Commentary - Journal of Food Nutrition and Health (2021) Volume 4, Issue 5

Super foods: A healthy alternative

Anjanapura V Raghu^*

Department of Basic Science, Jain University, India

Corresponding Author:

Anjanapura V Raghu Department of Basic Science, Jain University, Bangalore, India E-mail: av.raghu@jainuniversity.ac.in

Accepted date: 15^th September, 2021

Citation: Anjanapura V Raghu, Super foods: A healthy alternative. J Food Nutr Health 2021; 4(5)-01.

Commentary

Superfoods are food sources that have an exceptionally high nutritional content thereby giving a significant quantity of nutritional supplements and very low calories. Nutrient rich foods make you feel great by reducing the risk of specific health conditions and providing various health benefits. Mostly, superfoods are plant based but few sea and dairy foods also fall under this category. Super foods are termed as nutrient powerhouses with that give huge amounts of cancer prevention agents called antioxidants, phytochemicals nutrients and minerals. Intake of fruits and vegetables on daily basis help in lower risk of many lifestyle related health problems and mortality. Replacing processed foods with whole foods will improve health extensively. The high vitamin and mineral content found in superfoods can help your body prevent diseases. Superfoods incorporated into a well-balanced diet promote heart health and weight loss. They also improve energy levels and reduce the effects of aging. Antioxidants present in many superfoods help prevent cancer, while the presence healthy fats can reduce the risk of heart diseases. Fiber which is extensively found in many superfoods prevents diabetes and digestive problems. Phytochemicals have various health benefits like reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Superfoods are good for health as they provide various nutrients that body needs on a daily basis, but eating only superfoods does not make it a healthy diet. Eating one kind of food in large quantity can actually deteriorate health and prevent the body from getting all of the nutrients you need as that food doesn’t provide all the essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that body needs. A balanced and nutritious diet includes all types of food groups by limiting the intake of refined sugars, salt and saturated fats. It is Necessary to eat a wide variety of highly nutritious foods to gain health benefits that body needs. There is no harm in eating a food item that provides adequate amount of a particular vitamin or mineral that is needed, but bodies require many vitamins and minerals to function efficiently, therefore relying on one super food alone is not recommended. Therefore superfoods should be an addition to a balanced diet but not replace the diet. Intake of superfoods in supplement form is never equal to nutrients obtained from the real foods. Numerous food products with the names called superfoods, superfruits and supergrains were brought into market from the year 2011. Grains other than cereals like millets, barely, quinoa etc. are hyped as superfoods because they are considered as whole foods, which require very less processing and are consumed from ancient period. In the beginning of 21st century, many manufacturers used to sell dietary supplements and foods with selected food additives in the name of superfoods. Many supplements contain ingredients that might cause a very strong biological effect on body. There is also a chance of Supplement interaction with other medications. Intake of excessive supplements might result in vitamin and mineral toxicity, affects recovery in postsurgery periods by triggering side effects. Supplements only with FDA approval are safe to consume.