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Did you throw up your hands in frustration at the recent news that turmeric may not be such a super-spice for health? Unfortunately, it's not alone. There are a host of superfoods, supplements and more that have since been debunked by research for making claims that were overblown or worse. Consume them if you like, but maybe don't expect any health miracles.
Turmeric
Does turmeric help fight Alzheimer's disease and cancer?
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It's been touted for its ability to fight Alzheimer's disease and cancer — and, of course, flavor up a mean Indian stew. But when the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry reviewed studies on curcumin, the mighty compound in turmeric, researchers found no evidence that it offered much of any medicinal benefits. Part of the problem is that curcumin is not easily absorbed into the bloodstream, which means your body may not benefit much. Couple that with a variety of factors, from the quality of the spice to the cooking process, and it could easily lose its effectiveness. And here's the really bad news: It can produce a false-positive in drug screening tests.
Takeaway: Turmeric may not ward off disease, but its lovely golden color and mildly spicy flavor is good in stews, soups and smoothies.
Grapefruit seed extract
Does grapefruit seed extract help with allergies, candida and sore throats?
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Is it an all-powerful bacteria-destroying infection fighter or not? The extract, Citrus x paradise, is promoted as a natural healer for a wide range of infections such as allergies, candida and sore throats. But what the U.S. Department of Agriculture discovered is that commercial preparations of the extract are treated with chemicals, and it's those powerful compounds that are killing germs. Triclosan and benzethonium chloride (used in first-aid antiseptics) are really the antibacterial agents doing the work. So much for natural. In certain amounts, benzethonium chloride can cause vomiting and nausea, and last year the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned triclosan along with a bunch of other chemicals from hand and body washes.
Takeaway: Sometimes things that sound natural really aren't. Stay away from so-called "natural" products laced with chemicals.
