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Course:CONS200/2025FL1/Health Trends: Are Superfoods Damaging Our Climate and Environment?

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Introduction

What are "Superfoods"?

Bioactive compounds most often reported in “superfoods”

“Superfood” is a food that is nutritious and beneficial to human health and well-being according to the Oxford English Dictionary and Marine Webster Dictionary [1][2]. Since1930, the frequency of superfood showing up has shown an upwarding and increasing trend till today[2]. Superfood is a name that has been marketed by people, the so called superfoods are agri-products with high amounts of macro and micro-nutrients and bioactive ingredients that can provide specific biological properties and positive effects in physical and emotional health to people[3][4].

The Rise of Superfoods — How They Became Popular

Factors that influence consumers' perception and decision making about superfoods

Driven by rising health awareness, food innovations, rising healthcare costs, and an aging population, the demand for superfoods has grown rapidly over the last decades[3]. “Superfoods” are seen as a universal solution by people due to their health benefits[4]. Studies have shown health benefits of foods such as millets, shiitake mushrooms, and tomatoes—improving immunity, iron absorption, and cardiovascular health[5][6][7]. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated people’s interest in superfoods. Due to rising health consciousness, consumers show an increasing demand for foods associated with immunity, longevity, and other health benefits. This trend has a significant impact on the superfood market worldwide[3]. Social media further sells the idea, marketing superfoods as “natural medicine” [4]. These rising interests in superfoods have helped sell local products into global markets, exported mainly from developing regions to wealthy markets [8]. As a result, a health-driven movement evolved into a global economic force with ecological and ethical implications.

Latest Health Trends and Why They Matter

The trend in superfoods over recent decades is not only driven by their health benefits but also by the awareness that society needs to take immediate action to address climate change[4]. Recent trends in superfoods show that people are favoring plant-based superfoods, for example, quinoa, spirulina, goji berries, etc. These plant-based superfoods provide concentrated nutrition that is framed as sustainable solutions to nowadays health and dietary problems. However, this trend often involves high-income families and individuals as well as high-education groups. These people adopt the concept of superfoods more easily and readily, which could lead to unequal access and consumption patterns. With the growing interest in the consumption of superfoods, a dilemma has developed: “Are superfoods genuinely good for people’s health while harming the planet?”[3][4].

Health Benefits of Superfoods

Anti-cancer Effects

High concentrations of bioactive substances in superfoods can help prevent or inhibit the growth of cancer cells. A chemical named sulforaphane, which can be found in broccoli and Brussels sprouts, improves the detoxification process and lowers the risk of cancer. In addition, there is a high concentration of ellagic acid in berries, which may protect cells from harm and limit cancer cell development [9].

Anti-inflammatory Properties

Superfoods such as turmeric (curcumin contained), ginger (gingerol contained), and berries are well known for their powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which have an important role in lowering chronic inflammation linked to heart disease, arthritis and cancer[10].

Antioxidant Effects

Compounds like Vitamin C and E, beta-carotene, selenium, flavonoids and polyphenols found in fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds help protect the body from free radicals that cause oxidative stress and chronic diseases. For instance, lutein in spinach helps boost antioxidant enzyme activity, and this offers protection against oxidants in the blood[11].

Bone Health

Leafy greens (kale and spinach) are rich in calcium and vitamin K, while finger millet even provides three times more calcium than milk, which are essential for bone mineralization and strength [5].

Cardiovascular Health

Superfoods like tomatoes (rich in antioxidants like lycopene, beta-carotene, and vitamin E) can lower blood pressure [7], while flaxseed can enhance cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure, reducing total cholesterol levels, and managing BMI [12].

Cognitive Function

As an example, omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, chia seeds, and flaxseeds increase neuron transmission and reduce brain inflammation. Similarly, okra has been already proved that it can protect neuronal function and improve learning and memory[13].

Gut Health

Due to their high fiber content, superfoods encourage regular bowel motions and a healthy digestive tract, therefore greatly improving our gut health. Also, foods high in prebiotics (bananas, garlic, and onion) support beneficial gut flora, promote a balanced microbiome [9].

