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The madness unleashed in social networks by the so-called superfoods has confused many people, who believe they have greater nutritional value, when that has not been proven.

Experts put the point of sanity and recommend returning to the usual: nuts, fish, eggs ..., although some have been reviled.

First it was sesame. After quinoa. Then spirulina. Later goji berries. Chia followed. The kale cabbage continued. And now it's the linen. The list of superfoods that will transform our lives thanks to its antioxidant, slimming properties, to prevent diseases or even increase fertility, continues to rise - its proliferation should be one of its main qualities. However, for the moment no one has been able to prove that they are better than other foods with high nutritional value. What they do contribute the most is to the billing of those who import them: they are products that are generally sold at the price of gold, but are obtained in developing countries where farmers charge very little for them.

Bolivia is the world's leading quinoa producer. In the last six years its price has tripled and its cultivation has passed into the hands of large agribusiness corporations, undermining peasant family farming and causing population displacement, which today can no longer afford it and feeds on tubers, among others.

This scheme is repeated in the field of agri-food production worldwide. Some become impoverished, others become rich and the others live in anguish over the lack of superfoods in our diet, thinking that if we do without chia and its incredible antioxidant properties, for example, we will end up like an orange and corroded iron. Especially after knowing that this seed from Central America is one of the favorite foods of the immaculate Gwyneth Paltrow (it does not matter that the photos we see of it have more filters than the security control of the White House).

Quinoa, kale cabbage or goji berries are products that are generally sold expensive, but are obtained in developing countries, from farmers who charge very little for them. When they become fashionable, large corporations take over their cultivation, undermining peasant agriculture and leading those families to ruin.

Toni Solà, doctor in dietetics and nutrition, professor at the University of Vic and nutritionist at the Ultra Pirineu, one of the most important extreme races in Spain -94 kilometers of mountains-, is clear about what is behind this phenomenon: «The concept It is very commercial. Someone might think that a superfood contains everything we need and that, with consuming it in sufficient quantity, we already cover everything or we can prevent or improve against depending on what disease. And notes that "supplements with high doses of antioxidants can lead to the opposite effect and generate a prooxidant effect and alter physiological processes," which 3-in-1 package.

The so-called superfoods to nutritionist Aitor Sánchez, author of the blog My diet limps, are not convincing either. «They have slightly higher nutritional characteristics compared to others. [...] In some cases they are seeds, very concentrated foods that contain oils, nutrients ... But how much do you have to eat to notice their impressive qualities? With the four units we put in the salad, "he says," we probably don't notice anything. " And he adds that "a plate of green beans or the usual handful of almonds or nuts will surely have a more positive impact on our health."

But what possibilities does the hashtag # platodejudíasverdes have in front of a colorful #iloveaguadecoco? Sanchez advocates the super-diet and the usual superfoods, "like the mentioned nuts, eggs, fish, products that give us health." Those on occasions so reviled not only by little instagrameables, but by its supposed harmful effects on our health and aesthetics. Who has not heard that "eye with the nuts, which make you fat!", Or "eggs have cholesterol!" That lead us through the aisles of the supermarket as if it were Chernobyl.

However, neither the first nor the second is true. According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition , “diets rich in nuts, compared to other control ones, do not increase weight, body mass index or waist circumference. Our findings support the inclusion of nuts in healthy diets for cardiovascular prevention ».

And the Heart Foundation itself points out that, even with high cholesterol levels, the egg is a healthy food: «The recommended intake is 3-5 a week. If you have high blood cholesterol levels, reduce to 2-3 whole eggs (white + yolk) or 2-3 egg yolks and 4-5 egg whites a week ».

When will the anchovy sandwich?

Marketing, experts say, has taken advantage of the awareness of the benefits and defects of our diet caused by awareness campaigns to introduce these miraculous elements. The demonization of sugar, red meat or oil - one of our healthiest foods - has been accompanied by the canonization of others via white smoke in the cathedral of influencers and campaigns in social and media networks: from the bee pollen consumed by Victoria Beckham to the kale cabbage worshiped by Beyoncé , passing by Veronica Blume's wheat grass or Rosie Huntington-Whiteley chrorella seaweed.

Maybe someone should talk to them some day about the anchovy sandwich.

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