Food trends change just as quickly as fashion trends these days, and today’s superfoods are no exception. Although they might sound unusual at first, to be fair, so did kale, quinoa, and coconut water at one point. These 3 foods can help anyone, health nut or not, achieve a better diet and overall healthier lifestyle:

 

Sumac

Superfoodly lists sumac as the top “most under-the-radar superfood you will find,” and considering its antioxidant measurement, it’s not that surprising! At 312,400 per 100 grams, sumac’s antioxidant content outranks kale by almost 200 percent.

 

What does all of that mean, exactly? It means that sumac has been lab-tested in attempts to quantify its “total antioxidant capacity,” measured against how well the sample of sumac protected vulnerable molecules from oxidation by free radicals. In other words, how well the sample will protect your cells from free radicals, which are molecules produced when our bodies break down food or are exposed to harmful substances.

 

Although eating 100 grams of sumac would be a challenge, because its Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) is so high, that means that eating even a little bit will go a long way. You could use it as a natural salt substitute, or sprinkle it on salads, pasta, or rice. Anything that would taste good with a little lemon could potentially complement this spice.

 

Baobab Fruit

You’ve heard of acai, but now, get ready for the baobab fruit. It’s extremely versatile given its mild taste. Although, on its own, baobab has a slightly sweet and sour taste, when mixed with other foods, it often goes unnoticed, meaning that you get all of the benefits at no additional sacrifice to your taste buds.

 

Not only does its ORAC rank at 40% higher than acai, but it also has 6x as much vitamin C as oranges, twice the calcium of milk, and high counts of potassium, phosphorous, and fiber. Be careful with that last one, though, unless you’re in need of a natural laxative.

 

Chia Seeds

Chia seeds have become pretty popular in recent years, and for good reason! Health food enthusiasts are extremely enthusiastic about this seed, given that they possess more omega-3s than salmon. They’re great for athletes, too, because of their ability to help hydrate your body. And, because the chia seeds take time for your body to break down, they create a lasting effect.

 

Raw vegans like chia seeds for their high protein content and the fact that they contain all nine amino acids. Whether you pick black or white chia, you can’t lose: their ORAC values are 9,800 and 7,000, respectively.