Immune System

Fruits such as citrus and berries are rich in vitamins C and E, while foods like green tea and dark chocolate contain high quantities of flavonoids and polyphenols, they can improve white-blood-cell activity and therefore protect immune cells. Additionally, studies have shown that eating shiitake mushrooms regularly improves overall immunity through enhanced cell activities and IgA production[6].

Weight Management

Because of their high fibre and low calorie content, superfoods increase satiety, regulate blood sugar, and reduce fat accumulation, which can be quite beneficial for weight loss. A study on millets consumption showed that there are significant decreases in participants’ BMI, triglyceride, and blood glucose, which indicates the effectiveness of superfoods in weight control [14].

Production and Global Demand

Production Process

Traditionally, superfoods were cultivated through small-scale, diverse systems that relied on Indigenous knowledge. Rotational quinoa farming in the Andes and share-grown cacao in tropical forests are two of the examples[4]. However, raising global demand has transformed many of these crops into intensive monocultures dependent on mechanization, fertilizers, and pesticides. In Peru and Bolivia, quinoa production shifted from rotational to continuous cropping, causing soil degradation; while coconut and avocado planting in Southeast Asia and Mexico expanded deep into the forested areas [8]. Levels of processing also vary: leafy greens and nuts usually need minimal treatment, while perishable products like acai pulp and avocados require cold-chain storage and transport, which increases their energy use and carbon footprint.

Although often marketed as sustainable, the superfood industry’s production methods can contribute to land-use change, biodiversity loss, and climate impacts unless managed through local sourcing and agroecological practices[4].

Global Consumption and Demand

The global demand for superfoods has grown rapidly, driven mostly by health-conscious consumers in developed countries who associate these foods with wellness and sustainability. Products such as quinoa, acai, avocados, and chia have become popular in Europe and North America, which are far from their regions of origin in South America, Africa and Asia[8].

Global distribution of production areas of three of the main superfoods covered in the case studies
Evolution of global production in time for four of the main superfoods covered in the case studies in the period between1960 and 2016 showing

As global interest in superfoods continues to rise, their production has expanded significantly to meet the growing demand. Many of the crops, such as avocados, cocoa, coconuts, and quinoa, have shown rapid increases in cultivation area and output over the past several decades. This upward trend reflects both intensified farming and the globalization of health-focused food markets[8].

This popularity has created export-oriented supply chains, where most production occurs in tropical and subtropical countries while consumption is concentrated in wealthier nations. As a result, local communities in producing regions often face reduced food access and price increases, as seen with quinoa in the Andes[8].

Global superfoods trade also reflects unequal environmental and economic dynamics. While consumers perceive these foods as ethical or “green”, their transport, refrigeration, and packaging significantly raise their carbon footprints[4]. Additionally, fluctuating global prices can destabilize local economies, leaving farmers vulnerable to market downturns[4].

Overall, rising global demand for superfoods illustrates how wellness trends in developed countries can intensify resource pressure and inequality in producing regions.

Environmental and Climate Impact

Hidden Environmental Costs

Behind the label “healthy food”, the production and global distribution of superfoods are actually associated with significant environmental and climate costs. Despite their healthful image, the environmental footprint of many popular superfoods such as encompassing greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and biodiversity loss is substantial and often comparable to, or exceeds, that of conventional agriculture[3][4].

Carbon Footprint and Long-distance Transport

The global superfood supply chain is a primary contributor to their climate impact. The concept of "food miles", which is central to understanding this issue, means the distance a product travels from farm to consumer. Long-distance transportation, particularly by air freight, generates substantially higher greenhouse gas emissions compared to local produce[3].

Avocado case study

The avocado exemplifies this problem. They grow primarily in countries like Mexico, Peru, and Chile. To meet year-round global demand, avocados destined for North American and European markets often rely on refrigerated ships and air freight to maintain the freshness. Research indicates that the transportation phase alone can account for a significant portion of the avocado's total carbon footprint. For instance, many studies have highlighted that the supply chain transportation for avocados contributes disproportionately to their overall environmental impact, making them far more carbon-intensive than locally grown fruits[8].

