Superfood Hype: Is it Really Good for You?

With an increasing death rate related to lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, everyone is getting obsessed with healthy dieting. And now, nutritionists have a great deal of work to do in explaining emerging terms such as superfoods. With this, many things come to mind. For example, are we that lazy to even do a little research on what makes a balanced diet? Well, you may want to call it supreme quality, but superfoods are generating a lot of hype lately.

If you thought spinach is the healthiest of vegetables or pasta with rice is the best combination for a healthy meal, then you've got to reconsider your dieting. But, before exploring the truth about superfoods and how they are changing the way people diet, let's take a look at the basics.

What are superfoods?

From the onset, superfoods always generated a lot of debate, and the nutritional value of meals that fall into this category has been a debacle, not only to nutritionists worldwide but, also people who would settle for nothing less. Definitively, they aren't just a catch or weasel marketing word after all, but referrers to foods that are rich in high-value minerals, fiber, vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants. Most importantly, studies have indicated that consuming them help with the prevention of diseases.

Moreover, given how consumption of superfoods has altered the dieting of most Americans, there is a replica of the same in most parts of the world. Most people are switching to consuming foods that prevent body inflammation and cell oxidation, something which according to Alissa Rumsey, R.D., C.D.N., spokesperson of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in New York, is largely informed by their nutrients value.

How superfoods came about

You wouldn't want to take a nosedive into a diet switch without, first of all, understanding the original of superfoods, right? Well, as Phil Lempert, a food industry expert, points out, Superfood is a marketing word. He, however, cautions consumers to be wary of what they buy for their dining table given that most food products now have this label even when it is obvious they don't deserve it.

Historically, the origin of the term is traceable to World War I when the United Fruit Company used it as a marketing gimmick.  At the time, it was a term pegged on banana flyers given their affordability, practical nutritional value, fast digestion, and ubiquity. A few years later, bananas became a hit in the treatment of diabetes and celiac disease. It was established that living on this diet helped kids grow tall and also gain weight, a finding that was soon published in medical journals. Clearly, it is an area in which you would wish to request for assignment help in Australia when doing a paper on the history of superfoods.

A Billion dollar Industry

While earlier publications erred by failing to indicate that the fact that banana became a Superfood was because when cooked raw, gluten was removed, the industry has, nonetheless, grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. Today, manufacturers of superfoods rake in billions of dollars in revenue, and it is because more people are willing to pay, not to mention that the popularity of this type of dieting continues to soar.

You may want to stick to South Beach, Ketosis or Paleo diet, but, the fact remains that weasel words are too strong to beat in the information age. A proof that superfoods are also more versatile than what you may have been consuming in the past few years make superfoods handy options. Whether you choose to top your kale with garlic juice or consume it as a salad with a little vinegar, there are many ways of switching to a new revolution in eating habits.

Examples of superfoods

The next question has everything to do with superfoods nutrition. For example, if you are asked to come up with a list of the best, what would you include? Well, apart from asking a good Australian Assignment Help to do the writing, this post breaks everything down for you as follows:

● Fish

Fish is rich in fatty acids, a nutrient you will find in most Superfood reviews. An omega-3-fatty acid, for example, is a popular nutrient in tuna and salmon.  It is a useful nutrient in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

● Leafy greens

Leafy greens such as kales ate not only rich in minerals and vitamins but, also vital dieting fibers. Other ingredients are phytochemicals, which according to studies, boost body immune system, guard against damage to DNA, fight inflammation and slow growth of cancer cells. It is an area in which students in Australia can craft an outstanding research paper.

●  Berries

Blueberries are highly nutritious, and according to the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity), they rank high among cocoa, legumes, and spices. It is this nutritional endowment that put berries in the league of superfoods.

● Tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, not to mention Lycopene, an ingredient associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer.

● Yogurt

Yogurt contains Probiotics and antioxidants. However, Phil Lempert once again cautions consumers to be wary of whether what they buy from shelves in enriched with active bacteria culture of they are only touted as superfoods through marketing.

● Whole Grains

As vital sources of soluble and insoluble fibers, whole grains also contain sufficient vitamin B, phytonutrients, minerals and vitamins. They help fight cardiovascular diseases given their low cholesterol levels.

● Olive Oil

Rich in vitamin E, monounsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols, olive oil is a vital addition to your healthy dieting.

The Bottom Line

In a nutshell, you wouldn't probably run of count sampling superfoods on which to craft a top quality academic research paper with the help of essay writing service. Nuts, which include, but not limited to walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, and almonds should never miss from your list. However, in the interest of consumers, do not fall for marketing gimmicks. Instead, go for high-value foods loaded with essential nutrients at all times.