They are supposed to make us more efficient, help us lose weight or supposedly protect us from cancer. Superfoods have become an integral part of our diet. But how healthy are chia seeds, goji berries and the like really?
A quinoa granola muesli for breakfast, a chia power bowl with avocado for lunch and a power bar with goji berries for a snack in between: These superfoods are all the rage these days. No wonder, because superfoods such as chia seeds, goji and açai berries, quinoa, spirulina or wheatgrass powder are supposed to be particularly good for our health – at least that’s what the distributors of such products promise.
Superfoods are plant-based foods and products made from them, such as powders or tablets, that are particularly rich in certain nutrients. Even the consumption of small amounts should cover the daily requirement of certain vitamins or minerals. They are also said to have a high antioxidant potential. In other words, they neutralize free radicals in the body particularly well. This is why they are often regarded as anti-aging miracle cures or are said to protect against cancer. Some reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack, others lower blood sugar levels, while others make us particularly efficient, strengthen the immune system or help us lose weight.
Super expensive, super marketing
The fact is that the term superfood is not protected by law. It’s a pure marketing term that could just as easily be used for beetroot or kiwis. Both foods are also rich in certain nutrients, but both have long been part of our diet. This is a little more practical with superfoods. They always come from exotic countries and are newly introduced to our latitudes – along with their marketing history.
Consumers are happy to pay for the healthy effects and the “superfood” label. 100 grams of organic wheatgrass powder is available for around 11 francs, 100 grams of acerola lozenges cost just under 23 francs. In contrast, 100 grams of dried organic goji berries are a bargain at six francs.
