Moringa: The rise of a new superfood?
Dive Brief:
·
Moringa is a master at survival: Drought-tolerant, it grows in
dry, tropical climates and offers a nutritious food option for people
living in developing countries.
·
At the same time, moringa is vying for a position as the
next superfood trend in the U.S., where it is most commonly found in the form
of bars and supplements.
·
Moringa is also said to have health benefits such as
high levels of protein, calcium, vitamin C, iron, and antioxidants, per a
nutritional biochemist. This nutritional profile could stand moringa up
against products that food companies traditionally use to
provide nutritional value, such as milk, yogurt, and oranges.
Dive Insight:
When a
food ends up bearing the superfood tag in the U.S., it's not uncommon for food
companies to jump at the opportunity to use the
trending ingredient. Global Industry Analysts predicted that the functional food, or superfood, market would reach $130
billion this year.
Acai
berries, kale, quinoa, and chia seeds have all been deemed superfoods and have attracted the attention of consumers, health experts,
and food companies, which integrate these superfoods into their products.
However,
some experts have called superfoods and their nutritional powers into
question. They say the superfood label may be more of a marketing
ploy by food
companies looking to make products more attractive to the health-conscious
consumer.
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