6 Awesome Superfoods You Should Check Out!

Each fruit, vegetable, and herb has its own share of nutrients and health benefits. However, there are certain foods just a class apart from the rest. Improve your cardiovascular wellness, gut health, and immunity by amping up your consumption of superfoods. Check out these 6 irreplaceable superfoods for a healthy lifestyle.

Abiyuch or Garlic Pear

Abiyuch, better known as garlic pear, is a fruit found in South-East Asia and the South Pacific Islands. Botanically referred to as Crataeva religiosa, this fruit earns its name after its fruit that looks like a pear, but smells and tastes like garlic. 

The caper trees on which these fruits are born are usually found growing along the banks of streams and rivers, mostly near temples and monasteries. Its oval-round garlic pears have a thick rind and kidney-shaped seeds. 

However, the yellow pulp within this fruit is a powerhouse of Vitamin C and other minerals such as iron, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium. 

For hundreds of years, these delicious fruits have been relished by local communities. Besides being just a tasty treat, these fruits have also been used in a number of traditional medicines, particularly to treat kidney stones. 

The locals not only ate the fruits but made full use of the whole tree. The young shoots were cooked as a vegetable or used in curries. When in bloom, the flowers were picked and pickled. The fruits were used as a spice because of their garlic-like flavor.

Acorn Squash

Acorn squash, also known as the pepper squash, is a variety of squash distinct from the others because of its longitudinal ridges and yellow-orange flesh. The Native Americans were juicing the goodness out of these squashes way before the European settlers had a clue about it. 

Each of these fruits weighs about 1 – 2 pounds and is known to have a shelf life of shy of a few weeks. The locals in the Philippines prefer to chow down on the leaves and flowers, too, along with the fruits. 

Besides the great taste, this creeper is known to survive through some of the harshest conditions. Undoubtedly this survivor is one of the most nutrition-dense squashes from the entire family. 

This vegetable is packed with enough dietary fiber to keep the bowels moving like a smoothly oiled machine. Besides that, it is also a treasure trove of Vitamins A & C besides housing the B complex vitamins. Abound with potassium, magnesium, iron, and copper; this fruit is the perfect addition to a power-packed meal.

Adzuki Beans

All through Asia, these beans are used behind the screens to make those power-punch red sauces. These little red ninjas are loaded with razor-sharp antioxidants, essential vitamins, and minerals. In Japan, where these beans are believed to have originated, they are used to make cakes and bean jams which are usually eaten with rice dumplings. 

Adzuki beans are a great source of protein and fiber, making them a great help to those trying to normalize blood sugar. Adzuki is a rich source of protein, making these legumes a great choice for anyone looking to beef up the healthy way. 

Besides that, these beans have been shown to rein control over cholesterol and completely relax those blood vessels.

Advocaat

The story goes that the Dutch were trying to imitate an avocado-based drink from Java or Brazil. And in their version, they added eggs instead of Avocados along with the brandy. 

"Advocaatpeer" which stands for "avocados" in Dutch, is very similar to "Advocaat" the Dutch word for "Advocate". Over time, the drink came to be known as "advocateborrel," which could be translated to "lawyer's drink" What better name for a boozy eggnog that lubricates the throat? 

This creamy drink is usually made with egg yolks, vanilla, sugar, and brandy. This smooth, custard-like flavored drink had a typical alcohol content of anywhere between 14% and 20%. But modern versions of this liqueur have had a few changes over the years. 

The drink is usually cooked like a mixture of custard for fears associated with raw eggs, and the alcohol content is pushed up to almost 40%. The original version of this drink was dairy-free, but recent versions have also whipped cream or condensed milk to make this one heavy liqueur.

Ale

Back in the medieval period, ale with bread was an important source of nutrition. What was then a mild beer contained just enough alcohol to preserve all of its nutrition without any intoxicating effects. Small beer was consumed almost on a daily basis by everyone, including children in the medieval world. 

During those times, it was probably a safer bet to gulp ale as compared to water since the germ theory of disease, and the sterilizing properties of boiling were absolutely unknown! 

The alcohol and hops used to preserve some of these ales could have played a role in staving off the pathogens. But more importantly, this was safer because of the hours of boiling required in the production! These drinks were mostly brewed by the womenfolk, who were referred to as brewsters or alewives. Not surprisingly, the men couldn't be trusted with the finished ale!

In modern-day, ales are made at temperatures between 15 and 24-degree Celsius. In all brews which are heated above 24 degrees Celsius, the result is a fruity flavor attributed to the esters released.

Allspice

Allspice, also known as Pimenta, refers to a Caribbean spice, which originated in South America but is now found in all warm parts of the world. The English coined the term to describe its aroma, which has traces of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. These seeds have been used for ages by traditional communities to spice their savory delicacies. 

The fruits from these trees are picked when they are unripe, much like the harvest of green peppers from vines. These are dried in the sun before being packed and stored for use. The leaves of this tree, which are similar to those of Bay leaf, are also used in cooking. In regions where this tree grows in good numbers, the leaves and wood are used for smoking meats. 

In the Middle East, this spice is used to flavor savory dishes, but not surprisingly, in Great Britain & United States, the spice is used paradoxically used to flavor desserts.

Superfoods and Microbiome Testing

Many of these superfoods aren't readily available for you to purchase at your store. However, there are plenty of superfoods that will support optimal wellness. 

We can help you find the right superfoods that match your gut wellness needs. Get your gut tested with Ombre to learn which foods you should eat and which you should avoid.

We can also provide you with a strain-specific probiotic recommendation targeted to address your symptoms. Start your gut wellness journey with Ombre today.