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 continuing our series of posts where we explore the benefits of functional ingredients in each of Souperb’s flavors. 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! Today we’re focusing on the perfect Summer flavor, Tomato with Fennel Seeds. Check out the nutrition label below for the full ingredients list – no artificial or unrecognizable ingredients here!
Tomatoes – Consuming tomatoes provides a combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients, including vitamins C, E and A. Tomatoes contain the powerful antioxidant Lycopene. Higher blood levels of lycopene have been associated with reductions in cardiovascular disease risk. For example, intake of Lycopene has been shown to result in decreased total cholesterol – mainly decreased LDL cholesterol, which can contribute to the formation of plaque buildup in the arteries. In addition to Lycopene, tomatoes are chock full of heart-healthy potassium; the flow of potassium in and out of heart cells helps regulate your heartbeat.
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.
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.
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.
Garlic – Garlic has long been touted for its nutritional benefits, and you may be aware of some of them. While garlic provides an excellent source of manganese and vitamin B6, vitamin C, copper, selenium, phosphorus, vitamin B1, and calcium, it is the sulfur compounds in garlic that serve as its spotlight nutrients. This is because the sulfur-containing compounds in garlic have been shown to provide us with health advantages in a wide variety of body systems, including: our immune system, inflammatory system, digestive system, endocrine system, detoxification system and mostly our cardiovascular system. The sulfur itself specifically is critical to the health of our cellular detoxification system, the health of our joints and connective tissue, and oxygen-related metabolism.
Fennel Seed – Fennel has strong antioxidant activity and is also incredibly high in vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential as the body’s primary water-soluble antioxidant, able to neutralize free radicals in all aqueous environments of the body. Fennel also contains fiber, folate and potassium which are beneficial to cardiovascular and colon health.
Thyme – If you feel a cold coming on, thyme can help get you back in good health. In natural medicine, thyme has been used for years to aid chest and respiratory issues. Thyme also contains a variety of flavonoids, which increase thyme’s antioxidant capacity, and combined with its status as a good source of manganese, give thyme a high standing on the list of antioxidant foods. Another health benefit of thyme: It’s a good source of copper, fiber and iron.
Curious to try this spin on an American classic? Click here to find out where Souperb is available in your area.
References:
Onion and Garlic Intake and Breast Cancer, a Case-Control Study
Are we getting enough sulfur in our diet?
Garlic as a Potential Anticarcinogenic Agent Against Major Digestive Cancers
Food for health: a nutrition encyclopedia
