Key Superfoods

Raw Cacao, Goji Berries, Açaí berries, Coffee Berries, Noni Fruit, Aloe Vera, Bee Pollen, Maca, Coconut, Quinoa, Spirulina, Golden Flax, Blueberries, Bilberries, Raspberries, Tomatoes and Almonds.

Raw Cacao

Latin Name: Theobreoma cacao

raw cacao contains huge amounts of antioxidants, minerals, vitamin C, omega-6 fatty acids and many other beneficial ingredients - many of which are only available if the beans have NOT been roasted. Studies on chocolate are always done on raw cacao but advertising and the media latch onto this and state that the chocolate bought in the supermarket 'must have the same properties'. Ah ah. No way. If you want to gain the benefits of this fabulous superfood, you need to eat it raw.

Antioxidants - polyphenols, catechins & epi-catechins
Minerals - Magnesium, Iron, Chromium, Manganese, Copper & Zinc
Vitamin C - it is worth pointing out that it is a scientific fact that Vitamin C is destroyed by heat.
Omega-6 fatty acids - cooking makes these fats rancid causing an inflammatory response. Truly an arbiter in the raw vs cooked debate.
Phenylethylamine (PEA) - the love chemical. Destroyed by roasting the beans.
Anandamide - the bliss chemical. We produce this after exercise.
Tryptophan - a powerful mood enhancing nutrient.

Goji Berries

Latin Name: Lycium Barbarum & Lycium Chinensis
Common Names: Wolfberry, Boxthorn, Desert Thorn, Matrimony Vine

Antioxidants - Carotenoids & Zeaxanthin. Gojo berries contain more beta-carotines than carrots.
Polysaccharides - LBP1, LBP2, LBP3, LBP4
Complete protein source
Nineteen types of amino acid, including all eight essential amino acids
Polysaccharides - D-glucose, D-glactose, D-fucose, D-rhamnose, D-xlose, D-arabinose
Goji berries help stimulate the production of HGH naturally making them great for anti-ageing.

Açaí Berries

(Pronounced ah-SAH’-ee)

Contains high levels of essential fatty acids (omega-3, omega-6) as well as omega-9 and monounsaturated oleic acid. Oleic acid is a beautifying oil.
Super rich in blue-pigmented antioxidants, Phenols and anthocyanins.
Açai scored an ORAC value of 185. In comparison, red grapes came in at 11, blueberries at 32, and pomegranate at 105.
Açai appears to help regenerate and produce stem cells.
Contains large amounts of plant sterols, especially beta sitosterol.
Contains nineteen different amino acids necessary for building healthy proteins throughout the body.
Excellent source of dietary fibre (aids in digestion).
Low-glycemic level. Açai is low in sugar.
Rich in minerals and vitamins, especially calcium, phosphorus, beta-carotene, and vitamin E.
Fights cancer.

Coffee Berries

Whole coffee fruit is loaded with high concentrations of beneficial antioxidants and other extraordinary nutrients. The healthy attributes of whole coffee have been common knowledge to people living in coffee-growing regions since time began. Recently, however, many fascinating new coffee health benefits are being observed and researched by scientists.

The pickers have been consuming this waste product of the coffee industry and it wasn't till someone questioned why these people were in such good health and lived for so long that they discovered that it is the berry, not the bean, that is loaded with vitamins and antioxidants.

The dried fruit still tastes like 'coffee' but can be quite bitter. It certainly does give you a pick me up, I can attest to that.

More specific data to follow.

Aloe Vera

The inner gel of the aloe vera leaf contains around 200 active compounds with over 75 nutrients. These include 20 minerals, 18 amino acids and 12 vitamins (even vitamin B12 – one of the very few plant sources of this vitamin). Aloe vera has anti-microbial properties fighting fungi and bacteria; it also contains anti-inflammatory plant steroids and enzymes.

Aloe vera can aid digestion and elimination, boosts the immune system, and is incredibly healing and beautifying for the skin, stimulating collagen production and moisturising.

Aloe Vera has long been known for it's ability to heal sunburn, as long as it's either pure or mixed with an "natural/organic" moisturiser to assist in the repair process for the dermis.

Bee Pollen

The only food that comes close to the legends and history of bee pollen is cacao. The use of Bee honey and pollen goes back to the Sumerian's, and beyond.

Bee pollen is considered the most complete superfood in nature.

25% protein in a highly digestible form.
Contains 18 vitamins, including nearly all B vitamins (except B12). B vitamins are an excellent way to prevent stress.

It also contains over 28 minerals.
More is still being discovered.

Studies have revealed antibiotic and cholesterol lowering abilities, immune system enhancement and excellent skin healing traits. Pollen has also been shown to relieve type 2 diabetes by restoring mineral and metabolic deficiencies.

Pollen is also believed to be an anti aging food. The famous Greek vegetarian Pythagoras ate it daily, as did his students.

As with honey, get only the raw, untreated, unfiltered, source. I would also suggest getting pollen and honey from bee hives that have not been near crops or plants sprayed with chemicals; there is a very high risk of contamination in the pollen or honey, which will be passed on to you.

Maca root powder

Latin Names: Lepidium meyenii, Lepidium peruvianum
Common Names: Maca, Maca root, Perivian Ginseng

The Andes Aphrodisiac

According to archaeological evidence, maca has been cultivated and grown high in the Peruvian Andes of South America for approximately 2,600 years and is mostly grown between 2,700-3,000 metres above sea level - it is the highest cultivated crop on our planet.

Maca is known to improve the following conditions: Anaemia, chronic fatigue, depression, infertility and sterility in humans and livestock, lack of libido, malnutrition, menopausal symptoms, menstrual discomfort and disorders, poor memory, stomach cancer, stress tension, tuberculosis.

Coconut - Water, oil and flesh

First things first. Coconut oil is NOT bad for you. Yes it is saturated fat but it is medium-chain fatty acids so it's perfectly safe; more than that it is highly beneficial to have these types of fats.

This whole cholesterol/saturated fat things is completely ridiculous and has no basis of scientific fact at all 0- it was all created to get more people buying hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Coconut water has been used in wars to act as a substitute to blood. It is the closest thing to blood plasma in existence. Coconut water is also a much better choice for a sports drink as it contains significantly more electrolytes and none of the sugar and additives they do.

There is nothing bad about a coconut. The fresher the better of course. Don't buy the horrible dry nuts from the supermarket as the water will most likely be rancid. Buy virgin coconuts, aka drinking coconuts.