{"id":30218,"date":"2014-07-25T07:15:30","date_gmt":"2014-07-25T11:15:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/?p=30218"},"modified":"2016-08-05T13:14:33","modified_gmt":"2016-08-05T17:14:33","slug":"popular-superfoods-eat-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/health\/popular-superfoods-eat-now\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Popular Superfoods You Should Be Eating Now"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"7<\/p>\n

Juice bars<\/a> are popping up right and left all over the country. In some cities, it\u2019s impossible to walk two blocks without running into one. But while aloe vera, wheat grass and algae might sound like they can provide a healthy boost, are they really must-have superfoods? While you should always check with your doctor before ingesting any of these ingredients (especially if you have allergies), here\u2019s the run down on some of the most popular trending ingredients right now.<\/p>\n

7 Superfoods to Add to Your Diet<\/h3>\n
\"Aloe
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. Aloe Vera<\/b><\/h3>\n

Because it\u2019s good for your skin and face \u2014 especially after a sunburn<\/a> \u2014 you\u2019d think it\u2019s healthy to drink, too, right? Aloe vera, even more specifically aloe water is becoming a common product in gyms and on grocery store shelves. While it can help your body absorb more nutrients<\/a>, too much of it can backfire. \u201cThe liquid contains latex<\/a>, which is a juice produced from the green part of the plant, and can cause cramping and have a laxative effect,\u201d says Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, CSSD, RDN, director of sports nutrition at the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine. She suggests looking for the gel, not the juice, which can have fewer reported side effects<\/a>. Also keep in mind that store-bought aloe water can contain a significant amount of added sugars, so always be sure to read the label first.<\/p>\n

\"Sea
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Sea Buckthorn<\/b><\/h3>\n

Grown throughout the Himalayas, this ingredient has been used for thousands of years<\/a> in the treatment of asthma, acid reflux and to support a healthy immune system, says Bonci. It\u2019s also a great source of vitamins A, B, C, and E, which is why this herb is popping up on the ingredient list of a variety of beauty products and supplements<\/a>. Add it into your smoothie order, or buy it as a berry, pill or oil to add a extra dose of antioxidants into your body.<\/p>\n

\"Blue
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. Blue Green Algae<\/b><\/h3>\n

While the word algae may remind you of weeds in the ocean, this ingredient is making its way onto health-conscious plates. \u201cIt helps to boost your metabolism and mood as it contains the amino acid, tyrosine, which is used to synthesize the thyroid hormone<\/a>, and dopamine, the pleasure neurotransmitter,\u201d says James. It is also high in protein, B vitamins<\/a> and iron, and can help strengthen the immune system. Blue green algae comes in powder form and can be added to a smoothie for a very green drink<\/a> \u2014 literally.<\/p>\n

\"Wheat
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. Wheat Grass<\/b><\/h3>\n

Take a shot! Not of alcohol, but of this ingredient, wheat grass. Ask at any juice bar, and it\u2019s probably one of the common shots ordered. Dana James<\/a>, MS, CNS, CDN, founder and director of Food Coach\u00a0NYC says this ingredient is rich in chlorophyll, and vitamin C, which enables the body to produce the white blood cells that attack viruses. Health benefits aside, it\u2019s an acquired taste. \u201cOne ounce of wheat grass has the vitamins and minerals in one ounce of vegetables,\u201d she says. \u201cBut it is pricey and not everyone likes the taste.\u201d Buy it fresh to avoid any contamination due to bacteria or mold. Or grow it yourself<\/a>!<\/p>\n

\"Turmeric\"
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5. Turmeric<\/b><\/h3>\n

You know turmeric<\/a> if you\u2019ve ever smelled curry before. This spice helps give the authentic Indian dish its recognizable smell. But, this antioxidant can be very beneficial to your health as well. Its active ingredient curcumin has been said to reduce swelling and inflammation, and some preliminary lab tests<\/a> have shown that it may slow the spread of cancer. (Note: Always talk to a doctor before taking this ingredient and do not substitute it for prescribed medicine.) If the plan is to add it into a drink recipe, only add a little, suggests Bonci, as it can create a strong, savory flavor.<\/p>\n

\"Echinachea\"
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6. Echinacea<\/b><\/h3>\n

When cold season rolls around, you\u2019ll often hear this ingredient come up. But there\u2019s some debate about its benefits. \u201cEchinacea is supposed to support a healthy immune system<\/a>, but studies have been mixed on the efficacy of it,\u201d says Bonci. Echinacea is actually a flowering plant, and its leaves, flower and root are typically used for treating illnesses, such as boosting the immune system to shorten the length of a sore throat or the common cold. You can purchase it in pill form or extract.<\/p>\n

\"Sacha
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7. Sacha Inchi<\/b><\/h3>\n

This plant is grown in Peru and its seeds can be found packaged on the shelves of many health food stores. Sacha inchi contains tons of healthy omega fatty acids<\/a> including 3, 6 and 9, Bonci says. The seeds can be eaten whole, or you can purchase the oil to add to a post-workout smoothie<\/a>. The ingredient is also in many supplements, promoting the reduction of high cholesterol levels and excess weight gain. Plus, it’s gluten-free and filled with fiber, so you can enjoy some guilt-free snacking.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s your go-to superfood, and how do you use it? Share your tips in the comments below. <\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From aloe water to algae shots, get to know the latest superfoods making waves in the health world, and whether or not you should be taking them, too. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":30244,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,7,9,427],"tags":[41,126,51,59,80,87,194,341,364,215],"class_list":["post-30218","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-diet-nutrition","category-health","category-recipes","category-snacks","tag-diets","tag-fiber","tag-food-choices","tag-healthy-substitutions","tag-protein","tag-snacks","tag-superfood","tag-tax1living-well","tag-tax2alternative-treatments","tag-vitamins"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30218","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30218"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30218\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30218"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30218"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}