The term ‘superfood’ has become a popular word over the decades, not only in the health and wellness industry, but in mainstream conversation as well. That being said, there is no formal definition of the word.

In principle, a superfood is food with a high concentration of nutrient properties that can be beneficial to one’s health. Almost all superfoods contain huge amounts of powerful substances called antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent the oxidation of other molecules in the body, resulting in anti-aging effects and a strong immune system.

Myth Or Real?

The media is extolling the claimed superb health benefits of superfoods, with guarantees based on scientific evidence. As with anything that is so hyped up, we should ask if there is any truth to it.

Skeptics say that it is only a fad, a marketing hype used by large food brands to make people buy their products. In fact, the European Union prohibits the use of the term “superfood” on any food, as it can result in misleading information.

“The problem is that there are no regulations or guidelines around what can and cannot be labelled a superfood, and so the term has become a bit of a free-for-all,” says Cambria Bold of thekitchn.com

Before we tell you our take on this controversial matter, let’s look at the list of superfoods that people are going crazy over today.

Superb Leafy Greens

Leafy greens such as mustard greens, spinach, and kale became a trend because of their versatility. Enjoy these as juices, side dishes, or salads, there is so much functionality to these foods.  Mustard greens are rich in Vitamin K, and good for blood and bone strength. Popeye’ s favourite – spinach, the original green superfood – provides anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer benefits. Then there is the Vitamin K-filled leafy green called kale, which fosters feelings similar to those we may have for certain family members: It’s either love or hate. For us, its love.

Amazing Berries

From blueberries to grapes to gojis, berries have long been known for their ultra-healthy benefits. Açaí berry garners fascination from a lot of health enthusiasts today. A grape-like fruit harvested from açaí palm trees native to the Amazon jungle of South America, it has a divine taste of berries and dark chocolate. Açaí berry juice, smoothies, and bowls are some of the popular offerings on the market today. Our R.A.W. Inside Out founder Pauliina has a particular soft spot for this one because her children get almost as excited about an açaí bowl as an ice cream cone.

Terrific Seeds

Seeds like chia seeds and flaxseeds have joined the superfood list. These seeds are known for their omega-3 fatty acids, and good fat and fiber content. Chia is the Mayan word for “strength”, and many runners hold faith in its ability to increase endurance, seeing as the ancient Aztec messengers and Tarahumara Indians of northwestern Mexico, who are known for their ability to run for days on end, used to consume chia seeds.

Better Than Pasta And Rice – Quinoa

Quinoa, which is also a seed, is overtaking pasta and rice with its high-protein and low-carbohydrate properties. It is also a good source of iron, potassium, zinc, vitamin E, and selenium, which helps to prevent obesity and lower your risk for heart disease, colon cancer, and diabetes. Furthermore, it contains more heart-healthy fats than wheat.  Take care to wash your quinoa thoroughly, as it has an outer coating of saponins, which are chemicals designed to protect plants from diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Not only does it have a bitter and soapy taste, but it can cause stomach discomfort.

Best Of The Best – Avocado And Coconut Oil

The great avocado and coconut oil are now synonymous to the term superfood.  All over, you can find people eating avocados as a main meal, side dish, or dessert. Avocados are a great source of mono-unsaturated healthy fats, which help lowers blood cholesterol.

Coconut oil helps to convert bad cholesterol into good cholesterol, which in turn lowers the risk of heart disease. It can also boost thyroid function and blood-sugar control. Coconut is also a wonder oil to use directly on the skin for any irritations. Pauliina has personal experience, as her fellow chefs-in-training at the Matthew Kenney Culinary Acadmey can attest to, in the property that coconut oil holds in reducing the burn from chilis.

The Next Big Thing – Black Rice

Eaten only by the royals in ancient times, black rice is now joining the superfood bandwagon. Black rice has an anthocyanin called C3G, which has the quality of telling your body that you are full, and no longer hungry. C3G also causes the body to burn stored fat, and to help establish a healthier body weight overall.

Black rice has the highest amount of antioxidants, protein, and dietary fiber of all rice varieties on the market. It can also prevent the risk of diabetes, cancer, and heart diseases.  And further good news to plant-based eaters: black  rice is a good source of iron.

Our Take

Yes, the food mentioned above do appear to contain an enormous quantity of minerals, nutrients, and antioxidants that boost our overall wellness.

However, can we call them “super” food? Is it an exaggeration? A marketing tool? A blend of hype and hope? Does it make us eliminate other foods in favour of superfoods? As with any food, eating just a few types is not ideal, and the same goes for superfoods. We believe in making them part of a larger diet.

As with other food, we also need to consider how these are processed. Even superfood can be overly or poorly processed. So the food itself may be super, but after processing, it may be stripped of its superbness.

Furthermore, just because something is a superfood doesn’ t mean it can be consumed in unlimited quantities. It’s possible to gain weight from superfood as well.

So we prefer to be cautious in our use of the term, just to stay on the safe side of the fence. However, we definitely feel the effects of certain foods over other foods. Some foods cause us to feel fatigue, nausea, irritability, mood swings, physical discomfort. Other foods make us feel more alive and powerful, more charged up, almost as if had been plugged into a power house of nutrients. We literally feel the nutrients zipping and zapping throughout our bodies; and at these moments, it certainly feels like a superfood.

Finally, all real, whole food brings something to the table; a well-balanced diet. And this, together with an active lifestyle, peaceful and happy mind-set, good social relations, and overall body-soul-mind care, is still the best way to enjoy life to the fullest – and to feel super good.

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