Superfruit is a word that you are going to hear more often. Along with blueberries and cranberries, three of the hottest fruits in the superfruit arena right now are pomegranate, the acai berry, and mangosteen.

The potential health benefit of superfruits focuses on the antioxidant content. Antioxidants include vitamin C and E for example but also the naturally occurring plant chemicals in the fruit called phytochemicals (phyto meaning plant). Just because a superfruit has a high antioxidant content, does this mean it automatically translates into a health benefit in the human body? The only way to know for sure is to conduct nutrition research and test whether these antioxidants can destroy free radicals in humans and whether this cell destruction lowers the risk of disease and helps versus hinders something like inflammation.

Pomegranates rank right up there with blueberries and strawberries when it comes to antioxidant levels. Mangosteen comes from the fruit of the mangosteen tree native to Southeast Asia. Is mangosteen a good source of antioxidants? Yes. Has it been shown to cure disease or even help prevent cancer and other diseases in humans to date? No. Another superfruit that you’re hearing more about are acai berries from Brazil (pronounced ah-SAH-ee). The berries are a source of phytochemicals called flavonoids (the same ones you’ve heard about in chocolate and wine.)

Pomegranate, mangosteen juice and acai berries are all superfruits in that they are good sources of antioxidants and can be part of a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables. To date, research on the benefits in humans has not been conducted or else is very limited to back up the myriad of promises you’ll find associated with these products.. Always do a reality check when a product promises to treat/cure all types of diseases.