Cold-pressed, detox, superfood - decoding buzzwords disclaimer
30 Oct 2026
Food labels and well-meaning posts are replete with buzzwords. While browsing through the healthy section of the supermarket or the wellness blog, you would stumble across them - cold-pressed, detox, superfood, natural, clean. It is not always easy to tell the difference, and it can be confusing to know what has real nutritional value and what is just a marketing tactic. The good news is that this buzzword decoding guide is here to help.
Why buzzwords capture attention
These are short, relatable, uplifting words that home in on a feeling that most of us share, which is that of wanting to eat healthy. So the instinct to pick these items up when shopping is understandable. The challenge is that they are not always exact in their definitions, and can be very broad. So while a certain buzzword may apply to one product, it may not apply to another.
Cold-pressed
Cold-pressed refers to a certain kind of extraction process. Whether it is juice or oil, this method of pressing without applying heat helps retain some of the natural goodness and nutrients. However, it is important not to confuse "natural goodness" with higher levels of nutrition. A cold-pressed juice is still a juice, and will still have high amounts of natural sugar, and less fibre than its whole fruit counterpart. While cold-pressed groundnut, sesame and coconut oil are commonly found in Indian kitchens, many home cooks swear by their taste. However, no oil is inherently healthier - moderation is still the key.
Detox
Detox is mostly a marketing buzzword that is used to imply that the products help the body get rid of toxins. While it is true that our liver, kidneys, gut and skin constantly work to get rid of waste and harmful substances, there is little evidence to suggest that a detox tea, juice, or kit can help the body do this job better or more efficiently. Any product that markets itself as "detoxifying" should be consumed as a beverage or a kit as mentioned, and not as a health supplement.
Superfoods
Superfood is not actually a nutritional category, and most often than not, the term is used by manufacturers to simply mean something wholesome. While foods like berries, chia seeds, moringa, and spirulina have a good amount of nutrients, most everyday staples that we consume are also healthy. Taking amla as an example, the Indian gooseberry, is rich in vitamin C and fibre, and compares favourably to other superfoods in this department. So too are many staples like dals, millets, curd, leafy greens, seasonal fruits and nuts, which are just as healthy but more easily accessible and affordable most of the time.
Other labels worth noting
Natural: this term does not have a formal definition on food labels. So while something may say 'natural', this does not give you information about its sugar, salt, or fat content.
Organic: this indicates a certain kind of agricultural practice that the product has undergone. It does not mean that a product has less sugar or salt by itself.
Sugar free: this typically means that no sugars have been added to the recipe, and sometimes that artificial sweeteners have been used instead of sugar. It does not mean the product has nutritional value.
High protein: this states the amount of protein in the product, which is one of the nutrients that we need. However, this does not comment on the other ingredients.
Plant-based: this refers to what a product is made of, rather than its nutritional content.
Gluten free: this is relevant for people who have medical conditions like coeliac disease, but not for others. Gluten free does not mean healthier by default.
Clean: this word does not have a nutritional definition. It is a marketing term that implies that a product looks nice.
No preservatives: this does not tell you anything about what the product does nutritional, but rather what it does not contain. Sometimes it can indicate a shorter shelf life.
How to read a label
Start by reading the ingredients list. Ingredients are listed in the order of quantity, with the most abundant ones first. Then consider added sugar and salt. Remember that sugar can be present in many forms, and check the entire label. Go for whole foods where possible, and processed foods as a treat. Compare the price of a product with its everyday staple counterpart, and ask yourself whether the higher price is justified. Most things that are labelled as healthy tend to have a higher price tag.
The everyday staples that have qualities you may be looking for
A variety of foods and fibre is the hallmark of many of the buzzwords. Luckily, everyday staples have these attributes:
Amla: eaten as a snack with a pinch of salt, or in chutney, pickle, or murabba form.
Dals: made into tadka dal, sambar or khichdi, and eaten with rice or roti.
Millets: ragi, jowar and bajra used to make rotis, porridge and dosa.
Curd: eaten as a snack or raita, or churned into buttermilk.
Leafy greens: sabzi or added to dals and parathas, palak, methi and sarson are all good sources of fibre.
Seasonal fruits: eaten as a whole fruit snack, or after a meal.
Nuts: almonds, peanuts or walnuts, as a snack, or chopped into poha and upma recipes.
Research on foods is ongoing, and while results are promising, they are not definitive. Everyone's body is different, and while something may work for one person, it may not work for another. No food, juice, or product can promise to cure, help, or remedy a condition.
Who should speak to doctors and dietitians
If you have diabetes, kidney issues or PCOS, or if you are pregnant, or if you have any other medical concerns, it is best to speak to a doctor or registered dietitian before making any changes to your diet or considering juices or herbal products.