Myth: Superfruits are the best fruit choices for my family.

Answer: BUSTED!

All fruits are beneficial, not just superfruits

Superfruit – sounds like a fruit that is SUPER good for your health and maybe even has some superpowers. You might have first heard of superfruits when watching TV where they are touted on informational TV shows or advertised in commercials. Or maybe you read about the superfruit of the moment when a new study was released.

Introduced in 2005, superfruit is a marketing term, not a scientific one. Over time the superfruit of the moment has changed from pomegranates to acai berries to goji berries. Generally, superfruits get their name because of their antioxidants. Antioxidants may prevent or delay cell damage. This cell damage is thought to occur in some chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.

Superfruits are marketed as exotic and they aren’t widely available. This means they will cost you more money than other fruits in your grocery store. The bottom line is that eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is an important part of good health. They contain antioxidants that fight disease and also contain vitamins, minerals and fiber. Another reason to choose fruits and vegetables? They are low in calories.

Read more about the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables at http://missourifamilies.org/features/nutritionarticles/nut393.htm

Contributor: Ellen Schuster, M.S., R.D., Associate State Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, schusterer@missouri.edu, 573-882-1933