Superfoods, Antioxidants & the Secret to a Perfect Diet

Superfoods, Antioxidants & the Secret to a Perfect Diet

No one seems to know exactly what a “superfood” is. Even though the term has become shorthand for a group of foods that supposedly carries an exorbitant amount of nutritional value, the reality is there is no hard standard for what is considered a superfood and what isn’t. What’s more, the American Heart Association refuses to recognize anything as a “superfood.” In other words, you won’t find a group labeled “superfood” on the classic food pyramid and leading scientists don’t use the term at all.

Nevertheless, this idea that a particularly potent collection of foods can inspire wondrous health benefits has persisted for several decades, and it’s understandable why –– to an extent. After all, Americans are always looking for new dieting opportunities, and the obesity crisis has only worsened in the past ten-to-fifteen years. But what should be included in your diet for the future, and will superfoods play a role in the way we think about nutrition?

The “Truth” About Antioxidants

Read any online forum about the “science” behind nutrition and it won’t take you long to come across the term “antioxidants.” Antioxidants are compounds that prevent the natural process of oxidation caused by free radicals. Simple as that. Certain food suppliers, though, are happy to perpetuate an image of antioxidants as “free-radical-fighting chemical heroes that will eliminate major health concerns and boost fitness,” –– or something along those lines. According to some sites, antioxidants can lower the risk of heart disease, prevent cancer, reverse the aging process, and more! In addition, tons of “superfoods” are stuffed with antioxidants. Some make sense –– like blueberries. Others, like dark chocolate, seem more dubious. So while, yes, dark chocolate does have certain beneficial chemicals, it’s unwise to build a diet around it.

The other confusing thing about categorizing superfoods and antioxidants is that it’s difficult to determine the effects of antioxidants in the human system. As this article from the Guardian states, when isolated, antioxidants can make a difference to individual cells on a molecular level. But human subjects are much more complex, and superfoods that contain antioxidants also contain other beneficial compounds like vitamins, proteins, etc. In the end, antioxidants may prove highly effective in a quick shield safety tube in a controlled environment, but they probably won’t deliver miraculous results in “real life.”

Forming a Sensible Diet

Picking the right diet can help you boost your energy levels, avoid common maladies like the cold, and improve your overall health. Sure, plenty of superfoods like fruits, vegetables, fish, mushrooms, nuts, (etc.) are good for you –– but it’s unwise to rely on them inordinately. Rather, the best way to form a diet for all seasons is to incorporate a variety of different food sources. Lastly, always remember to exercise regularly as well. You won’t see significant weight-loss results without regular workouts!