Superfood

Superfood is a term sometimes used to describe food with high phytonutrient content that some may believe confers health benefits as a result. For example, blueberries are often considered a superfood (or superfruit) because they contain significant amounts of antioxidants, anthocyanins, vitamin C, manganese and dietary fibre [ [http://whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrientprofile&dbid=84] World's Healthiest Foods, in-depth nutrient profile for blueberries] .However, the term is not in common currency amongst dieticians and nutritional scientists, many of whom dispute the claims made that consuming particular foodstuffs can have a health benefit [" 'The term "superfoods" is at best meaningless and at worst harmful,' said Catherine Collins, chief dietician at St George's Hospital in London. 'There are so many wrong ideas about superfoods that I don't know where best to begin to dismantle the whole concept.' " cite web |title=Forget superfoods, you can't beat an apple a day |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2007/may/13/health.healthandwellbeing1 |publisher=The Observer |author=Amelia Hill |date=2007-05-13] There is no legal definition of the term and it has been alleged that this has led to it being over-used as a marketing tool.cite web |title="Superfoods" |author=Caroline Stacey |publisher=BBC Food |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/food_matters/superfoods.shtml]

The OED [OED, online edition, additions September 2007, entry for "super-"] includes citations for "superfood" in the general sense of "a food considered especially nutritious or otherwise beneficial to health and well-being" dating from 1915 [1915 Daily Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica) 24 June 18/2 "He had changed the tenor of his mood, And wisely written wine as super-food"] and 1949 [1949 Lethbridge (Alberta) Herald 3 Feb. 14/3 "Mr. LeBourdais extolled their [sc. the muffins's] worth as a superfood that contained all the known vitamins and some that had not been discovered".] , as well as more recent examples [2002 Here's Health Mar. 59/3 "Sprouts have long been recognised as superfoods, due to their high protein, enzyme, vitamin and mineral content."] .

Legal status in the EU

As of 1st July 2007, the marketing of products as superfoods is banned unless accompanied by a specific medical claim supported by credible scientific research.cite web |title=Superfood 'ban' comes into effect |date=2007-06-28 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6252390.stm |publisher=BBC News] Companies will have two years to adjust their marketing in line with these rules.

List of foods that have been described as superfoods

"This is a partial list of foods that have been described as superfoods in the press or by their manufacturers. It would not be possible to make a list of actual superfoods, since there is no agreed legal or medical definition."
*BananasFact|date=August 2008
* Blackcurrants [ [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article1951304.ece Blackcurrant ‘is top superfruit’ - Times Online ] ]
* Wolfberries aka Goji Berries [cite web |url=http://www.npicenter.com/anm/templates/newsATemp.aspx?articleid=19378&zoneid=43 |title=Goji: What It Is ... and Isn't |accessdate=2008-04-13 |format= |work=]
*Cacao, Raw chocolate K. CARTER, "Introducing the latest superfood... chocolate" in "Guardian Unlimited", [http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/health/story/0,,2028541,00.html] ] .
*Blueberries [ [http://ms.essortment.com/benefitsblueber_reka.htm Benefits of blueberries] ]
*Raspberries [ [http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=39 WHFoods: Raspberries] ]
*Bilberry [ [http://www.vitaminstuff.com/herbs-bilberry.html The Herb Bilberry -Benefits, Information, Articles, Links, News, Advice] ]
*Coffee Berry [ [http://www.coffeeberry.org/good4u.htm Coffeeberry Real. Fun. Fruit] ]
*Bee Pollen [ [http://www.womens-health-fitness.com/bee-pollen-benefits.html Bee Pollen Benefits Are Many & Bee Pollen Benefits Will Benefit You] ] .
*Açaí. [ [http://news.ufl.edu/2006/01/12/berries/ Brazilian berry destroys cancer cells in lab, UF study shows] University of Florida]
*Aloe Vera [ [http://www.herbsarespecial.com.au/free-herb-information/aloe-vera.html Free herb information - ALOE VERA] ] .
*Probiotics [ [http://health.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=72149 Enhance your health with probiotics] ]
* Noni Fruit [ [http://www.phytochemicals.info/plants/noni.php Noni] ]
*Yacon Root [ [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N03423101.htm Reuters AlertNet - FEATURE-Root from Peru holds hope for dieters, diabetics ] ]
*Maca [ [http://www.naturalnews.com/008422.html Maca Magic: the Peruvian superfood for hormone balance and much more] ]
*Rose hips [ [http://www.anagen.net/rosehip.htm Rosehips] ]
*Watercress [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6360601.stm BBC Watercress and cancer] ] cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/x-ray/sites/allarticles/updates/7p07_superfoods.shtml |title=What makes superfoods super? |publisher=BBC Wales |date=2007-06-27]
*Papaya
*Soy ("see also Soybeans#Promotion as health food")
*Flax seed [ [http://books.google.com.au/books?id=Ju3c3SEGEM8C&pg=PA182&ots=NI5IlFowXo&dq=the+benefits+of+flax+seed+oil&sig=eYLhyATfgvjo3q8qSOARsbZbJNk Brain-Building Nutrition, Michael Schmidt (Google Books)] ]
*Broccoli cite web |title=Superfoods you should add to your diet |date=2008-04-28 |url=http://www.qassia.com/superfoods-to-include-in-your-diet]
*Alfalfa sprouts [ [http://www.pjstory.com/Alfalfa.htm Benefits of Alfalfa] ]
*Oranges [ [http://www.health24.com/medical/Condition_centres/777-792-812-1741,43326.asp Health 24 - Heart, Foods, diet and your heart] ]
*Spinach [ [http://www.health24.com/dietnfood/Healthy_foods/15-18-20-160.asp Health 24 - Healthy foods - Veggies A-Z] ]
*Tomatoes [ [http://www.healthcastle.com/tomato-prostatecancer.shtml Tomatoes and Prostate Cancer] ]
*Walnuts [ [http://www.healthcastle.com/walnuts-benefits-heart.shtml Health Benefits of Walnuts] ]
*Blue/Green algae [ [http://www.klamathbluegreen.com/] Klamath Blue/green algae information]
*Chlorella [ [http://www.thesuperfoodcompany.com/information.php Chlorella Information at "the superfood company"] ]
*Spirulina [ [http://www.thesuperfoodcompany.com/information.php Spirulina Information at "the superfood company"] ]
*Avocado [ [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,200492,00.html Eating 'Smart': 9 Super Foods for Better Brain] ]
*Salmon [ [http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/superfoods-everyone-needs] ]
*Green Tea or Black Tea [ [http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/superfoods-everyone-needs] ]
*Beans [ [http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/superfoods-everyone-needs] ]
*Oats [ [http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/superfoods-everyone-needs] ]
*Turkey [ [http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/superfoods-everyone-needs] ]
*Pumpkin [ [http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/superfoods-everyone-needs] ]
*Yogurt [ [http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/superfoods-everyone-needs] ]
*Kale [> [http://health.learninginfo.org/nutrition-facts/kale.htm []

ee also

*Phytochemicals
*Nutrition
*Nutrients
*Health
*Superfood (Odwalla)

References