Superfoods

{{foodnav}}Media organisations often publish lists of supposed '''"Superfoods"''' to [[clickbait|attract clicks]]. The term "Superfood" is a marketing ploy and not a term used by qualified dietitians or scientists.<ref>http://www.thinkingnutrition.com.au/superfoods-more-like-supermyth/</ref> Often these [[food woo|foods]] are based on a [[kernel of truth]] and therefore fall somewhere on the spectrum between "real science" and [[woo]]. Since none of them are dangerous (unless [[Third World]] [[globalization]] has compromised<ref>http://www.naturalnews.com/040266_food_fraud_China_heavy_metals_contamination.html</ref> their authenticity or purity) and since 
all
 some of them can be [[Fun:Delicious|tasty]], adding them to your diet can't hurt your body (at least in moderation). If they turn out more "woo" than "science", no medical harm done. And if they turn out to be really extra-special healthy for you, [[Pascal's wager|all the better]].

Many foods are claimed to be "super" because of alleged or actual high-levels of [[antioxidants]]. Consuming too many antioxidants (e.g. in pill form or in fad diets) [[The dose makes the poison|might actually be bad for you]] because muscle-building requires some oxidation.<ref>[https://www.sciencenews.org/article/athletes-antioxidant-pills-may-not-help-performance?mode=magazine&context=189809 For athletes, antioxidant pills may not help performance: Some supplements can blunt the positive effects of exercise training] by Laura Beil, ''Science News'' (February 24, 2015).</ref>

Of course, these have a mysterious tendency toward the exotic, obscure, or highly perishable in comparison to equally nourishing and pleasant foodstuffs of lesser celebrity, which means they're usually only available at great expense and/or from a tiny number of merchants… Who are all too happy to let you pay through the nose for this “privilege,” and when these foodstuffs are a load-bearing pillar in the diets of people in certain low-income regions, the surge in interest can have cataclysmic impacts on their main food supply.

[[Coffee]] is usually not considered a superfood (although…<ref>[http://www.self.com/flash/nutritionnews/2013/04/nutrition-superfood-coffee/ Superfood of the Week: Coffee]</ref>) even though it is high in antioxidants,<ref>[http://www.webmd.com/diet/the-buzz-on-coffee 
The Buzz on Coffee] by Kathleen M. Zelman & Brunilda Nazario (May 07, 2008) ''WebMD''.</ref> probably because there is no money to be made from additional marketing. A large epidemiology study found that drinking more than 2 cups per day of coffee increases life expectancy and is protective against several diseases.<ref>[https://www.sciencenews.org/article/coffee-gives-jolt-life-span Coffee gives jolt to life span]</ref><ref>[https://www.sciencenews.org/article/coffee-reveals-itself-unlikely-elixir?mode=magazine&context=190830 Coffee reveals itself as an unlikely elixir: From liver disease to diabetes, coffee compounds protect against an array of health conditions] by Nathan Seppa (12:02pm, September 18, 2015) ''Science News''.</ref>

==List of some common "Superfoods" and their spurious claims==
*[[Açaí berry|Açaí berries]] (''Euterpe oleracea'') &mdash; marketed as a dietary supplement for weight loss but with [[null hypothesis|no convincing evidence]]. Subject of many internet scams.<ref>[http://www.adotas.com/2009/08/oprah-is-coming-after-bad-internet-marketers/ Oprah is coming after bad Internet marketers]</ref>

*Apples (''Malus domestica'') &mdash; An apple a day keeps the doctor away, or so they say.<ref group=note>This saying originated during [[Prohibition]]. Most of the apples sold prior to Prohibition were used to make hard cider. When this was no longer legal, apple growers had to come up with another reason for consumers to buy their fruit, and latched on to the apple's alleged health benefits.</ref> The seeds contain a small amount of [[laetrile]] for those who believe in cancer preventative woo (and cyanide for those who don't.) The apples themselves are full of fiber and keep you "regular".

*[[Apple cider vinegar]] &mdash; This acid is used by people to treat "body pH imbalance" because the body becomes too acidic.<ref>[http://altmedicine.about.com/od/applecidervinegardiet/a/applecidervineg.htm Altmedicine.about.com article on Apple Cider Vinegar]</ref> [[pH woo|Yes, they actually believe that taking vinegar will ''increase'' the body pH level, rather than lower it like any normal acid would.]]

*Blueberries (''Vaccinium'' spp.) and blackberries (''Rubus'' spp.) &mdash; make boring yogurt tolerable and they anti-oxidize you<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blueberry#Nutrients.2C_phytochemicals_and_research</ref><ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackberry#Nutrients_and_antioxidant_qualities</ref> at the same time, for whatever that's worth.

*Brewers yeast (and its derivatives like Vegemite and [[Marmite]]) &mdash; a B-complex [[vitamin]] cocktail.<ref>[http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/brewers-yeast Brewer's yeast], on the University of Maryland's [[Complementary and Alternative Medicine]] web area</ref> Good for whatever you heard B vitamins are good for. Brain food and who knows what else.

*Chia seeds (''Salvia hispanica'') &mdash; Once known for their amazing ability to spawn an afro on any known creature, they are now being hailed as the low calorie super nutrient you never knew your body needs to survive.<ref>[http://authoritynutrition.com/11-proven-health-benefits-of-chia-seeds/ With clickbait to match!]</ref>

*[[Fun:chocolate|Chocolate]] (''Theobroma cacao'') &mdash; food of the gods. In its raw form ''Cacao'' (usually in the form of 'nibs') and processed ''dark'' chocolate are excellent anti-oxidants. There is some suggestion that they can act like aspirin to keep plaque forming in the blood, that they might stimulate the brain, and that sucking on dark chocolate can soothe an aching throat, raw from coughing.{{fact}} And it's so close to that wonderful [[panacea]] [[Hemp#The woo|hemp]]! And come on, it's ''chocolate''. (Dear Americans, milk chocolate however has lots of sugar and very little cacao, so it isn't a wonder food — learn to like the dark stuff!)

