Beauty boosters from superfoods, new snacks and supplements to try

By April MacIntyre Apr 29, 2011, 19:43 GMT

These organic mulberries are high in iron, calcium, vitamin C, protein, and fiber and also contain the antioxidant Resveratrol. The berries have a chewy texture with a slight crunch and a delicate, sweet flavor that is combo of sried strawberries and figs. Photo by April MacIntyre ©M&C

Obtaining a healthy glow, gorgeous hair, skin and nails and managing your weight can be achieved if you swap out bad nutritionally void snacks for nutrient rich superfoods and eliminate all sugar and corn syrup based sodas completely.

Most everyone knows that almonds, broccoli, ginger, blueberries and salmon are considered "superfoods," food items you should try to eat on a regular daily basis.  But some very enterprising small American businesses have discovered a goldmine of other superfoods for you to consider.  Have you tried dried white Mulberries? Chia seeds or Cacao nibs?  

Here are some of the best new food and supplement items we tried that are excellent, reasonable in price, and well worth your time to investigate:

Health Warrior Chia Seeds

These little seeds are so versatile, you can use it as you would Poppy seed or wheat germ to top yogurt, or even drink in smoothies. Just one tablespoon of Chia seed is the nutritional equal to a smoothie made from salmon, spinach, and other necessary nutrients.

Aztec warriors ate these Chia seeds daily like popcorn snacks, and the American company that sells these items, Health Warrior, even has the outline of an Aztec soldier on their packaging.

Chia seeds are loaded with the highest level of Omega 3 essential acids, Omega 6s, protein, calcium, iron, zinc, fiber, and antioxidants.

Interested in building muscle, lowering cholesterol, and reducing your risk of heart disease? This is your new Gluten-free snack supplement that tastes nutty and satisfying too.

You may be wondering, 'Are these the Chia seeds I use to grow 'wool" on my sheep Chia pet?'  Yes they are!

Health Warrior co-founders Nick Morris and Dan Gluck, and Shane Emmett, the CEO of Health Warrior, import these organic Chia seeds from South America for anyone who want a nutritional advantage.

The company claims that the Chia seeds boost energy levels and help you lose weight too.

What we do know from University studies is that one teaspoon of Chia seeds sprinkled over breakfast cereal each day may help improve heart and liver health, as a new University of South Queensland (Australia) study suggests.

Their research discovered that Chia seed fed to obese laboratory rats caused the deep brown fat (visceral) around vital organs, such as the heart and liver, to decrease. 

Professor Lindsay Brown, Hemant Poudyal, Sunil Panchal, Jennifer Waanders and Leigh Ward determined the changes in the structure and function of the heart and liver, as well as changes in abdominal fat pads and metabolism, in diet-induced obese rats were directly related to Chia seed supplements.

Their study found that the rats fed the Chia seeds had improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance and reduced heart and liver inflammation, and the abdominal fat had been distributed to other parts of the body.

Abdominal fat near vital organs is a Cortisol maker and a major contributor to heart and liver disease, and Chia seeds help to reduce this problem.

Photo by April MacIntyre ©M&C

Another item to try is their delicious 100-calorie Chia Bar, made with Peanut Butter and Chocolate. So filling, nutty in flavor and perfect snack for mid-day and mid-morning lag or when the sweet-tooth hits.

A 16-ounce bag sells for $14.99, and the company is making 100-calorie energy bars that retail for $10.99 a box.  Highly recommended!  www.healthwarrior.com

Navitas Naturals Cacao Lip Balm

Lips get the chocolate treatment organically, as this soft buttery lip moisturizer is made from the pure, cold-pressed oil of the cacao bean is an aromatic and sensuous balm that makes you want to kiss WIlly Wonka. My favorite lip balm of the year.

Navitas Naturals Cacao Lip Balm is made of organic raw cacao butter from 100% pure cacao oil. All ingredients used are certified organic, cruelty-free, and contain no chemical preservatives. http://www.navitasnaturals.com

Navitas Sun Dried White Mulberries: Mulberry Berries

Navitas Naturals Sun Dried White Mulberries: Mulberry Berries ($5.99 per 4. oz bag), are like less sweet raisins that have a crunch and are soft too. They are addictive and low sugar, so you snack on straight out of the bag or to use as an ingredient in baked goods, smoothies, granolas or as edible garnishes.

These organic mulberries are high in iron, calcium, vitamin C, protein, and fiber and also contain the antioxidant Resveratrol.  The berries have a chewy texture with a slight crunch and a delicate, sweet flavor that is a flavor combo of dried strawberries and figs. http://www.navitasnaturals.com

Sweet Raw Chocolate Nibs Cacoa Sweet Nibs

Reasonable and a must-have for the chocoholics, ($5.49 per 4 oz. bag) - these Gluten-free cacao sweet nibs are processed at low temperatures and are lightly coated with cacao liquor and cane juice.  Intensely chocolate with a light sweetness.

The mouth feel is melty and crunchy as each bite is somewhat unique.   Each piece is an adventure in textures and it is perfect for baking, topping ice cream and yogurt and snacking straight out of the bag.  http://www.navitasnaturals.com

Reserveage organics Keratin Booster

Reserveage Organics brings a new supplement to market, a keratin product called Keratin Booster.

Keratin Booster is the world’s first solubilized keratin, as it is both bioactive and bioavailable.  Keratin, a protein found naturally in the body, repairs damaged hair, nails and skin. The ability to convert natural keratin into a functional form that is bioavailable to the body is a recent breakthrough.

This Keratin Booster features Cynatine® HNS, which is manufactured using a patented process that enables the keratin molecule to be absorbed in the body, making it both bioactive and bioavailable. The result is the world’s first “solubilized keratin.” Keratin Booster provides a nourishing blend of science-backed ingredients for supporting and maintaining healthy, youthful hair, nails and skin.

The company claims that bioactive keratin was shown to reduce hair loss from washing by 30 percent while improving hair strength by 12 percent. There was also a marked improvement in hair’s shine and brightness, and that keratin may help reduce lines and wrinkles, promote firmness and elasticity, and improve brightness and radiance.  I've been using for a few weeks and can see real differences in my hair and nails, and my skin too.

This also contains Resveratrol and Biotin is an essential B vitamin that supports thicker, healthier hair and stronger nails. Resveratrol is the powerful whole-body antioxidant found in the stems, seeds and skin of red wine grapes.

www.reserveage.com.

Zevia Natural Sodas

This is the perfect swap for soda lovers who love the bubbles and sweet. Zevia is a no net carb, Zero glycemic index and safe for Diabetics drink. 

What sweetens it Stevia, a leafy plant found naturally growing in South America. It is 90 times sweeter than sugar but has no calories or effect on blood sugar levels. 

I tried the Grape flavor and found it to be refreshing and not too sweet, but perfectly balanced in flavors. There are other flavors: Mountain Zevia, Grapefruit Citrus, Caffeine Free Cola and Cream Soda, *Original* Cola, Ginger Root Beer, Dr. Zevia, Black Cherry, Ginger Ale, Lemon Lime Twist and Orange.

www.zevia.com

April MacIntyre is Monsters and Critics' smallscreen and people/celebrity editor who loves to visit and celebrate small American (and Canadian!)businesses when she can. You can contact her on Twitter