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We have already dealt with healthy vitamin-rich super foods, whose host of beneficial properties keep you young, healthy and strong and protect you from numerous diseases.
Then there is a whole world of exotic foods, especially fruit, endowed with amazing properties, as only super foods can be. Here are 12 of them from all over the world. You may be lucky enough to find them on sale at the fruit market.
EDAMAME
Edamame are soybeans rich in protein, fibre, antioxidants and isoflavones. You will find them on a great many Japanese restaurant menus, but they are also sold in supermarkets. Edamame beans are excellent for combating cholesterol as well as tasting good and being easy to digest. They make an ideal mid-afternoon snack. (Photo: venusbuzz)
NONI
Noni grows in South East Asia from Taiwan to Australia. As well as having a strange shape, the distinctive characteristic of noni is that, once ripe, it emanates a particularly strong and unpleasant odour. Despite this, it can be eaten raw seasoned with salt, used to make sauces or served cooked as an accompaniment to rice. Noni fruits are allegedly anti-inflammatory and are used to treat headache and other painful symptoms. Providing you manage to stand the smell of mouldy cheese that is. (Photo: enforma)
KIWI
This fruit with a hairy skin and green pulp originally came from China but was adopted by New Zealand where it was given the name we all know it by. Today, Italy is the world’s number one producer of this fruit which is so rich in Vitamin C that one kiwi contains an entire daily requirement. And if this were not enough, kiwi is also rich in potassium, Vitamin E, copper, iron and fibre. It contrasts high blood pressure, constipation and symptoms of ageing. (Photo: care2)
PURSLANE
This small leaf salad, which originally came from Ancient Egypt, is looked on as a common weed and, as such, is likely to be rapidly dug up and removed from any vegetable garden. But purslane has a number of virtues: it is rich in omega 3 fatty acids – like those of salmon – and similarly to salmon, it also has a delicious lemony flavour. It can be eaten raw in salads or added to soups. Purslane is also depurative, thirst-quenching and diuretic. (Photo: minnetonkamoccasin)
CAMU CAMU
The outer appearance of camu camu is similar to that of an apple, but when cut in half it looks like an unripe persimmon. Originally from the forests of Peru and Brazil, this fruit is extremely rich in antioxidants with antiviral properties. It prevents arteriosclerosis, reduces inflammation and, being rich in vitamin C, helps prevent degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s. And that’s not all. The fruit of camu camu protects from liver disease, lowers the blood pressure and generally keeps you young and beautiful. The only snag is that the fruit is rather acidic and therefore not so easy to bite into as an apple. (Photo: alternativemedicine)
GAC
Gac is a spiny melon with a soft, blood-red core. They call it the fruit of paradise in Vietnam, Thailand, China and Laos. Its sanguine colour is the proof that it contains plenty of beta carotene, even more than tomatoes in fact. It is good for the heart, the immune system, as well as eyes and skin. (Photo: newlifethaifoundation)
JACKFRUIT
This large fruit, also from South Asia, belongs to the morocae family. The fruit of this plant can weigh up to 30 kg and is extremely rich in vitamin C and proteins. It also contains folic acid so if you eat jackfruit frequently, you can hope to stay youthful for longer and not be subject to bouts of depression and mood swings. (Photo: kodanmal)
AVOCADO
As well as being reduced to a pulp to become guacamole, avocado is a delicious and nutritious fruit, perfect as an addition to salads but also on its own as a vegetable. Thanks to its fat content, it is an ally of hair and skin beauty and also contrasts free radicals with its precious Omega-3.
AMLA
Amla, also known as Indian gooseberry, is a sour-tasting fruit and therefore astringent. It can be used either fresh or dried to calm inflammations. This charming little berry is rich in vitamin C as well as bioflavonoids which reinforce its antioxidant properties. And that’s only half the story because eating Indian gooseberries also protects from precocious ageing, Alzheimer, Parkinson’s disease and senile dementia. (Photo: odishareporter)
SOURSOP
One of the ugliest fruits ever seen. Many people are convinced that soursop is able to combat cancer but, obviously, there is no scientific evidence to back up this theory. It does however contain fibre, carbohydrates, potassium, vitamin C and water. As a juice, with a naturally bitter taste, it is used as an energy drink whilst the pulp helps heal wounds, skin rashes and eczema. (Photo: kqed )
UMEBOSHI
These Japanese plums are often used to make little sweets despite their rather acidic and savoury flavour. They have antidiarrheal and antipyretic properties which are useful in case of nausea, stomach acidity, colds, fevers, dysentery and colitis. They are also useful to combat fatigue, blood circulation problems and weakness. If you hang them up at the doorway they will probably keep your mother-in-law at bay too. (Photo: anggle)
TEFF
Teff is the smallest type of grain in the world and used widely in Ethiopia. It is a real energy punch, being rich in calcium, protein and fibre. Another great advantage is that of being completely gluten-free. Teff is the type of flour used to make injera kìil the typical bread of Eritrea and Ethiopia which accompanies the local cuisine. (Photo: thedailymeal)
