{"id":36387,"date":"2023-12-09T11:15:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-09T05:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entropymag.co\/?p=36387"},"modified":"2023-12-08T19:20:23","modified_gmt":"2023-12-08T13:50:23","slug":"science-of-superfoods-separating-facts-from-myths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entropymag.co\/science-of-superfoods-separating-facts-from-myths\/","title":{"rendered":"Science Of Superfoods: Separating Facts From Myths"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Today, the term superfood<\/em> is tossed around quite a bit. It has become a popular buzzword in conversations about food and health. A quick online search will reveal many superfoods lists. However, what often goes unnoticed is that these so-called superfoods have been part of our diets for a long time<\/a>. Let\u2019s explore their meaning and origin of these dietary wonders and separate superfood facts from superfood myths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are Superfoods?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Oxford English Dictionary defines superfood as \u201cA food considered especially nutritious or otherwise beneficial to health and well-being.\u201d In contrast, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as \u201ca food (such as salmon, broccoli, or blueberries) that is rich in compounds (such as antioxidants, fiber, or fatty acids) considered beneficial to a person\u2019s health.\u201d Fruit and vegetables rich in antioxidants, like blueberries, kiwi fruit, and goji berries, often feature in a superfoods list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scientifically speaking, there is no universally accepted definition of a superfood. Generally, it is described as a food satisfying nutritional needs associated with promoting individual well-being, supporting health, and preventing illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Superfood is a marketing term and outside the marketing world, there is no such thing as a superfood \u2014 by scientific standards at least. Major consumer markets lack an official definition for the term \u2018superfood.\u2019 This label is not commonly used by experts, dietitians, or nutrition scientists, and there are no established criteria or legal classifications designating any food as a superfood. The food industry typically applies the designation of \u201csuperfood\u201d to nutrient-rich foods believed to provide health benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In her new book \u201cUnsavory Truth,\u201d<\/a> nutrition expert Dr. Marion Nestle wrote that the term is just a marketing concept. Healthy balanced diets are about our overall eating pattern, not just a handful of nutrient dense superfoods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Origin and History of Superfoods<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The term \u2018superfood\u2019 was coined in 1915, as documented by the Oxford English Dictionary and Merriam-Webster Dictionary. It started gaining ground in the early 20th century as it came to be adopted as a marketing strategy by The United Fruit Company to promote the consumption of bananas. They highlighted bananas\u2019 practicality, affordability, and nutritional value through colorful advertising campaigns and informational pamphlets. These promotions encouraged people to incorporate bananas into their daily diets. They suggested various ways to consume them, such as adding them to cereal and salads or frying them for dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They even created a cartoon character named Chiquita to market their bananas. She was a popular and enduring figure, appearing in print ads, television commercials, and even had her comic book series. However, Chiquita\u2019s sunny image starkly contrasted with the UFC\u2019s dark history in Latin America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiquita
Source<\/a> | Chiquita by UFC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The popularity of the term \u2018superfood\u2019 surged even further when it gained endorsements from medical journals and physicians who claimed that a banana-rich diet could treat conditions like celiac disease and diabetes. These health benefits led to bananas being seen as a symbol of health, and they became a staple in the diets of children and infants. The United Fruit Company capitalized on these health benefits in their promotional materials, contributing to the banana diet craze of that time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus, in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, superfoods became a marketing tool to promote specific foods, dietary supplements, foods with added ingredients, and self-help books focused on fad diets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Separating Facts From Myths on Superfoods<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With the superfoods lists just a click away, separating scientifically supported superfood facts from exaggerated claims is essential. Let’s look at some superfood facts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n