Eat well

Page contents

  1. 'Super diets'

What are superfoods?

We examine the evidence behind the health claims of 10 of the most popular so-called superfoods.

So-called, because there is no official definition of a "superfood" and the EU has banned health claims on packaging unless supported by scientific evidence.

But that hasn't stopped many food brands from funding research into the health benefits of their products.

The superfood trend exploits the fact that healthy lifestyle choices, including diet, can reduce our risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke and cancer




Garlic, for example, contains a nutrient alleged to help reduce cholesterol and blood pressure. But you'd have to eat up to 28 cloves a day to match the doses used in the lab – something no researcher has yet been brave enough to try.

Foods that have been elevated to superfood status in recent years include those rich in antioxidants (such as beta-carotene, vitamins A, C and E, flavanoids and selenium) and omega-3 fatty acids.


However, evidence about this and other health benefits of antioxidants is inconclusive. In a review of the scientific evidence in 2011 (PDF, 188kb), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) found no evidence that the antioxidant action on free radicals observed in the lab was of any benefit to human health.


'Super diets'


"No food, including those labelled 'superfoods', can compensate for unhealthy eating," explains Alison Hornby, a dietitian and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association (BDA).

"If people mistakenly believe they can 'undo' the damage caused by unhealthy foods by eating a superfood, they may continue making routine choices that are unhealthy and increase their risk of long-term illness."



This diet includes plenty of fruit and vegetables, olive oil and legumes, and less meat and dairy foods than the typical Western diet.

Hornby says: "When it comes to keeping healthy, it's best not to concentrate on any one food in the hope it will work miracles.

"All unprocessed food from the major food groups could be considered 'super'. All these foods are useful as part of a balanced diet.

"You should eat a variety of foods, as described by the Eatwell Guide, to ensure you get enough of the nutrients your body needs. Focusing on getting your 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day is a perfect way to start."

We've teamed up with the BDA to look at the best available research to see if the health claims of 10 popular "superfoods" add up.

Page last reviewed: 08/06/2018
Next review due: 08/06/2021