Unmasking the super foods

These 10 nutrient-packed provisions can help us stay healthy and fit

Zelman says many super foods like blueberries are popular because they allow you to enjoy health benefits without skimping on taste. They're not alone: Super food lists widely vary, but here's a list of 10 that show up on many nutritionists' lists and on various Web sites.

Acai: The dark purple berry is a super food growing in popularity, even though most people don't know how to pronounce it (ah-sigh-ee). The fruit is grown in the Amazon rain forest and packed with twice the antioxidants of blueberries, as well as lots of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fiber. Acai improves digestive function, promotes sound sleep, strengthens the immune system, is thought to fight cancer cells and even enhances sexual desire and performance.

Salmon: Know the old adage about fish being "brain food?" Whether wild or farmed, salmon gives credence to the adage. In addition to being high in protein, it is rich is Omega-3 fatty acids, which play a crucial role in brain function, normal growth and development. Salmon is among the few widely available sources of the fatty acids EPA (helpful in treating inflammatory autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis) and DHA (a natural boost for children's minds and bodies).

Swiss chard: Bitter like beets and salty like spinach, this multicolored leafy vegetable is chock full of vitamins K (promotes bone health), A (preserves and improves eyesight) and C (may lower cancer risk), while also being a quality source of manganese (maintains normal blood sugar levels), iron (promotes energy) and dietary fiber. One cup is about 35 calories.

Cherries: They're popular for topping off an ice-cream sundae, but the sweet, tasty red fruit stands alone as a nutritional juggernaut. Antioxidant-loaded cherries may help combat rheumatoid arthritis and are loaded with anthrocyanins, a pigment that not only gives the cherry its red color but has anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce heart-disease risk. Cherries are said to fight gout and are among the few food sources of melatonin, an antioxidant that promotes sleep. They are now offered in an all-natural, not-from-concentrate juice called Cherry Pharm that packs the equivalent of 50 cherries in an 8-ounce bottle. Used by the National Hockey League's New York Rangers for muscle repair, it is sold only online outside of New Jersey.