Superfood Myth

Because of the somewhat recent push for a healthier lifestyle and quick weight loss trends, the term "superfood" is being thrown around a lot. Foods like kale, beets, quinoa, and salmon have all been deemed "superfoods." What makes a certain food a superfood is basically the amount of a specific nutrient or vitamin found in that food. There have been claims though that if we eat all of these foods all of the time, we can pretty much live forever at our optimum health. Obviously, that is not true. Some of these foods have been suggested to prevent certain cancers, too, but there is no evidence that supports these claims. There have been few studies done on rats who only eat a specific food, and then their health is measured. These studies are unrealistic though because no person's diet is going to consist of only one food. Overall, it is great that these healthy foods are getting recognition since we all could use more of them in our diets, however suggesting that they are "super" could lead to false assumptions.

An element of thought here would be the implications and consequences of superfoods. Some people may think that if they consume these foods, that means they could still drink or smoke or not exercise just because these foods will counteract any negative effect the rest of their habits have on their bodies. These foods are simply just healthy foods that do not get enough recognition. By calling them "superfoods," people may start to think they have "super" effects. Obviously the key to a healthy lifestyle is eating healthy, exercising, and abstaining from bad habits like smoking. No one food is going to prevent cancer, and by making claims that suggest that may not be the best way to get people to eat healthier.

http://summertomato.com/the-myth-of-superfoods/