Top 5 Superfoods As Recommended by Mermaids
A superfood is an ingredient rich in health boosting properties. Here I break down five sea-side favorites used to enhanced energy, endurance, and beauty.
Cerise (West Indian cherry) provides an abundant supply of Vitamin C in a single serving. Vitamin C helps build immunity and is a powerful anti-oxidant (sayonora, free radicals!). Added benefits of cerise are a boost in skin brightness, plasticity, and youthfulness. Cerise is phenomenal freshly juiced over ice. It’s a tart order. Consider adding berries or honey as sweetener, or sip as an immunity shot.
Spirulina is a cyanobacteria common to fresh water shores. It has a high level of protein, essential to muscle growth and repair, and beta-carotene, a fat soluble molecule important to smooth and vibrant skin (also available in carrots, mango, and pumpkin).
Watermelon as we know it today was cultivated 5,000 years ago in ancient Kemet. Watermelon is over 90% percent water, a natural source of hydration and electrolyte recovery, without addition of harmful added sweeteners. When selecting a melon, reach for the seeded varieties; watermelon seeds are rich in thiamine and hardly noticeable when juiced. (Note: watermelon ranks high on FODMAP scale, which may flare digestion issues for those with preexisting gut conditions).
Sea purslane has been identified as a rich vegetarian source of alpha-linoic acid, an important omega fatty acid. Omega fatty acids assist in a number of functions including cognitive processing, heart function, and pain relief. Enjoy it sprinkled on avocado toast topped with sea purslane, sliced carrot, and pickled raddish melange.
Sunlight is an excellent source of Vitamin D, which improves calcium absorption in the body. In addition, sunshine activates melanacytes, key cells in supporting immune system and fully expressing endorphins, the feel-good hormones. It is important to protect against UVBs and UVAs, most common during the hottest point of the day, and known to cause skin damage. Topical products containing zinc oxide (a compound in licorice) deflect ultra violet ray absorption (UVB). As mentioned, this is just one form of ultra violet light, physicians recommend opting for a broad spectrum sunscreen to cover other forms.
Supplementing your day with consistent sources of spirulina, watermelon, cerise, sea purslane and sunlight is a simple way to ready yourself for biking trails, increased confidence, and improved energy. I hope that you will consider these delights on your next voyage, and at cafes and farmer’s markets near you.
Bizou,
Snousha
For more vegan friendly recipes and tips, visit heysnousha.com
Check out 5 Must Have Foods to Keep You Healthy, Happy, and Alert While Traveling recipe here on Medium.
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