The Power of Superfoods: 30 Days That Will Change Your Life

Jane Heath teaches psychology at Ryerson Polytechnical University in
Toronto.

The nutritional theories that are the basis of this lengthy compendium
are couched in hyperbolic language. Certain foods are “artery
scourers,” and free radicals have “violent potential.” The reader
is told that “every single food you eat today directly dictates your
health tomorrow.” The author’s prescriptions for achieving perfect
health are onerous, to say the least. We are told to consume 10 glasses
of filtered water and 10 servings of organic vegetables per day, to
check our urine for acidity three times a day, to ingest a complicated
mix of herbal and vitamin supplements, and to devote considerable time
to physical exercise and spiritual renewal.

The author’s treatment of references is questionable. While a list of
references is provided for each chapter, the information given in the
chapter is not linked to the reference and often appears to be taken out
of context, exaggerated, or misinterpreted. More problematic than this
flaw is the fact that following Graci’s recommendations would be a
frustrating, expensive, and time-consuming process. The recommended
(minimum) two servings a day of a beverage that the author manufactures
and markets suggests a possible conflict of interest.