Top 10 Superfoods Passed Down by Ancestors

Seaweed is one of the most common foods, even used in different countries. Few know that seaweed has been a crucial component of Asian diets for thousands of years. It's considered a staple ingredient in every household, used to prepare various dishes from soup and sushi rolls to salads,...

Most notably, seaweed also has medicinal properties. It contains fertile clement, a bactericidal substance that cleanses the blood, regulates blood circulation, detoxifies the body. Children and pregnant women are often encouraged to consume seaweed. Additionally, it helps reduce cholesterol, inflammation, blood pressure, cleanses the intestines, prevents constipation, prevents congenital defects and cardiovascular diseases, reduces stress during menopause, and may enhance thyroid function,...

Seaweed is also a familiar beauty aid for women. Its moderate salt content has excellent antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which can purify the skin and limit the formation and increase of acne. Seaweed also reduces wrinkles, nourishes the body, and makes hair smoother and softer.

According to Health, some scholars believe that kombucha was discovered by the Chinese around 220 BC. Kombucha is called the 'immortality tea.' Nowadays, kombucha is also popular in Poland, Germany, Bulgaria, India,... The French call it the longevity mushroom (Champignon Delongue Vie). It's known by various names such as Russian mushroom, Indian wine, Manchurian tea, Cha Gu, Kargasok tea, thủy sâm,... but all refer to kombucha.

Kombucha strains appear as a thin, white, tough layer. Kombucha is renowned for its many health benefits such as detox tea, rich in antioxidants, energy booster, immune enhancer, reduces arterial plaque, prevents high blood pressure, protects liver function, aids in diabetes treatment, detoxifies kidneys, limits intestinal diseases, reduces obesity,... Many people share methods for cultivating this mushroom strain, as well as brewing techniques, exchanging strains, and recipes. Refer to various methods and experiences in brewing kombucha tea to enjoy this special beverage.

Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish, not only delicious but also beneficial for health. Kimchi is formed through the fermentation process of vegetables. The main ingredients include cabbage, garlic, chili peppers, and other vegetables. Kimchi is low in calories, rich in fiber, facilitating the body's digestion process. Kimchi also contains many vitamins, contributing significantly to the body's nutrition.

According to Professor Song Yeong-ok of the Kimchi Research Institute at Busan National University, the fermented bacteria and organic chemicals in kimchi help slow down skin aging and reduce cholesterol in the body. Kimchi also helps fight against infections, promotes blood circulation, and enhances the body's immune system.

In kimchi, the main ingredient is cabbage, which contains sinapic acid, flavonoids, and phenolic antioxidants, carotenoids, so it can help the body fight against cancer, especially gastric cancer. Although kimchi is considered a superfood, you should not overuse this dish. Absolutely do not consider it as a main dish, only eat it as a side dish because it can cause low blood pressure and contains a lot of salt.

The above grains are called 'ancient grains' because they have not been changed for hundreds of years. They have always been a priority in dishes from ancient times to the present. These grains contain a rich source of nutrients, abundant in calcium, lysine, which helps burn fat in the body. For humans, grains are a precious gift, a food compatible with humans, associated with human evolutionary stages throughout history.

They are not only good for health but can also be stored and preserved for a long time. In particular, these grains can be processed into many dishes, even very attractive ones such as: cooking quinoa porridge, kamut rice, oats as milk, baby powder, biscuits; barley can be cooked, eaten with vegetables, made into flour, cakes, pastries,...

A type of seed highly beneficial for everyone's health, often mentioned when many people believe that ancient Aztec warriors used to swallow a spoonful of chia seeds before going into battle to boost their energy. Chia seeds are a food source with immense nutrition, rare in the world of food, containing high-quality protein but no cholesterol, fiber content more than 3 times that of oats, omega 3 - 6 - 9 eight times that of salmon, antioxidant content equivalent to blueberries,... Chia seeds, also known as Salba seeds, come in black or white, odorless, and tasteless.

Chia seeds are good for people on a diet, weight loss, heart health, diabetes, gout, loss of appetite, high in nutrients, good for heart health, blood sugar levels, bone density, and suitable for athletes,... You can use chia seeds in various ways such as chia seed fruit yogurt, chia seed mixed with milk, soup, salad, juice,...

Throughout history, black rice was once known as 'forbidden rice' or 'emperor's rice' in ancient China, as it was not distributed to the common people for consumption. There is information that initially black rice was only served exclusively to officials and leaders in the Far East region, to promote health and longevity.