Berries an exotic seeds example

Similarly, superfoods like fresh goji berries from China or quinoa from South America show high food miles. Their journey to global consumers involves complex transportation networks of shipping and trucking, accumulating CO₂ emissions at each stage. This reliance on global networks underscores a critical contradiction: foods marketed for personal well-being are often dependent on a distribution system that harms planetary health[4].

Agricultural Pressure and Ecosystem Degradation

Ecological Costs of Cultivation

The cultivation of superfoods themselves often imposes heavy burdens on local ecosystems. Intensive farming practices to meet global demand can lead to biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and excessive water use, undermining the environmental sustainability of these crops[8].

Water Scarcity and Avocado Cultivation

The avocado can again be a prime example of a water-intensive superfood. Its cultivation places huge pressure on local water resources in key producing regions like Mexico. This intensive water use contributes to scarcity for surrounding communities and ecosystems, a clear illustration of the environmental and social consequences driven by global demand[8]. Furthermore, the high resource demands of such crops underscore the "delicate balance" between health benefits and sustainability challenges that characterizes the superfood industry[4].

Quinoa monoculture and biodiversity loss

The boom in demand for quinoa provides an example of how superfood cultivation can impact biodiversity. The rapid expansion of quinoa cultivation in the Andean highlands driven by global markets has often led to the monoculture of agricultural landscapes. This shift from traditional, diverse crop to strongly simplified crop reduces habitat heterogeneity and depletes soil nutrients, which directly lead to the local biodiversity loss[8]. This transformation demonstrates how global consumer trends can disrupt traditional farming plans and threaten the ecological balance of sensitive regions.

Açaí palms and deforestation

The rising popularity of açaí berries has driven the expansion of açaí palm plantations in the Brazilian Amazon. The Açaí palms are often promoted as a sustainable forest crop, however commercial pressures are gradually resulting in clearing of native biodiverse rainforest to establish managed or monoculture plantations. Deforestation can further lead to net habitat loss and a release of stored carbon[8].

Environmental Certification

What is environmental certification

Environmental certification aims to promote sustainable agricultural practices through independent standards and verification systems. For superfood production, these certifications are designed to reduce environmental harm and encourage eco-friendly farming practices. However, their implementation and effectiveness remain inconsistent across the global supply chain of superfoods.

Existing certifications

By now, existing certifications such as Rainforest Alliance Certified, EU Organic & USDA Organic, and Fair Trade Certification have encouraged biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods, fair working conditions and water protection.

Challenges

Many certifications remain voluntary, which limits their adoption especially in high-demand exporting regions. Studies show that while certification schemes aim to encourage sustainable production, their uptake in the global South is still low[15]. Lack of universal standards across certification systems can also lead to confusion among consumers and producers [16]. Similarly, while low-carbon certification has emerged to track emissions in food production, its presence in the superfood sector remains limited and poorly regulated[17].

Future of certification

Although the growing attention of environmental labels on superfoods, questions remain about their true impacts. As the popularity of superfoods increases, stronger global certification standards, paired with transparent monitoring, are necessary to ensure their health benefits do not come at the cost of ecological degradation[3].

Socioeconomic Dimensions

Environmental Damage and Communities

Since the superfood production causes environmental damage, which is already mentioned, it affects the communities of the farmers. After the superfoods became a global commodity, the environmental consequences of “superfood” consumption and production pose several challenges, such as production far from consumption, intensive overproduction, soil degradation, and loss of biodiversity[4]. This causes the soil quality to decrease and may impact the products of the farm, which will impact the farmers’ life.

The Non-equity of Superfoods

“Superfoods” have been trendy for a while with science-based evidence of their properties and nutritional quality[18]. As discussed before, superfood can do good to human health. The pandemic of COVID-19 was an important drive that caused the thought to spread. However, the availability of accessing superfood was not the same for all groups. The consumption is highly patterned by income, educational and cultural factors; higher socioeconomic groups make more health conscious food choices than lower ones, leading to inequalities in dietary intake[4]. This shows the problem that the higher-income earners are having better nutrients and the lower-income earners will bear the environmental pressure.

