Superfood Powders May Not Be So Super For You
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - Move over tablets and capsules, in the world of supplements, green superfood powders are all the rage.
Vegan blogger Jordan McMullen said she has her morning smoothie down to a science.
"It has spirulina in it. It has a blend of different grasses," said McMullen.
McMullen is hoping to pack in the power of more than ten different superfoods using just four scoops of her special powders.
"I blend everything together, along with whatever vegetables I have in my fridge," said McMullen.
Nutrition industry experts call the powders, nutrient-dense superfood which has been boiled down or freeze dried into powdered form, the new multi-vitamin.
Also known as 'green powders', these dietary supplements claim to do everything from detoxify and energize to promote weight loss. Dr. Daniel Fabricant, with the Natural Products Association, said people are spiking their beverages in search of a healthier 2015.
"They're looking for a way to have some sort of nutritional insurance. And it's also something where they feel like they are managing their well-being on a day in, day out basis, which is very powerful," said Fabricant.
While some powders are created from a single ingredient, others are a blend of produce, greens and grasses.
Registered dietician Joan Salge Blake said that while research shows dietary supplements may help some people, like those with a vitamin deficiency, there's very little scientific evidence when it comes to these powders.
"It's not a 100% guaranteed that everything that was in the food is now in the powder. It could be that the phytochemicals got lost in the processing, or even some of the vitamins," said Blake.
Some brands also contain added sweeteners and little fiber which means they won't fill you up like whole fruits and veggies.
"When it comes to really using a diet to reduce the risk of the leading causes of death of Americans, and that's heart disease, certain cancers, stroke and type two diabetes, nothing is going to beat real food," said Blake. "Ideally, people are going to eat a well balanced diet across the board, but not many people do that, so the whole point is really to supplement the diet."
It should be noted that superfood powders have not been approved by the FDA for safety or effectiveness. Experts said it's important to read their labels thoroughly, research ingredients and call the manufacturer if there are any questions.
