6 Superfoods Straight from Expert Biohacker Diets
Superfoods have become one of the biggest trends in nutritional health. We have all heard of the benefits of acai, quinoa and chia seeds, but here’s a list of superfoods that our expert biohackers swear by. Some you may have already heard of, others might be surprising. We tapped into a few of our favorite curator’s diets to come up with this list of six superfoods to add to your diet for a healthier, stronger you in 2016!
1. To build up your stamina - use Cordyceps Extracts
Cordyceps extracts have been used for centuries by the Chinese. It is a rare fungus that grows on the backs of caterpillars found in high-altitude areas of Tibet, Nepal and China. Cordyceps are anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and can also lower your cholesterol. Studies have indicated enhanced immune systems as well as improved stamina in endurance athletes through increased aerobic capacity and oxygen utilization.
Easily add it to your diet in the form of a tea. It comes in an instant form from Four Sigmatic, just add hot water!
2. To expedite your recovery time - use Turmeric
Turmeric is a plant native to South India and Indonesia and is a fairly common spice. However, it is also one of the most potent anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories on the planet. In addition to inflammation caused by the foods we eat, some exercises also lead to physical stress and inflammation. Foods like turmeric reduce inflammation and expedite recovery time from training. Over time, by adding turmeric to your nutritional diet, you will be able to train harder, more effectively and more efficiently, all the while battling fatigue and illness.
Tim Ferriss likes to have his turmeric with tea, he even included this Turmeric Ginger Tea from Rishi Tea in #TIM07.
Bonus - curcumin. This is the active agent in Turmeric and can be found as capsules. It provides the same benefits as Turmeric, but in a more compact, potent form. For those of you who want to add it to your daily diet, try these Exos Curcumin capsules, highly recommended by Ben Greenfield.
3. For the “anti-everything” superfood - use Chaga
Chaga is a mushroom that grows on birch trees in many regions including Siberia, Japan, the Nordic and Baltic countries, as well as many areas in northern North America. Chaga contains extraordinarily large amounts of superoxide dismutase (SOD), one of the body’s most powerful antioxidants. It also includes 215 different phytonutrients, with anti-oxidative, immune-stimulative, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. Ben Greenfield likes to refer to chaga as being “anti-everything.”
Use chaga whenever you need a boost in immunity or when you are under a lot of stress, such as from tough training or periods of frequent travel. These packets from Four Sigmatic are perfect to take with you on your adventures.
4. To increase your performance over time - use Elk Antler Velvet
Elk antler velvet can be considered controversial in the superfood category. Although it is derived from the entire antler, it is humanely removed from the animal. Antler removal does not harm the animal and is in fact a necessary safety precaution that helps prevent the elk from attacking each other. It is mainly produced in Canada and New Zealand and can be found in a powder form. This “velvet” made our superfood list because it contains growth proteins called Insulin-like Growth Factors. These proteins create an endogenous increase in testosterone production, increasing the body’s ability to naturally and rapidly regenerate tissue and bone.
Dave Asprey recommends Vigr Elk Velvet Antler, just take one to two capsules each morning to notice improvement in your health.
5. The antioxident powerhouse - Matcha Green Tea
Green tea has many well-known benefits, however, when it comes to superfoods, only Matcha Green Tea makes the list. Matcha powdered green tea has 137 times more antioxidants than regularly brewed green tea. With matcha green tea, you are literally drinking the tea leaves that have been finely turned into a powder for a more potent source of nutrients. In addition to providing small amounts of vitamins and minerals, matcha is rich in antioxidants called polyphenols. These have been linked to protection against heart disease and cancer, as well as better blood sugar regulation, blood pressure reduction, and anti-aging. What makes it unique is that it contains a potent class of antioxidant known as catechins. In particular, the catechin EGCg (epigallocatechin gallate) provides potent cancer-fighting properties that counteract the effects of free radicals from the likes of pollution, UV rays, radiation, and chemicals.
Matcha isn’t just for drinking. Since it is found in a powder form, you can easily add to any recipe, sweet or savory. If you Google matcha recipes, you’ll find everything from matcha muffins, brownies and puddings, to matcha soup, stir fry, and even matcha guacamole!
(Pictured, Breakaway Matcha from #KEV02)
Usually found in a raw cake form, Pu-erh Tea can easily be one of the most expensive teas originating from the Yunnan province of China. It is made from dried leaves of ancient trees, upwards of 1,700 years old. What makes Pu-erh truly rare is the fermentation process it goes through after the leaves are dried and aged. It is fermented with microbes which provides probiotic health benefits, such as reducing arterial plaque and LDL cholesterol levels. It also reduces blood sugar levels and improves the body’s ability to metabolize fat, aiding in weight loss.
For more information, please consult your local teahouse.
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