PART I

When you hear the word superfood, what comes to mind? A carrot in a cape? A nectarine with night vision?

Some foods are so nutritious it may seem like they have superpowers, but outside the marketing world, there actually is no such thing as a superfood — by scientific standards, at least. The truth is, most all natural foods have “super” health benefits.

The trend of recognizing and appreciating a food’s value dates back almost a century, and may have all started with a banana. In the 1920s, the United Fruit Company ran a series of colorful ads on the health benefits of bananas. Research detailing the benefits of bananas was published, and soon the tropical fruit became the first food labeled a superfood. More than 90 years later, bananas continue to be in the top three most imported fruits in the United States.

With summer’s bounty hitting it’s peak in a few weeks we thought it would be a good time to take another look at the wonderful health benefits of some of the great sustainable superfoods currently listed on our Market Page. Hope you Enjoy!

1. Berries

Berries help keep the brain healthy and may fend off Alzheimer’s Disease. Blueberries are at the top of almost every superfood list, but just about any edible berry is worthy of superfood status. While all differing in nutritional value, blackberries, cranberries (the fresh, not dried, variety), strawberries, and raspberries, to name a few, are low-calorie, high in fiber, and packed full of antioxidants that help fight against cancer-causing free radicals, notes a study published in the March 2018 Frontiers in Pharmacology.
Blueberries in particular have a high number of anthocyanin pigments, which not only give them their rich color, but also act as powerful antioxidants that may lower the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s according to a review published in July 2019 Advances in Nutrition.

2. Eggs

Eggs have historically been a controversial topic in the nutrition world due to their high cholesterol content, but they remain one of the healthiest foods available. Whole eggs are rich in many nutrients including B vitamins, choline, selenium, vitamin A, iron and phosphorus.They’re also loaded with high-quality protein.

Eggs contain two potent antioxidants, zeaxanthin and lutein, which are known to protect vision and eye health.
Despite fears surrounding egg consumption and high cholesterol, research indicates no measurable increase in heart disease or diabetes risk from eating up to 6–12 eggs per week. In fact, eating eggs could increase “good” HDL cholesterol in some people, which may lead to a favorable reduction in heart disease risk. More research is needed to draw a definite conclusion.

3. Okra

Though not a common food outside the southern US, okra is packed with nutrition. One cup (100 grams) of raw okra contains:
Calories: 33
Carbs: 7 grams
Protein: 2 grams
Fat: 0 grams
Fiber: 3 grams
Magnesium: 14% of the Daily Value (DV)
Folate: 15% of the DV
Vitamin A: 14% of the DV
Vitamin C: 26% of the DV
Vitamin K: 26% of the DV
Vitamin B6: 14% of the DV

Okra is rich in many nutrients and particularly high in vitamins C and K. This fruit is unique, as it provides protein, a nutrient that many other fruits and vegetables lack. Okra is rich in antioxidants that may reduce your risk of serious diseases, prevent inflammation, and contribute to overall health. Most notably, it contains polyphenols that may contribute to heart and brain health. Animal research suggests that okra may bind to cholesterol in your gut and lower blood cholesterol levels. It’s also rich in polyphenols, which fight harmful inflammation and protect your heart. Okra contains a protein called lectin, which is being studied for its role in cancer prevention and treatment.

We thank you for your interest and support of our efforts to bring you the healthiest, the freshest and the most delicious locally-produced foods possible!