Health Report : Are superfoods really so super?
Hardly a week goes by without claims about a wonder food that has a radical effect on our health. It might be tempting to think that one food could protect us from diseases, but the science supporting claims is often flawed and it could even be dangerous to set too much stock on the effects of superfoods.
In a survey commissioned by Bupa, one in ten people said they believed superfoods avert cancer when there’s no firm medical evidence to support this. And worryingly, over a third of the 55 per cent who’d heard the term thought eating these foods alone was healthier than a balanced diet. “The superfood phenomenon has taken hold over the last decade as people have become more interested in the positive effect food can have on your health,” says Sian Porter, consultant dietician and spokesperson for the British Dietetics Association. “There is no official definition of what constitutes a superfood and, by law, manufacturers are not allowed to suggest foods can prevent, treat or cure disease. But that hasn’t stopped outlandish claims in the media.” One 2008 press report claimed garlic was as effective as medication like betablockers in reducing blood pressure. “Although the research was reliable, the newspaper’s claims were somewhat overblown,” says Sian. “The study looked at whether garlic was as effective as a placebo, but they did not directly compare with blood pressure medication or measure whether it reduced deaths from high blood pressure.” And experts can be critical of some research into the health benefits of single foods. The Alzheimer’s Society has slated studies alleging walnuts, blueberries, tea and coffee may protect against the disease, saying they are inconclusive.
Uncovered: not so super foods
NHS Choices has been looking at the science behind superfood claims for four years. Here are some examples...
CHOCOLATE The claim: “Chocolate is officially good for you.”
The evidence: Those eating 7.5g a day were 39% less likely to have a heart attack or stroke than those eating 1.7g.
The NHS says: Low amounts were eaten. Too much may lead to obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes.
BROCCOLI The claim: “Broccoli may undo diabetes damage.”
The evidence: Sulforaphane, found in broccoli, was added to blood vessels incubated with sugar, protecting cells from chemicals.
The NHS says: It does not say how much to eat to mimic this effect and there’s no proof damage can be reversed.
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