The science behind superfoods: are they really super?

As the world’s population rushes to eat well to increase longevity, promote health and fight disease, organic foods have moved into the spotlight as benefactors of all that is nutritious and vital to the ideal functioning of the human body. The origin of the term itself has been touted as a marketing gimmick to boost global demand for expensive exotic fruits and vegetables that supposedly offer unsurpassed health benefits. In view of this, we must pause and ask ourselves if these foods are really good.

What are organic foods?

In a nutshell, organic foods refer to foods that are nutritionally dense or home to a large amount of vital nutrients that can help the human body function optimally. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines these foods as super nutrient-dense foods, loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and/or phytonutrients.

To elucidate in terms of examples, blueberries, goji berries, acai, salmon, and broccoli are among the limited list of foods that have been given star status for their purported levels of nutrition. Due to their popularity, these foods command a considerably higher price and are sometimes classified as exotic, not because they are hard to find, but because of the health benefits associated with these foods.

What is the truth?

While there have been heated debates about the truth behind these foods, their connotation, and the association of the term only with specific foods, the facts, as clearly established by scientific research on various foods claimed to be nutrient-dense foods, are all the same: there are various foods that are high in nutrients, and there is no reason for specific foods to be given elevated status.

Maca powder, cocoa, kale, and other world-renowned organic foods pack a punch, sure, but the nutrients we seek aren’t limited to just these foods. To explain further, take Maca powder – derived from a root plant indigenous to Peru, the powder is touted for its high composition of calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphate, and its high energy yield. Although the nutritional composition story is good, the same nutrients are found in milk, while any food that is high in carbohydrates can produce a lot of energy when consumed. So how can we justify paying a premium for food grown in faraway places, while getting the same nutrients from food closer to home? It’s wise to simply incorporate a glass of milk into your daily diet to reap the nutritional goodness that maca powder promises, without the burnt holes in your pockets.

We recommend… by companies, not doctors:

Incorporate nutrient-dense foods into your daily diet instead of consuming acclaimed (expert) organic foods in frugal amounts due to the price associated with them. Red cabbage, apples, milk, eggs, tomatoes, spinach, flaxseeds, carrots, and yogurt make up less than 1% of the list of nutritious foods that are readily available locally. They are loaded with vital nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and polyphenols that are great for health.

The buzz around these foods, in its entirety, is exaggerated to promote demand for high-priced foods from various parts of the world. These foods have little medical foundation, when it comes to claiming their superiority over other “regular” foods that are also quite nutritious. Ideally, one should incorporate fresh fruits, vegetables, protein, carbohydrates, and fat as part of a daily nutrition plan to get the most out of food. Try to eat superfoods (read balanced meals), instead of consuming small amounts of expensive and exotic fruits and vegetables, and you will be rewarded with the health benefits that organic food promises.