Why Celebs Swear By These Superfoods

Superfoods have been gaining traction in recent years, and the trend seems to be going strong, with an estimated market projection of $330.17 billion by 2026, per Business Wire. Celebrities have also been jumping on the bandwagon, adding not only blueberries but also goji berries to smoothies, and sipping green juice and bone broth on Instagram as if it were regular coffee. Now, an increasing number of cookbooks and magazines are showcasing recipes calling for ingredients that have gone from being obscure to mainstays seemingly overnight.

Long gone are the days of basic casseroles and simple cake loaves. Now, words like turmeric and sea moss are becoming as common as celery and spinach. If you're curious as to why celebrities swear by some superfoods more than others, here are all the juicy details. From breakfast staples to smoothie add-ons that fuel workouts and keep their skin glowing all day, discover what your favorite stars are consuming.

If you haven't heard of blue-green algae (aka spirulina) as a food source, you are not alone. It definitely isn't the most mainstream superfood out there, but in a Twitter post Kourtney Kardashian shares that "It's the easiest way to get your nutrients." On her website Poosh, she explains that the algae supplement is not only rich in minerals and protein but also helps keep her mind feeling sharp. Plus, since it comes as a powder it's easy to incorporate into drinks.

Eat This, Not That got the full list of ingredients for Kardashian's daily smoothie, which of course includes this impressive supplement. If you're looking for a power-packed morning smoothie, simply blend up a whole avocado, one cup of organic plant-based milk, one scoop of vanilla protein powder, a quarter teaspoon of MCT oil, some bone broth powder, and blue-green algae. To add some sweetness, Kourtney opts for honey or stevia if she's following a keto regimen.

Like many celebrities, Australian model and businesswoman Miranda Kerr is always up for a good smoothie. But hers are not limited to the usual bananas, berries, and spinach. In an interview with Vogue, she shares that she loves adding goji berries, chia seeds, and raw cacao to her smoothies. She tells Glamour that she tries to load up on superfoods which she values for their high vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant content. 

If you're curious to know the full list of ingredients, follow along as she walks her fans through her smoothie process from start to finish (via The Body Beautiful). Aside from blending goji berries into the drink, she shares that she likes to snack on dark chocolate covered goji berries as well. Medical News Today approves, stating that goji berries protect the eyes, support the immune system, promote healthy skin, improve sleep, and might even ward off cancer. Not bad for a small berry you can find at most well-stocked grocery stores and Asian markets!

English model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley starts her day with a superfood that is becoming more and more mainstream: a freshly made green drink. She shares on Twitter that green juices are a "great way to start the day." Meanwhile, in an interview with Elle, she made it clear that when it comes to the taste of her green smoothies, she isn't especially picky. Listing ingredients like bananas, almond butter, apple, spinach, and kale, she confessed that anything healthy, "whether it tastes good or not," goes in.

According to Consumer Reports, leafy greens are at the top of the list of healthy foods. If you're struggling to eat them in a salad or cooked in dishes, drinking them is a fine alternative in an otherwise balanced diet. In fact, WebMD states that green smoothies are a great way to incorporate leafy greens into your diet. So next time you're blending up a smoothie, throw in some kale and spinach. Or, opt for a fresh green juice instead of the usual latte.

Which superfood does Victoria Beckham swear by to get the energy she needs "to be buzzing about" as she puts it in an interview with Vogue? It's none other than nutrient-packed bee pollen, which she claims to be "totally obsessed" with on a Twitter post. Beckham credits bee pollen for its high level of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, and claims it also helps her fight off wrinkles (via Vogue).

Apparently, science is on her side. According to Healthline, bee pollen contains 250 biologically active substances and plenty of antioxidants. Research suggests it might lower the risk of heart disease, boost liver function and the immune system, and help with menopausal symptoms. And these are only a few of bee pollen's alleged benefits! If you are curious about trying the small yellow beads, you don't have to eat them by the spoonful like Beckham. Bee pollen can also be added to smoothies or sprinkled over açaí bowls. That being said, anyone allergic to pollen or bee stings should avoid consuming it.

To stay hydrated, American singer-songwriter and actress Madonna apparently swears by coconut water. Pop Sugar reports that she drank it every day during her Sticky & Sweet tour from 2008 to 2009. We can believe it, since she also contributed millions to the coconut water brand Vita Coco, and was chosen to be part of the pool of investors as a brand loyalist who drinks the beverage regularly, per her website.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, coconut water aids in hydration, which benefits your body's functioning. Nutritionally, it is high in potassium and low in calories, with zero fat or cholesterol content. It can also help with kidney stone prevention and may help fight acne thanks to its antimicrobial properties. You can drink coconut water straight, and shelf-stable brands make a great on-the-go option even on hot days. Add it to smoothies too, or use it to infuse some sweetness into your green drinks if you've gone a little heavy on the kale.

In an interview with Runner's World, Canadian-American musician, singer, songwriter, and actress Alanis Morissette says, "Kale is my best friend." She adds it to salads, smoothies, soups, and more. When she needs novelty, she jazzes it up with tahini or other tasty sauces. She even mentions the leafy green on her own website, stating that kale and other cruciferous vegetables are good options to include in your diet. 

Unsurprisingly, WebMD agrees and praises the nutritional value of kale, with benefits ranging from eye and bone health to chronic disease prevention. Additionally, it supports healthy blood clotting, brain development, protects against macular degeneration and cataracts, and more.

There's no wrong time to introduce kale into your diet. You can add a handful to a banana and tropical fruit smoothie or stir some into most soup recipes. Alternatively, shred it and add it to salads. Morissette's tahini dressing idea is a great tip to make any bitter green taste fresh and delicious.

