e.Newsletter
February 2008

How Super are “Superfoods?”

Remarkable. A miracle. Wonder food. With praise like this, it’s no wonder the public is rushing out to buy the latest and greatest “super foods.” But while hope in a jar (or a juice bottle) is tantalizing, the promise of such widely hyped health foods usually falls far short of expectations.

Two recent entries into the super food arena: acai (ah-sigh-ee) berry and mangosteen fruit. The former, a purple berry hailing from the Amazon Rainforest, and the latter, a tart tropical fruit from Southeast Asia, are both extolled for their antioxidant capacity. They are each processed as juices and sold in capsule form as dietary supplements.

Acai berry (photo left) and mangosteen fruit (see below) are widely marketed as preventing a number of ailments. Acai has been championed for its role in lowering cholesterol, fighting cardiovascular disease and preventing allergies. Mangosteen is promoted for its ability to fight infection, ease inflammation and promote wound healing. Both are presented as powerful cancer fighters.

To date, neither mangosteen fruit nor acai berry have been proven effective in treating or preventing disease in humans. In fact, only a handful of human studies have ever been conducted to assess their effects. The evidence that these foods may offer some role in fighting disease is based on limited laboratory research and anecdotal evidence. While compounds in these foods have shown promise in a test tube, this is a far cry from advocating their use in the population at large.

Not to suggest that acai and mangosteen are not beneficial. These fruits are indeed rich in essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidant phytochemicals. Foods with higher antioxidant capacities are, in theory, better “scavengers” of oxidative free radicals. These are the harmful molecules that can damage cells and pave the way for the development of chronic diseases like cancer.

There are currently no established recommendations for the amount or kinds of antioxidants required on a daily basis to best protect us from disease. Eating a variety of plant-based foods each day – namely colorful vegetables and fruits, whole grains and beans – is the best way to ensure you get a broad range of antioxidants and other protective phytochemicals. No one food offers the answer.

Yet, to make a profit, supplement and food marketers need you to believe that their product offers unique health benefits. Many make unfounded claims that their goods can treat or cure disease. To this point, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the federal department charged with overseeing the safety of foods and pharmaceuticals, issued a warning in 2006 that mangosteen products were being falsely marketed.

Buying these messages of false hope can hurt your wallet and your health. Patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment are often advised to avoid high-antioxidant supplements as they have the potential to interfere with treatment.

In the end, more research is needed to prove the effectiveness of mangosteen fruit and acai berry in fighting diseases like cancer. In the meantime, you are best advised to avoid dietary supplements containing these plant compounds. The vitamins, minerals and antioxidant phytochemicals that may offer some protective benefits against disease are best received through consumption of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans – not pills. Enjoy these fruits as part of a well-balanced, plant-based diet, but don’t look to specific products to offer enhanced protection from disease.