The latest headlines in health are all about superfoods. But what are superfoods? They are foods full of nutrients, that can be treated like supplements, to give you a boost of vitamins you may be lacking.

You can include these foods in a meal or eat them on their own. But the media is separated on what really defines a superfood.

Often, “superfoods” that aren’t really superfoods gain their prestige because of popular health food stores or celebrities.

To define what is a superfood and what isn’t, it is best to keep in mind what foods bring the most nutrients for small servings.

For instance, garlic has been known to be a superfood for its beneficial cardiovascular properties and ability to fight off infections.

Things like kale and acai are also known superfoods, because they contain high levels of antioxidants. But studies haven’t been able to prove their effects.

The creation of the term “superfood” seems to have derived for marketing purposes. Labeling something as a superfood means more people will buy it, but they won’t necessarily know why it is deemed as such.

It is important to continue eating well and not pay attention so much to marketing terms.

If a product deemed “superfood” seems interesting to you, do some research about why they are claiming it is and decide whether it would be a good addition to your diet.

It is more important to make sure you are getting the right amount of fruits and veggies, rather than filling up on superfoods.

Ignore all the marketing labels, because often, superfoods are not actually superfoods. Sometimes, a product is labeled as a superfood because it is from a different country and those in the Western world don’t know any better.

Instead, focus on what benefits each vegetable or fruit could bring to your health. Beets, for instance, increase nitrate consumption, thus improving blood flow.

Kale has indoles, which have known anti-cancer properties. Pomegranates and cranberries have thick skins that help prevent against urinary tract infections.