A recent Article on MSNBC.com gave a very good breakdown of different “super foods” that has been on television broadcasts, in news papers, various website, and on certain talk shows.¬† Dr. Oz, who appears regularly on Oprah Winfrey’s afternoon talk show extolled the virtues of the Acai berry when sent marketing campaigns the like you’ve rarely seen before.¬† There may even be an ad on my site that points out this promise with Dr. Oz and Rachel Ray as spokespersons.¬†¬† I’m sure neither one gave their permission to offer their photo and quotes.
In no obvious order here are the seven foods that are talked about in the article:
A?ßai berry
What you may have heard: It’s a small read berry that comes from a Acai Palm in Brazil.¬† It has features that astound may with a mixture of antioxidants, minerals and fatty and amino acids.¬† It’s said to have a huge effect on fighting heart disease and there are claims of cure for cancer, anti aging and weight loss.
The real deal: The berries do have high levels of phytochemicals (an anti-inflammatory), fatty acids, fiber and an antioxidant blend that may help with heart disease.¬† However, there isn’t enough scientific evidence to suggest that these berries hold properties much different than blueberries, blackberries, cranberries and raspberries.¬† This comes from Joshua Bomser, an Ohio State University nutrition researcher and professor.¬† He also says that the other berries are very plentiful and much cheaper than the acai.¬† As an example a recent bottle of the acai berry mixed with other juices under the name MonaVie sells for $40 and claims properties of weight loss and disease curing, which all are unsubstantiated. A pint of blueberries was going for $2.99 at the local supermarket.
Green tea
What you may have heard: Again we’re told that this low caffeine drink offers high levels of antioxidants that help prevent heart disease and cancer while helping with weight loss.
The real deal: Research studies have not concluded that the antioxidant rich tea helps prevent cancer and reduce heart disease. The weight loss may not be completed unfounded.  Green tea has fat-burning compounds known as catechins.  You would need to drink 3 cups of green tea for any help with weight loss; however you may want to switch to black tea since it has the same catechins compounds and also contains more caffeine which is one of the main ingredients in most hunger suppression products. 
One little note: The research on weight loss was done on animals where the findings still need to be confirmed with humans. 
Mangosteen fruit
What you may have heard: This is a purple fruit from Aisa this is another one that contains powerful antioxidants known as xanthones.¬† The clain is that it’s supposed to build the immune system as well as help with digestion and prevent cancer.
The real deal: Just like the acai, marketing is job one with this berry.  There is a whole manufacturing process that sells mangosteen as a blended juice.  Xango is a product bottled in the U.S. and sells for $37.00.  Just like the acai there is not enough scientific evidence to show the wonderful effects of this berry.  One of the ironies is that the juice which will be sold to help with weight loss too, loses the fibre property when juiced and increases the calories.
Dark chocolate
What you may have heard:  The properties of dark chocolate have phytochemicles known as flavonols which makers claim to help heart disease by controlling high LDL cholesterol and reducing blood pressure by opening the blood vessels.
The real deal:  Flavonols in dark chocolate (this is not regular or milk chocolate) do appear to fight bad LDL and may even give your brain a boost. However, there is a trade off since chocolate is higher in fat and calories that other food with flavonols like apples, cranberries and onions. 
Red wine
What you may have heard:  Here is another flavonoids compound that is called resveratrol and found in grapes.   Just like chocolate it helps the heart by reducing inflammation and blood vessel blockage by attacking LDL cholesterol. 
The real deal:  There is evidence that the heart is helped by red wine, but a recent British study tied just having one drink a day to elevated risks level in women for cancer of the breast, liver and rectum.
Just like with chocolate you need to be careful without over indulging since the wisdom here is one 5oz glass per day and no more.  The benefits fall off sharply when consuming glass after glass.
