Superfoods are nutritional powerhouses that are known to lower cholesterol levels, support bone formation, improve eyesight, prevent diseases and keep the mind sharp.
Aside from the previous examples, experts have found that eating superfoods also has several weight loss benefits, and is efficient in helping people maintain a healthy physique.
With that, we have compiled a list of superfoods that will definitely kickstart your weight loss goals.
Almonds
Combined with a low-calorie diet, L-arginine-rich almonds have been found to reduce weight more effectively than a snack that contains safflower oil and carbohydrates.
In a study featured in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, researchers examined overweight and obese adults, and found that participants who ate almonds experienced a 62 percent reduction in body mass index (BMI). This means that eating nuts is indeed effective in helping you burn fat and carbohydrates.
Avocado
Avocado oil is rich in monounsaturated oleic acid. This fatty acid is good for the health, resistant to oxidation and can be stored by the body for longer periods of time.
Keri Gans, who wrote the book "The Small Change Diet," said the vitamin E in avocado oil can help strengthen the immune system and the skin. When compared to coconut oil, avocado oil is better.
"There's no denying when looking at nutritional content, coconut oil has a big question mark and avocado oil doesn't," said Gans.
Black Raspberries
A new study published in the journal Open Chemistry has found that black raspberries give off greater health benefits than its cousins, raspberries and blueberries.
Led by Anna Malgorzata Kostecka-Gugala, researchers from the Agricultural University of Kraków in Poland measured the amount of phenolics and anthocyanins in black raspberries.
The team found that the antioxidants in black raspberries were three times higher than other fruits, and discovered that the fruit's phenolic content was 1000 percent higher than that of blueberries and raspberries.
Black raspberries were also found to contain high amounts of secondary metabolites, or organic compounds which are good for the body but are not directly needed by it.
Black Rice
Studies have found that black rice contains 30 times more fiber compared with white rice. It also has vitamin B1 and antioxidants, plus its nutty flavor and unique texture are praised by consumers.
"Black foods have more antioxidants than light-colored foods because of their high pigment content," said food chemistry professor Cy Lee.
Japanese researchers have found that black rice is derived from Japanese rice, but that a certain gene that went haywire triggered the plant to produce large quantities of anthocyanin.
Grapefruit
Eating half a grapefruit before any meal can elevate how your body burns fat. A study issued in the journal Metabolism found that doing so can help you reduce your belly up to an inch in six weeks.
Researchers attribute the strong effects of grapefruit to phytochemicals that "zap" fat quickly. However, they also say that grapefruit can negatively affect certain medications, so it's best to talk to your doctor or nutritionist first before adding grapefruit to your meals.
Green Tea
You may be working out every weekend, but experts say it won't be too effective if you don't drink green tea.
In a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, researchers from the American Society of Nutrition found that people who took 4 to 5 cups of green tea a day and spent 25 minutes exercising at the gym lost more belly fat than those who do not drink green tea.
The effect of green tea is due to antioxidants called catechins, which hinder the storage of belly fat and help in quick weight loss.
Pistachios
Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles found that after four weeks, people who ate pistachios as snacks had reduced their BMI more compared to people who ate pretzels. The people who ate pistachios also had improved levels of cholesterol and triglyceride. The report is featured in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
Photo: Quinn Dombrowski | Flickr
