Here at Souperb, we believe in the power of food as medicine and are committed to using purposeful ingredients in our soups. That’s why we’re starting a short series of posts where we explore the benefits of functional ingredients in each of Souperb’s flavors.
First, you may be asking, what are functional foods? Functional foods, beyond their basic nutritional functions, can decrease the risk of many chronic diseases and have a range of physiological benefits. Most include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Almost every single ingredient in Souperb soups is a functional ingredient! You may be familiar with popular functional benefits, such as turmeric’s anti-inflammatory effects or the antioxidant power of Green Tea. We aim to provide a brief insight on some functional benefits you may not have been aware of before. Here we’re focusing on one of Souperb’s most popular flavors and its functional ingredients, Carrot Pistachio Soup. Check out the nutrition label below for the full ingredients list – no artificial or unrecognizable ingredients here!
Carrots – Carrots contain valuable amounts of antioxidant nutrients, which are essential to protect our cells from damage. This includes traditional antioxidants like vitamin C, in addition to phytonutrient antioxidants like beta-carotene. There is an association between high levels of beta-carotene consumption and a decrease in strokes and cardiovascular disease. Carrots are one of the best natural sources for the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which have been proven to reduce the risk of chronic eye diseases, including cataracts. They weren’t kidding when they told you to eat carrots for good eyesight!
Onions – Onions are a great source of unique antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients. They contain high amounts of the antioxidant quercetin; several studies have shown quercetin to have beneficial effects against many diseases and disorders including cardiovascular disease as well as breast, colon, ovarian, gastric, lung, and bladder cancers. Onions also help manage gut health due to the probiotic inulin, which promotes a healthy gastrointestinal tract and reduces constipation.
Pistachios – The pistachio is a nutrient-dense nut with a heart-healthy fatty-acid profile as well as protein, dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamin K and a number of phytochemicals. Impressive, right? But did you know that Pistachios have recently been found to be a complete protein, which means it contains ALL essential amino acids. Check out the infographic below:
Olive Oil – The functional highlights of this Mediterranean staple is its anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular effects thanks to an extensive list of phenols and polyphenols. These phenols and polyphenols are nutrients responsible for reducing inflammatory processes within our blood vessels, which then reduces our risk of inflammation-related cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis.
Tarragon – Rich in antioxidant properties, Tarragon contains a high level of the previously mentioned beta carotene, which assists in the overall health and function of the eyes. Historically, Tarragon has been used medicinally for years, especially for its anti-inflammatory effects.
It is interesting to think about what food can do for our bodies in different ways. There is so much more information out there on these ingredients and their benefits – we encourage you to research more on any functional food benefits you may be curious about. Most importantly, stay tuned for our upcoming posts for a look into the nutritious, functional ingredients in other Souperb flavors!
References:
Dietary Sources of Lutein and Zeaxanthin Carotenoids and Their Role in Eye Health
Onion and Garlic Intake and Breast Cancer, a Case-Control Study
The Power of the World’s Healthiest Foods
Prebiotics: Definition, Types, Sources, Mechanisms, and Clinical Applications
Pistachio Nuts: Composition and Potential Health Benefits
Pistachios are a Complete Protein – American Pistachio Growers
