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Superfoods list – from blueberries and broccoli to kale and garlic, the foods supposed to have the greatest health benefits

Here's everything you need to know about the trendy food group, including our guide to the top 'superfoods'

george harrison

Published: 15:10, 9 Oct 2017
Updated: 15:19, 9 Oct 2017

WE'VE all heard of superfoods, but how much do you know about the supposed health benefits of eating them?

Here's everything you need to know about the trendy food group, including our guide to the top "superfoods."

Superfoods, including long-term favourite blueberries, are a trendy food group which allegedly have major health benefitsCredit: Getty - Contributor

What are superfoods?

There's no real definition of what a superfood is, but the concept has become increasingly trendy in recent years.

The term is often used to refer to foods which are rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids.

Some people believe that superfoods can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer.

However, scientists and dietary experts note that no one food, no matter how rich in antioxidants, can offset the damage of an unhealthy lifestyle.

The notes that the term superfood has been banned on packaging unless it's supported by scientific evidence.

Instead, many experts prefer to talk about "super diets", with an emphasis on a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and wholegrains.

Even so, some people still extol the virtues of superfoods, with the antioxidant level of foods measured using the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) scale.

The scale was used to rate superfoods before scientists scrapped the measure because there was a lack of evidence relating to how healthy high-ORAC foods really are.

Broccoli is among the top superfoods, but how much truth is there to the health claims behind the vegetable?Credit: Getty - Contributor

What are some of the top "superfoods"?

There's no definitive guide to the ultimate superfoods, but there are some contenders which crop up time and time again.

Here are some of the most-touted superfoods, and what the NHS says about how healthy they really are...

Blueberries

The original superfood, blueberries are a good source of vitamin C, fibre, manganese and other antioxidants.

While they are brilliant as one of your five-a-day, dietitians agree that the evidence of any other big health benefits is inconclusive.

Kale

Another hyped-up superfood, kale is packed full of nutrients, including a shedload of bone-boosting vitamin K, as well as high levels of vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin B6.

But as healthy as kale is, the real trick to keeping well is eating the leaves as part of a varied diet.

Goji berries

These shrivelled little berries are supposedly capable of boosting life expectancy and brain activity - and it has even been claimed to protect against heart disease and cancer.

While no serious studies have ever reinforced these claims, the berries do contain vitamin C, vitamin B2, vitamin A, iron, selenium and other antioxidants.

Shrivelled goji berries are more expensive than most other fruits - but no healthierCredit: Getty - Contributor

Green tea

A traditional medicine, green tea is touted as being richer in B vitamins, folate and other antioxidants than other type of tea.

The truth is that evidence about the tea's health benefits are inconclusive, and it shouldn't really be viewed any differently to a mug of English Breakfast.

Broccoli

Now a bizarrely trendy vegetable, broccoli lovers reckon the vegetable can fight cancer, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

More research is needed before these claims can be taken seriously, but broc is undoubtedly nutritious, and loaded with vitamins C, A and K, as well as folate, calcium and fibre.

Garlic

Cardiovascular disease, cholesterol, colds and even cancer: garlic lovers say the vampire-repellent onion relative has it all.

But current evidence suggests that garlic supplements aren't likely to have any marked effect on your health - although it does contain vitamins C and B6, manganese, selenium and other antioxidants.

Wheatgrass

Allegedly, wheatgrass is more nutritious than any other vegetable, and can build red blood cells and improve circulation.

It contains vitamins A, C and E, as well as iron, calcium and magnesium.

But the evidence suggests that wheatgrass is no better for you than any other one of your five-a-day, and should be viewed as any other vegetable would be.