Superfoods are all the rage these days. They appear practically everywhere: blended into smoothies, topping nourishing bowls or decorating salads. What makes these foods so popular is their health “powers,” which are said to make them more nutritious than regular foods.

Do superfoods live up to the hype?

While some people swear by them, it’s worth taking a closer look at this hot topic.

Do superfoods work?

It's easy to believe that these foods are a panacea, the secret to eternal life, a remedy for anything that ails us. Studies appear to be numerous, convincing and reliable. There is one thing to caution though: these studies often use very high doses of superfoods (or the nutrients found in them) and are usually conducted using in vitro models, meaning outside the body (i.e. generally using test tubes). While the results of these tests may be significant, when it comes to 'real life', the results can't always be applied. Real people aren't test tubes, and often don't eat nutrients at the high levels used in studies.

Superfoods may not have the science to back all the powers attributed to them, but they are healthy whole foods, and nothing is stopping you from including them in your diet for their flavour, colour or just because they taste good.

Superfoods vs. Functional Foods

While some foods are 'super', others are 'functional'. Functional Foods differ from superfoods in that one or more of the components in a functional food has a clearly established effect on the body, like strengthening the immune system or improving digestive health.

Bio-K+ is a functional food. As a probiotic supplement, its powers have been clinically studied and scientifically proven to have a positive effect on the body. We guarantee that each bottle of drinkable Bio-K+ contains 50 billio live and active probiotic bacteria until at least the best before date(different from the manufacturing date). Also, the three unique strains of bacteria found in Bio-K+ work together, rather than competing against each other. This means their work improves immune and digestive health for each person that consumes them.

Consuming both superfoods and functional foods can be fun and easy. Drinkable Bio-K+, for example, makes a great addition to no-bake desserts, making it an easy way to get your daily dose of probiotics over the holidays.

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooling time: 30 minutes

Servings: 20 truffles

Recipe : Holiday Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients :

1/4 cup + 2 T (90 ml) cocoa powder

1 cup (250 ml) all-purpose flour

1/4 t (1 ml) salt

1/4 cup (60 ml) honey

1/4 cup (60 ml) unsalted butter at room temperature

2 t (10 ml) vanilla extract

1 bottle of Bio-K+ Original

Optional Garnishes :

Small decorative candies

Crushed almonds or hazelnuts

Chocolate shavings or cocoa powder

Coconut flakes

Instructions :

Mix the cocoa powder, flour and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Use a whisk or stand mixer, beat together honey, butter and vanilla until it has a light, fluffy texture (about 2 to 3 minutes).

Slowly add remaining ingredients, alternating between dry ingredients and drinkable Bio-K+. Continue mixing until dry ingredients are completely incorporated.

Roll dough into small balls (1/2 to 3/4 inch thick).

Cover a tray with parchment paper and place the dough balls on top.

Sprinkle garnishes into truffles.

Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Value (for 1 truffle)

Calories: 64 - Fat: 2.8 g - Saturated fat: 1.7 g - Cholesterol: 7 mg - Sodium: 10 mg - Carbohydrates: 9.4 g - Fiber: 0.8 g - Protein: 1.3 g

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