Black Power Super Foods!

Is Black replacing Green when it comes to Super foods?  I’m sure youv’e heard the old saying "the darker the berry the sweeter the juice.” The Powerful Properties that these Black foods promote, have been in existence for years, but we are just finding out just how beneficial they are.

Black foods contain Anthocyanins which are antioxidants that protect the body’s many systems. They have the strongest positive effects on the body than any other plant compounds.

These 5 Black foods are sure to pack the power when it comes to health and nutrition!

Black Raspberries

These are the King of all berries with extreme amounts of antioxidants contained within them.  This means that their tolerance for absorbing free radicals is exceptionally high.  Cancer. Heart disease, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease are allowed to run rampant when free radicals are present. 

Elegiac acid is also present in Black Raspberries, which is an anti-viral and anti bacterial.  Ohio State University did a study that showed an 80% reduction in esophageal cancers in mice fed a 5-10% diet of black raspberries. They are conducting stage two human clinical studies to further test their potency.

Don’t get them confused with blackberries, as they are very different because they are much darker in color, contain more seeds and their properties are much more powerful.  Mainly raised in Oregon their season typically starts in Mid June.

 Black Sesame Seeds

Although they come from the same family, black sesame seeds are not hulled like their white counterparts, allowing them to display their true essence.  They are very popular in the Far East cuisine and stand out beautifully when displayed with any meal.

With 60% more calcium more and antioxidants that hulled seeds, black sesame seeds have more flavor and a much stronger aroma. With their oil content removed the protein level is high, ranging at 35-50%

Black Rice

There was a time when one would have been put to death for stealing a few handfuls of black rice!  Highly treasured and protected in Asia for centuries, it was known as the Emperor’s rice because it was thought that it would extend their lives.

Black rice is packed with more antioxidants than blueberries; it is also full with Vitamin E and Fiber, not to mention its anti-inflammatory properties. Quiet as it’s kept too; it was know as an aphrodisiac. So eat up!

Black Beans

My personal favorite is Black food is Black Beans.  In Asian medicine Black Beans are most used for improving skin because of the high levels of vitamin E they contain. In turn they help to keep the diet intact due to fact that they have anti-obesity properties and they are high in antioxidants which help prevent cancer, ulcers, and aging. 

The Protein and fiber in Black Beans assist the body in digestion and when paired with brown rice, make a complete protein.  It’s foliate and magnesium levels are high which also help preserve cardiovascular health.

Black Chicken

Although new to our culture, Black Chickens, also known as Silkies, have been a part of the Chinese culture for centuries and have long been eaten for their medicinal properties.  It is claimed by the Chinese that the black skin and black bones of the chicken can heal anything from chronic fatigue, weakness, diabetes, heart disease, and irregular menstruation to memory loss and aches and pains.  The flavor, is much deeper that traditional chicken and the meat much leaner.  Black chicken soup is a traditional Chinese remedy for headaches and for those women who have just given childbirth; it is a must for replenishing energy.

  

I’m not saying to put away all your green foods, but green foods have been taking all the credit for far too long. Just remember, the darker the food the more disease fighting power it has. Try integrating these black foods into your diet as much as possible. Black Food is All Good!

Thanks for reading.

Many Blessings,

Angel-ahhh

“Any Colour- so long as it’s black”

~Henry Ford