Superfoods - A Scientific Reality?
Fat busting, cholesterol beating and germ free are common claims staked by the UK’s leading supermarkets on their vast range of health foods, paying huge attention in many cases to scientific research, but are these products really worth the extra cash and are these ‘scientific claims’ genuine? Investigated last year by The Horizon documentary ‘Professor Regan’s Supermarket Secrets’, the truth behind the latest supermarket ploys to attract healthy eaters was revealed.

Greg Shaw, from ‘Creative Nature’, which offers Apricot Kernels, Goji berries and Pumpkin oil among other foods and supplements, said, "Although this documentary was flawed on many levels, especially as it involved a obstetrician, (mid wife/gynaecologist) making nutritional claims on the state of supposed ‘healthy foods’, it did, however, make many relevant and interesting points. One of the main points highlighted in the programme included the fact that ‘superfoods’ are proven to have a high nutritional density and high levels of antioxidants, which is great news for those who were once skeptical about their properties."

A common misconception of ‘superfoods’ is that by eating just one of these foods, you will in fact adopt a much healthier lifestyle. Eating a combination of many nutritious foods is a much more practical and targeted approach to adopting a healthier lifestyle. Often eating foods in a range of colours is extremely beneficial, as different coloured foods indicate different properties. Foods given the label ‘superfoods’ tend to be high in antioxidants such as vitamin C. Flavonoids which are responsible for the colouring of fruits such as blackberries, And chemicals such as beta-carotene, are also known for their antioxidant properties. Despite this, the real meaning of ‘superfood’ is often lost among supermarket gimmicks.

Mr. Shaw, from the online health food supplier, which distributes its products to several hundred retail outlets including Waitrose, Selfridges, Wholefoods and Planet Organic, added "The word ‘superfood’, should apply only to products with a high nutritional density and those that have sufficient levels of high phytochemicals, minerals and vitamins. These foods should also be sourced ethically or sustainably, taking into the account the environment and all living things and the food should be either organic or wild-crafted. Many programs such as the Horizon documentary class broccoli or salmon as ‘superfoods’ and this simply isn’t true. The types of foods, which, do fall under this bracket, include Maca and Goji Berries.

"Anyone serious about healthy eating should seek advice from a professional supplier. Our site has a comprehensive list of articles to advise anyone interested in incorporating ‘superfoods’ into their daily diet."

For more information on any of the products available at Creative Nature, please visit their site at www.creative-nature.co.uk.

Editor’s Note: Creative Nature is represented by the search engine optimisation (SEO) team at Top Position, the online advertising consultancy. Please direct all press queries to Tina Clough. Email: tina@topposition.co.uk or call: 01623 726233.