Five Exotic Superfoods You Should Know About

Foods don’t have to come from far away to be considered “super” but SupermarketGuru wanted to outline a few of the more popular, exotic superfoods

Foods don’t have to come from far away to be considered “super” but SupermarketGuru wanted to outline a few of the more popular, exotic superfoods that today are found in everything from chocolate bars to breakfast cereals and more.

Acai is an incredible superfood native to Central and South America, and contains a blend of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and amino acids. Acai berries are found on palm trees that grow between 45 to 90 feet! They are not as sweet as your typical berry, but are a great source of antioxidants, protein, fiber, trace minerals, as well as omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids. Acai is renowned for its protective properties against free radicals as well as boosting cell defense.

Camu Camu is another exotic Amazonian berry that is extraordinarily high in vitamin C, as well as the amino acids valine, leucine, and serine. Camu camu has been traditionally used as a medicinal herb, improving the function of the brain, eyes, heart, lungs, liver, and skin. Camu camu is thought to help ward off the common cold, influenza and other viruses, and helps with stress and anxiety, making an excellent addition to your life.

Goji berries are one of the most nutritionally-rich fruits on the planet, packed with vitamins, minerals, protein and antioxidants. The goji berry flavor resembles a combination of cranberries and cherries, and like acai, is a delicious superfood you can enjoy a number of ways. Sometimes called a Wolfberry, goji berries are considered a complete source of protein and a nutritionally dense strength-building food. A single goji berry can contain up to 21 trace minerals, including zinc, iron, copper, calcium and 18 different amino acids.

Maca is a root vegetable grown high in the Peruvian Andes; maca has a well known reputation dating back into prehistory as a powerful enhancer to stamina, strength and libido. Maca is an adaptogen, which means it helps the body adapt easier to stress. Maca was sacred to the Incas and has been used as a food and medicine in South America for centuries. It is even said that the Incan warriors would consume maca before long journeys and even battles.

Mesquite is a leguminous tree that makes its home in some of the driest climates on Earth. With its molasses-like flavor, with a slight hint of caramel, you may have already enjoyed mesquite in a variety of foods. Mesquite powder is made by grinding up these seed pods into a fine meal. All over the Americas, from Chile to California, mesquite has been used by native populations as a reliable source of food in the harshest of climates. The soluble fibers found in mesquite help balance blood sugar. Mesquite also contains quercetin a phytochemical, which displays anti-diabetic and allergy relieving properties. Mesquite also boasts impressive protein content and a solid variety of minerals, such as calcium, zinc, magnesium, and potassium. Mesquite’s combination of calcium and magnesium also make it a great food for bone health.

This is only a short list of many exotic “superfoods.” What are your favorites?

Information from this article was gathered from Sunfood.com