Noni
Over 2,000 years ago, the noni fruit’s distinctive flavor and aroma singled it out to explorers. Along with a taste for this fruit, these Asian travelers acquired knowledge of the healing virtues of the nonis stems, leaves and fruits themselves. This information, long known to practitioners of ayurvedic medicine, would soon begin to transform another culture. The explorers carried the noni fruit to the Polynesian Islands, and its healing virtues became part of the cultures legends and mythology.

Naturopathic healers have been using this fruit for a number of medicinal purposes. Some include treatment for asthma, lumbago, dysentery, infected boils, menstrual cramps, and even applied externally to broken bones.

The following is more information on this botanical and its nutritional advantages.

• Oligo and polysaccharides - two long-chain sugar molecules that act as phytonutrients. These help produce a dietary fiber which supports proper digestion.

• Strong anti-inflammatory properties.

• Vitamins - Contains good amounts of vitamin C as well as a fair amount of vitamin A. (Specific percentages
  will depend on your specific source of noni)

• Beta-sitosterol - a phytonutrient with potential for having anti-cholesterol and anti-inflammatory effects.

An increasing number of studies are being done on this fruit. These studies are helping support what natural healing practitioners have known for quite some time about Noni. It's truly a great superfood!

Goji
Journeying to the Himalayan Mountains and the valleys of Tibet, we discover the potent Goji Berry (Lycium Barbarum). This culture has known the effectiveness of this small, crimson berry for thousands of years. Its nutrition is legendary among these people, who have used it to maintain active, healthy lifestyles and startling longevity. Throughout the Himalayans, generations have attributed their long life-spans to the Goji Berry.

This berry might be the most well-known and respected of all the superfoods. Its uses include: enhancing the immune system, improving eyesight, protecting the liver, boosting sperm production, and improving cardiovascular circulation.

Here is a nutritional summary of this amazing berry and some potential benefits.

• 19 amino acids - the building blocks of protein, essential nutrition for the body. It contains more protein than whole wheat.

• 21 trace minerals - including calcium, germanium, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc. Trace minerals work with
  enzymes which help your cells to function properly.

• Antioxidants - many of the items listed here can be described as antioxidants. In fact, this berry contains an
  impressive 22,000 ORAC units per gram.

• Vitamin C - contains 500 times more vitamin C per ounce than oranges. This well known and essential nutrient is required for metabolic processes.

• Vitamins B1, B2, B6, and E - vitamin complex B helps the metabolism, maintains healthy skin, supports the
  immune and nervous systems as well as other benefits. Vitamin E has been studied for its numerous health advantages, mainly relating to heart and coronary issues.

• Carotenoids - large amounts of beta carotene which converts to vitamin A. With greater amounts found than
  in carrots, this nutrient is vital for good eye health.

• Beta-sitosterol- an anti-inflammatory and also helps in lowering cholesterol.

As you can see, this berry is quite phenomenal. It really is in a class of its own when it comes to superfoods.

Açaí
The mysterious Amazon Rain Forest holds many healing secrets. One of these powerful healing botanicals is the Açaí berry. Pronounced ah-SIGH-ee, this berry has long been regarded by natives as the most powerful nutrition in the forest. The dark purple berries are almost an inch in diameter, and for thousands of years the healers of the Amazon have used it to treat a variety of illnesses. The local tribes believe the berries have phenomenal healing powers.

Here is what this berry contains and its related nutritional breakdown:

• Beneficial fatty acids - Omega 6 and 9. Fatty acids reduce bad cholesterol while maintaining good cholesterol levels.

• Potassium - the most abundant mineral in this berry. It helps in the regulation of the body's water balance,
  acidity, and blood pressure.

• Antioxidants - plays a large role in the maintenance of the vascular cardiac system and may help in blood
  circulation.

• Rich in fiber - almost 25% of the berry's dry matter. It's important for the elderly or anyone concerned
  with digestive health and regularity.

• Calcium - The second most abundant mineral present. Required for the maintenance of bone mineral density.

• Phytonutrients - Are compounds that occur naturally in highly nutritious botanicals like this berry. More
  than 16 in total, they are strong antioxidants that assist in anti-aging and combat health disorders.

