When it comes to superfoods many experts have different opinions. You may be aware that a certain food is full of certain vitamins and minerals, but lacks a significant amount of protein and fiber, or vice versa.

The best thing to consider when thinking about superfoods is whether the food has a balance of all things vital to our health. That way we can get most of everything instead of just all of some things.

Here is a list of superfoods that offer you exactly what you need to lead a healthy and prosperous lifestyle

Avocados

Avocados are loaded with health benefits. They are high in monounsaturated fats that reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. They have at least 11-17 g of fiber per fruit and are packed with lutein, an antioxidant that promotes eye and skin health.

Apples

We’ve all heard the old saying about an apple and doctors, and there’s a reason for it: apples are full of the antioxidants catechin and quercetin which help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. Don’t skip the peel though, it’s packed with fiber and most of the nutrients.

Blueberries

These little berries are big inflammation fighters, which is linked to multiple diseases from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s to diabetes and heart disease. They also promote more anticancer activity than any other fruit, as well as slowing down the effects of aging.

Cabbage

Full of compounds known as indoles, eating cabbage at least once a week can reduce the risk of colon cancer in men by 66%. Cabbage also stimulates your immune system, kills bacteria and viruses, and purifies your blood.

Fish and Fish Oil

By eating fish, you cut down your risk of heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, stroke, arthritis, and diabetes. The fatty varieties can also help alleviate depression and supply you with Omega-3s. Avoid mercury containing varieties of fish like swordfish, shark, tilefish, king mackerel, and albacore tuna.

Garlic

Eating garlic lowers total cholesterol blood fat levels, helping to prevent clogged arteries. Garlic tops the list of cancer preventative foods by the National Cancer Institute, and whole roasted garlic helps flush the body of heavy metals like mercury and cadmium.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms have a powerful effect on the immune system. They help prevent and treat cancer, viral diseases, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Mushrooms also have the ability to counteract the toxic effects of chemotherapy while simultaneously shrinking tumors.

Almonds

Full of fiber and monounsaturated fats, almonds have been found to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Eating almonds can also help you lose weight, the fiber, protein, and monounsaturated fats help you feel full without overeating.

Eggs

Consistently outranking other animal and plant based proteins, eggs are the best source of protein in the world. They contain all 9 essential amino acids, as well as choline which promotes brain and heart health as well as controlling cholesterol and fat in the liver.

Flaxseeds

The alpha-linolenic acid in flaxseeds help reduce inflammation, plus they’re a great source of usable protein, fatty acids, and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, and potassium. They are also packed with fiber.

Pomegranates

Pomegranates have up to 3 times more antioxidants than green tea and red wine, and the juice is known to reduce artery-clogging plaque preventing heart disease and stroke. Drinking pomegranate juice over a long period of time has been known to help slow the effects of aging and protect against cancer.

Red Wine

Drinking a glass of red wine a day is great for your heart by increasing  good cholesterol (HDL) and decreasing your risk of blood clots. Be careful to not drink more than one glass though – too much red wine has been known to increase blood pressure.

Dark Chocolate

The more bitter, the better. The health benefits in chocolate come from the flavonoids and antioxidants in cacao, so choose a chocolate with a high cacao level (60% or higher). Eaten in moderation, dark chocolate can help lower bad cholesterol levels as well as prevent plaque build up on your arteries.

Try rotating some of the foods into your regular eating habits and start noticing the difference it makes to your health. You’ll feel great, both inside and out.

 SOURCE: http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1VnX5O/:WC2Dk6d4:nt08Whrx/www.everydayhealth.com/photogallery/superfoods.aspx