Bad Superfoods? Why Not All “Healthy Foods” Are Good For Us
Updated: Apr 2, 2024
Written by: Faith M. Davis, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Is there such a thing as bad superfoods? You might be surprised to know that the answer to that question is “Yes!” But in this day and age, it’s easy to think eating tons of superfoods is what we should be doing. After all, we are bombarded with all kinds of new foods, supplements, and diets that promise life-changing results.
The truth is, even those foods that claim to be healthy can be toxic.
Superfoods are touted for their supposed miraculous health benefits. These nutritional powerhouses promise everything from improved brain function to longer life. But beneath the shiny exterior of these wonder foods lies a complex truth that isn't often talked about.
While superfoods can be powerful allies in our quest for health, they can also flood the body with toxins if we aren’t careful.
Superfoods can be toxic
Superfoods are foods that are promoted as being nutrient-dense and, therefore, good for our health. They have various health benefits, ranging from boosting the immune system to reducing inflammation and helping to ward off chronic disease.
These foods are claimed to be packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other substances that are particularly beneficial to health.
Some commonly cited superfoods include:
Berries (such as blueberries, goji berries, and acai berries)
Leafy greens (like kale and spinach)
Nuts and seeds (such as almonds and chia seeds)
Spices (like turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger)
And other foods like salmon, green tea, avocado, and dark chocolate
But just because foods have a lot of nutrients doesn’t mean our body can use them. These foods are meant to be eaten in small doses. Moreover, many of these superfoods have secret toxins that wreak havoc on our health. That’s often why no matter how much almond flour or turmeric people use, their health doesn’t improve.
What puts the bad in bad superfoods?
In many cases, it’s the fact that certain superfoods contain oxalates (oxalic acid). When the body has too much of this substance, it can lead to joint pain, fatigue, painful urination, kidney stones, and even fibromyalgia.
People who strive to live a healthier lifestyle and add a lot of superfoods to their diet can end up overwhelming their bodies with oxalates. That's why my message here is that moderation is key.
Practice moderation when eating superfoods
If you're drinking green smoothies every day, using almond milk instead of regular milk, eating nuts and seeds for snacks, filling every meal with vegetables, and satisfying your cravings with dark chocolate, I'm not saying you should stop. But keep in mind that you’re probably consuming tons of oxalates, which is going to work against you.
If you’ve been doing that for a while, it’s important that you don’t stop eating these foods cold turkey, as it will cause serious detox reactions as your body tries to rid itself of the oxalate build up.
Instead, start out by eating superfoods every other day, especially if you are struggling with the symptoms I described earlier. Then, slowly wean yourself from there.
And keep in mind, you don’t need to cut bad superfoods out completely. I’ve included an easy chart in my book, Why You’re Not Healing: 10 Radical Shifts for a Lasting Whole Body Transformation, that will help you know how much to eat and what foods to reduce.
Final thoughts
Always remember, our bodies thrive on variety and moderation, not extremes. When you think back to how people lived 100 years ago, would they have had access to hundreds of superfoods condensed into a powder so they could consume massive amounts of them everyday?
No. They would have had access to small amounts at different times of the year. That is how we need to think when we plan out our healthy diets.
While superfoods can provide a lot of nutrients, over-consuming them for their supposed miraculous benefits can lead to unintended health consequences. In the end, we'll stay healthy when we have a harmonious relationship with all the foods we eat.
The true key to a vibrant life lies not in extremes, but in the balanced, thoughtful consumption of a wide variety of foods.
Faith M. Davis, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Faith M. Davis is an Integrative Healing Practitioner, Reiki Master, and no.1 bestselling author of Why You’re Not Healing: 10 Radical Shifts for a Lasting Whole Body Transformation. After healing herself of fibromyalgia, adrenal fatigue, hormonal imbalances, candida overgrowth, neurotransmitter imbalances, and more, she is on a mission to help others reach their health goals and live a vibrant life.
