Popeye had spinach! But what foods can feed your superpowers? We all may not be Marvel superheroes but we all have unique gifts. Maybe you’re super intuitive, have a great memory, are great at public speaking, or you’re gifted at using your body. Whatever your superpower is, the right diet can ensure your body is healthy and your chakras are working their best.
Our chakras are the major energy centers of the body. They are related to certain body functions, energetic aspects, and personal gifts. The right foods can give you the energy to be the most vibrant version of yourself and serve your life’s true purpose. I’ve put together a list of the best superfoods to eat and which chakras will get a boost from them.
You are the food you eat. Your cells, microbiome, and the blood pumping through your body are all powered by the food you eat. Superfoods have unique benefits that can fuel specific parts of your body and help empower certain chakras. Food is medicine and the right foods can be healing, restorative, and ensure you’re supercharged to win the day.
Why are certain foods superfoods?
Foods are considered superfoods when the density of their nutrients is higher than their calories. That means they’re more efficient and “super.” So you’re getting more bang for your buck because your body doesn’t have to do as much work to break them down while still getting a ton of helpful vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
Some of the benefits of superfoods include a boost in vitality, strengthening the immune system, supporting the creation of serotonin and other hormones, and improving overall health.
The most bioactive components and beneficial nutrients in superfoods are polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, probiotics, polysaccharides, enzymes, and essential amino acids. The antioxidants seen with the highest potency in these foods include vitamins A, C, & E, flavonoids, selenium, b-carotene, lycopene, zinc, uric acid, albumin, bilirubin, coenzyme Q10, and polyphenols.
What you need to know about superfoods
It’s important to know the actual, scientific benefits behind which foods are actually “super.” The term superfood has become a popular marketing strategy. Plus, it’s important to know what your intention is when eating the superfood. I am all about intentional eating to ensure not only that we truly enjoy our meals but that they serve our highest good.
Superfoods are always trending and there are so many to choose from! When you do a Google search for, top superfoods you will end up with lots of lists! These trending lists can often not give you a clear idea of why you should even be eating them.
Superfoods can be great for the energy centers when you need balance. I teach all about this in my method, Culinary Alchemy®. I help you understand when one of your chakras needs healing and which superfoods can help. For example, there are superfoods with specific nutrients beneficial to your Solar Plexus Chakra – to support you in owning your personal power and tapping into your intuition.
Here is a list of the best superfoods to use to benefit your chakra health as well as an explanation of how it relates to the chakra.
1. Mangos
Mangos are high-fiber, which helps to clean your gut and maintain a healthy microbiome. An important source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Folate, B6, K, Potassium, Copper, Calcium, Iron, and the antioxidants Zeaxanthin and Beta-Carotene, mangos are nutrient-dense.
Mangos support your Solar Plexus Chakra. This chakra is located halfway between your sternum and navel and is associated with your personal power, ego, and intuition. Strengthening your solar plexus chakra can benefit your willpower and vitality.
A San Diego State University study compared eating 100 calories of fresh mango daily to 100 calories of low-fat cookies and showed a reduction in fasting glucose levels and inflammation among those participating in the study. Both of these factors are key to reducing the chance of developing chronic diseases like diabetes. This study shows this sweet superfood is a significantly better snack compared to a processed “healthy option”.
2. Honey
Dark, raw honey has so many health benefits. Honey has anti-inflammatory properties, is antibacterial, anti-fungal, and high in antioxidants. It is full of phytonutrients that support metabolism, detox your body, repair cells and DNA, and boost your immune system.
Honey supports your Sacral Chakra which governs your emotions and your artistic endeavors. Connect to your inner queen! A recent study found nanoparticles in honey that contain membrane-enclosed structures. This would imply that there are biological fluids from bees. These nanoparticles were found to reduce inflammation in the livers of mice. Liver health is a key to longevity.
3. Black Garlic
Garlic has many known benefits and has been a superfood for thousands of years. From being a natural antibiotic to supporting heart health, immune health, and metabolic function, to even being beneficial for hair health and ear health. There are lots of reasons to include garlic in your daily diet.
Black garlic is relatively new in terms of superfood trends. This fermented garlic boosts some nutritional benefits and antioxidants, notably the anti-inflammatory benefits. Black garlic can help fight the growth of cancer cells and supports brain health as well. This superfood aligns with your Root Chakra and helps with feeling grounded. Your Root Chakra also balances your feelings of worthiness and abundance.
4. Microgreens
Microgreens are the leafy seedlings or sprouts of vegetables and herbs. These mini vegetables are up to nine times higher in nutrients than the regular-sized version. The essential nutrients they are rich in include iron, potassium, folate, calcium, Vitamin E, Vitamin B, and Vitamin C. Restore your vitality, energy levels, your ability to give and receive love by supporting your Heart Chakra with green foods. Your heart chakra balances your relationship with giving and receiving love.
