The myth of the super-food

Salman Ata

A short time ago, I read an article on "magnetic water" in a semi-scientific magazine. I felt that all kind of cures, from cancer to joint pain, are possible by drinking magnetic water. Similarly, if you search the benefits of grapes, apple or other fruits on any website, a long list of benefits will be in front of you. In such websites, writers are trying their best to prove the fruit is extraordinary. To a large extent, this is a publicity stunt to promote a website or increase its rating. In fact, there is no such thing as “extraordinary food” or “superfood”. A major reason for believing in such information is lack of information about balanced diet. For proper functioning, the human body needs carbohydrates, fatty acids, protein, vitamins, fibre, minerals and antioxidants in a specific amount. Deficiency (or excess in some cases) of any of these can affect human health. Nutritionists divided human food into different food groups. One of these classifications of food groups is 1. Grain 2. Fruits and vegetables 3. Milk and egg 4 Pulses and beans 5. Meat and oil. Michigan University proposed following food pyramid (attached figure with Urdu elaboration ) for a healthy life.

A best or balanced diet is one which contains all these food groups in a given proportion. Each food group provides a specific amount of nutrients and is often unique in its characteristics. For example, milk is a good source of calcium, while fruits and vegetables are a great source of fibres and various anti-oxidants that repair human cells and also resist diseases. Similarly, omega-fatty fatty acids are found in fish, soybean oil, walnut, and some special eggs that are very important for the human mind. It is important to note that if a food group contains a good amount of one nutrient, it may have a deficit in some other nutrient. For example, milk is a good source of calcium but lacks iron, similarly, fruits and vegetables are not a good source of fats. That’s why our food should contain representation from all food groups for a regular supply of all essential nutrients. fast and processed foods contain so many calories with fewer nutrients and can cause obesity and cancer, so keep your food as natural as possible. In short, we can say that nutrition, proper amount, regularity and food diversity are the principals of a balanced diet