The New Superfoods

Parsley, sage, rosemary and ... cinnamon? Pratt hasn't found a spice he doesn't like. "One study found that 10 grams of spice [roughly 2 tablespoons] contained as many health-promoting antioxidants as 10 servings of fruits and vegetables," he says. Virtually all spices are beneficial—and they're essentially free of calories. But Pratt singles out one study on cinnamon. The USDA found that half a teaspoon a day lowered blood-sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and brought down their bad cholesterol. For a double benefit, try substituting spices for salt.

You will love this one:

Chocolate. Perhaps the best news is that dark chocolate (but not milk chocolate) is now a superfood. "It's not just the antioxidants that make it healthy," says Pratt. Dark chocolate contains substances similar to the heart-healthy compounds in green tea. The latest research focuses on flavanols. They help boost the production of nitric oxide in blood vessels, lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow. Pratt tested six brands for levels of these compounds. The winner? Newman's Own Sweet Dark Chocolate. It's even organic. Super, indeed.

Source: Newsweek