Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Few things please me more than a delicious and nutritious superfood. Unprocessed cocoa has become the market’s hottest superfood. As marvelous and enjoyable as cocoa and the chocolate it becomes can be, few people think of it as a food that benefits health. Cocoa’s Rich …
Photo by Charisse Kenion on Unsplash Two new studies show that dark chocolate reduces stress and inflammation, while improving memory, immunity, and mood. Let’s get snackin’! Lee S. Berk, DrPH, associate dean of research affairs, School of Allied Health Professions and a researcher in psychoneuroimmunology …
The term superfoods is just as popular a buzzword as Collagen in the health and nutrition world today. It refers to nature-packed nuggets of antioxidants – fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices – that are naturally found all around the world. But superfood powders make these powerful antioxidants accessible from just about anywhere.
The average American, despite research and more awareness, still only consumes 1-2 servings of vegetables daily, which leaves them way behind the current dietary recommendations of 5-9 daily servings. Nutritionists agree – eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables is the key to good health. This is where superfoods come in.
This nutritional category includes a variety of colorful foods like dark berries, mushrooms and green, leafy vegetables. They are usually low in sodium, saturated fat, and refined sugar. According to Claudia Guy, ND, Director of Nutrition for InVite® Health, superfoods may pack more Vitamin C than lemons or more carotenoids (organic pigments products by plants and algae) than carrots. But many superfoods can be difficult to incorporate into your daily diet, as many are seasonal or difficult to find.
InVite® Health has found a way to preserve the boluses of super nutrients through freeze-drying, which maintains freshness and nutrients without the sugars and carbohydrates. Gathering and cultivating these non-GMO superfoods is done with utmost scrutiny and inspection for purity and potency. We have created several unique superfood blends, each with a great taste and unique purpose.
Blacks Hx®
Black, blue, and red pigmented fruits, mushrooms and legumes help support energy. immunity and wellness. Blacks Hx® may support respiratory tract health and healthy circulation. This superfood powder may also support brain health and digestive health. It contains an organic blend that includes cranberries, pomegranate, blackberries and acai fruit, shiitake mushroom extract, black cumin seed extract, black bean powder, and tart cherry fruit powder.†
Beets Hx®
Beets are a source of many heart healthy constituents. Beets Hx® contains little carbohydrate and combined fermented non-GMO organic beet root powder and the skin of tart non-GMO cherries. Beets Hx® is substantially high in nitrates. These nitrates convert to nitric oxide, while dilates blood vessels, lowers blood pressure and improves circulation, exercise endurance, and workout recovery. Beets Hx® CherryPURE® non-GMO tart cherry powder is the only tart cherry source backed by clinical studies.†
Cocoa Hx®
Cocoa has a number of ingredients useful for brain health. Studies show that real cocoa helps reverse aging of the brain and supports memory functions, as well as helping to reverse the age-associated decline of circulation to the brain. Cocoa supports healthy blood pressure and good circulation. It’s antioxidant content supports skin health. Freeze-dried black raspberry and kiwi supply their own sets of pigment antioxidants to help support respiratory tract and digestive health.†
Greens Hx®
Greens Hx® supplies a combination of 35 herbs, vegetables, fruits, spices and algae, plus six strains of probiotic bacteria, and an assortment of plant enzymes for supporting health, wellness and metabolism. Plant foods help improve the quality of the diet of individuals who do not consume enough fruits and vegetables. Probiotic bacteria support a good metabolism and a better mood. They help replenish your natural bacteria that are reduced by lifestyle factors including travel, diet, stress and alcohol. Probiotic bacteria naturally support healthy digestion and the 70% of your immune system that comes into contact with your gut.†
Reds Hx®
The pigments of berries such as black raspberry, cranberry, strawberry and acai may help support the health of the brain, skin, cardiovascular system, and vision. Reds Hx® supplies six probiotic strains for healthy digestion and regularity. The inclusion of the ORAC® Blend and Grape Seed support antioxidant-cellular protective activity. Probiotic bacteria support a good metabolism and a better mood. They help replenish your natural bacteria that are reduced by lifestyle factors including travel, diet, stress and alcohol. Probiotic bacteria naturally support healthy digestion and the 70% of your immune system that comes into contact with your gut.†
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by Nicole Crane, B.S., NTP Chocolate is one of nature’s most powerful superfoods. But it’s benefits can be reversed when milk, cholesterol from milk solids and enormous amounts of refined sugars are added (i.e. the chocolate we all know and love!). What is Cocoa? Cocoa …
When the temperature drops, you need something hot to warm you up. What’s better than snuggling up with a blanket and a good movie? A pumpkin spice hot chocolate – with a healthy kick! Benefits of Pumpkin Pumpkin spice is the quintessential fall ingredient; from …
Trillions of bacteria live in our gut – both healthy and unhealthy. When the body has more unhealthy bacteria than healthy bacteria, it can cause digestive problems such as bloating and gassiness. Research has shown that balanced levels of “good” bacteria is needed for proper digestion and overall health. A new study says that cocoa may be an important factor for digestive health, as well.
Cocoa, derived from the cacao bean, is chocolate in its natural form (without all of the additives) that contain essential minerals and polyphenols. Its benefits are generally reversed when milk, cholesterol from milk solids, and an enormous amount of refined sugar are added, creating the chocolate we all know and love today.
Because of cocoa’s natural components, it offers excellent antioxidant protection. Studies have shown that cocoa increases circulation to the brain and heart, improving healthy blood flow due to its flavonols, which may also help manage blood pressure.
In order to reap the benefits of cocoa, our bodies must break it down and absorb its nutrients; this is dependent on the bacteria that live in our intestines. Numerous studies have shown that its consumption actually increases the levels of good bacteria in the gut.
Researchers from the Department of Food and Nutritional Services at the University of Reading in the UK measured higher levels of good bacteria (Probiotics) Lactobacillus and Bididobacterium species in the intestines of human volunteers who drank high-cocoa chocolate milk for 4 weeks. The same team a few years earlier proved that components in cocoa can reduce the growth of Clostridium histolyticum bacteria, which are present in the guts of individuals with inflammatory bowel disease.
In a 2014 study, unveiled at the 247th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society, researchers from Louisiana State University tested three cocoa powders using a model digestive tract. “In our study, we found that the fiber is fermented and the large polyphenolic polymers are metabolized to smaller molecules, which are more easily absorbed. These smaller polymers exhibit anti-inflammatory activity,” said John Finley, Ph.D. Finley went on to note that combining the fiber with prebiotics is “likely to improve a person’s overall health and help convert polyphenolics in the stomach into anti-inflammatory compounds.”
Supplementing with cocoa allows your body to obtain all of the nutritional component that occur naturally in pure dark chocolate, without the saturated fat, sugar or calories commonly found in chocolate bars. A high-quality non-GMO supplement may also contain other ingredients like kiwi or black raspberries to support respiratory health, and protect your genes and DNA throughout the aging process. These powerful nutrient-rich ingredients may also provide further support for the digestive tract, including the mouth, stomach and colon.