Bees do it! Why we should do it too.

If you want to add the world’s most nutritious natural item to your diet, then follow the bees.

No, not honey (delicious though that is) but something much earlier in the process - bee pollen.

It’s a powerful superfood that sometimes gets overlooked thanks to an emphasis on the sweet sticky end result. But bee pollen is used in holistic remedies all over the globe, and its value has been understood for centuries, for very good reasons.

What is bee pollen?

The title actually pretty well sums it up. It’s the pollen that younger honey bees gather as part of their busy lives.

It packs such a punch because the adolescent bees compress around a million male flower pollen specks into each one of the bee pollen granules you can buy from Detox Trading.

It is remarkable to think that these little creatures know exactly what to look for when gathering 'the good stuff'. Bee pollen is approximately 40% protein. Compare that to other animal by-products and you can see it flies high. This is a rich source of amino acids, including the variety that is ready for your body to use immediately.

Why else should you eat it?

As mentioned previously, this natural substance is incredibly complex despite the fact it is also compact. It offers an unrivalled range of minerals, 18 different vitamins (including B complex and folic acid), amino acids and other nutrients.

It really is the ultimate complete food.

On top of all that, it also contains enzymes that can give your body a boost to strip nutrients out of the other food stuffs you eat too! What a hero.

So, with so much goodness in each granule, what are the other health and well-being benefits of adding bee pollen to your diet?

Great energy source – Bee pollen packs an energy punch well above its weight. The slow-release kind can keep you going for hours. It can also help muscle recovery after exercise too. Some top athletes have already made it a staple in their healthy diet.



Metabolism stimulant – This and its ability to help control cravings makes bee pollen helpful for weight management.

Cardiovascular support – As it contains substances that help to strengthen blood vessels, bee pollen is a handy aid for circulatory problems. It helps you to regulate cholesterol too and has anti-clotting potential to help fend off strokes.

Skin boost – Bee pollen helps skin cells to regenerate. (Also, its usefulness as a natural anti-inflammatory means it can help soothe skin conditions if applied as an ointment.)

Allergy relief – Just like locally sourced honey, bee pollen offers natural abilities to suppress the production of allergy-causing histamines.

Immune system support – Bee pollen supports natural processes, and some nutritionists believe it has antibiotic properties to help combat illnesses. It’s a rich source of antioxidants that protect cells from attack too.

Best way to add it to your diet

This all-round, versatile superfood is an anytime snack as it is sweet to taste and so easy to digest.

However, to optimise its potential, it is a great idea to eat it at mealtimes with fruit (which helps to get it working its magic quicker).

Sprinkled onto a smoothie is one of our favourite ways to enjoy what nature and our furry little friends have provided by their hard work. It goes well in milkshakes too.

By the way, this amazing superfood is another reason why you should join the campaigns and efforts to protect and grow bee populations in the UK.

And when you order your bee pollen from Detox Trading, you can get your hands on our “hive” of other wonderful foods too!

Organic spinach powder is a game changer — and here's why

Even if you have always struggled to eat your greens, there's still a reasonable probability that you have looked favourably upon spinach since a young age. 

Spinach, of course, is the magic green vegetable that Popeye The Sailor Man eats when he's in need of a quick release of superhuman strength. 

The exaggerated impact of spinach on the popular cartoon character was hugely entertaining to kids, and mothers everywhere used the influence of Popeye to encourage their children to eat more vegetables. 

A healthy supplement boasting great versatility

Organic spinach powder won't give you freakish strength, but it will provide you with an extremely healthy supplement that deserves to have pride of place in the kitchen of any health-conscious person. Put simply, it is one of the finest superfoods available in the UK. 

You may have recently bought a blender and are finding yourself experimenting with all kinds of different smoothie recipes. If so, organic spinach powder is the perfect accompaniment. 

Mix it into your drink or sprinkle it in to soups and enjoy the goodness

Perhaps juicing is your thing? Again, organic spinach powder offers untold amounts of goodness while also giving your drink that famous green hue that is the hallmark of all healthy juices. 

The benefits of organic spinach powder are plentiful and wide-ranging. Also, it provides the perfect alternative for those who might struggle to eat this wonderful vegetable in its whole form but still want to get it into their system. 

Bursting with all kinds of health-boosting benefits:

For anyone looking to buy superfood online, this is a great choice. The fact that it is a natural source of antioxidants, rich in vitamins, iron and omega 3 fatty acids barely scratches the surface of its positive capabilities. Any health-food enthusiast should have a plentiful supply of organic spinach powder close to hand. 

You can order it from our website today!

Maca powder – the superfood beneficial for an underactive thyroid

Maca powder – the superfood beneficial for an underactive thyroid

Do you feel tired and stressed out all the time? Research has indicated that the alkaloids of maca will have a beneficial effect on your endocrine system when taken regularly - and this is good news for all women. As we go through life, our hormones fluctuate. This can be unsettling enough but, when we also take the stresses of daily life into account, we can start to experience adrenal fatigue - this is our body’s first line of defence. If we don’t heed the warnings, the thyroid gland can become impacted severely. 

Many women have found that taking maca improves the function of their thyroid, reducing mental fog and fatigue in a very short space of time. 

It works best if you can use maca powder on a daily basis and it works by impacting the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus - these are significant when it comes to the health of your thyroid. The hypothalamus releases a thyrotropin-releasing hormone – known as TRH - and this stimulates the pituitary gland which in turn, stimulates the thyroid to release the thyroid hormone. So, if you want an overhaul of your endocrine system, maca may be the herb for you. Maca powder can help to stimulate the natural productivity of your thyroid and this has to be a good thing. 

