Superfoods have been all the rage in recent years, with many people claiming that foods like celery juice, acai, and kale have all kinds of incredible health benefits that can cure any ailments. But are these claims really true? Lets debunk some of the myths around superfoods and look at why a balanced diet is the actual key to good health.

First of all, the term ‘superfood’ is not a scientific term, but rather a marketing term that has been used to sell certain foods. While some foods are certainly more nutritious than others, there is no such thing as a magical food that can solve all of our health problems. ‘Superfood’ are all just other dietary food options that you can incorporate into your daily habits, but remember that they may not necessarily make as big of an impact on your health as they do on your wallet…

Additionally, many of the claims that are made about superfoods are based on small studies that are either inconclusive or have been conducted on animals, rather than humans. Just because a food has been found to have health benefits in a lab or on an animal doesn’t actually mean that it will have the same effect when consumed by humans.

The idea of a superfood also creates a false sense of security when it comes to our diets. It is important to remember that no single food can provide all of the nutrients that our bodies need to function properly. A healthy diet is one that is varied and well balanced, with a focus on whole foods and inclusive of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

So, what should we be eating instead of superfoods? Diet should include a various foods from all of the food groups, including whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables. Each of these food groups provides different vitamins and minerals that are essential for supporting good health, your immune system and a healthy life, so it’s important to include them all in our daily meals. It’s also important to remember that health doesn’t just come from food, but from daily movement, exercise, good mental health habits and social support. There is so much that contribute to your health, you could eat all the ‘superfood’ you like but if you don’t exercise or have good mental health habits you won’t get the results you’re looking for.

While some foods are certainly more nutritious than others, the idea of a superfood is a myth that has been used by marketing teams time and time again to sell certain foods. A balanced diet, exercise, happiness and social supports are really the ‘superfood’ you need, and are all the key to good health. So, the next time you hear about a new superfood, remember to take it with a grain of salt.