Miracle foods: 7 latest trends for beauty and health

Miracle foods: There’s a reason superfoods are hailed as ‘super’.

The term may be thrown around the health, beauty and even fashion industry a lot, but it’s not just a fad. Eating nutrient-dense food is the easiest way to boost immunity and slow down ageing. If your diet is packed with antioxidants, your cells have less chance of being attacked by free-radicals.

This year, the following powerhouses are standing out above all others for their miracle qualities - add them to your diet and find out what makes them ‘super’ for yourself:

Bee pollen

Say hello to an astonishing natural wonder. Nearly half of the protein content in bee pollen is in the form of free amino acids. These are ready to be absorbed directly into the body and providing all nutrients required by humans in one mouthful. Beautiful, glowing skin is one side effect of this golden elixir, which stimulates blood supply to your skin cells and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. You’ll also get your vitamin B fix and a good dose of folic acid from this superfood.

Sorghum

The gluten-free community is loving this ancient grain at the moment - and for good reason. Sorghum is as versatile as wheat, without the gluten, and its protein content is on par with quinoa - perfect for vegans. Sorghum’s antioxidant power (its ability to absorb free radicals in your body) is equally impressive -, particularly the red and black varieties. Packed with amino acids L-lysine and L-proline, the good-for-you grain also helps create collagen in the body - bring it into your diet and your skin will thank you for it.

Maqui berry

Antibacterial, anti-ageing, metabolism-boosting, and antioxidant-rich; the purple Chilean maqui berry packs a lot of power for its small size. Use maqui powder in smoothies, desserts or even tea to reap the health and beauty rewards from the berry’s purple pigment. The superfood also provides vitamin C, calcium, iron and potassium.

Watermelon Seeds

Next time you’re sinking your teeth into a big juicy watermelon for breakfast, don’t spit out the seeds. These tiny pips pack in a mighty nutritional punch. Vitamins including as thiamine, niacin, folate; minerals including magnesium, potassium, manganese, iron, zinc, copper and bone-strengthening phosphorus. It also contains the amino acid arginine - which promotes blood circulation to the scalp and helps your hair grow faster. Pip, pip, hooray.

Red algae

A superfood that tastes like bacon and makes your skin glow is a winner in anyone’s books. This ancient seaweed is popular with superfoodies right now for its ability to boost circulation, regulate blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol. It’s packed with antioxidants, calcium, magnesium, dietary fibre, protein, and other vitamins and minerals that are easily absorbed into your body. Try the water-based wonder in a batch of homemade sushi or some warming miso soup.

Indian gooseberries

Step aside, açaí. The deep purple fruit has been hailed the king of the superfood world over the years, but Indian gooseberries actually pack in twice the amount of antioxidants. High in vitamin C, these pale miracle fruits boost immunity and aid digestion. They also promote hair growth, improve eyesight, and increase urination to eliminate unwanted toxins.

Be inspired by these suggestions but before you go full clean on these miracle foods, read on and learn all about the pros and cons of detox plans.