Okay, so these superfoods aren’t really a secret, but there’s a good chance you haven’t heard about them before.  Just because they may not be getting the press that kale, quinoa and acai are getting these days, the following list of food are definitely worth a try…I mean how can you resist the appeal of an umeboshi plum?!

Before we get to the list, however, I want to define what I mean by “superfood”.  The term isn’t regulated and doesn’t have a hard and fast definition.  To me,

A superfood is any food that has a relatively greater amount of health promoting compounds compared to similar types of foods.

With that out of way, check out the following list of seven secret superfoods:

Fennel seeds – Native to the Mediterranean, these seeds have an emerging body of research demonstrating positive benefit for a range of digestive conditions.  Try chewing a small handful of dried fennel seeds after a big meal to help support digestion…they taste like mild black licorice.

Curry powder – A major component of this spice blend is a bright yellow compound called curcumin that comes from the root of the turmeric plant.  Commonly found in traditional Indian cuisine, this compound shows promise for a range of health benefits, probably due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds it contains.

Umeboshi plums – A dried and pickled Japanese plum, this fruit is traditionally used to support liver and digestive health.  A little bit goes a long way, just a quarter of one fruit can be sliced and added to rice or even hot tea.  An added bonus of this pickled plum is that it provides the magical “fifth taste”, umami, a flavor most-commonly found in protein-rich animal foods so it can be a great ingredient addition for vegans looking to expand the flavor range of their meals.

Sea vegetables – A big category of edible plants, a common type of sea vegetable is seaweed, a type of algae that grows on or near the sea floor.  Along with other minerals, many types of seaweed contain iron and vitamin C.  Because vitamin C improves the body’s ability to absorb iron, foods that contain both help to make the iron more bio-available to the body.  In addition to vitamins and minerals, research is uncovering a range of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in sea vegetables.

Black garlic – This is the same form as plain garlic, but it’s been fermented at high temperature.  The result is a sweeter, milder tasting garlic that can be used in all the same ways as traditional garlic or simply spread on a slice of bread and eaten plain.  Garlic has a strong and established body of research for a host of health conditions, but some of the strongest research is for its cardiovascular benefits, specifically to help manage high cholesterol and blood pressure.

Hemp seeds – Although the seeds come from the same plant that produces marijuana, the effect and benefits of hemp seeds couldn’t be more disconnected from the drug.  The seeds contain a mix of amino acids, fiber, protein, vitamin E and essential fatty acids.  Due to their mild flavor, they can be added to almost anything, from a smoothie to a salad or oatmeal.

Maca powder – A plant native to South America, this root has been cultivated for more than 2000 years and is prepared in many different ways – baked, roasted, even fermented as a drink.  Known as an “adaptogen”, this plant is traditionally recognized and has a small body of modern research suggesting its benefit in supporting feelings of energy and hormonal balance.

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