What Are The New Super Foods?
BOSTON (CBS) - Remember what your mother told you about eating an apple a day to keep the doctor way?
New research is revealing health benefits to a whole new group of so-called "Super Foods."
Selene Cate likes to eat healthy and tries to choose one of these super foods each day.
Super foods are loaded with nutrients and have other positive side effects, such as reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, and warding off cancer.
WBZ-TV's Paula Ebben reports.
Dr. Nicholas Perricone wrote the book "Forever Young."
He says science is now going beyond previously hyped super foods like acai and pomegranate.
He says very small amounts of some of these foods can affect the body profoundly.
CINNAMON
One example is cinnamon.
"It's an anti-oxidant, powerful anti-inflammatory, it's anti-bacterial, and now we know it has powerful anti-cancer activity," he explained.
WATERCRESS
It's not new information that eating plenty of vegetables is beneficial, but now research is highlighting some lesser known varieties, such as watercress.
Perricone said, "Two really important studies out of the UK show that it can inhibit the growth of breast cancer, and at the same time prevent actually the formation of breast cancer."
MANGOSTEEN
For something more exotic, try mangosteen.
Nutritionist Lindsey Duncan believes it can help fight free radicals and reduce inflammation.
SEA BUCKTHORN
Sea Buckthorn is also getting rave reviews according to Duncan.
"It's one of the only foods on the planet that has the fatty acid omega 7. Omega fatty acid 7 is incredible for the skin, the hair."
CACAO, LYCHEE, GOJI BERRY
For heart health, try nibbling on raw cacao, or load up on lychee.
Duncan says they're full of anti oxidants.
Goji berry is another beneficial choice.
Duncan said, "It supports eye health and vision. It also supports healthy mood, mind, and memory."
Selene has been sampling all kinds of super foods, and is feeling the difference.
"I just feel all around mentally happier and healthier," she said.
If some of these foods sound too exotic for your taste, don't forget you can improve your diet without much effort just by focusing on whole grains, and foods that less processed.
