A few weeks back, I introduced our readers to a few of the new “Super Foods” for 2012. Though I feel I should wear a cape every time I consume a food labeled as “super,” please keep in mind that claims that these foods MAY prevent disease does not mean that they WILL.

Any of these Super Foods may help improve your overall health, but they won’t “cure” you.Black Garlic – black garlic is basically “regular” garlic that has been fermented. Garlic contains sugars and amino acids.

When garlic undergoes fermentation, these elements produce melanoidin, a dark-colored substance that is responsible for the color of garlic.

I have never tried it, but it is described as “sweet, mild, caramelly and tastes somewhat like molasses.”

It is felt that black garlic has cancer protection, cholesterol benefits, infection protection, disease protection and other benefits.

These great benefits are due to the compound S-allylcysteine, a natural component of fresh garlic and a derivative of the amino acid cysteine, that is found in much greater concentrations in black garlic.

And it is thought to help lower cholesterol and decrease the risk of cancer, according to HealthMad.com.

The S-allylcysteine also assists with the absorption of allicin (the major biologically active component of garlic.

Allicin is the key ingredient responsible for the broad spectrum of anti-bacterial activity in garlic.), helping it metabolize more easily which could offer boosted protection against infections.

Black garlic has been found to have twice the antioxidant properties of conventional garlic.

Because black garlic is so potent, these higher levels of antioxidants offer protection from free radical damage which can lead to heart disease, Alzheimer’s, circulatory problems, rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic diseases and make it an ideal food for thwarting those chronic diseases.

Sea Vegetables – sea vegetables include: seaweed, sea veg or sea vegg, sealogica, seaweed, algae, red algae, green algae, brown algae, kelp, kombu, bladderwrack, wakami, nori, dulse, and others.

Sea vegetables are all typically high in iodine, iron, fiber and a wide range of vitamins and minerals.

The iodine in sea vegetables is highly concentrated, but may dissipate some when the vegetables are reconstituted in water.

The iron in sea vegetables is accompanied by vitamin C, which helps in making iron bioaccessible. Sea vegetables are also a good source of antioxidant micronutrients.

In addition, they contain high levels of selenium, manganese, zinc, vitamin C and vitamin E.

Remember, the elevated level of nutrients may be due to the fact that the sea vegetables are dried.

Although they probably are beneficial, be wary of what you read. Research on the health effects of sea vegetables have been mostly limited to laboratory studies thus far.

Human clinical trials are needed to determine the effects of sea vegetables on diseases such as cancer, diabetes or asthma.

Most seaweed does contain iodine, which is also available in iodized salt.

However, amounts of iodine in seaweed vary widely, and getting too much of iodine can cause thyroid and skin problems for some people.

Kefir – a tart and refreshing flavor that is similar to a drinking-style yogurt, but it contains beneficial yeast as well as friendly ‘probiotic’ bacteria found in yogurt which is helpful for people with digestive complaints.

For the lactose intolerant, kefir’s abundance of beneficial yeast and bacteria provide lactase, an enzyme which consumes most of the lactose left after the culturing process.

Kefir is low in calories (one cup has only 87 calories) and rich in protein, calcium, magnesium and vitamin B12.

Kefir can be used in smoothies, used to marinate your favorite meat or fish, or added to a cream or vegetable puree soup.

While kefir can be purchased in most health food and grocery stores, it is best to avoid flavored kefir (i.e. fruit flavored) as it is higher in sugar.

Well, there are a plethora of other Super Foods out there, so give one or two a try.

If you’re at a loss as to how to use them in a practical sense, Google the Super Food—you’re bound to find some recipes that sound good.

These Super Foods could improve your health and who knows, you may find something new and tasty to add to your diet!