Hindustan Times ST (Jaipur) - Hindustan Times (Jaipur) - City
Five super foods that might not be so super after all
Acai berries, goji baies, kale, pineapples and now mare milk — there’s no need to rush out and buy these five trending superfoods. According to nutritionist Raphaël Gruman, better and less expensive dietary options are also available for people to opt for.
ACAI BERRIES
The fruit of the South American acai palm is a big seller in organic grocery stores. Acai berries are rich in vitamin C, but so are the majority of fruits, notably kiwi fruit. “The benefits of acai berries come at a high cost,” says Gruman. Citrus fruit (lemons, oranges and grapefruit) are also rich in vitamin C. And vitamin C can also be found in veggies, such as turnips, cabbage, peppers, fennel and spinach.
GOJI BERRIES
Much vaunted for their supposedly health benefits, goji berries, which are small red berries native to Asia, have been over-promoted, says Gruman. “There are other foods too that are equally rich in antioxidants. For example pomegranates are less expensive than goji berries. What is more, consuming antioxidants from the widest possible range of sources is the best way to protect the body from free radicals. “It’s also difficult to find goji berries that have not been treated with pesticides, and they can cause allergic reactions.”
KALE OR LEAF CABBAGE
According to Gruman, the trend for kale, which is hugely fashionable, is largely fueled by marketing. Proof of the hype for this hip cabbage can be found on the shelves of upmarket and organic grocery stores which now sell kale juice or kale soup. Studies show that vegetables, such as spinach,green beans, peppers, carrots and tomatoes have similar benefits. Pineapples contain bromelain, a compound that can promote weight loss; but it is found in the stem of the fruit. So eating pineapple regularly won’t help you shed any extra pounds. And don’t forget that pineapple, which has a glycemic index of 50 as opposed to 25 for strawberries or blueberries, has quite a high sugar content
MARE MILK
Lauded for its beneficial effects on digestion, intestinal flora and overall health, mare’s milk has yet to prove its merits. “Expensive and not very environmentally friendly to produce, there are no scientific studies that prove its benefits,” says Gruman. As for its nutritional qualities, mare’s milk contains plenty of lactose, very little fat and a good quantity of vitamin C.
ACAI BERRIES ARE RICH IN VITAMIN C, BUT SO ARE THE MAJORITY OF FRUITS, NOTABLY KIWI FRUITS