A Superfood You Didn't Know About

Author: Gareth Sapstead
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The Healthiest Berries on the Planet

It is likely that you have never consumed the world's healthiest berries. This article will detail their health benefits and how to obtain them.

A Nutritional Conundrum in Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia

Annually, these countries cultivate vast crops of some of the healthiest berries on Earth, yet, unfortunately, the majority are discarded. This situation can be considered a nutritional travesty.

The Impressive Health - Promoting Attributes of These Berries

These berries are packed with substances that combat heart disease and cancer, which, based on statistical data, are significant causes of mortality. Additionally, they mitigate chronic inflammation and provide neuroprotective advantages, thus helping to fend off Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. They also regulate blood sugar levels and offer mild fat - burning effects. Moreover, they enhance circulation and lower blood pressure.

The Reason Behind the Discarding of These Berries

The primary reason is that each berry encloses two highly lucrative seeds. Farmers are more interested in these seeds, which, despite being botanically misnamed, are commonly referred to as "beans". These "beans" are, in fact, coffee beans, and the berry is known as the coffee cherry.

While some countries set aside a small quantity of these berries to produce medicinal teas, the vast majority are simply thrown away. Coffee berries/cherries have a short shelf - life and ferment rapidly. They are not suitable for long - distance shipping. Although freeze - drying can preserve their nutritional benefits, most coffee producers refrain from this specialized process as the beans alone are valuable enough.

The Silver Lining

Fortunately, not all coffee producers adopt this approach. Some take the initiative to preserve the coffee berry so that its beneficial components can be extracted, concentrated, and utilized in supplements. The coffee berry is one of the 18 whole - food extracts present in Biotest Superfood (available for purchase on Amazon).

What Elevates the Coffee Berry to Superfood Status?

  1. Phenolic Acids, Especially Chlorogenic Acids (CGAs)

The coffee berry is abundant in phenolic acids, with chlorogenic acids being the primary component. CGAs are renowned for their antioxidant, anti - inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. These antioxidants play a crucial role in neutralizing free radicals, thereby reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Furthermore, CGAs safeguard brain cells from oxidative stress and inflammation, preventing neurodegenerative diseases. They also contribute to reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases by enhancing circulation and maintaining blood pressure within a healthy range.

  1. Caffeic Acid

The coffee berry also contains caffeic acid, another phenolic acid. Caffeic acid shares similar health benefits with chlorogenic acid. It is also responsible for some of the health - promoting properties of green tea and red wine. Some studies indicate that caffeic acid may possess antiviral properties, inhibiting the replication of viruses. Emerging research suggests that it can impede the growth of certain cancer cells and prevent tumor formation.

Obtaining Coffee Berries

Unless you reside in close proximity to a coffee plantation and have a friendly relationship with its owner, it is highly unlikely that you will come across whole coffee berries. Thankfully, freeze - drying can maintain all the nutritional benefits. Freeze - drying is a process in which only water is removed from fruits and vegetables, while they retain almost the same phytochemical content, enzymatic activity, and bioactivity as fresh products.

Biotest Superfood (available on Amazon) contains a substantial amount of coffee berry extract (50% phenolic acids).

Other Ingredients in Superfood

  • Maqui

  • Raspberry (20% ellagic acid)

  • Wild Blueberry (1.5% anthocyanin)

  • Strawberry

  • Acai Juice (1.5% phenolic acids)

  • Goji Juice

  • Pomegranate (40% ellagic acid)

  • Broccoli Sprout (5000 ppm sulforaphane)

  • Kale

  • Spinach (700 ppm lutein)

  • Wild Yam (20% diosgenin)

  • Green Tea Extract (95% polyphenols, 40% epigallocatechin – EGCG)

  • Dragon Fruit

  • Orange (20% vitamin C)

  • Apple

  • Mango

  • Tomato

What Superfood Excludes

  • No added sweeteners, whether natural or artificial.

  • No food coloring.

  • No added flavoring.

  • No fillers or added chemicals of any kind.

  • No allergenic grasses or testosterone - lowering herbs, which are often found in many "greens" products.

For comprehensive details, refer to the provided source.

The Caffeine Factor

The majority of the caffeine in coffee berries is concentrated in the seeds. However, the coffee cherry does contain a small amount, perhaps a few milligrams. For most people, including those sensitive to caffeine, this negligible amount is hardly noticeable.