Do superfoods have super powers?

We hear about them more and more, but can superfoods really have super benefits for our all-around health?

There’s no certification body for superfoods, so marketers are free to use the term however they like. And they sure do like to. More and more products are claiming the superfood label every year. And those that do are reaping the benefits. Today’s superfoods are a billion-dollar industry.

The rise of superfoods

It all started in the early days of the 20th  century,  when the United Fruit Company started touting the health benefits of the humble banana in an advertising campaign. When medical journals began publishing the results of studies into banana diets and conditions like celiac disease and diabetes, the world’s first superfood  was  born!
 

It took another 100 years or so for the term to make it into the lexicon. Now it’s solidly  anchored in the modern English language  as “a food considered exceptionally good  for one’s health and for boosting the  immune system owing to its naturally high  content of vitamins, minerals, fiber,  antioxidants, or omega-3 fatty acids.”
 

So, do superfoods have super benefits for your health?

One thing’s clear: a superfood worthy of the name is certainly good for you. And if your diet is low in any particular item, then having the right diet can certainly give you a boost. But, in an age of quick fixes and life hacks, it’s important to remember that no one food can do it all.

It’s all about balance

For optimum all-around health benefits, it’s important to strike the right balance. Or, as the  School of Public Health at Harvard University puts it: Focus on a super plate, not just superfoods.
 

Their Healthy Eating Plate is a simple guide to creating healthy, balanced meals.

As a general guide, you can look at it like this:

50% fruit & vegetables
25% whole grains
25% healthy protein

For optimum all-around health benefits, it’s important to strike the right balance. So focusing on a Super Plate* is the best way to a healthy diet.¹