As society grows increasingly health-conscious, certain products are now adorned by a new term: superfood. While this term is applied to everything from chia seeds to kale, does it really tell us anything about the properties of our food? Or is it just another marketing gimmick to rope in customers?

We can start by looking at where the term “superfood” came from. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, this term didn’t originate from nutritionists, food scientists, or dieticians. In fact, it was first used during World War I by the United Fruit Company to promote cheap banana imports. Subsequently, medical journals began to publish papers advocating for the health benefits of bananas, claiming they could be used to treat conditions like celiac disease and diabetes. The term began to grow much more widely used in advertising, despite not having a clear scientific meaning. 

While the term’s inception seems unreliable, the story doesn’t end there. Nowadays, “superfoods” are touted constantly. Companies claim that these products “immediately boost a healthy diet” and “reduce the effects of aging,” often backing them up with misleading scientific evidence. For example, in 1992, the Maine Wild Blueberry Commission turned blueberries into an icon due to their high levels of antioxidants. The group declared that the fruit was immune-boosting due to an earlier article in a USDA magazine. However, the USDA later determined that there was no conclusive evidence that antioxidants could help protect against disease. Likewise, a study conducted in 2010 concluded that “antioxidant supplementation, particularly with vitamin E, vitamin C[,] and beta-carotene[,] does not reduce primary cancer incidence.”

A similar trend can be found throughout the food marketing industry, with companies funding research for the sole purpose of endorsing their products. Before you buy into the latest “superfood” spiel, you might want to take a look at the science. Research sponsored by food-producing companies is likely to be skewed a certain way, and some may even spout baseless claims when attempting to sell their products. Another tactic to watch out for is the seemingly exotic origin story. The company Sambazon claimed that açaí had its roots in an Amazonian legend, where Princess Iaçã bestowed the purple berry upon her people, thereby saving them from starvation. Regardless of how exciting this backstory may seem, there isn’t much to support any nutritional benefits açaí may have.

With that said, it’s important to note that there’s nothing inherently wrong with the foods themselves. One cup of blueberries can provide over 33% DV of vitamin K and about 25% manganese, which aid in supporting your bones. They also contain around 4 grams of dietary fiber. Other “superfoods” sport positive nutrition profiles as well. The problem lies solely within the deceptive way in which they are sold. 

It is certainly beneficial to incorporate these so-called superfoods into your diet, but there is no one food that can change your life. The ubiquitous avocado is known for containing monounsaturated fatty acids, which can decrease inflammation. However, this isn’t the only way to get these healthy fats in. Canola oil, cashews, and olives also contain a significant amount of monounsaturated fatty acids. All foods provide a range of nutrients, so there’s no point worrying about another new “superfood” that your diet is missing.

 

written by Keerthi Selvam

edited by Saanvi Gutta and Tryphena Pilli

References:

Berezow, A. (2019, April 22). Superfoods Aren’t Real. So Why Do Americans Believe in Them? American Council on Science and Health. https://www.acsh.org/news/2019/01/03/superfoods-arent-real-so-why-do-americans-believe-them-13704.

Hajhashemi, V., Vaseghi, G., Pourfarzam, M., & Abdollahi, A. (2010, January). Are antioxidants helpful for disease prevention? Research in pharmaceutical sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3093095/.

Langlois, A. (2021, February 26). 5 Reasons to Add Organic Superfoods Into Your Life Now! Juice on Main. https://www.juiceonmain.com/blog/5-reasons-to-add-organic-superfoods-into-your-life-now.

Nestle, M. (2018, October 23). Superfoods Are a Marketing Ploy. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2018/10/superfoods-marketing-ploy/573583/.

Sass, C., & Sass, C. (2020, August 17). 5 reasons blueberries are so good for you. Health.com. https://www.health.com/nutrition/groceries/the-health-benefits-blueberries.

Sassoon, M. (1969, January 1). The Murky Marketing Of Superfoods – the Case of Açaí. Gastronomy Blog The Murky Marketing of SuperfoodsThe Case of Aa Comments. https://sites.bu.edu/gastronomyblog/2020/04/28/the-murky-marketing-of-superfoods-the-case-of-acai/.

Superfoods or SUPERHYPE? The Nutrition Source. (2019, October 28). https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/superfoods/.