The term superfood is a label given to foods, mostly plant based, that are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. As you may have guessed, superfood powder is just the powdered version of these highly nutritious plants. The produce is usually dried and powdered, juiced, dehydrated and then powdered, or in the case of nuts and seeds, ground into powder. The intent of these powders is to pack a big nutritional punch into a small package. Since most people don’t consume the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables, these powders offer concentrated nutrients in a single serving.
The best way to consume superfoods is to chew them in their original form. However, we don’t always have the time or the ability to purchase and consume the foods that provide our necessary nutrients. Adding these nutrients to our diets in a powdered form is an easy way to supplement our nutrition. That being said, superfood powders are categorized as supplements so they are not regulated by the FDA. The ingredients and quantities used by each brand vary, so the nutritional value of each product is often different.
Nutritional Value
The quantity of plants used in superfood powders varies drastically. You can purchase individual powders, like Matcha, Spirulina, or hemp protein, if you are trying to supplement one specific vitamin or antioxidant. You could also purchase supplement powders that contain anywhere from 7- 50 different ingredients and a combination of vitamins and minerals. The calorie content is usually low because most of the ingredients are vegetables, but that will vary depending on how many ingredients are in each powder.
Most of the powders will be high in certain vitamins and minerals, like vitamins A, C, and K, selenium, iodine, and chromium. While not specifically listed on the label, they are generally high in polyphenols and antioxidants. Sometimes, probiotics are added to the powders to improve digestive health. While these vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants should help immune function, there have been very few, large scale, studies done on supplement powders to give concrete evidence of their health benefits.
Health Support
While there have been very few large scale studies, smaller studies have shown that superfood powders may help reduce your risk of chronic diseases. Several studies have shown lowered blood pressure in those with high blood pressure. There are also studies that suggest superfood powders can reduce the damage done to blood proteins, which would help protect you from cancer and inflammatory diseases.
The Bottom Line
Superfood powders are supplements made from fruits, vegetables, greens, seaweed, probiotics, and digestive enzymes. As the term supplement implies, you should not use the powder in place of eating whole fruits and vegetables. Instead, add it to your diet as a snack or as a companion to your regular meals. These powders may boost immunity and reduce the risk of chronic diseases like high blood pressure and cancer.