How does Mexican-American actress and producer Salma Hayek manage to always look youthful and glowing? Apparently, she thanks bone broth for helping to keep her young, per an interview with People. Bone broth has become more prominent in recent years, with many celebrities opting to have it for breakfast instead of the usual cup of coffee.

According to Healthline, the broth is rich in bone-strengthening minerals, as well as vitamins, amino acids, and essential fatty acids. Research suggests it might support healthy digestion, fight inflammation, and improve joint health. Health.com even states that bone broth might — as Salma suspects — make skin appear fuller and plumper. If you balk at the idea of having bone broth straight, you can also add it to soups and even smoothies. Or, make it a habit to regularly make your own chicken soup using a whole chicken — bones and all.

In a video interview on "The Late Late Show" with James Corden, Selena Gomez extolls the benefits of ginger root. That's right, the vegetable commonly used in curry is one she consumes on a regular basis, saying that it eliminates all the bad stuff (we assume she means its reported antimicrobial properties). Gomez likes to have it juiced as a shot, which might be a little too strong for some people (Corden included) but offers many of the same benefits from using ginger in your cooking. 

According to Emma Slattery, a clinical dietitian at John Hopkins Medicine, ginger is rich in antioxidants and might have anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, it offers nausea relief and reduces bloating and gas. Interested in adding the spicy root to your diet? You can have it straight up in a juice like Selena (you might want to chase it with a piece of fruit right after) or add it to soups, curries, and stews along with other healthy and complementary ingredients like garlic and chili peppers.

When it comes to turmeric, supermodel Jourdan Dunn is a fan, telling Glamour that of all the spices, it is her favorite. She lists it as a must-have spice in her diet (via Marie Claire) and shares with StyleCaster that turmeric is one of the three ingredients you will always find in her kitchen. According to the National Institutes of Health, turmeric has a variety of interesting biological activities, but they are difficult to study for potential side effects. Even just as a tasty addition to curries, WebMD states that turmeric might positively impact cholesterol levels, help with joint pain, and possibly help ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Dunn doesn't stop at using it in her cooking but adds it to her beauty routine as well. Shape reports that she mixes the bright yellow powder into her homemade face mask along with yogurt, honey, lemon juice. This regimen isn't for all skin types so be sure to investigate before trying it out yourself. Ultimately, the best way to reap the benefits of turmeric is by consuming it as a whole food rather than a supplement.

American supermodel, actress, and television personality Cindy Crawford credits dark chocolate for its ability to help her satisfy her sweet tooth without unwanted calories from sugar. Crawford posted on her Meaningful Beauty Twitter account that "A piece of dark chocolate is my daily indulgence." She also told Allure that she likes to have it at the end of her lunch, something most people with a sweet tooth can probably relate to.

The scientific research approves of Crawford's dark chocolate habit, and Healthline reports that it is one of the best sources of antioxidants out there. Data supports this, and a 2017 study published in Frontiers in Immunology stated that polyphenols from dark chocolate were associated with anti-inflammatory effects. Meanwhile, a 2015 study published in Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine indicated a potential improvement in blood pressure, lipid, and inflammation levels related to the consumption of dark chocolate. 

American actress Jennifer Garner loves flaxseeds, which she adds to her #BeWellSmoothie developed by Kelly LeVeque, a holistic nutritionist and health coach (via Instagram). According to Medical News Today, flaxseeds are a functional food loaded with healthy omega-3 fatty acids, protein, antioxidants, and fiber. What's more, a 2014 study published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology reported that flaxseed protein may protect against coronary heart disease, kidney disease, and cancer.

If you do not want to add flaxseeds to your smoothies like Garner but still want to reap their benefits, be sure to grind them up first, as recommended by Healthline. Their tough outer hull prevents them from breaking down in your digestive tract, essentially eliminating the positive effects. Ground flaxseeds can be also stirred into oatmeal, sprinkled on fresh fruit, or added to homemade cracker batter. Because ground flax has a short shelf life, it is best to store it in the refrigerator.

American guitarist, singer, and songwriter Jason Mraz is so passionate about avocados that he straight up went and bought an avocado farm. He tells Eating Well that not only did he unexpectedly become an avocado farmer but he also loves to eat the nutritious green fruit daily in smoothies and snacks. He isn't one to keep avocados to himself either and tells CNN that he regularly gifts piles of them to his friends.

Mraz's best avocado recipe is a chocolate pudding he names "chocomole." To make it, simply blend dates, ripe avocados, unsweetened almond milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, pure maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt until smooth. If you're not sure about chocomole, regular guacamole or adding cubed avocados to salads is also perfectly fine. However you eat them, avocados have plenty of benefits and were named superfood of the month in April 2019 by the Mayo Clinic. Meanwhile, WebMD credits them for being loaded with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that can help keep you healthy. 

The Kardashian sisters are no strangers to unfamiliar superfoods you might not have heard of before. While Kourtney swears by blue-green algae, American media personality, socialite, and businesswoman Kim Kardashian loves to add sea moss to her smoothie, a fact she divulged during a Twitter Q&A . She also shared a picture of her sea moss smoothie and avocado toast breakfast on her Instagram stories (which was promptly discussed by sources including Shape). Sea moss can be hard to dissolve in a blender and it is best used after a thorough soak in freshwater. But as it is relatively tasteless, it can be added to most smoothies without you knowing the difference

WebMD states that while the research on sea moss is still in its infancy, the seaweed could provide benefits in the prevention of Parkinson's disease and may boost the immune system. It also contains vitamin B2, B12, calcium, chromium, magnesium, and zinc. According to Healthline, sea moss is a natural source of iodine, a micronutrient necessary for thyroid health. Plus it's full of antioxidants which protect the body against disease-causing oxidative damage.