Fair Trade and Responsible Trade

To cope with the socio-economic issue, the solution was fair trade. According to the Cambridge Dictionary[19], fair trade is defined as “a way of buying and selling products that makes certain that the people who produce the goods receive a fair price”. Labeling the “fair trade” can create an invisible bond between producer and consumer, whereby the producer promises to employ ethical and eco-sustainable practices, while the consumer conveys trusts and a preference for such produce instead of others that may be more economically appealing[20].(Rubini, 2022) This can improve the environment issue and also ensure the producer’s income, which also can mitigate the non-equity issue.

Sustainable Solutions and Alternatives

Sustainable Agricultural Practices

A large amount of superfood is water-intensive, this causes the problem of water scarcity, which causes environmental pressure. So as to solve these kinds of problems, achieving a sustainable intensification in agriculture is an important strategy to respond to the combined challenge of achieving food security while including mitigation and adaptation measures to climate change and other environmental phenomena. This implementation must be supported by science-based policies that provide a solid framework, including targets addressing the reduction of synthetic resources, the promotion of the efficient use of water or the evaluation of agricultural productivity and ecosystem services in the long term[3]. By adding the sustainability goal into the strategy, the production of the super food can be environmentally and socially responsible.

Locally Planted Superfoods

Since the superfoods are facing the problem of long-distance transportation which may cause the greenhouse gas emission, it is more sustainable to grow local superfoods instead of importing superfood from other countries. These planted foods may become regional superfoods in the future, which also support the local economy[4].

Sustainable Supply Chain

As mentioned before, superfoods are having environmental issues with long-distance transportation. Except for the locally planted superfoods, another way to keep it sustainable is to improve its supply chain efficiency. Long-distance transportation may cause waste of packaging materials. By environmentally friendly materials, it can reduce the land and water pollution caused by the superfood transportation.

Conscious and Responsible Consumption

Many people buy the superfoods because it was announced to be healthy and effective, without considering its own production and environmental harm. In order to ensure environmental equilibrium, people should give strong preference to conscious and responsible knowledge-based consumption, instead of merely following fashionable trends without thoroughly exploring the consequences[4]. People can choose fair trade food or locally produced superfoods, so that there will be less environmental harm, and it can balance their own diet. People should also be taught the knowledge of sustainability and the superfood, which may help them to better recognize their food choices.

Conclusion

The paradox of superfoods

The growing trend of superfoods reveals a paradox that foods promoting human health can simultaneously harm the environment and impact climate change. The planting, growing, and production of superfoods often involve unsustainable land use, overexploitation of resources, and inequitable trade relations that can damage our environment and lead to climate change[3][4][8]. To address this paradox, we need a shift in both dietary habits and thinking patterns. Consumers, producers, and governments must work collectively to prioritize sustainability by making production transparent, ensuring fair trade, and taking ecological responsibility[16][17][21]. With scientific evidence, superfoods indeed can provide health benefits to people and play a positive role in global nutrition, but only if all the processes in production align with the principle of environmental and social justice [4][15]. And ultimately, we must ask: are superfoods truly “super” if their health benefits come at the expense of the planet?

References

Please use the Wikipedia reference style. Provide a citation for every sentence, statement, thought, or bit of data not your own, giving the author, year, AND page. For dictionary references for English-language terms, I strongly recommend you use the Oxford English Dictionary. You can reference foreign-language sources but please also provide translations into English in the reference list.

Note: Before writing your wiki article on the UBC Wiki, it may be helpful to review the tips in Wikipedia: Writing better articles.[22]

