By Jon Yaneff
Guest Writer for Wake Up World
Ancient cultures have thrived on healthy foods for centuries. From the Mayan to the Incan Empire, battles were fought and won with the help of foods sacred to the land. These foods were an important part of the culture, giving them enhanced energy, and incredible health benefits with the ability to ward off illness. You might even say that these healthy foods from the earth gave those who indulged ‘super powers’ upon consumption.
It’s interesting that the foods indigenous to today’s Western culture have the complete opposite effect. The Big Mac is praised the same way chia seeds were for Aztec warriors, yet fast food is associated with an unhealthy lifestyle. Instead of thriving on healthy foods like ancient cultures, the vast majority of North Americans slowly weaken on the foods they consume. Basic grains and plants are striped of the essential vitamins and minerals that we need, in addition to the junk, fast, and convenience foods that are so commonly accessible to us.
Western culture can definitely learn a lot from the healthy foods that strengthened and prolonged the lives of ancient civilizations.
Here are five superfoods that have powered ancient cultures for thousands of years, and you can find easily in your local health food store.
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Acai Berries: Amazing Amazon Superfood
Organic acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) berries are found deep within the Amazon rainforest and the ancient Amazonian tribes first used the dark purple berries for preventing and curing diseases. One Amazonian tribe, the Shuar, was known as medicine men and women (uwishin), and has kept the tradition of acai berry cures alive.
Its antioxidant properties help prevent cancer, and it is rich in fiber, omega fats and protein, and contains 19 of the 20 essential amino acids. Acai, also used in powdered form, is often praised now as a supplement for weight loss because the fiber helps keep you full. It can easily be used in juices or smoothies.
Chia Seeds: Aztec and Mayan Mainstays
Chia seeds were made popular in the 1980s with rise of Chia Pets in America, which is a unique way to sprout chia. However, the tiny chia seeds were main nutrition supplies for South and Central Americans thousands of years ago. A tablespoon would help sustain an Aztec warrior for a whole day with several essential nutrients. They helped fuel Incans and Mayans, as the word “chia” means strength in Mayan.
Chia seeds are a great source of protein, fiber, and omega fatty acids. They help stabilize blood sugar levels and are great for brain function maintenance and inflammation reduction. These healthy foods are a great addition to salads, cereals, or smoothies.
Black Rice: Delicacy for a Chinese Emperor
Black rice isn’t well known today, but in ancient China it was the long and healthy life warrantee, similar to what T.V. gurus promise today. It was only known as “forbidden rice” because only the Emperor of China could consume this delicacy.
This rice is high in anthocyanins and acts as a strong antioxidant, eliminating your body from harmful free radicals. It also contains vitamin E, which is great for the immune system. You will reduce aging and cancer with the consumption of this superfood. It also has less sugar and more fiber than blueberries, which are commonly praised for high amounts of anthocyanins. Add these healthy foods to your diet.
Lucuma Fruit: Gold of the Incas
In ancient Peruvian culture, this fruit was viewed as a symbol of fertility and creation. The orange and yellow lucuma fruit (Lucuma obovata) was praised as the “Gold of the Incas.” The lucuma fruit has been revered for years, as discovered on ancient ceramic carvings found in coastal Peruvian burial sites.
The powder form of the lucuma fruit is ideal in juices, smoothies, and homemade desserts with its signature maple taste. It is nutrient heavy in iron, zinc, beta carotene, calcium, niacin (vitamin B3) and protein, and is also useful as a low-glycemic sweetener.
Mulberries: Ancient Turkish Superfruit
Well before mulberry bushes were growing in your front yard (yes, I have one), the white mulberries were known to have grown for thousands of years in ancient Turkey. The superfood was also valued by the ancient Roman Empire.
Mulberries are a great source of protein, fiber, iron, calcium, and vitamin C. It also has the anti-aging nutrient, resveratrol, and can be used for granola, yogurt, smoothies, or baked goods. If you enjoy them on a regular basis it can help your cardiovascular system.
To thrive like ancient cultures, jump into the nutritional time machine, and add these superfoods to your daily diet. When we consume these healthy foods, we beneficially take a page from the book of past civilizations.
Resources:
- Rubin, K., “Healthy Eating: 7 food wonders of the ancient world,” The Jerusalem Post web site, July 13, 2011; https://web.archive.org/web/20230203075607/https://www.jpost.com/LifeStyle/Healthy-Eating-7-food-wonders-of-the-ancient-world.
- “The History of the Acai Berry,” BoxingScene.com web site; .
Previous articles by Jon Yaneff:
- 4 Reasons Why Eating Lunch at Your Desk is Hurting Your Health
- Healthy Recipe For Eggplant and Quinoa Salad
About the author:
As a former sports reporter with a community newspaper group, an industrialized and fast food lifestyle was his companion. Having left his position, Jon has undergone massive changes in his life over the past couple of years. He is now open to everything, trying every new thing that he feels can benefit him in the long run. He has adopted yogic, spiritual, holistic and vegetarian lifestyles, finding peace and allowing him to spread that peace to others through his words. He also has a blog geared toward health, well-being and a conscious lifestyle at WellBeing Stadium.
This article courtesy of foods4betterhealth.com.
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