Superfoods are a class of the most potent, super-concentrated, and nutrient-rich foods on the planet.

David Wolfe, a raw and natural food expert, presented the following list in one of my classes at the Institute For Integrative Nutrition.

Extremely tasty and satisfying, superfoods have the ability to tremendously increase the vital force and energy of one’s body, and are the optimum choice for improving over-all health, boosting the immune system, elevating serotonin production, enhancing sexuality, cleansing, lowering inflammation, and alkalizing the body.

If there’s something on this list you’ve never tried, I encourage you to be adventurous and try a few of them out! I’ve been eating cacao, hemp seeds & spirulina for a while now and am going to add a few more of these to my shopping list.

9 Superfoods You May Have Never Heard Of

In random order…

1. Cacao (aka Raw Chocolate)

The seed/nut of a fruit of an Amazonian tree, cacao is the highest antioxidant food on the planet, the #1 source of antioxidants, magnesium, iron, manganese, and chromium and is also extremely high in PEA, theobromine (cardiovascular support), and anandamide (“bliss chemical”). Raw cacao improves cardiovascular health, builds strong bones, is a natural aphrodisiac, elevates your mood and energy, and increases longevity.

Fun fact: Legend has it that raw chocolate is called cacao (pronounced “ka-cow”) because the people trading it way back when misspelled cocoa. Or maybe it’s the other way around. I guess we’ll never know – all you have to remember is that cacao is the raw nut/seed that chocolate comes from.

2. Goji Berries (photo above)

Used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 5,000 years, goji berries are regarded as a longevity, strength-building, and potency food of the highest order. This superfood contains 18 kinds of amino acids, including all 8 essential amino acids, up to 21 trace minerals, high amounts of antioxidants, iron, polysaccharides, B & E vitamins, and many other nutrients.

3. Maca

A staple in the Peruvian Andes for thousands of years, this adaptogenic superfood increases energy, endurance, strength, and libido. Dried maca powder contains more than 10% protein, nearly 20 amino acids, including 7 essential amino acids. As a root crop, maca contains five times more protein than a potato and four times more fiber.

4. Raw Hemp Seeds & Hemp Protein

Hemp seeds are packed with 33% pure digestible protein, and are rich in iron, amino acids, and vitamin E as well as omega-3’s and GLA.

(And, no, hemp seeds do not contain THC, the substance in marijuana that makes you feel high.)

5. Spirulina

Spirulina (and AFA Blue-Green Algae) is the world’s highest source of complete protein (65%). Spirulina provides a vast array of minerals, trace elements, phytonutrients, and enzymes. AFA Blue-green algae is a wild-grown superfood that is made up of 15% blue pigmented phycocyanin which, according to Christian Drapeau in his book Primordial Food, increases our internal production of stem cells. Both Sprirulina and Blue-green Algae are vital superfoods.

6. Bee Pollen

Bee pollen is the most complete food found in nature containing nearly all B vitamins especially vitamin B-9 (folate) and all 21 essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. Honey, in its organic/wild, raw, unfiltered states is rich in minerals, antioxidants, probiotics, and enzymes, and is one of the highest vibration foods on the planet. If your metabolism can handle sweeteners, honey is the best. Russian research indicates that honey is a longevity superfood.

7. Camu Berry

Highest Vitamin C source on planet. Great for rebuilding tissue, purifying blood, and enhancing immunity, and energy. Camu berry is one of the best anti-depressants, immune building, and eye-nourishing superfoods in the world.

8. Sea Vegetables

Rich in life-giving nutrients drawn in from the ocean and sun, sea vegetables help remove heavy metals, detoxify the body of radioactive iodine, provide numerous trace minerals, regulate immunity, and decrease the risk of cancer. Seaweeds benefit the entire body, and are especially excellent for the thyroid, immune system, adrenals, and hormone function. Examples include kelp, dulse, nori, hijiki, bladderwrack, and chlorella.

9. Medicinal Mushrooms

High in polysaccharides and super immune enhancing components, medicinal mushrooms are one of the most intelligent adaptogenic herb/superfoods on the planet! They have also been proven effective in healing cancer and a variety of other ailments. Examples include reishi, chaga, cordyceps, maitake, shiitake, lion’s mane, etc.

Happy Superfood Shopping!