From the rise of gut health hacks to foraging for herbs to improve things like menstrual symptoms and acne, it’s safe to say we’re all becoming a little more conscious of our health and wellbeing. But have you heard of superfood powders yet?

Research suggests that young people are more into functional foods, that is, things like powdered superfoods, mushroom teas and all of the seeds, than synthetic multivitamins and processed protein bars.

Superfood powders are becoming an increasingly common staple in the pantry of any health-conscious individual. In fact, the market for these convenience-geared products is expected to grow by 7.2 percent in the next eight years – from $6.57 billion in 2022 to 11.5 billion in 2030.

So what gives? What are superfood powders and are they the answer to your wellness needs?

What are superfood powders?

In short, a superfood is any food that is bursting with nutrients, usually in relation to a specific health benefit, like glowing skin or better digestion. In this context, a superfood could be anything from salmon to broccoli. Dieticians and nutritionists tend to lean away from using the term ‘superfood’ to describe specific nutrient-dense foods because they believe they offer no greater benefit than eating a balanced, healthy and varied diet.

That being said, there are some truths to the discourse surrounding so-called ‘superfoods’. A 2021 study found that flax, chia, hemp and sunflower seeds may actually have health benefits, particularly for the gut. Another found that Goji berries have antioxidant properties and jackfruit contains high levels of vitamin C.

A superfood powder, then, is any superfood that has been ground into a powder for easy consumption, whether in a smoothie, your morning porridge or even a coffee.

SOURCE: Ella Glover