Superfood stories
Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food – the famous quote attributed to the father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, resonates even today, especially at a time when people are increasingly becoming more mindful of what they eat and drink. No wonder that with the rise of conscious consumption, certain foods that bring superior nutrition and goodness to the table have emerged as superfoods.
So, what are these foods that are considered to have superpowers? And what lies behind the tag of superfoods?
What’s so super in superfoods?
Superfoods is a familiar term for most people today. Interestingly, the phrase was coined by a fruit company in 1918 for advertising. But it caught on quickly and today the list of superfoods spans fruits, grains, greens, spices, and even fungi. So, what do superfoods really mean, how does a food qualify as one, and how are superfood ingredients impacting the food and beverage industry?
The buzz around berries
Full of essential minerals, vitamins and fibre, berries have always been seen as a healthy addition to any diet. And since attaining the status of superfoods, they have grown only more in popularity among both consumers and food and beverage manufacturers. So, which fruits are a part of the berry family, and how are berries shaping the beverage industry?
Fungi and greens as superfoods
We all know that vegetables are good for us, but not all veggies are created equal. And a selection of nutrient-rich vegetables and fungi have an elevated status owing to their adaptogenic properties and a multitude of health benefits. So, which vegetables make the cut, what makes them exceptional, and how are they being incorporated into functional beverages?
The rise of super grains
Grains feature prominently in everyday diets of people across the world. But in recent years, some ancient grains have made a comeback – attaining the status of superfoods. Largely unaffected by modern farming techniques, these grains have a relatively low carbon footprint and are allergen-friendly, offering a multitude of health benefits. So, what are these grains and how are they earning their place in modern diets?
Superfood spices and herbs
Spices and herbs, generally associated with taste and flavour rather than wellness, are emerging as key ingredients for functional beverages. A selection of super herbs and spices are making a splash in the global market for a varied range of health benefits from immunity to cognitive function. So, which spices and herbs are the preferred ones when it comes to elevating functional food and beverages?
A long-lasting trend
With wellness a top priority and food being considered a way to achieve better health, the popularity of superfoods is here to stay. And the list of foods being considered super is likely to keep evolving. Incorporating super ingredients into products can be a game changer for manufacturers, despite regulatory constraints around labelling products as superfoods. In fact, the global superfood market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.2%, highlighting the potential in this segment. Join us as we explore more topics related to the food and beverage industry by subscribing to our exclusive bi-monthly newsletter.
- May 18, 2023