient and as a health food.

Superfood Criteria

It is a food that has a long "food history" and has contributed to people's health for centuries. As a result, all possible problems with the human body have been elucidated, and it is a food that can be trusted without worrying about its safety.

"Superfoods" are richer in nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and phytochemicals than other foods, making them wonderful foods that can help maintain your health and beauty from the inside out.

Main Superfoods

So, what exactly is there?
We will introduce the main superfoods.

■ Spirulina

It is the world's oldest plant, a type of blue-green algae that is rich in beta-carotene, iron, calcium, amino acids, folic acid, and dietary fiber. It is also used as space food by NASA because it provides a comprehensive range of nutrients. It has antioxidant properties, and is useful for purifying the blood and detoxifying the intestines.

Spirulina ~farm in California, Summer 2019 GRØN's journey through ingredients

■ Cacao

Cacao, the raw material for chocolate and cocoa, is a tree native to tropical regions such as Central and South America and Africa.
The oval shaped fruit contains a seed, which is commonly called the "cocoa bean".
Cacao, which is also used as an ingredient in chocolate, is rich in polyphenols that have antioxidant properties, as well as minerals such as calcium, iron, and zinc.

■ Wolfberry

It has been popular as a traditional Chinese medicine since ancient times, and is said to have been used for at least 1,700 years. It is also widely known that Yang Guifei's favorite beauty secret was eating goji berries.
It is expected to improve immunity and have beauty effects, as it contains carotenoids including zeaxanthin, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and unsaturated fatty acids.

Goji berries - the "Queen of superfoods" loved by Yang Guifei

■Maca

Maca is said to be a plant that is indispensable to people, and has a history of being used to treat digestive dysfunction and infertility, and is also used in NASA's space food. It is a root vegetable of the Brassicaceae family that is rich in amino acids, minerals such as iron, zinc, copper, calcium, and potassium, vitamins, and anthocyanins. It is said to have a nutritious and invigorating effect, as well as immune-boosting effects, hormone balance adjustment, blood circulation promotion, and skin-beautifying effects.

Maca - An adaptogen from the Andes, produced at an altitude higher than Mount Fuji

■ Hemp seeds

In Japanese, it is called hemp seeds. It is also often included in shichimi pepper.
It is also rich in amino acids, minerals such as iron, copper, zinc, and magnesium, and insoluble dietary fiber.
It is expected to have a detoxifying effect and prevent lifestyle-related diseases.

■ Acai

It is a fruit with a diameter of about 1 to 1.2 cm that grows on a plant called the "Wakaba cabbage palm." It is rich in the purple pigment "anthocyanin," as well as iron and vitamins. It is expected to have beauty benefits, fatigue recovery, and antioxidant properties.

others

Camu camu, beets, kale, turmeric, acerola, and perilla are also known as superfoods.

In the future, we may see a rise in interest in Jerusalem artichoke, which is rich in the water-soluble dietary fiber called inulin, which is expected to have a detoxifying effect, and seaberry, which is rich in vitamins, amino acids, and unsaturated fatty acids and has strong antioxidant properties.

World Superfoods

The superfood predictions for 2020 announced by Whole Foods Market, a natural foods supermarket in the United States, show that superfoods from West Africa, such as moringa, tamarind, sorghum, fonio, teff, and millet, are trending. There are some foods I've never heard of before, and it seems that there are still many more superfoods in the world.

Fermented foods such as natto, miso, soy sauce, koji, sake, and amazake, which are representative of Japanese cuisine, as well as teas such as matcha, green tea, bancha, and genmaicha, are also attracting attention from overseas as superfoods.

Recommended ways to take superfoods

If you're confused by the sheer number of superfoods out there and don't know which one to choose, we recommend GRØN.
This blended powder is made by adding superfoods to soy protein and finishing it with the gentle sweetness of rice koji amazake, making it a very effective product for health and beauty with the addition of superfoods.
Take in superfoods easily and take care of your inner health.

<Related GRØN products>

Protein Blend Green Monster 20g / 320 yen (excluding tax)

Protein Blend Red Heat 20g / 320 yen (excluding tax)

Protein Blend Criollo Berries 20g / 370 yen (excluding tax)

Protein Blend Matcha All Stars 20g / 370 yen (excluding tax)

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Nutritionist, Food Education Instructor, Food 6th Industrialization Producer Level 4
Ayako Ishihara

A nutritional advisor in the healthcare field and an agribusiness professional.
She is involved in a variety of activities specializing in the fields of beauty and health, including giving lectures to Miss World Japan candidates.

With the philosophy of "enriching the mind and body through food and realizing a vibrant society where people and communities are connected," he founded i-Field Co., Ltd. in 2013 and serves as its representative.
He is a core member of the food team for "DINING OUT," which opens outdoor restaurants in various regions, and also participates in fashion brand projects.
She is also involved in the promotion of local ingredients, product development and production specializing in "health" and "beauty," branding, concept design, food hygiene, sales promotion, training planning and management, etc. She is in charge of nutritional supervision for GRØN's product development, proposing ways to incorporate them more effectively into consumer health.

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Photos by Moeko Sawada