By giving people superfoods, it would seem that nature has brought stories about rejuvenating apples to life. There are so many useful substances in these products that you eat them for a month or two, and the body will be recharged with energy, weight will decrease, vision will improve, and 18-year-olds will envy the libido. At least that's how various superfoods are positioned in marketing promises.
But experts of Roskachestvo do not believe the advertising promises and decided to find out if superfoods are really as good as they are presented. And at the same time, they named cheap analogs of these wonderful products.
5. Spirulina
According to Roskachestvo, the top 5 most popular superfoods are opened by blue-green algae, which is available for healthy lifestyle lovers in capsules, tablets and powders at a price of 250 rubles and more. It's also included in certain foods and drinks, such as energy bars and shakes.
What advertising promises: Spirulina helps in the prevention and treatment of a number of diseases and dangerous conditions, including high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, depression, viral hepatitis, and malnutrition. In addition, it stimulates the immune system and improves kidney and liver function.
What is actually useful in spirulina: high content of protein and free amino acids, no gluten and phytoestrogens. However, this type of algae could theoretically contain an amino acid called phenylalanine. Therefore, spirulina should not be consumed by people with phenylketonuria (PKU), a metabolic disorder in which the body cannot absorb phenylalanine.
Cheap spirulina counterpart: other algae, such as fucus, it costs 2 times less than the advertised spirulina.
4. Goji berries
These elongated red berries are marketed as an essential part of traditional Chinese medicine. And you have to pay for medicine, so the price of 100 grams of goji varies from 200 rubles and more.
What advertising promises: Due to its high content of beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, as well as the antioxidant zeaxanthin, goji berries can prevent macular degeneration of the retina. They treat impotence and infertility. Goji berries are also high in fiber, which has many health benefits, including: promoting weight loss, reducing the risk of certain cancers, and helping to reduce and eliminate excess cholesterol and even eliminate toxins from the body.
A large amount of nutrients such as vitamins A and C and minerals such as zinc, iron, calcium and selenium contribute to the regeneration of gastrointestinal tissue.
What is actually useful about goji: these berries have a really large amount of useful substances, including 18 amino acids, 4 polysaccharides and 6 monosaccharides, 21 minerals, 6 carotenoids, beta-carotene and vitamins. Flavonoids promote the removal of excess fat from the liver.
Cheap superfood counterpart: dogwood, blueberries, lingonberries, dried cranberries.
3. Quinoa groats
This grain comes from Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador, and the price of 500 grams of quinoa is about 200 rubles.People can eat both the seeds and the leaves of this nutritious plant, sometimes referred to as "rice swan".
What advertising promises: Quinoa helps maintain a healthy weight because high-fiber foods help people feel fuller for longer, potentially reducing overall food intake. Quinoa is an indispensable source of antioxidants, and due to its high magnesium content it helps to reduce high blood pressure, it is the prevention of migraines, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.
What's really useful about quinoa: a lot of folic acid, which is good for pregnant women, a good source of iron, vitamin B9 and coarse fiber. Quinoa really helps you lose weight due to its low calorie content.
Inexpensive and complete analogue of quinoa: buckwheat.
2. Acai berries
It seems that semi-precious stones are hidden inside these small purple berries, they are so expensive. Only 50 grams of acai berry extract will cost you 450 rubles and more, and 330 ml of juice will cost you from 1130 rubles.
What advertising promises: energy boost, immune stimulation and detoxification. Acai berries are one of the the best anti-aging foodsdue to the huge amount of antioxidants, they promote weight loss and even reduce the risk of developing cancer.
What are the benefits of acai berries in fact: they are really high in antioxidants such as vitamins C, A and E. In addition, they are an excellent source of vitamins B1, B2, B3, contain a large amount of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc and copper. They are also rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
But you will not expect any rejuvenation from acai. Antioxidants are a good thing because they protect cells from free radicals. But do wrinkles smooth out with the help of berries? Good anti-aging cream will cope with this much more efficiently.
Inexpensive acai berry substitutes: beets, cranberries, lingonberries, blueberries, avocados, fish, nuts.
1. Chia seeds
These seeds from the Lamiaceae family are one of the most popular superfoods in the world. They will cost the Russian buyer at least 250 rubles per 200 grams.
Nutrient-rich seeds are good sources of alpha-linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid), fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, prompting sellers to argue that chia is a "superfood."
What advertising promises: energy boost, weight loss and beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.
What chia seeds actually do: contain calcium, α-linolenic acid (ALA), which is an essential omega-3 fatty acid, and are high in protein (21%).
Chia seeds also contain more fiber than most other grains. However, fish and fish oils directly deliver DHA and EPA fatty acids into the body, while the ALA in chia seeds must first be converted to the active forms of omega-3s.
What can replace chia seeds: fish, sesame seeds, hazelnuts and other nuts.
Promises like boosting immunity, improving libido and losing weight sell well. This is why you run into them when it comes to superfoods. But that being said, if something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is actually a lie.