*Cinnamon, by which we mean the common commercial ''Cinnamomum cassia'', not the "true" ''Cinnamomum verum'' that food snobs use &mdash; can help reduce blood sugar peaks. Or not.<ref>[http://extension.psu.edu/healthy-lifestyles/diabetes/news/2010/cinnamon-and-blood-sugar "Cinnamon and Blood Sugar,"] Pennsylvania State University Extension</ref> It makes lots of things more yummy, and if it helps to prevent the onset of diet-based diabetes so much the better.

*Cranberries (''Vaccinium'' spp.) &mdash; commonly hailed as an effective way to avoid urinary tract infections. According to a recent clinical review however, you'd have to eat about 45,000 calories' worth of cranberries every six months to get a 1 in 12 chance of avoiding an infection.<ref>[http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/cranberry-the-alt-med-zombie/ Cranberry, the alt-med zombie]</ref> Not exactly practical, unlike the 95% efficacy of taking antibiotics.

*Curry ([[turmeric]], ''Curcuma longa'', in particular) &mdash; supposed to be a preventative for cancer<ref>[http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/herbsvitaminsandminerals/turmeric Turmeric] contains curcumin which is an anti-oxidant.</ref> and Alzheimer's.<ref>Why? Who knows, but maybe a [http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01811381?term=Frautschy&rank=1 clinical trial] will reveal more information.</ref>

*Ginger (''Zingiber officinale'') &mdash; it is claimed that ginger can combat motion sickness and nausea (Ginger Ale, anyone?),<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10793599</ref> and could help relieve the pain associated with "[[menstruation|that time of the month]]".<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26177393</ref>

*Goji berries or Chinese wolfberries (''Lycium barbarum'') &mdash; Supposedly great because of its high protein content for a fruit, filled with iron/vitamin A, and antioxidants like zeaxanthin.<ref>[http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/goji-berry-facts#5 8 Goji Berry Facts]</ref> Can also work as a weight loss helper due to unpleasant (sometimes severe) stomach cramps after consumption.<ref>[http://www.chinese-herbs.org/goji-berry/ Goji Berry: Basic Information and Traditional Uses]</ref><ref>[http://www.topix.com/forum/med/naturopathy/TNHHV394Q71VPQGG9/p14 Beware! Goji Berries]</ref>

*[[Green tea]] (''Camellia sinensis'') &mdash; It's a 
ritual designed to make you relax
 source of the psychoactive amino acid {{wpl|Theanine}}, and it too can anti-oxidize you.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_tea#Growing.2C_harvesting_and_processing</ref>

*Jiaogulan (''Gynostemma pentaphyllum'') &mdash; Can slow down your aging, inhibit cancer growth, and anti-oxidize you.<ref>[https://herbarium.co/en/jiaogulan-gynostemma-pentaphyllum/ Jiaogulan (''Gynostemma pentaphyllum'') Health Benefits & Information]</ref>

*[[Kombucha]] tea &mdash; is green tea fermented with [[bacteria]] and yeast. It has both anti-oxidant and [[probiotic]] properties but these can be found cheaper (and far more pleasant) in many other foods.<ref>http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/060415p20.shtml</ref>

*Moringa (''Moringa oleifera'') &mdash; It's loaded with vitamins and minerals, and it too can anti-oxidize you.<ref>[https://herbarium.co/en/moringa-oleifera/ Moringa Oleifera Health Benefits & Information]</ref>

*Pomegranate juice (''Punica granatum'') &mdash; You know it's heart-healthy because they sell it with cute little healthy-heart icons on the bottles.<ref>http://www.pomwonderful.com</ref>

*Quinoa &mdash; [[vegan]] superfood, demand for which is destroying the ecosystem, and the human population in Bolivia.<ref>http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2110890,00.html</ref>

*[[Shiitake mushroom|Shiitake mushrooms]] (''Lentinula edodes'') &mdash; You can just taste the tingle of anti-oxidant woo cleansing your body of [[toxin]]s!<ref>http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?dbid=122&tname=foodspice typical woo site</ref>

*Walnuts (''Juglans'' spp.) &mdash; lots of fiber and protein, and it turns out they might help lower the icky bad cholesterols.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2322049/Could-eating-WALNUTS-key-cutting-cholesterol.html Could eating WALNUTS be the key to good heart health?], on [[The Daily Mail]]</ref>

==Some lists with other wooish/scientific-ish super foods==
*[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22313465/ MSNBC: The top 16 super foods for women]
*[http://www.healthchecksystems.com/hfoods.htm HealthCheck Systems: Super Foods]
*[https://herbarium.co Herbarium]

==Other external links==
*[https://youtu.be/fPGnBkH3fBg A rather awesome analysis of superfoods from Australian TV show, The Checkout]
*[http://www.xojane.com/healthy/stop-telling-me-how-to-eat-to-cure-my-incurable-disease Stop Telling Me How To Eat To Cure My Incurable Disease (And Other Things People Without Medical Degrees Say To The Chronically Ill)], on xoJane
*[http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/bodywork/performance-plate/Why-Theres-No-Such-Thing-as-a-Superfood.html Why There's No Such Thing as a Superfood] in ''Outside'', 14-Nov,2014

==See also==
*[[List of medicinal plants]]
*[[Bodybuilding woo]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

{{foodbox}}

[[Category:Food woo]]

Categories: Food woo