Top 10 Bizarre-Looking Foods But Absolutely Healthy

Top 10 Bizarre-looking foods but healthy. Photo: KnowInsiders

You may know collagen as the buzzword commonly associated with anti-aging face creams and eye serums. The main protein found naturally in your skin, collagen is responsible for keeping it looking plump and youthful—the lack of which can cause wrinkles, sagging, and other signs of aging.

But collagen isn't just for your skin; it's actually the most abundant protein in your body and is essential for joint, bone, and blood vessel health. As your body ages, it starts losing its natural collagen, and that's when your skin forms wrinkles, your joints become sore, and your bones start to get more brittle. Fortunately, you can restore some collagen in your body simply by eating it. Collagen-rich foods pack a healthy dose of muscle-building protein—about 11 grams per serving. Eating more of this power food has even been associated with better gut health by restoring the mucosal layer and helping heal the leaky gut. People have reported having smoother skin, shinier hair, stronger nails, and even relief from sore joints.

List 10 Bizarre-looking Foods But Healthy

1. Kiwifruit

2. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

3. Oysters

4. Fatty Fish

5. Grasshoppers

6. Adaptogens

7. Jicama

8. Licorice

9. Canned sardines

10. Chlorophyll

1. Kiwifruit

Photo: newshub

Brown and fuzzy probably aren’t the features you favor in fruit. In fact, those are usually indicators you need to throw your fruit out—but kiwi’s the exception. The fruit’s bright green, sweet, and tangy taste more than makes up for its appearance, as does its impressive health profile. “The fiber in kiwifruit is a great source of prebiotics, helping to feed your friendly gut bacteria,” Scritchfield says. Its fibers also behave differently than most other forms from fruits and whole-wheat food, because it has a very high capacity for holding water. “When you eat kiwifruit, the fiber swells and thickens in your stomach, becoming gel-like,” Scritchfield explains. Say you’re eating kiwi in a fruit parfait or a smoothie: The gel slows the digestion of food and sugars, resulting in better blood sugar control. It’s also a powerful source of Vitamin C, Scritchfield notes.

2. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Photo: thedailymeal

Extra virgin olive oil is one of the healthiest fats on earth. Research has shown that it may help prevent many common diseases associated with aging. It lowers blood pressure, reduces the risk of heart disease, helps prevent metabolic syndrome, and may be effective in fighting cancer.

Olive oil may also help your skin look younger. Animal and lab studies suggest it has strong anti-inflammatory effects on the skin and may protect it from sun damage. Additionally, nearly 73% of olive oil consists of monounsaturated fat, which is associated with increased skin elasticity and firmness.

Two studies looked at food records and questionnaires completed by middle-aged and older adults. They found that those with the highest intake of monounsaturated fat from olive oil were least likely to have severe sun damage.

3. Oysters

Photo: verywellfit

Sure, they can be smelly and slimy, but oysters have a host of health benefits and are the most sustainable seafood available, Scritchfield says. “Not only are they a great source of omega-3 fatty acids—hugely beneficial for brain health—they’re also loaded with zinc, known as the ‘aphrodisiac mineral,’ which helps ramp up libido and stamina in the sack,” she adds. If you don’t like raw oysters, try ’em cooked or on the half shell with a dash of hot sauce and horseradish to help get your mojo flowing, Scritchfield suggests.

4. Fatty Fish

Photo: healthline

Fatty fish is truly an anti-aging food.

Its long-chain omega-3 fats are beneficial against heart disease, inflammation, and ulcerative colitis, among many other diseases.

Studies suggest that they may also protect against inflammation and damage that occurs during sun exposure.

Salmon, one of the most popular types of fatty fish, has an additional component that may keep your skin looking younger.

It contains a carotenoid antioxidant called astaxanthin, which is responsible for the pink color of salmon.

In one study, people with sun-damaged skin who were given a combination of astaxanthin and collagen for 12 weeks experienced significant improvements in skin elasticity and hydration.

5. Grasshoppers

Photo: 123rf

Noshing on a grasshopper may seem repulsive and even terrifying in America, but they're actually common snacks in Mexico. They're called chapulines and served roasted and spiced. Reality check: If you've ever sat at a bar in Mexico and snacked on a bowl of unique, red nuts, you likely ate grasshoppers.

Grasshoppers pack an awesome protein punch and are also high in vitamin A and C, as well as calcium, iron, omega-3s, and B12. And they're a prebiotic, according to EdibleInsects.com. Crickets are also getting some buzz (no pun intended), as seen by Chirps Cricket Chips.

6. Adaptogens

Photo: shop.ora.organic

Ooh, another buzzword. This one's an herb, root, or mushroom that helps the body naturally adapt to stress and illness, according to spokespeople at Daily Harvest, a company that delivers pre-blended smoothies and soups. Adaptogens can also ward off fatigue, improve focus, balance your mood, and help manage a healthy weight. They have a long history in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, but their effects have also been documented by the National Institutes of Health.

Ginseng, sea buckthorn, tulsi (holy basil), and cordyceps mushrooms are all adaptogens. Daily Harvest points to its carrot and coconut soup with ginseng as an easy source of adaptogens, Eat This noted.

7. Jicama

Photo: medicalnewstoday

“Jicama’s a slightly sweet and crunchy tuber that’s part of the legume family,” Scritchfield says. It’s low in calories and very high in inulin—a type of water-soluble fiber—which is a great source of gut-loving prebiotics. “Once you peel away its inedible husk-like peel, you’ll find a white starchy flesh with a crispy apple flavor rich in vitamin C,” she explains.

Dice or cut jicama into thin slices and toss with freshly chopped mint, minced jalapeño, arugula, and fresh lime juice with a drizzle of olive oil and a dash of salt for a refreshing salad; or sprinkle jicama with chili pepper, salt, and fresh lime juice for a low-calorie snack.

8. Licorice

Photo: healthline

This so-called threat from your grandma's candy jar has a much greater purpose than being a disappointing dessert. Licorice is actually a great way to fight off colds. Believe it or not, it contains tons of herbs that are both antiviral and antibacterial. Plus, it soothes a sore throat and can ease sinus congestion, according to Graze's in-house nutritionist, Jess Dyer. Since those cherry Twizzlers aren't exactly what we're recommending, you can make the most of (real) licorice by trying a licorice tea, liquid herb, or sugar-free licorice hard candy, Yahoo wrote.

9. Canned sardines

Photo: today

It’s worth getting over the yuck factor of pulling back a tin can and easing out a slippery sardine. “These small, oily fish come ready to eat right out of the can, and are packed with high-quality protein, as well as a huge dose of essential omega 3 fats, vitamin D (very rare in foods otherwise), B vitamins, calcium, selenium, and several other key minerals,” Kulze says. And in contrast to other forms of fish, sardines are free of environmental toxins like mercury, she adds. These little guys are also crucial for optimal brain, heart, and bone health, Mensjournal cited.

10. Chlorophyll

Photo: hoalenguyenkhanh

If you're looking for a way to ward off armpit sweat and stink, some say you should take a lesson from plants.

Drink a few drops of liquid chlorophyll a day and this natural substance can help remove toxins that get into our body and are then released in the form of B.O., according to Wasabi. If you're a little spooked by the idea of some mysterious droplets (totally understand), you can get a dose of chlorophyll by choosing dark, leafy greens and herbs or a deep-green powder like spirulina. Of course, a person's degree of stank is a bit hard to measure, and research says the effectiveness of this treatment ultimately depends on the nose of the beholder.

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