The 12 Most Powerful Super Foods

Why Are They So Super?

Ask five nutritionists to rate the 12 most powerful foods and you’ll get five different lists, but many of the selections will overlap. Why? Because every food provides something different: Some are a rich source of protein or fiber but void of many vitamins and minerals, while others contain disease-fighting phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals, but no protein. The trick, claim experts, is to get a variety of the best foods. The following 12 power foods are a good place to start.

Avocados
Sure they’re high in fat, but avocados contain healthful monounsaturated fat, which has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. ‘Avocados aid in blood and tissue regeneration, stabilize blood sugar, and are excellent for heart disorders,’ says Ed Bauman, Ph.D., director of Bauman College . They’re loaded with fiber (11 to 17 grams per fruit) and are a good source of lutein, an antioxidant linked to eye and skin health.

Apples