Three Reasons Why Superfoods Might Be Dangerous
Natto. Green coffee beans. Cricket flour! What is your latest obsession?
Is there a new superfood on the scene every few months, leaving you unsure about what to eat? "Superfoods," "power foods," and "top 10 foods" are all terms used to describe foods that are high in nutrients. They're intended to have a lot of nutritional value, and superhero like properties.
Most often, there is little scientific validation or controlled definition of a superfood, but it is often considered a superfood when it has high quantities of desired nutrients, is associated to illness prevention, or is thought to provide several health advantages in addition to its nutritional worth.
Beginning in mid-2016, Google news search statistics reveal a significant increase in searches for superfoods.
BUT…
Knowledge now circulates at a viral rate, a newer superfood appears on a monthly basis. It also is debatable if focusing on individual foods is really worthwhile even to begin with.
As a result, the standard superfood argument pattern repeats: consumer interest, followed by promises of miraculous nutritional composition, and finally, the predictable disclaimer that eating too much of this superfood is highly harmful.
Now, why might superfoods be dangerous for you? Here are three reasons.
Misleading the consumers.
Most superfoods are grossly overestimated and, in certain situations, may even be harmful to one's health.
Aliv/ Halim seeds (garden cress seeds) for example contain high amounts go goitrogenic compounds and must be avoided in large quantities by people struggling with hypothyroidism. Most often, this point is not quoted when advertising Halim seeds.
A false sense of security from individual foods.
The emphasis on superfoods is insufficient to induce widespread change in diet, and it may even promote indifference by instilling a false feeling of security in consumers.
Even when it comes to really healthy foods for which there isn't much disputed information, a focus on superfoods has damaging consequences. We are more likely to search for "magic bullets" rather than massive transformation if we concentrate on particular foods.
It may drive people to get fixated on a few select foods, ignorant to other equally nutritious but less publicised choices. Variety in our diet is vital not only for obtaining a wide range of critical vitamins and minerals, but also for avoiding overeating (or undereating) any specific nutrient.
Classic example is of Olive Oil. Olive oil is still high in saturated fats! I have seen so many people switch to Olive Oil because it is ‘healthier’ and then go on to use ‘unlimited amounts’, considering it has little health benefits.
Superfoods can be expensive.
The notion that healthy eating is expensive or ‘Veganism’ is expensive comes from trying to incorporate superfoods that you might not even need to your diet.
Most "super" foods are pricey and often difficult to come by. Superfoods are frequently translated into super sales, resulting in a multibillion dollar business.
Consumers are prepared to spend extra for nutritious meals, and health claims on labels appear to assist. When one superfood becomes obsolete, another one comes into play on the shelves of organic food shops.
Eg would be of berries. Sure berries are truly a wonder food and must be incorporated to your diet when possible, they can get expensive if you live in India. But even one Amla per day has more than ten times the antioxidant content of a cup of berries and is available at a very low cost in India. So you dont have to get berries in the name of ‘antioxidants’.
So, instead of becoming sidetracked by the newest overhyped food item or craze, learn about particular foods and how to pick, cook, and enjoy them.
Therefore, make a "super plate" with a variety of healthful and delectable items.
Trust this helps,