While brown rice has no anti-inflammatory properties, black rice is an extremely useful food in preventing diseases related to chronic inflammation. In particular, the American Cancer Society has affirmed that anthocyanins in black rice also have extremely strong anti-tumor properties. Specifically, it prevents the metastasis of breast cancer or colorectal cancer in certain cases. Researchers believe that antioxidant anthocyanins may reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, and other health issues.

Currently, the production of black rice accounts for only about 10% of white rice, so the price is still somewhat higher than the average level. However, 'expensive is worth it,' given the many benefits it offers.

Flaxseeds are hailed as a superfood with many health benefits that we need to incorporate into our diet. Flaxseeds help reduce cholesterol levels, promote smooth skin, and improve digestion because they contain many antioxidants, fiber, and omega-3. So what are flaxseeds? What are the benefits of flaxseeds? Let's refer to the following article to understand more about this type of seed.

Flaxseeds are small seeds, equivalent to sesame seeds in size. Flaxseeds are amber or golden brown in color and have the scientific name Linum usitatissimum. They have a hard, smooth, and shiny outer surface.

Lignans and omega-3 in flaxseeds have properties that help prevent the formation of new blood vessels in tumors and prevent typical cancers such as prostate cancer and breast cancer. The amount of lignans in flaxseeds is 700 to 800 times higher than in other foods, providing excellent antioxidant properties. Additionally, it acts similarly to estrogen. These two factors help flaxseeds reduce the risk of cancer and improve health.

The active ingredients in flaxseeds are rich in protein nutrients that bring many health benefits. The protein in flaxseeds contains many amino acids such as arginine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid. They help improve anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory functions, prevent tumors. The omega-3 content in flaxseeds helps keep the skin moist, preventing harmful factors such as dirt and pollution from entering the pores. When the skin is not dry, it gradually becomes brighter. Additionally, it helps treat inflammation of the skin due to the anti-inflammatory properties of flaxseeds. Moreover, it contains abundant antioxidants to prevent skin cancer.

In traditional medicine, oysters are called 'milk from the sea' due to their outstanding characteristics of high protein content, low fat, easy digestion, and nutritional value. Dried oyster meat contains 45-57% protein, 7-11% fat, and many vitamins, taurine, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and other nutrients.

The calcium content of oysters is nearly equal to milk, and its iron content is 21 times that of milk. Among these, a large amount of iron and copper can help alleviate iron deficiency anemia in women, zinc can prevent dry skin, promote metabolism, break down melanin under the skin, and make the skin smooth and naturally rosy.

The amino acids in oysters can improve liver function, inhibit the accumulation of lactic acid, and enhance physical strength. Expert Tran Ha Phi said that some types of oysters may contain norovirus, which can cause gastrointestinal inflammation. People with acute and chronic diseases of the skin, liver, stomach, and chronic diarrhea should not eat too many oysters.

Amaranth greens are a humble vegetable, inexpensive yet capable of enhancing the immune system, reducing inflammation, preventing osteoporosis, and some other chronic diseases.

Protein in plants is a rarity, making this vegetable particularly valuable. In 100g of amaranth greens, there are 3.5g of protein, meeting 7% of the daily protein requirement for an individual. Some studies suggest that amaranth greens contain anti-inflammatory compounds similar to soybeans and compounds that inhibit the activity of free radicals.

As a result, patients with arthritis, gout can use this type of food instead of eating animal meat. They not only provide the necessary amount of protein but also support the treatment of inflammation conditions.

There are very few vegetables that contain calcium, among which amaranth greens have the highest content. Nutritionists say that calcium in amaranth greens is three times higher than in spinach and even surpasses cow's milk.

In 100g of amaranth greens, there is up to 267mg of calcium, meeting 50% of the daily calcium requirement for an individual. Therefore, amaranth greens meet the body's daily calcium needs easily and at a low cost.

Snakehead fish is a protein-rich food with low fat, low cholesterol, soft flesh, and is called the 'lingzhi mushroom' in ponds and lakes. Snakehead fish is considered a calcium-rich food, taking the top spot. If compared by weight, the calcium content of snakehead fish is 6 times higher than that of carp and 10 times higher than that of catfish.

Snakehead fish is also rich in vitamin D, which is good for calcium absorption, making it a good calcium supplement. Additionally, spermidine and nucleoside compounds found in snakehead fish can increase skin elasticity and moisture, thereby improving the body's immunity.

In traditional medicine, snakehead fish is believed to have the effect of tonifying qi and eliminating dampness (where dampness in the body is one of the causes of many diseases). Snakehead fish is suitable for people with high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. When cooking snakehead fish, steaming or stewing is better than other cooking methods for preserving and retaining the nutritional properties. Eating it with tofu can enhance its effectiveness.