3 Health Food Trends That Live Up to the Hype—and 4 That Don’t

Claim to Fame: Improves gut health
The drink’s probiotics are linked to better digestive health, an improved immune system, and decreased muscle inflammation. But read the labels. “Kombucha can have a vinegar-like taste, so some brands add sugar to make it more palatable,” says Bonnie Taub-Dix, R.D.N. That added sugar can outweigh the benefits of probiotics: “Choose brands that have two grams of sugar or less, and pay attention to serving size. Some bottles have two servings,” she says.

Verdict: Hero
In order to reap the full benefits of the probiotics, it’s best to also incorporate yogurt and other fermented foods into your diet.

Claim to Fame: Better joint health
Made from roasted animal bones and connective tissues, bone broth is touted as a source of collagen, which is a protein that helps build bones, tendons, ligaments, and skin.

“The belief that any collagen in bone broth would boost collagen formation [and directly impact joint health] is wishful thinking,” says William H. Percy, Ph.D., of the University of South Dakota. “Our digestive systems break down collagen in bone broth into individual amino acids, and these will be used wherever they’re needed.”

In the case of joint pain, the few studies that have looked at it were done with high levels of pure collagen supplements in people with debilitating conditions like osteoarthritis—not an average runner who is achy after a long run. And because it’s not a regulated food, the nutritional content can vary, making it impossible to know how much collagen you’re actually getting.

Verdict: Hype
While bone broth isn’’t a cure-all drink, it is high in protein and electrolytes, making it good for recovery.

Claim to Fame: A guilt-free treat
Low-calorie, high-protein ice creams tout up to 24 grams of protein and as little as 280 calories per pint. Some brands, like Halo Top, are still technically ice cream (at least 10 percent milk fat). But these “healthier” options may not be so healthy. “

One of the real dangers is that people will overeat these ice creams because they have a mind-set that they’’re good for you,” says Sumbal. “You may also eat more to feel satisfied.” Most servings are a 1/2 cup, so if you go through a pint or two, you’’re still overconsuming calories.

The slimmed-down frozen desserts often have zero- or low-calorie sweeteners, like monk fruit and stevia. While these save people calories, they’re not tied to long-term weight loss, according to a study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. And that protein? Most runners already get enough through a balanced diet.

Verdict: Hype
Like all desserts, low-cal ice creams and frozen treats should be consumed in moderation.

Claim to Fame: Value-added carbs

The new packaged-food trend: making regular foods—granola, tortilla chips, flours, bread—with sprouted grains, which means the grains have germinated. This process can boost the food’s antioxidant, protein, folate, and vitamin C levels, says Molly Kimball, R.D.

Research is still out on whether sprouted grains can boost athletic performance, but because only whole grains can be sprouted (versus refined), you’re likely eating healthier when you choose sprouted.

Verdict: Hero
Research has shown that sprouted breads may keep your energy levels stable and could even be easier on your stomach.

Claim to Fame: Smarter hydration

Cactus, watermelon, and maple waters (to name a few) are trending on Instagram. While they’re all inherently hydrating, most of the other “perks” are thanks to marketing. Yes, many of these drinks may supply nutrients like calcium or vitamin C, but the levels are so low that runners who eat a balanced diet get enough of them anyway, says Kimball.

And don’’t let the word ““water”” fool you into thinking they’’re not caloric, says Kimball. “People may forget about the calories in these waters, but if you’’re drinking a few bottles a day instead of plain water, those extra calories add up,” she says. One serving of watermelon water, for example, contains 12 grams of sugar. Instead, try adding slices of fruit or cucumber into your plain H2O for flavor.

Verdict: Hype
Stick with regular water, and reach for a sports drink if you need extra calories or electrolytes for hot runs that are 60 minutes or longer.

Claim to Fame: Boosts weight loss
Some research has suggested that the oil’s medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) may be easier to burn off than to store as body fat. Not so fast: “Coconut oil contains much lower MCT levels than what has been used in research to increase metabolism and weight loss, so you can’t assume it will have the same impact,” says Marni Sumbal, R.D.

Dieters also claim that coconut oil boosts feelings of satiety, making you eat less. But a 2017 study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that it did a worse job at taming hunger than olive oil and had no impact on fat-burning metabolism.

Verdict: Hype
“Simply adding calorie-dense coconut oil to your diet without trimming calories elsewhere will lead to weight gain,” says Sumbal. Instead, increase your miles and focus your portion size, which, yes, can include modest amounts of coconut oil.

Claim to Fame: Omega-3 power
Research has shown that grass-fed cows give you lower levels of saturated fat and inflammation-inducing omega-6 fats, and higher levels of vitamin E, beta-carotene, and heart-healthy omega-3s. Other foods, like walnuts and salmon, are higher in vitamin E
and omega-3s, but when it comes to meat or dairy, grass-fed is the way to go, says Taub-Dix.

Verdict: Hero
Make the most of your postrun burger and chocolate milk by opting for the pricier stuff. Just make sure the label says “100 percent grass-fed” or that it’s certified by the American Grassfed Association.