Superfoods: Fact or Fiction 

Superfoods are a controversial topic in the world of nutrition. While some boast incredible health benefits, others argue that the term ‘superfoods’ it’s nothing more than a marketing gimmick. 

What is a Superfood?

 A super food is any food that is particularly high in nutrients; vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Common examples are blueberries, spinach, salmon, quinoa and kale. The idea is that by increasing our intake of these foods we will benefit from their health enhancing properties. 

Are these health benefits real?  

Yes and no.  

While there’s no denying that superfoods are highly nutritious, they are not the miracle foods. They cannot magically undo years of unhealthy eating habits. What they can do though is provide very real health benefits when incorporated into a balanced diet. 

For example, Blueberries are high in antioxidants which help protect cells from damage and reduce inflammation in the body. This has been linked to a lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. 

Similarly, salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation and improve cognitive function. However, it is worth noting that wild caught salmon is often more nutritious than farmed salmon. 

 

Is this regulated? 

Nope. Anyone can use it with impunity to describe any food they like. This has led to some suspect foods being marketed as ‘Superfoods’. Take goji berries and the ever-popular acai bowl health craze.  

 

These are often portrayed as having “magical” healing properties despite there being very limited scientific evidence to support their claims. This leads to confusion of consumers trying to make healthier choices but are unsure of what to believe. 

While ‘Superfoods’ can certainly be beneficial, they’re not a magical solution to good health. Rather than focussing on extra consumption of these specific foods, including them in a balanced diet consistently will yield much better health results.