SLO LIFE Magazine AugSep 2020

outdoor spin
#4
CHOOSE
YOUR SUPER
When seeking out nutritionally beneficial foods, there may be certain components
that provide a guideline for quality. The Mayo Clinic suggests a list of four criteria for
healthy foods to meet, recommending the food meet at least three. The first two point
to nutritional benefits, “good or excellent source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other
nutrients” and “high in phytonutrients and antioxidant compounds such as Vitamin A
and E and beta-carotene.” Both of these criteria harken back to the definitions explored
earlier and confirm the presumption that superfoods provide high-quality nutritional
value to consumers.
The third criterion in the Mayo Clinic checklist presents a commonly problematic area
for superfoods. It states the food should “help reduce the risk of heart disease and other
health conditions.” To be most accurate, such claims require meticulous research over a
period of time. Instead, superfood claims to reduce the risk of disease are often based on
an isolated component of the superfood previously linked to potential risk reduction or a
comparable health benefit.
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For example, almonds, typically considered a superfood, contain monounsaturated fat,
which, as the Mayo Clinic states, “[is] a healthier type of fat that may lower blood
cholesterol levels.” Since these nutritional components are present in a range of foods, this
should not be considered a true distinction between a superfood and another food with
similar benefits; unless linked explicitly with the superfood in question. Ultimately, it’s up
to consumers to decide whether to derive nutritional benefits from a certain superfood or
another dietary source.
The final criterion in the list is short and straightforward: “readily available.” In the
age of online shopping, this criterion becomes easily attainable for most, if not all,
superfoods. The Mayo Clinic’s criteria for healthy foods provide a blueprint for assessing
the beneficial quality of superfoods. And perhaps, in a more general sense, it encourages
consumers to make their own distinctions between foods possessing superior health
benefits, whether or not that food bears the illustrious superfood label.
#5
BEYOND
THE LABEL
In the wake of superfood dominance in the current health market, it’s vital to consider
other potentially undervalued foods. By doing so, we find that foods not labeled as ‘super’
also contain super nutrients. As noted by the EUFIC, “carrots, apples, and onions, for
example, are packed with health-promoting nutrients such as beta-carotene, fiber, and
the flavonoid quercetin.” Though notably less glamorous than superfoods such as açaí or
moringa, fruits and vegetables often considered humble kitchen staples provide their own
blend of nutritional compounds that help promote a healthy mind and body.
These foods easily meet the Mayo Clinic’s fourth health food criterion, “readily available,”
perhaps more so than lauded superfood heroes. Considering the other criteria put forth by
the Mayo Clinic, all three pass the health food test. At the end of the day, as it turns out,
a particular food does not have to be trending on social media in order to be a powerful
contributor to our overall health, instead, we can simply add more natural, unprocessed
foods to our diets.
FINAL WORD
Superfood is a non-medical, freely used label with origins in marketing. On
the whole, superfoods are simply foods with superb nutritional value. Consider
incorporating them into a whole food diet for potential health benefits. Consult
with a doctor or nutritionist before making major diet changes for a personalized
plan most effective for you. SLO LIFE