7 anti-inflammatory ingredients to include in your bliss ball recipes

By Louise Belle BHSc (Nut Med)

Homemade bliss balls are a great healthy snack that can be prepared in advance and eaten on the go. If you stick to a simple recipe of dates, protein powder, cacao and almonds you could be adding so much more to really obtain additional benefits. Inflammation can be necessary such as when you cut yourself to prevent against infection, but many people suffer from chronic, long-term inflammation which can lead to a wealth of health problems. Try adding some of these ingredients to your bliss ball recipes:

1. Hemp seeds

These wonderful little seeds are nutritional power houses, bursting with anti-inflammatory omega 3 and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) – a building block of some prostaglandins that help to control inflammation in the body. Add a generous serving of these to your bliss balls to reap the benefits.

2. Brazil nuts

Brazil nuts are the best plant source of the mineral selenium, which has potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting benefits. The great majority of the population are deficient in selenium due to our soils being depleted, so including these in your bliss balls is beneficial. If you can’t eat brazil nuts or you want to make sure that you’re getting a good dose of selenium, you can crack open Selenium Ultrapotent capsules and use them in your bliss balls (or smoothies).

3. Goji berries

These little red berries have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years. They are rich in antioxidants such as zeaxanthin, vitamin C and vitamin A precursors and help to fight against inflammation and free radical damage. These can easily be used in most bliss ball recipes.

4. Coconut oil

Extracted from coconut, coconut oil is a great addition to most bliss balls. It is rich in lauric acid which has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties and can help to curb appetite. Coconut oil melts at room temperature so depending on how well your bliss balls hold together, you might want to store them in the fridge.

5. Superfood powder

Superfood powders are a great way to boost the nutritional and antioxidant content of bliss balls. Ultimate Superfood Powder combines 40 different superfoods and greens, is rich in vitamin C and has many anti-inflammatory properties.

6. Matcha powder

Matcha powder is derived from ground up young, Japanese green tea leaves and has a wonderful vibrant green colour. Matcha powder is rich in antioxidants, in particular EGCG which is great at fighting free radical damage and reducing inflammation in the body. As a bonus, matcha powder can also help to boost energy levels.

7. Turmeric

This wonderful golden spice is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Whilst turmeric may not be at the forefront of ingredients you would usually put in your bliss balls, it can certainly be beneficial for your health. Turmeric is paired nicely with vanilla or coconut.

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