It can be difficult to separate fact from fiction, and to figure out which of these superheroes of the culinary world actually has the power to provide serious health benefits, and which are simply the beneficiaries of some passing fad.It seems like every week, some new superfood becomes the “it” thing, and the glossy photo of it is suddenly splashed all over the Internet, accompanied by gushing recommendations from enthusiasts of all stripes. It can be difficult to separate fact from fiction, and to figure out which of these superheroes of the culinary world actually has the power to provide serious health benefits, and which are simply the beneficiaries of some passing fad.
You may also be concerned about possible health risks. Plenty of foods have claimed the “superfood throne” over the years, and nearly as many have been toppled from their lofty pedestals by claims refuting their many health benefits. Some have even been recast as villains of the food world, when they’re found to have possible health risks associated with their consumption.
By and large, both the breathless superfood worship and the dire warnings tend to be overinflated. Kale may not be as much of a lifesaver as some folks have claimed, but it’s generally very nutritious and it certainly won’t kill you. Likewise, if soy were really such a threat to your manliness, every guy in Japan would be sporting a set of breasts. Goji berries? The jury is still out on that one.
Superfoods That Are Recommended by Famous Doctors, Celebs and Nutritionists
With so much information out there, sometimes it helps to know who exactly is saying what – that way, you can connect with sources that you trust, and make solid, informed decisions on your own. For example, Dr. Oz recommends ten “nutritional superstars,” including black soybeans, turmeric, coconut oil, chia seeds, cocoa, lingonberries, eggs, beet juice, mustard greens, sweet potatoes, and the occasional glass of red wine, which he notes is rich in polyphenols, a type of antioxidant that assists the body with inflammation.
There are a number of celebrities out there who swear by superfoods, as you might already know. These include Victoria Beckham, who recommends a variety of seaweed called bladderwhack to maintain a fit physique; Madonna, who swears by coconut water to such a degree that she’s personally invested $1.5 million of her own money in one of the more popular brands out there; actor Matthew MacConaughey who argues for dried acai in everyone’s diet, as the supplement is known to remove waste and toxins from the body; and Julia Roberts, who lauds the high content of both iron and calcium contained in kale.
David Wolfe, celebrity spokesperson and health, eco, nutrition, and natural beauty expert recommends superfoods whole-heartedly, going as far as penning a book titled, Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future. In the book, Wolfe gets behind goji berries, hempseed, raw chocolate, maca, spirulina, bee products, and more.