  1. ↑ "Superfood Definition & Meaning". Merriam Webster.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Superfood, n." Oxford English Dictionary.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Fernández-Ríos, A., Laso, J., Aldaco, R., & Margallo, M. (2022). "Superfoods: A super impact on health and the environment?". Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health. 31.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 Aneta Popova, Dasha Mihaylova & Kostadin Fikiin (23 December 2023). "Promoting Plant-Based "Superfoods" — A Delicate Balance Between Health Benefits and Sustainability Challenges". Food Bioprocess Technology. 17: 1383–1390.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Anitha, S., Kane-Potaka, J., Botha, R., Givens, D. I., Sulaiman, N. L. B., Upadhyay, S., Vetriventhan, M., Tsusaka, T. W., Parasannanavar, D. J., Longvah, T., Rajendran, A., Subramaniam, K., & Bhandari, R. K. (14 October 2021). "Millets Can Have a Major Impact on Improving Iron Status, Hemoglobin Level, and in Reducing Iron Deficiency Anemia–A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis". Frontiers in Nutrition. 8.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Dai, X., Stanilka, J. M., Rowe, C. A., Esteves, E. A., Nieves, C., Spaiser, S. J., … Percival, S. S (11 Apr 2015). "Consuming Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) Mushrooms Daily Improves Human Immunity: A Randomized Dietary Intervention in Healthy Young Adults". Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 34: 478–487.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Yechiel N. Engelhard MD , Benny Gazer MD , Esther Paran MD (January 2006). "Natural antioxidants from tomato extract reduce blood pressure in patients with grade-1 hypertension: A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study". American Heart Journal. 151: 100.e6-100.e1.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 Magrach A, Sanz MJ (June 2020). "Environmental and social consequences of the increase in the demand for 'superfoods' world-wide". People and Nature. 2: 267–278.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Jyoti Rani, Sakshi Saini and Hitashi Jain (10 July 2024). "Health and Nutritional Benefits Provided by Superfoods: A Review". International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences. 13: 106–132.
  10. ↑ Geisson Marcos Nardi, Adriana Graziele Farias Januario, Cassio Geremia Freire (8 March 2016). "Anti-inflammatory Activity of Berry Fruits in Mice Model of Inflammation is Based on Oxidative Stress Modulation". Pharmacognosy Research.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ↑ Joseph L Roberts, Régis Moreau (22 Jun 2016). "Functional properties of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) phytochemicals and bioactives". Food & Funtion. 7: 3337–3353.
  12. ↑ Tahereh Toulabia, Masomeh Yarahmadib, Fateme Goudarzic, Farzad Ebrahimzadehd, Amir Momenizadehe, Sajad Yarahmadif (July–August 2022). "Effects of flaxseed on blood pressure, body mass index, and total cholesterol in hypertensive patients: A randomized clinical trial". Explore. 18: 438–445. line feed character in |title= at position 66 (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ↑ Walaiporn Tongjaroenbuangam, Nootchanart Ruksee, Piyanete Chantiratikul, Noppakun Pakdeenarong, Watee Kongbuntad, Piyarat Govitrapong (October 2011). "Neuroprotective effects of quercetin, rutin and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus Linn.) in dexamethasone-treated mice". Neurochemistry International. 59: 677–685. line feed character in |title= at position 84 (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ↑ Seetha Anitha, Rosemary Botha, Joanna Kane-Potaka, D. Ian Givens, Ananthan Rajendran, Takuji W. Tsusaka and Raj Kumar Bhandari (17 August 2021). "Can Millet Consumption Help Manage Hyperlipidemia and Obesity?: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis". Frontiers in Nurition. 8.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Jia, Xiangping (2023). "Sustainability assessment in agriculture: emerging issues in voluntary sustainability standards and their governance". Ecology & Society. 28.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Bartzas, G., Doula, M., & Komnitsas, K. (9 May 2025). "Low-Carbon Certification Systems in Agriculture: A Review". Applied Sciences. 15.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Albertas, F., Ruggiero, P., Pinto, L. F. G., Sparovek, G., & Metzger, J. P. (January 2023). "Agricultural certification as a complementary tool for environmental law compliance". Biological Conservation. 277.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ↑ Fabian Kirsch, Mark Lohmann and Gaby-Fleur Böl (25 March 2022). "The Public's Understanding of Superfoods". Sustainability. 14.
  19. ↑ "Fair-Trade". Cambridge Dictionary.
  20. ↑ Rubini, Rossella (December 2022). ""The Superfood Dilemma: a saving grace or a "natural resource curse"? Drawing lessons from the Bioeconomy of Açai and Quinoa"". Research Gate. line feed character in |title= at position 70 (help)
  21. ↑ BLACKMAN, A. and RIVERA, J. (9 November 2011). "https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2011.01774.x". Conservation Biology. 25: 1176–1185. External link in |title= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  22. ↑ En.wikipedia.org. (2018). Writing better articles. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Writing_better_articles [Accessed 18 Jan. 2018].


This conservation resource was created by Claire Chen. It is shared under a CC-BY 4.0 International License.
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