Are you familiar with the term superfoods? According to doctor Gundry, a superfood is poor in calories but dense in nutrients.
These foods are copious in bioactive compounds that support the immune system and cardiovascular health. Some of them are abundant in antioxidants, assisting body cells in the combat against oxidative stress.
Doctor Steven Gundry considers olive oil, avocados, mushrooms, walnuts, and extra dark chocolate to be superfoods.
This is everything you need to know about Dr Gundry Superfood recommendations and the health benefits of these foods.
Extra virgin olive oil
One of the foods that doctor Gundry considers a superfood is extra virgin olive oil. Olives are packed with a specific substance called hydroxytyrosol, which does wonders for longevity. Olive oil is known to keep individuals energized, support healthy blood vessels and heart, promote healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol, as well as relieve pain from overworked muscles and joints.
Moreover, olive oil gets absorbed by the body incredibly quickly and works amazingly fast when destroying free radicals responsible for causing illnesses and aging. Additionally, it keeps the brain sharp and focused, reaching its peak performance levels. Due to these benefits, doctor Gundry advises patients to consume a minimum of one liter per week.
The easiest way for individuals to consume olive oil is by using it as cooking oil when making pasta, in salad dressing, etc. The ultimate goal of the food you eat should be to ingest olive oil as frequently as possible. The extra virgin olive oil to look for should be stored in a dark container, and it should be young when it comes to the time of being harvested. The highest-quality oil is made with olives sourced from the Moroccan Desert, which have high polyphenol content levels.
Avocado
Another superfood recommended by doctor Gundry is avocados. This fruit is a copious source of monounsaturated fats and essential nutrients. Unsaturated fats are beneficial in reducing LDL cholesterol without affecting the levels of good HDL cholesterol. High levels of LDL cholesterol narrow the arteries and reduce the flow of blood through them, which leads to blood clots and other serious medical complications. Read more about the causes and formation of blood clots.
Furthermore, avocados represent an abundant source of potassium. An avocado serving of 100 grams contains as many as 485 milligrams of potassium. This mineral is indeed helpful in regulating nerve function and transporting nutrients into cells. Potassium is considered an enemy of hypertension, as it encourages sodium to exit the human body through urine. Sodium is largely responsible for increasing blood pressure.
Avocados are also high in fiber content. A 100-gram piece of this fruit contains almost seven grams of fiber, which keeps individuals satiated for longer periods. They are also rich in folate, containing 81 micrograms per 100 grams.
Folate is basically a B vitamin, necessary for optimal brain function and healthy pregnancy. Therefore, women planning to get pregnant are recommended to take 400 micrograms of folate per day, whereas pregnant women should boost their daily intake to 600 micrograms.
Mushrooms
Another superfood recommended by doctor Gundry is mushrooms. This food is a low-calorie source of fiber, protein, antioxidants, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, and thiamine. There are multiple species of super mushrooms, each of them playing a specific role in one’s health, including Shiitake, Maitake, Turkey Tale, Ganoderma lucidum, and others.
For instance, Shiitake is the most popular type of super mushroom, used predominantly in Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Shiitake mushrooms are abundant in oleic acid and vitamin E, supporting the immune response of the body and cholesterol levels. The following link, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/shiitake-mushrooms, explains why Shiitake Mushrooms are good for you.
Maitake mushrooms provide virtually the same health benefits as Shiitake. They are plentiful in beta-glucans, which offer incredible immune system support. In contrast, Turkey Tail mushrooms contain no fewer than 38 different phenolic acids. These compounds support not just the immune system but the cardiovascular system as well. Ganoderma lucidum is beneficial in supporting normal blood sugar levels, a healthy liver, and gastrointestinal function.
A final note
Superfoods should be consumed daily for improving your immune system, cardiovascular health, skin, and brain function.
