Moringa, algae, purple corn, and a few others are now vying for superfood status, leaving kale, acai berries, blueberries, and chia and flax seeds in the dust.
While superfoods have no accepted medical definition, they are typically high in nutrients. The hype around proclaimed superfoods is questionable, but that doesn't seem to be slowing down a $130 billion industry.
What's up-and-coming in superfoods?
Moringa
Moringa is a tropical tree native to Asia and Africa, where people have eaten its long, drumstick-like seed pods for years. Nutritionally, gram-per-gram, the plant contains two times the protein of yogurt, three times the potassium of bananas, four times the vitamin A of carrots, four times the calcium of milk and seven times the vitamin C of oranges. Although traditional wisdom holds that moringa has many medicinal benefits, they have yet to be scientifically proven.
Moringa is attracting enough attention that a four-day moringa symposium in November will bring together about 300 scientists from around the world. One concern is sustainably growing the tree in a way that supports the farmers. In the U.S., New Global Energy, which believes in the potential of moringa and already uses it in fish feed, has planted trees in California, with plans to expand.
Currently, moringa is available in the U.S. mostly in supplements, from companies such as Moringa America, and in energy bars and teas, although specialty Asian and Indian markets often have fresh plants for sale.
Algae
Algae is a vegan protein source and high in a number of nutrients. Spirulina, a type of algae, has been available for years as a supplement, and over 90% of infant formulas contain algae oil as a healthy fats source.
Now, companies such as Solazyme and Roquette want to bring algae to more food products through the use of algae flour, algae protein, and algae oil. In addition, in early October Solazyme announced the release of Thrive, the first algae oil available directly to consumers.
Purple Corn
Companies like Back to the Roots, Attune Foods' Peace Cereal, and Late July Snacks have started making products such as cereal and tortilla chips containing purple corn. Native to Peru, purple corn is the same species as the familiar yellow corn. The purple color is a result of compounds called anthocyanins, which are antioxidants. Suntava grows a proprietary non-GMO purple corn in the U.S. that has twice the antioxidants of blueberries.
A few other contenders
Is birch water the new coconut water? Two companies, Sealand Birk and Byarozavik, are currently selling the product in the U.S. Birch water is tapped from birch trees in a process similar to tapping syrup from maple trees.
Red palm oil is filled with vitamin E, vitamin A, coenzyme Q10, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, though sustainability is an often-discussed issue. Companies selling sustainable red palm oil include Nutriva and Wilderness Family Naturals.
Citicoline is an essential nutrient for brain function and is generally found in organ meats, such as liver. Supplements are available, and beverages such as Nawgan contain citicoline. It's available in vegetarian form as an ingredient from Cognizin.
Other contenders for superfood status, according to the Los Angeles Times, include freekeh, an ancient roasted green wheat; turkey tail mushroom, believed to help improve immunity; tiger nuts, which are tubers, not nuts, high in fiber, magnesium and potassium; and guayusa, a South American relative of Yerba Mate.