Microgreens are a superfood due to the greater amount and more complex polyphenols and phytonutrients. In the same way babies have more stem cells, the nutrients are greater in these tiny but powerful greens. Microgreens have been studied as functional foods in disease prevention, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. It was found that adding microgreens lowered weight gain, LDL levels, helped reduce inflammation. It benefits not just your heart health but your heart chakra health.
5. Blueberries
Blueberries are one of the top superfoods to add to your diet. It has tons of benefits. The dark blue color is due to the high concentration of bioavailable phytochemicals with strong antioxidant action. Their low glycemic index helps regulate blood sugar levels and reduce insulin resistance. Their fiber helps with obesity and metabolic syndrome. Plus, there are multiple brain health benefits and cancer preventative elements.
This superfood supports your Throat Chakra, which governs your ability to communicate effectively and see and speak the truth.
A recent study proves how blueberries are beneficial for brain health and the role their nutrients play in supporting healthy memory. Blueberries have been shown to reduce the risk of having Alzheimer’s disease or other neurodegenerative diseases. Blueberries improve balance, coordination, and memory loss. The phenolic compounds, tannins, flavones, and other antioxidants have also been shown to be preventative for various types of cancer.
6. Ginger Root
Ginger is rich in polyphenols, zinc, and potassium. It has been shown to help the body eliminate toxins through the inorganic compounds that improve digestion. The nutrients zinc, potassium, vitamin c, and polyphenols in this superfood help ward off bad bacteria and promote healthy bacteria in the gut. Ginger root supports the Sacral Chakra which is aligned with your sensuality and emotions.
7. Turmeric
Curcumin, the active ingredient in Turmeric promotes the detoxification processes in your body and supports a healthy inflammatory response. Curcumin has antioxidants that fight free radicals and protect your cellular health. This is why it is referred to as an “anti-aging food.”
Turmeric supports your Sacral Chakra similarly to ginger. When you’re feeling out of touch with your emotions, dealing with issues around intimacy, add this ingredient to your meals or drinks.
Turmeric can be paired with black pepper to get the most health benefits from curcumin. The main benefits of this superfood are the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects. Include this spice in your diet to help reduce symptoms of inflammatory conditions, metabolic issues, arthritis, and anxiety.
8. Kelp
Kelp is a type of seaweed grown in saltwater that contains as much protein as beef and is still high-fiber. It has ten times more calcium than milk and orange juice, is rich in vitamin A, vitamin K, B-12, iron, and magnesium like Love My Mag. These nutrients support bone metabolism, healthy eyes, heart, lung, and kidney function, and benefit the immune system. Kelp is rich in iodine for thyroid health and metabolism. This superfood supports your Throat Chakra, the source of effective and true communication.
A few of the most exciting new studies are showing how kelp can aid in weight maintenance. It contains a fiber that helps inhibit fat absorption in the gut. Kelp is also being called a longevity food as it is a staple in Japanese diets where the people have above-average life spans.
9. Cacao
Cacao is an ancient superfood used for medicinal purposes from emaciation, to supporting the nervous system and digestive tract. It also has psychoactive properties that are attributed to this superfood being so sacred. Cacao is a mineral-rich food, high in iron, magnesium, copper, and potassium. Cacao is a food associated with the Third-Eye Chakra, the energy center responsible for ideas, intuition, visualization, and perspective.
The most exciting nutritional benefits we’ve known about this superfood have revolved around antioxidants, monounsaturated fats, and flavonoids. The importance of this superfood in today’s world is its use in reducing stress. After all, who doesn’t feel less stressed after a delicious piece of chocolate? Cacao is one of the main ingredients in that sweet treat. A few interesting benefits are that cacao supports heart health and protects your skin from the sun.
10. Hemp
Hemp seeds or hearts, which come from the hemp plant, are considered by some to be an anti-aging food. This superfood is high-fiber, contains protein, Omega-3, and Omega-6 fats, Vitamin E, Magnesium, Potassium, Iron, Zinc, and B Vitamins. The benefits include supporting skin and heart health-protecting processes in your body, and also reducing inflammation.
Hemp seeds are good for balancing your Solar Plexus Chakra. This chakra is associated with your personal power, ego, and “gut” intuition. One unique benefit is that hemp seeds are rich in GLA, an omega-6 fatty acid that helps with hormonal balance. This nutrient property is shown to help with ADHD, healthy blood pressure, and reducing the symptoms of arthritis, diabetes, skin allergies, and PMS. Being a high fiber food, hemp seeds help with improving gut health and digestion.
I hope the benefits of these superfoods have made you excited about using food as medicine. After all, these are the top superfoods I recommend to clients. And if you’re interested in more about the correspondence with food and chakras check out my Culinary Alchemy® program so you can help live longer, feel better, and enjoy food on the molecular level.
XO,
Serena
