“Superfood” is a marketing term, invented in order to sell products. It’s not a legitimate concept in nutritional science and has no standard definition. Sure, some foods might be more nutrient-dense than others, but in the scheme of a well-rounded, varied diet, they’ll make no difference.
The fad of “superfoods” is yet another sign of our incessant need to find hacks or quick fixes to solve our problems. This isn’t how our bodies work.
“Superfoods” put the focus on individual nutrients, which takes the focus away from what really leads to long-term health: a varied diet high in whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, seeds, nuts, legumes and fungi. We don’t eat single foods in isolation, so we shouldn’t assess their health benefits in isolation, either.
A 2017 study in the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity found, not surprisingly, that “superfood” consumption is highest among those with more disposable income. It also suggested that people opt to eat “superfoods” due to the perception that it's what “high-class” people do.
Your overall diet and long-term eating patterns will always matter more than any single food. If your overall diet is very low in whole foods and very high in ultra-processed foods, adding a few “superfoods” isn’t going to negate the effects of your diet.
Think about it the other way: if your diet is mostly nutrient-dense whole foods, adding a treat food here and there isn’t going to make any difference. So why would adding a “superfood” make any difference, either?
There’s nothing inherently wrong with “superfoods”…they’re usually great choices among a varied diet. But they’re not going to boost your immune system, cure cancer or give you any cool superpowers.
Karina Inkster is a qathet region health and fitness coach, author of five books, and host of the No-B.S. Vegan podcast.
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