We are spoilt for choice when it comes to superfoods (as with many other things in life). Supermarkets and health food stores have rows, sometimes entire aisles dedicated to superfoods and supplement powders that it can make it really difficult to find one to suit your specific needs. To help you decide, we’ve piled together our top six power powders that pack a healthy punch!
Ashwagandha
Struggling with getting a good night’s sleep? You need to get some ashwagandha in your life asap! It helps to calm and relax your nervous system and has been used for centuries to aid the body in dealing with stress. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and feel the need to rebalance and re-centre yourself, ashwagandha is a really amazing supplement to have to hand. We recommended taking this in the evenings to help you unwind and sleep soundly. Our latest obsession is Pukka’s new Organic Latte blends, our favourite being the Cacao Maca, which contains ashwagandha. You’ll sleep like a baby, we promise!
Turmeric
The ultimate superfood for winter, turmeric is such a key spice to stock up on as we move into the colder season. Used for over 4,000 years as a medicinal ingredient to protect the body, it’s incredibly powerful at boosting immunity and decreasing inflammation. It’s also amazing for boosting circulation, which is another reason it’s our go-to powder for winter when circulation can be hampered. Stir into curries, make your own shot with water and lemon or why not make Madeleine Shaw’s Morning Turmeric Milk? It’s delicious and so warming!
Maca
Another excellent superfood for winter is Maca. A well-known benefit of maca is its ability to boost your mood and combat symptoms of depression thanks to the flavonoids it contains. Perfect for those who suffer from SAD or general winter blues. Another widely accepted benefit is its fertility-enhancing properties. Maca can help regulate hormones and some also say it acts as an effective aid to the dreaded PMS. So, if baby making is on the agenda, start adding this into your morning smoothie (and your partner’s too!).
Cacao
We are pleased to say cacao made it on to our list of power powders we can’t live without! In its purest, unrefined form, cacao is a mighty superfood with an abundance of health benefits. It’s rich in magnesium, which is important for healthy brain and nervous system function as well as strong bones and teeth. It also comes up top trumps for iron, so if you’re deficient, you know where to turn! Extremely high in antioxidants like flavonoids, cacao can improve your vascular system, protecting your heart and lowering blood pressure. Try our favourite healthy chocolate brownie to get your fix!
Cinnamon
It’s time to stop thinking of cinnamon as your latte topper and start taking it seriously! This centuries-old spice has long been hailed for its health-boosting properties, plus it’s such a versatile spice that can be added to your diet in many different ways. It’s loaded with antioxidants such as polyphenols (it beats garlic in this department according to recent studies) and it helps lower and stabilises blood sugar levels too, which is why it’s recommended to diabetics. From smoothies to porridge, stews and broths, this is a spice to always have in your pantry.
Wheatgrass
There are many “greens powders” on the market and it can make choosing the best one for you really tricky. If you want to simplify things and opt for just one singular powder, you can’t get much better than wheatgrass. Modern day diets all too commonly involve highly processed foods, which our bodies find hard to digest and that often results in many different digestive issues. Wheatgrass is known for aiding better digestion and boosting the immune system (often made worse by poor digestion) and is very easily absorbed by the body. This makes it an ideal choice for anyone looking to cleanse their system or get their digestion back on track.
words by Molly Jennings