• Vitamins - A,B1, B2, B3, C, and E. The benefits of these vitamins are extensive. Some include: collagen
  production for healthy cartilage, natural energy production, processes amino acids and fats, helps restore damaged tissues, and helps protect cellular membranes.

• Anthocyanins - an antioxidant also known to exist in red wine. There is 30 times the amount of anthocyanin
  in this botanical than red wine.

As you can see, this berry is a truly outstanding superfood. We strongly recommend it as a nutritional supplement to maintain good health.

Mangosteen
Growing in the Southeast Asian tropics is a fruit so prized it is known as the Queen of Fruits. The harvest of this fruit, the Mangosteen, occurs twice each year. Local residents anticipate and then celebrate these harvests. The mild, exquisitely-flavored, snow-white flesh of the mangosteen is enveloped in a gorgeous, thick, purple rind. Healers down through the ages, as well as modern locals, revere it not just for its flavor, but for its amazing restorative and medicinal properties*.

Indigenous cultures of South-East Asia have been using this botanical for a variety of medicinal purposes. Some include the treatment of dysentery, urinary disorders, diarrhea, eczema and other skin disorders. 

Most of the fruit's nutrition comes from its hard outer shell, or rind. This nutrition is found specifically in the previously mentioned xanthones. There are more than 40 xanthones discovered so far.

Xanthones are powerful phytonutrients that have significant antioxidant qualities. Some of these health benefits include.

• Supporting the cardiovascular system

• Helping to prevent Thrombosis, also known as a clot in a blood vessel.

• Reduces hypertension or high blood pressure

• Supports healthy cartilage and joint function.

• Helps maintain the immune system.

• Promotes good respiratory health, which relates to seasonal allergies.

• Maintains good intestinal health

Those were just some of the more well known effects of this truly great superfood. It would not be surprising if more health benefits are discovered about this food.

Seabuckthorn
The mountainous regions of Russia and China are home to a hardy, golden berry known as the Seabuckthorn. The effects of its potent nutrition are legendary in these regions. It’s renown inspired 8th century Tibetan doctor Yu Yuendan Gongbu to study this berry, and since then its value has been mastered by that culture. In fact, Ghengis Khan, the 13th century conqueror, was aware of the astonishing nutrition of the berry. He is said to have attributed the might and vitality of his warriors, in part, to Seabuckthorn*.

Chinese natives have been using the medicinal properties of this botanical for centuries to help in blood circulation,
alleviate pain, relieve coughs, and to aid in digestion.

The oils from the berry have also been effective for treating dermatitis, eczema, acne, and healing sun-damaged skin.
This quality of the berry gives it anti-aging potential.

What we've discussed so far is just a few of the health benefits of this amazing berry. Here is a summary of the rest.

• Vitamins C and E - it contains a high amount of vitamin C (12 times more than what is found in an orange). Vitamin E is also present in good amounts and can help with cardiovascular health.

• Folic acid (or vitamin B9) - is crucial for the growth and maintenance of new cells. This vitamin becomes even
  more essential during pregnancy.

• Vitamin K - has been linked to healthy blood. It prevents the thinning of blood.

• Carotenoids - containing a large variety of these potent antioxidants.

• Omega Complex - including 3, 6, 7 and 9.  These fatty acids are essential for reducing blood pressure and
  cholesterol levels.

• Flavonoids - these organic compounds have shown anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial effects
  as well as being good antioxidants.

Seabuckthorn is another emerging giant in the world of superfoods. More studies are currently being done on this berry which will provide even more information on its great nutritional characteristics.

Fucoidan - Brown Seaweed
Rooted in the pristine, sparkling waters of the South Pacific is an astonishing Brown Seaweed. This miraculous plant has been cherished by the Southern Pacific cultures for centuries. They attribute their long lives and glowing health to this plant. Warm, clear waters produce this amazing sea vegetable in abundance, and it is the most heralded food in the East. Its secret? A nutrient called Fucoidan. Modern science marvels at how closely its nutrition resembles human breast milk.

"Fucoidan is like a closely guarded secret, as an antioxidant it has certainly piqued the interest of many scientists. Fucoidan has been scientifically proven to enhance immunity and cellular health to the point where it helps heal wounds, supports normal blood pressure, detoxifies the body against heavy metals, helps prevent the common colds and flu." (Ezine)