More and more superfoods are popping up in Western diets, sourced from all around the world. Some are traditional staples that have been used by civilizations for centuries and others are a rather…new and controversial superfood discovery. According to some experts, edible insects and bacon-flavoured red algae are just some of the superfoods set to become huge health food trends this year. In 2017, you’ll be seeing an increasing number of these superfoods appear on menus and supermarket shelves.
We understand if you’re not ready to take the leap into bacon flavored algae or cricket protein powder, but with many of us looking for easy, healthy swaps to make in our diets, there are a few great alternatives on this list that can offer an array of nutritional health benefits including black bean pasta or buckwheat noodles as a delicious alternative to classic pasta. Make sure to add these superfoods to your shopping list or sign up for Rosehive Superfoods Box to discover these new superfoods and many more every month.
Red Algae: Nicknamed ‘bacon-flavoured seaweed’, this brilliant superfood allows people to eat healthy without compromising on taste. One benefit of red marine algae is its antioxidant effect, which counters damage free radicals do to cells. Red marine algae is also an anti-viral compound. The carrageenans — a type of sugar molecule — found in red marine algae are believed to boost interferon production in the immune system and might be an effective preventative against diseases like HIV, shingles and cold sores.
Kakadu Plum: These tart and tangy fruits are a natural source rich with vitamin C and contain approximately 100 times more of the antioxidant than an orange. Kakadu plum is the richest source of Vitamin C. This contains Vitamin C even more than orange, kiwi fruit and chili pepper. It is grown in the Top End of Northern Australia. It is widely used in many skincare and pharmaceuticals products
Activated Charcoal: Activated charcoal is a potent natural treatment used to trap toxins and chemicals in the body, allowing them to be flushed out so the body doesn’t reabsorb them. It’s made from a variety of sources, but when used for natural healing, it’s important to select activated charcoal made from coconut shells or other natural sources.
Turmeric: Turmeric, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, is an increasingly popular household spice and looks set to explode in 2017 thanks to its healthy compound curcumin – which has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.
Goji Berries: Goji berries, or ‘wolfberries’ have been steadily growing in popularity in recent years. They contain a multitude of vitamins and minerals, such as iron and vitamins A, C and B2.
Bone Broth: You may have seen this in supermarkets and been put off by the name, but this broth actually has incredible flavours and contains essential minerals and protein.
Coconut Sugar: Coconut sugar offers more vitamins and minerals than white sugar, as well as added iron and zinc. It is made in a natural 2-step process: A cut is made on the flower of the coconut palm and the liquid sap is collected into containers. The sap is placed under heat until most of the water has evaporated and the final product is coconut sugar.
Insects: In 2016, insects rapidly became an important and sustainable food source. Just 100g of crickets contain 214 per cent more protein than 100g of chicken breast meat.
Pea Protein: Pea protein looks set to become 2017’s alternative to whey protein. As well as being both dairy and gluten-free, it is 100 per cent vegan friendly.
Black Bean Pasta: 2017 looks set to be the year of the black bean pasta craze. Unlike traditional spaghetti, black bean pasta is high in protein and fiber.
Raw Cacao Nibs: Raw cacao nibs are great source of iron, fiber and magnesium, making them a great ingredient for desserts or just as a healthy snack.
Maca Powder: This foodie favorite boasts large amounts vitamins B, C, and E as well as calcium, zinc and iron, just to name a few. Maca is a root that belongs to the radish family. Grown in the mountains of Peru, it has been called “Peruvian ginseng.” Maca has long been used to promote sexual function of both men and women. It’s thought to boost libido and increase endurance. It has also been used to balance the hormones and increase fertility.
Buckwheat noodles: Also called Soba noodles, buckwheat noodles don’t actually contain any wheat and are the ideal replacement for any noodle-based dish. Buckwheat flour is a good source of nutrients like protein, fiber, iron, carbohydrates, thiamine. Buckwheat soba noodles are also a great source of manganese. A cup of cooked noodles boasts 426 micrograms, which contributes 19 percent toward the daily manganese needs for men and 24 percent for women which is the reason it’s made it to this 2017 superfoodie list.
Avocado Oil: Packed with nutrients such as vitamin E that does wonders for your skin, avocado oil looks set to keep avocados high on people’s shopping lists this year.
Macadamia Nuts: Macadamia nuts have a sweet taste and are a terrific source of energy. They also contain large amounts of vitamin A and iron, as well as zinc and calcium.
Did your favorite superfood make this list? If not, let us know what it is below in the comments!