In discussing Superfoods, people often use specialist terms or abbreviations which can be misleading or for which it can be difficult to find clear meanings. This page aims to present these terms in a way that is easily understood.
Adaptogens
Anandamide
Anandamide - known as the ‘bliss chemical’ because it is released while we are feeling great.
Antioxidants
Substances which resist oxidation, which is a harmful process in the body that can lead to cancers and cell damage.
Carotenoids
SUbstances used by the body to produce Vitamin A
Dopamine
A natural chemical produced in the brain in response to pleasure which creates a feeling of happiness.
Flavonoids
A group of polyphenols with powerful antioxidant properties
PEA
Phenylethylamine (PEA) – known as the ‘love’ chemical because it is released when we are in love.
Phytonutrients
Compunds occurring in plants, many of which have proven health benefits in humans. Examples are aspirin and lycopene.
Polyphenols
Phenolic compounds found mainly in fruits which are important in protecting against cardiovascular diseases and cancers.
Serotonin
A natural chemical produced in the brain in response to sunlight and also pleasure which creates a feeling of happiness, and also regulates anxiety, mood, memory, appetite and many other functions.
Superfoods
Foods are materials which our bodies can use to break down into the building blocks we need to support growth, tissue repair and health. These building blocks, such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, amino acids etc. are vital to our wellbeing and some are present in all foods that we eat. However, some foods are better than others at supplying high quality, easily absorbed nutrients to our bodies and some forms of nutrients are more easily absorbed by our bodies than others, which is particularly important when we are ill or vulnerable.
In recent years, interest has grown in a class of foods collectively known as superfoods, which includes all foods which provide highly concentrated and easily absorbed forms of as many useful nutrients as possible. Many of these superfoods are young or newly germinated plants, although some vegetables are good enough to be classed in this company and many nuts are also included by some authorities in the group, even though nut allergies are becoming more common, as they are such a rich source of nutrients such as selenium which are hard to obtain in other foods.
Tryptophan
An amino acid used by the body to manufacture Serotonin
Vitamins
Substances built from amino acids which are vital to cell and body health.