As a superfood, maca root is becoming increasingly popular as it has numerous benefits. It helps to reduce glucose levels, can reduce the number of hot flushes associated with the menopause, it lowers your blood pressure and can even improve sexual desire. Maca powder is readily available and it can easily be added to meals on a daily basis. If you are interested in trying it out, simply add to your cereals or homemade smoothies and enjoy the subtle, malty taste. Note: it is generally advised that you don't cook or bake maca powder but as small quantities are all that is required, you'll find many ways of adding it to your diet. Use regularly and you’ll start to notice that your health improves.

Get your chocolate fix, superfood style…

Get your chocolate fix, superfood style…

If, like us, you’re a massive chocoholic, you may be wondering how you can get all the goodness you need while enjoying your favourite snack. The good news is that with the variety of cacao products available, it’s perfectly possible to eat chocolate and enhance your health and wellness.

Raw cacao beans, although an acquired taste, are definitely worth trying, just for their health benefits. They are categorised as a superfood because they contain so many antioxidants and micronutrients. Cacao beans help you to feel more energised, support your immune system and can do wonders for your hair, teeth, nails and skin. 

If you fancy trying something different with your cacao beans, we recommend toasting the beans in a pan. After they’ve popped, you can put the shells in a cup and pour over hot water to make cacao tea – it’s absolutely delicious! For those who prefer a rich hot chocolate, take the shelled beans and grind them into a paste before adding hot nut milk or water, along with vanilla and some natural sweetener.

Your preference may be to have something closer to the chocolate you know and love instead but without the refined sugar and dairy. If that’s the case, then you could try making your own organic raw chocolate blocks. Using coconut oil, raw cacao powder, raw cacao butter, and coconut palm sugar you can create your own version of chocolate heaven, it will taste great and you'll benefit from the wide range of nutrients that raw cacao provides. You could even try adding your own flavours, from banana powder or goji berry powder to dried mulberries and pumpkin seeds.  

We really love adding blueberry powder and hulled hemp seeds, the flavour combo works really well and comes with the added benefit of the protein, omega 3 and antioxidants found in these special ingredients.

Hopefully that gives you some good ideas but if you’re a chocoholic on a superfood mission and you’ve got any recommendations, we’d love to hear from you!

Superfoods: the power of Ayurvedic powders

The power of Ayurvedic herbs

Superfoods are so named because they're a cut above the average: not only are they delicious and extremely nutritious, but they're packed with an array of compounds that help to ward off disease and keep people healthy. Nowhere is this more true than with Ayurvedic powders made from plants that have been shown to have therapeutic properties.

These powders, some of which we have available here at Detox Trading, are made in accordance with the ancient Indian healing tradition of Ayurveda, dating back thousands of years. It's all about balancing the body, mind and spirit to restore a person to health – and keep them that way.

Take, for instance, Shatavari Root powder, which for centuries has been used by women in India as a tonic. Known as the "Queen of Herbs", mixed with warm nut milk and manuka honey, it is calming, soothing and rejuvenating. Shatavari Root powder also contains a number of essential vitamins and minerals to support bodily functions, such as B complex vitamins, zinc, and calcium. 

Or how about organic Amla berry powder, from a superfruit berry Indians call the "Great Rejuvenator"? With our hectic modern lifestyles that sap our energy and lead to high levels of damaging stress, many of us could surely do with some of this powerful powder. Just add a quarter of a teaspoon to juices or smoothies and you'll enjoy the benefits of high vitamin concentrations that will help to boost digestive health and give you lots more energy.

Then there's what we – or rather the good people of India – call the "Enlightened One", the Bramhi plant. This organically grown plant is ground to make Bramhi powder which for centuries has helped people to achieve a clarity of mind, as well as enhancing memory and leading to an overall feeling of inner peace.

If you want to buy superfood online – including these and more Ayurvedic powders – take a look at the extensive range we have here at Detox Trading. Soon, you could be looking and feeling like a whole new you.

5 top reasons to add Maca powder to your diet

5 top reasons to add Maca powder to your diet

If you're looking to incorporate a superfood powder into your diet that will offer multiple health and well-being benefits, then it's time to look at Maca powder. When it comes to this superfood, UK buyers are queueing up to enjoy the benefits. It works well in drinks, juices, smoothies, salads and cooked foods - and it's great in baked goods for a healthier treat.

High vitamin content

Research into Maca powder is ongoing and initial studies suggest that it is rich in vitamins B, C and E, as well as being abundant in zinc, calcium, magnesium, iron, amino acids and phosphorus.

A great sex life!

Maca powder has been used for centuries to help promote a healthy sex life in men and women alike, boosting both endurance and libido.

Women's health

The powder is also used to alleviate menstrual problems and the effects of the menopause. There is also anecdotal evidence that it helps to soothe depression and anxiety. It is important to note however that it shouldn't be taken by pregnant or lactating women, as its effects on these groups are yet to be quantified.

Energy

Maca is a great natural ingredient for enhancing stamina, and it is popular with athletes looking to boost their performance. Only a small amount is needed to feel the difference, both mentally and physically. Try adding it to a protein drink to help grow muscle mass after strength training, and add a spoon into a fresh juice before a cardio workout for an energy pop!

Overall health

Maca powder is also believed to help with wound healing, dental health and skin issues, helping to relieve sensitivity and to treat acne. It may also help with hormonal balance too. 

You can buy this superfood online at Detox Trading in convenient multi-serving packs, ready to add to your food and drinks. Start enjoying the benefits of Maca powder today!