 Soy
What you may have heard:¬† The benefits of soy has been extolled for years.¬† It could be used in so many ways and offered protein and isoflavone, a type of phytoestrogen that helped with cancer and menopause.¬† That’s right soy was a big help with hot flashes.¬†
The real deal: ¬†Well it may ease those flashes, but soy is also linked to breast cancer and other estrogen-related diseases such as uterine fibroid tumors and endometriosis. Now does this mean that you should stop eating this, not really, you just shouldn’t concentrate the use strictly for menopause nut use it for the whole food products such as edamame, tofu and milk.¬†
Spirulina (blue-green algae)
What you may have heard:  Algae also was one of those great antioxidants with protein and vitamin B.  It was marketed to help with heart disease, cancer, and boost energy to fight aids weight loss and the immunity system.
The real deal: ¬†There is no scientific research to support any of the claims above.¬† There’s some animal research to show that it may help with ulcers and wound healing.¬† Spirulina does have vitamin B, but you can actually get your fill from kidney beans and increase the fiber as well.
This information on the super food just shows you the power of marketing and how one word from anyone in authority, such as Dr. Oz, sends a firestorm of media to find that one magic potion to wellness.¬† As with anything remember what my mom used to tell me, “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t”.
11 Comments until now
[...] Excerpt from:¬† The Real Deal on Super Foods… [...]
This is great information, Tom!! I’m far from being a monk, but sometimes a little moderation is a good thing!
Dr. Js last blog post..Numbers games: We don’t know why diets work, grim TV stats and heartbreaking effects of obesity
With any superfood it’s the powerful combination of hype and hope: Eat this! Be cured!
Everything in moderation is the key, I say. I also agree that the cheaper, widely available local product (i.e. beans and blueberries) is as good for us as the expensive, imported one.
Leah J. Utass last blog post..Gratitude Monday – Soon
Thanks for the rundown!
I find it frustrating that many of the initial claims were actually based on studies that looked promising, which were then followed by other studies that looked less promising, which then may be superceded by new studies which look promising again… it’s so hard to follow!
I think they’ve gone back and forth on Green Tea and Red Wine about 9,000 times now. But then when the 9,001st study comes out I’ll still read it and probably change my mind all over again.
While I do agree that some foods are healthier than others, the whole media-hype of “super foods” and the “latest diet craze” is over the top and just plain stupid. And I find it extremely frustrating that people continually buy into this crap.
Keep on spreading the real facts!!
maggieaprils last blog post..As I Was Saying…
[...] The Real Deal on Super Foods [...]
I am guilty of consuming many of these items in the hope that they work as anti-cancer & anti-inflammatory. I take resveratrol in pill form and combine it with CoQ and I3C. I eat dark chocolate but only because I like it, not because it has any properties. I drink green tea and hope it works as an anti-cancer benefit.
But the juices that have been made supposedly from acai and mangosteen I skip because I don’t make enough money to drink expensive juice that’s sold using a MLM and not having enough money causes cancer.
PODs last blog post..Restaurant Review
What I take from these kinds of things is that when we eat natural food in moderation, we’re doing the best thing for our health.
With things like acai berries, its kind of annoying how there might be one study that says its got benefits and then all these “natural health” companies jump on it to create fancy medications infused with acai berry because its supposedly amazing for you.
Sagans last blog post..Life Lessons: Toxicity Levels
Dr J – I totally agree with you
Leah – You have the jest of this article. Magic cures happen in Harry Potter books and movies.
Crabby – I think we’re all frustrated by searching out things that could benefit us and then finding out it was just hype.
maggieapril – I like to find the real story, but I guess I’m as gullible as others when something of value is proposed.
POD – When one has brushes with their mortality they will do anything to extend their life. I would never blame anyone for searching out things that can cure.
Sagan – Are you sure you’re not over 50? Those are very wise statements
Information of this post is very useful and workable. I like these information.
acai and green tea are known in the diet world for its resveratrol benefits, i personal take resveratrol pills and it’s kept me energized and feeling great, great article!
resveratrol ultras last blog post..Resveratrol Supplements For Anti-Aging