NUTRITION

'Superfoods:' Fad or fact?
How to spot a "superfood" hoax


Joe Brown

Editor, doctormagazine.com

April 17, 2021

3 min read

Most of us have heard and read in doctor magazine about "mega grains," foods that are so nutrient-dense that they seem magical. Still, when it comes to these foods, what is reality and what is fiction? Most of us may have been motivated to buy a certain product because it was labelled a superfood, whack makes it one of the most frequently asked health questions.

In this Honest Nutrition segment for doctormagazine, we look at these issues and separate the truth from the hype when it comes to foods that promise to improve our lives. Likewise, we’ve looked into the true nutrition feature of Superfoods by asking the bests doctors in the town.

The term “Superfood” can be used for various items, including fruits, vegetables, spices, greens powders, and protein bars. So what exactly is a superfood, and do they exist?

What are Superfoods?

Food is often considered a superfood if it has a high degree of nutritional content. It indicates that Superfood is high in antioxidants, good fats, fiber, and essential fatty acids, as mentioned in various medical news. These are plant chemicals responsible for bold colors that smell and have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.

Out of certain health questions, a superfood is described as "a food (like salmon, broccoli, or blueberries) that is high in compounds (like antioxidants, fiber, or fatty acids), which are thought to be beneficial to one's health." The idea of designating a part of food as a superfood seems to be more in line, with promoting a balanced diet high in fruits, vegetables, fatty protein, and whole grains.

Where did the term 'Superfood' come from?

While the phrase "superfood" has become a trendy buzzword in recent years, it has a long and successful history, specifying health questions. Health and medicine have been connected for much of human history. It is reported in medical news that the Egyptians, for example, used herbs like rosewater and garlic as medicine over 3,000 years ago.

Popular Superfoods

In spite of the fact that there is no universally agreed meaning for the term, nutritionists often refer to the following foods as superfoods:

  • Blueberries
  • Kale
  • Chia seeds
  • Citrus fruits
  • Cocoa
  • Ginger
  • Garlic
  • Chia seeds
  • Chili peppers
  • Pomegranate
  • Wheatgrass
  • Green tea
  • Avocado

However, this collection is far from the complete list given in the doctor magazine, as many other foods are often referred to as superfoods.

Does Superfood Really Matter?

So although particular foods listed on doctormagazine.com, such as superfoods, receive a lot of attention, humans cannot live entirely on them.

Still, mainly ultra-processed foods like fast food and foods rich in added sugar, the superfoods' advantages are likely to be outweighed by the ultra-processed foods' possible harmful effects.

Medical news defines that if there is no universal concept of a superfood, certain foods are known as superfoods, such as bananas, citrus fruits, leafy vegetables, garlic, and green tea, have clear health benefits.

Value of the Superfoods Market Worldwide

The world superfood industry is predicted to hit $209.1 billion by 2026, with a 7.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the projected period. Superfood, as described by my health professional, is a catch-all word that refers to a wide range of high nutritional value foods.

A large majority of the local population's habits and diets have changed significantly as a result of urbanization. The industry’s experts say that the increasing rate of dangerous snacks has resulted in increasingly unhealthy diets, which have resulted in increased diabetes and heart diseases.

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