You may have heard the term ‘superfoods’ before. You may have even eaten some without knowing it. But what are superfoods, and should they form a regular part of a healthy eating plan? Let’s take a closer look.
What are superfoods?
They’re foods that are considered to be nutritionally dense and beneficial to a healthy diet. Packed with vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants, superfoods are thought to be super healthy as a result – which means if you’re already eating foods like kale, goji berries, blueberries, maca powder, chia seeds, broccoli, avocado and seaweed, you’re onto a good thing.
But is it true?
It’s certainly hipster and it’s certainly trending. But when it comes to the health benefits of superfoods being above those of ‘regular’ foods, it seems the jury’s still out. While one school of thought believes that the properties of superfoods can help ward off diseases and promote longevity, others see superfoods as merely being part of a healthy diet, rather than its main focus. So which is correct?
The verdict
The one point that everyone in the health industry agrees on is that nutrition is highly complex. What works for one person may not necessarily work for another, and information that we believe to be true today could very well prove to be false tomorrow. As such, it’s best to take all lofty claims with a pinch of (low sodium) salt. Meaning: by all means include your favourite superfoods as part of your eating plan, but don’t look to them to solve all your health issues at the same time. Consistent healthy eating and regular exercise will always work better than any one food will, and if you’re already living that way or planning on starting, there’s nothing more super than that.
For more health advice here is how to gain weight the healthy way
