Here are some reasons why:

Super high levels of nutrients
Eating smaller portions of highly nutritious foods, makes you feel lighter and more alive. Nutrients for humans is like fertilizer for plants, every part of your body gets healthier, stronger and more vibrant; Diseases decrease, vitality increases.

High levels of anti oxidants
Anti oxidants are often what gives foods their natural colouring and the reason why so many super foods have such rich colours i.e. Blue berry, Goji berry, Acai berry and Cacao. Anti oxidants protect the body from oxidants which can impair cellular metabolism (energy and fat burning), accelerate the ageing process and damage DNA.

High mineral content (especially nuts and seeds)
Minerals are the foundation for cellular function and micro minerals often found in super foods can have profound
Effects on cellular health by stimulating positive DNA expression.

Super foods are an easy and natural way to boost your nutrition, energy and general wellbeing.

Saffron for depression

The most expensive spice in the world, saffron, has shown to be effective for treating depression.
So, adding some saffron to your cooking may help lift moods, manage stress and decrease anxiety.
Though it is expensive it also goes a long way, as it is so concentrated, so much so that too much in your cooking can make it taste “medicinal”.

Recent studies have shown supplemental saffron to have anti-depressant effects on par with many pharmaceutical anti-depressants, but with very few side effects.
It also works very fast, in some cases it only took one week to alleviate mild to moderate depression, whereas most pharmaceutical medicines take 4-6 weeks to take effect.

Effective Dosages are not that high, at 30mg daily makes it attainable through culinary amounts (about 20 threads) but please keep in mind that strengths in culinary herbs can vary greatly and so should not be relied upon to treat depression, but for maintaining general mental health and improving general well-being eating saffron as a part of your diet is a tasty way to promote health and happiness.

Note—this post if for informational use only, for any supplementary or dietary changes please contact your health care practitioner.

Chia seeds

Chia seeds are a South American seed from the mint family. They were used by the ancient Mayan and Aztec cultures as a food for increasing energy and endurance (the ancient Mayan word “chia” means strength!)

Essential fats
Chia seeds are a true super food (high density nutrition),
One the highest vegetable sources of omega 3 fats, an essential nutrient needed for proper functioning of the nervous system, brain, the heart , blood and hormonal/endocrine systems. Omega 3 fats are vital in the proper development of children and are highly recommended during pregnancy and breast feeding.

Fibre
Over a third of chia seed mass is made up of fiber, which makes it one of the highest fiber foods in the world.
Chia contains a special soft vegetable fibre that swells up in water, making the chia seeds both filling and lower in calories.
Fiber also helps to make foods lower GI, as they slow absorption of sugars.

Soft vegetable fibre is also an important food for the “friendly” bacteria in your gut, which are essential for digestive health.

Anti-oxidants
Chia seeds are also very high in anti-oxidants. Anti oxidants are chemical “buffers” that protect against the destructive effects of oxidation. The high levels in chia seeds protect the delicate oils in the seeds keeping them fresh and functioning. Anti-Oxidants can help to protect the body from the oxidative effects of toxins.

Protien
A good source of protein. Chia seeds are 14% protein making them a great nutritional food for vegetarians. Proteins can help stabilize blood sugars and can help to keep you full between meals.

Paleo diet and chia seeds
Chia seeds are a perfect compliment to the paleo diet, unlike grains chia seeds are soothing nourishing and anti inflammatory for the digestive tract. The paleo diet generally advocates having more protien, and chia seeds unlike grain are very high in bio available protien. Along with this, their taste and texture make them the perfect solution for a quick and easy paleo breakfast cereal.

As you can see chia seeds are well worthy of the name “superfood”

100mg of chia seeds contain on average –

• Fiber: 38 grams.

• Protein: 14 grams.

• Fat: 31.5 grams (5 of which are Omega-3s).

• Calcium 631 mg

• Phosphorus 948mg

• Magnesium 335mg

• Potassium 160 mg

• Zinc 3.5mg

Goji

Goji berries are as much a herb, as they are a fruit. Packed full of nutrients and phytochemicals they have a huge potential for nourishing and vitalizing the whole body.

