While several foods have amazing health-promoting properties, many so-called "superfoods" don't live up to the hype. The old saying about an apple a day isn't very accurate. While apples are high in fiber, many other foods will keep your body working as nature intended. To help alleviate confusion, here is a list of the top five groups of superfoods in Williams Bay WI and why you should be eating these foods regularly:

1) Dark Leafy-Green Vegetables in Williams Bay WI

Vegetables like kale and spinach, which are sometimes referred to as DGLVs, have been shown to have properties that will help to lessen the risk of disease. DGLVs are loaded with nutrients the body needs to keep the immune system working at peak efficiency and reduce the risk of heart disease, some forms of cancer and diabetes. These nutrients include calcium, carotenoids, folate, iron, magnesium, vitamin C, and zinc. While you can get some of the health benefits from eating these cooked, for maximum nutritional punch, eat these vegetables raw in a salad.

2) Nuts and Seeds

Nuts, like almonds, walnuts and pecans, and seeds such as sunflower and pumpkin, have high amounts of heart-healthy fats and complete proteins. These are also chocked full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that are believed to work to prevent heart disease and cancer.

3) Legumes

Legumes are a class of plants, of the Leguminosae family, that have their eatable seeds enclosed inside a pod. These include beans, peas, peanuts, clovers, and alfalfa. Legumes are high in the B vitamins, assorted minerals and are a very high vegetable source of complete protein. Legumes have been shown to reduce the risk of diabetes, hypertension and lower low-density lipoproteins, or "bad" cholesterol referred to as LDLs.

4) Berries

Blackberries, blueberries, huckleberries, cranberries, raspberries, and even strawberries are nutritional stalwarts. These are all loaded with a plethora of antioxidants, fiber, minerals, and vitamins. Antioxidants have been proven to boost the immune system in so many studies that is is accepted as medical fact that they reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, and inflammatory conditions like arthritis. As a warning, commercially produced berries are often laden with nasty pesticides, so go organic whenever possible.

5) Salmonids

These are a class of fish that include salmon and chars, including Eastern brook trout and lake trout. These fish have the highest amount of omega-three acids of any fish species. Omega-threes are known to fight heart disease, cancer, reduce inflammation, and lower LDL levels. Because of possible contamination of fish with minute traces of methylmercury, fish consumption should be limited to two to three times a week, once a week for pregnant women. Also, avoid farmed-raised salmon as pen-raised fish to not eat the same health-promoting diet as their wild counterparts.

While apples are delicious and you should certainly not give up eating them, eating the above-listed superfoods two to three times a week can help keep the doctor away. Another way to help keep yourself in top physical health is with regular chiropractic adjustments. Feel free to give us a call at Pure Family Chiropractic in Brookfield WI, New Berlin WI, or Williams Bay WI. At Pure Family Chiropractic, your family's health is always our team's top priority.