Do You Believe These Superfood Myths?

Superfoods – what are they? Chances are, you’ve probably heard about them. Every week, it seems like there’s a new snack or drink on the market that claims to provide a specific health boost. Most of them mention one of the foods listed within the “superfood” category. Currently, there is no scientific definition for what a superfood is; however, it’s generally believed that superfoods have high levels of vitamins and minerals. Since there is no definition for items classified as superfoods, there’s a lot of misinformation surrounding them. Let’s sort through some of these myths.

Superfood Myths

Myth: The plant moringa is going to be the next superfood. It can help people with diabetes, help your eyes, improve cardiovascular health, increase bone health and boost skin health.

Fact: None of these health claims surrounding moringa have been proven. While the nutritional information for moringa is impressive, most of the time it’s used as a powder in supplements. Drying foods like moringa concentrates the nutrients. When in its dried form, moringa is normally compared to fresh greens. When comparing fresh moringa leaves to fresh kale, moringa doesn’t have as impressive of a nutrient profile.

Suggestion: Instead of seeking out moringa, look for kale and other dark leafy greens at your local Publix.

Myth: Coconut oil burns belly fat. It also speeds up your metabolism, helps people with diabetes and works to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

Fact: Research about most of these health claims remains questionable. Even though coconut oil is trendy, it is still a saturated fat, which the American Heart Association’s Dietary Guidelines recommends limiting.

Suggestion: Reduce your intake of saturated fats found in tropical oils, including coconut and palm, as well as in animal foods such as red meat and full fat dairy products. Replace with unsaturated fats such as those found in nuts, avocados, olive, oil, canola oil, sunflower oil and safflower oil.

Myth: Acai is a superfood that can help with a lot of different health concerns such as arthritis, weight loss, high cholesterol, skin appearance and erectile dysfunction, as well as health in general.

Fact: The most common way to find acai berries is in powder form or as an ingredient in smoothies or juice, since it’s extremely delicate and hard to transport. When it comes down to it, research on these berries it too limited to support the use of acai for specific health benefits.

Suggestion: Instead of searching for exotic berries, look for berries including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries at your local Publix. These fruits have fiber as well as vitamin C (per one cup serving).

Beneficial Foods at Publix

While a lot of foods claim to be superfoods, it’s hard to know what to believe and what to look for in a diet. Overall, it’s important to remember that maintaining a balanced diet is recommended over seeking out foods with specific health claims.

*Consult your healthcare provider before making any dietary changes.

If you have any questions about products, our corporate dietitians are here to help. Reach out to them and they will happily share some useful ideas that can help you achieve your health and wellness goals.