The wellness world loves a good buzzword. You probably see them everywhere in your social media feeds: holistic, gut health, clean. Even the word wellness itself. Some of these carry weight (we use a few, too) but with so much jargon out there, how do you know what’s real and what’s just noise?
Let’s talk about one of the biggest examples: “superfoods.” This term has been floating around since the 1990s, surging in the mid-2010s, and is alive and well today.1 But what does it really mean?
At Zhou, we love to empower you with knowledge so you can make confident decisions for your health. In that spirit, let’s cut through the fluff and explore what superfoods really are, where the term came from, and how to separate the true health heroes from the hype.
What are superfoods?
Technically, it’s any food packed with nutrients your body can actually use, like antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, and healthy fats. It can also reference nutrient density, meaning the food packs a powerful nutritional punch relative to its size. It’s also generally accepted that superfoods are naturally occurring, not lab creations.1,2
That said, “superfood” is not a scientific term. When our team of scientists examines research to make claims about our products—like magnesium for relaxation support or zinc for immunity support—they aren’t looking for studies that prove something is a “superfood.”* It’s more of a general descriptor. It simply refers to foods rich in compounds that support good health.
Some superfoods, however, have been shown to support specific areas of health. For instance, clinical research shows that Shilajit helps support cellular energy and ATP levels, which are among your body’s primary core sources of fuel.*
Where did the term ‘superfood’ come from?
The marketing concept of a superfood goes back to an everyday fruit staple: bananas. The United Fruit Company began importing bananas, which were merely a regional favorite in the early 1900s. The company touted bananas as a nutrient-packed health food and suggested people add them to breakfast cereal, salad, and even fry them with meat for dinner.2
The salad thing didn’t stick, but bananas as a healthy staple? That’s still a thing. And it makes sense! With their high levels of nutrients like potassium and vitamin K, bananas are undeniably a superfood. Later, medical professionals confirmed the benefits of bananas, and they really took off.2 While the globalization of bananas has a complicated history, this much is certain: bananas were once a regional food, and they are now a healthy staple in many countries throughout the world.
Fast forward a century, and we’re still doing the same thing: discovering nutrient-dense foods from around the world and finding smarter ways to get them into your routine.
Real superfoods vs. pretenders
Here’s the truth: not everything with “superfood” on the label earns its title. Brands know that pushing health equals dollar signs; consumer research shows people are willing to pay more for foods they perceive as healthy, and slapping these claims on labels often boosts sales, whether the ingredients measure up or not.2
Whether a superfood is legitimate depends on two things: what it promises and what it actually offers. If a product promises miraculous benefits like overnight weight loss or reversing aging, you should be skeptical.
That’s why, at Zhou, we keep it grounded. We don’t use “superfood” as clickbait—we use it for ingredients with credible, science-backed benefits that actually support your wellness.*
What are the best superfoods?
The original superfood? Milk. When we’re born, it provides most of our nutrition. But as we grow, our bodies’ needs become more complex, and so do our diets. We graduate quickly from just milk to requiring nutrients from lean meats, vegetables, whole grains, and smart supplementation.
No single food can offer all the nutrition, health benefits, and energy we need. One review of health websites found that, despite more than 130 foods given the “superfood” attribution, a few were mentioned more than others:3
- Kale
- Spinach
- Salmon
- Blueberries
- Avocado
- Chia seeds
- Walnuts
- Beans
- Fermented milks
- Garlic
There are some our scientists would add to the list, but it’s a good start—and widely understood. But consistently working these foods into your daily diet can be tricky. Life’s busy, and convenience often wins over eating perfectly.
That’s why supplementing smartly can make a difference, filling nutritional gaps when life happens.
Zhou superfoods for your daily routine
We don’t chase fads; we study the data. Then we source high-quality ingredients, refine them through the latest nutritional science, and make them taste good enough to actually use.
Global powerhouses
These gummies are packed with globally celebrated superfoods and covered by our Great Taste Guarantee:
- Irish Sea Moss Gummies — A clinically studied formula made with real marine-sourced sea moss extract to support whole-body wellness.
- Shilajit Gummies — Packed with mineral-rich shilajit from the Himalayas, long valued in Ayurvedic tradition.
- Colostrum Gummies — Nature’s original superfood, reimagined in a delicious, sugar-free peach gummy.
Timeless essentials
- CoQBeet Gummies — Beet root meets antioxidant CoQ10 for energy and heart support.*
- Beet Complete — A beet-based complex with tart cherry, hawthorn berry, and grape seed for comprehensive support.*
- Apple Cider Vinegar — ACV’s well-documented benefits, minus the burn.
Drink the rainbow
Variety is the foundation of real nutrition. That’s why nutritionists often say we should “eat the rainbow.” Our Zhou Daily Superfoods Bundle covers your full color spectrum:
- Daily Blues for mind and mood (blueberry flavor)*
- Daily Greens with 2 servings of fruits and veggies in every scoop (green apple flavor)
- Daily Reds for antioxidants and superfoods (berry flavor)*
Save 15% on the full bundle or try them individually. They’re each guaranteed to taste great.
Explore the full Superfoods lineup →
Our promise: No hype. Just health.
We’re not here to sell magic powders. We’re here to make real nutrition easier, smarter, and more delicious. Our formulas blend time-tested ingredients with the latest research so you get what works, minus the marketing noise.
Because at the end of the day, wellness isn’t about hype. It’s about what helps you feel your best—and we’ll always keep it that real.
Follow @zhou_nutrition for more fitness and wellness tips!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Resources
- Cobos A, Diaz O. “‘Superfoods’: Reliability of the Information for Consumers Available on the Web.” Foods, National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Jan 26, 2023. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9914617/
- “Superfoods or Superhype?” The Nutrition Source, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 2025. https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/superfoods/
- McManus K. “10 superfoods to boost a healthy diet.” Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School, 2022. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/10-superfoods-to-boost-a-healthy-diet-2018082914463
