The Best New Superfoods

These eight superfoods will help fight aging, prevent cancer, boost energy, and more

PHOTOGRAPH BY PAUL GRIMES

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Kefir

It has more protein and less sugar than yogurt, but with the same creamy texture, tangy taste, and probiotics. These healthy bacteria are a known immune enhancer, and may protect against colon cancer, says Tamara Freuman, R.D.

Try it: Instead of yogurt in salad dressings or smoothies. Plain kefir is in the dairy aisle, but Lifeway also makes a dessert-ready frozen variety (lifeway.net).

PHOTOGRAPH BY PAUL GRIMES

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Jicama

This slightly sweet and crunchy root veggie stars inulin, a belly-flattening fiber that acts as a prebiotic to promote helpful bacteria in the gut. It's also an excellent source of vitamin C, which may boost collagen and fight wrinkles.

Try it: Cooked or raw in slaws, stir-fries, tacos, and salads, or tossed in lime juice and sprinkled with chili powder. Find it at farmers' markets or Mexican groceries.

PHOTOGRAPH BY PAUL GRIMES

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Chia

One tablespoon of these nutty-tasting edible seeds has as much fiber as a bowl of oatmeal, plus bone-building calcium and heart-healthy omega-3s. Chia is also a good source of iron, which many women don't get enough of, notes Freuman.

Try it: On cereal, salads, and soups, or use it to thicken puddings and stir-fries. (The seeds absorb liquid and acquire a gel-like texture.) Available at natural grocery stores.