The consumption of Goji berries is dated back as 2500years.

In china goji berries are believed to be an elixir for longevity and vitality, through their ability to build “chi” energy, they are traditionally used in times of weakness and old age to rejuvenate and reinvigorate the body and spirit.

Goji berries have a very impressive phytonutrient profile

Minerals (11 essential and 22 trace dietary minerals), 6 vitamins, unsaturated fatty acids (including the essential fatty acids-linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid), beta-sitosterol, carotenoids (the highest known food source of beta carotene – a powerful anti-oxidant), zeaxanthin (goji one of the richest edible plant sources known for zeaxanthin content), lutein, lycopene, cryptoxanthin, xanthophyll, phenolic pigments, Betaine and Physalin.

Goji berries are a perfect food for adding to paleo breakfast cereals and paleo smoothies.

Each 100g serve of goji berries contain on average-

• Protein- 14.4 g 18 amino acids – 8 of them essential.

• Calcium – 112 mg, 10% DRI.

• Potassium – 1,132 mg, 24% of DRI.

• Iron – 9 mg, 100% DRI.

• Zinc – 2 mg, 18% DRI.

• Selenium – 50 micrograms, 91% DRI.

• Riboflavin (vitamin B2)- 1.3 mg, 100% of DRI.

• Vitamin C –92 mg 100% DRI.

• Beta-carotene- 7 mg, more than any other known food.

Many of the Phytonutrients in goji berries are powerful anti-oxidants that also show a potential to target specific tissues in the body, though none of these effects have been verified by science (yet), taking into account this vast array of phytonutrients the potential for goji berries as a whole body tonic and rejuvenator is huge.

Cacao – Raw Cacao

Cacao – One of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet with incredibly high levels of anti-oxidants. and the ability to lift moods through naturally containing neurotransmitters, Cacao is a true super food.
This has been recognized by the ancient tribes of South America who believed it to be divine elixir given to them by the gods.

Raw Cacao has the highest anti oxidant levels than any other food in the world, 10% of its weight is made up of anti oxidant flavniods. Anti oxidants can help protect the body from the effects from oxidants, toxins and inflammation. This is the most important reason that you want to consume unprocessed raw cacao as studies have shown that up to 90% of anti oxidants in cacao can be lost in processing. Along with this vital enzymes and vitamins can also be destroyed in the processing of cacao which uses fermentation, heat and alkalizing agents.

Nutrients
Not only is Raw Cacao one if the most nutrient dense foods on earth, it is dense in some of the minerlas most commonly deficient in modern man – Magnesium, manganese, selenium, iron and zinc. It is also high in B vitamins – thiamine, niacin, riboflavin- and vitamins A, C, D and E.

Uplifting mood enhancer – The ancient Aztecs used cacao as a powerful aphrodisiac and a mind opening ceremonial drink.

Can Raw cacao enhance sexuality, love and happiness? All cultures that have come in contact with cacao has linked its consumption with some form of romantic, sensual or sexual enhancement as well as reaching for it in times of depression. Is this a coincidence, a spread of culture with the food or is there something more substantial behind it? The amounts of mood enhancing compounds found naturally in raw cacao, point to a potential of this going beyond a cultural myth. Raw cacao contains-

Seratonin – this neurotransmitter helps relieve depression, helping us deal with stress and elevating moods.
Phenylethylamine – The brains natural love drug, produced in high levels in the brain when we fall in love.
Phenylethylamine helps us feel positive, uplifted and rejuvenated.
Anandamine – comes from the Sanskrit word meaning bliss, anandamine is released in times of happiness.

As you can see raw cacao has unfortunately been over processed and undervalued by modern society, it is a potent super food with potential for many positive health benefits. Please remember raw cacao is powerful and should only be consumed in moderate amounts.
Raw cacao will put a boost into your paleo breakfast cereals and paleo smoothies.