3 Exotic Superfoods Are About To Be EVERYWHERE. Here's What You Need To Know

Chia seeds, avocado, ginger, turmeric—most of us are familiar with these common superfoods, which get a ton of attention from health and wellness enthusiasts. But what about other lesser-known superfoods? As the founder of Brooklyn Culinary Arts, an online culinary program, I am constantly searching for the healthiest foods on the planet, and all my recipes begin with a review of research from National Institutes of Health (NIH). During my months of research, I've discovered three superfoods that are crazy healthy and worthy of a little extra attention:

The purple sweet potato is a staple in the Okinawa diet. It is exceptionally delicious and very rich in antioxidants. This vibrant purple color is a good hint that it contains high levels of the exceptional antioxidant anthocyanin. This particular phytochemical has been studied1 and found to reduce oxidative stress, help fight free radicals, and protect the cells in our body from diseases like cancer. So be on the lookout for this gorgeous tubers!

Another important and growing trend is black foods. And it's no wonder they are becoming so popular, as the science supporting their health benefits is pretty solid. One type of black food—the black radish—is a unique and a fun alternative to its red cousin. A black radish can be larger than a grapefruit and has a very strong sulfur-like flavor. The crispness can be very refreshing in a raw green salad with some citrus added for contrast. Black radish is said to contain four times the amount of the cancer-fighting sulfur compound called glucosinolates.

Looking for more food inspiration? This superfood salad fights aging like a boss.