The superfood superheroes

The pandemic has ensured the better-for-you wellness trend continues to gain pace, with manufacturers and consumers always on the lookout for the next big thing.

Trends and innovations consultant Adriana Heinzen from global market research group Mintel says the next 12months will be dominated by immunity boosting foods which focus on gut health.

“Consumers will be seeking out innovative products when it comes to fibre, fermented foods, pre-, pro- and postbiotics, which are functional bioactive compounds generated during fermentation,” she says.

Rising focus on lowering stress

The pandemic accelerated rates of stress and burnout, creating more demand for functional products that help to ease the mind. Benefits include better sleep, reduced stress and even improved concentration.

Heinzen says as a result, we are seeing food and drink manufacturers incorporate substances such as nervines and adaptogens, which are botanical substances that can help the body restore balance and cope with physical or mental stress.

Leading apoptogenic ingredients include holy basil, ashwagandha, maca and different types of ginseng.

“Nervines are a group of botanical ingredients that are thought to reduce stress and anxiety levels by acting on the nervous system. Some of the well-known nervines that are being explored in food and drink include lemon balm, valerian and lavender.

“Another group of functional ingredients gaining momentum are nootropics. These are normally seen in beverages to improve cognitive function. Among the most well-known nootropic ingredients are caffeine for alertness, L-theanine for a calming effect and creatine as fuel for brain cells,” Heinzen says.

Nutrient-packed food with high levels of vitamins and products containing anti-oxidants, which can help in the prevention of certain diseases will also be popular, she says.

Heinzen will be discussing current and future health trends at the upcoming Naturally Good Expo on 30-31 May at Sydney’s ICC.

Into the wild

According to Jeff Lunt, co-founder of Wild Noni, the noni fruit (morinda citrifolia) thrives throughout the Pacific and South-East Asia. It has been used as a health supplement for hundreds of years, he says.

The fruit contains phytochemicals, antioxidants, amino acids as well as a significant amount of nutrients. It is said to relieve a variety of ailments, from fighting free radicals to boosting the immune system and calming inflammation in the body.

Lunt and his wife Judy founded the company in late 2019 to bring a new, all-natural fruit-based beverage to the Australian market. They have been spurred on by growing consumer interest in health-based beverages and products.

Given noni’s natural tart taste, the couple went through countless development rounds in order to produce the final four noni-infused flavours Pineapple & Coconut, Peach & Pear, Ginger & Turmeric and Mixed Berry. The final flavour range will be in the market in the next two to three months.

Lunt says: “We recently finalised the flavours to reduce the natural sugar content by approximately 80 per cent of what is currently in the juice. We are also adding prebiotics as well as an extra boost of antioxidants for increased health benefits.”

While the business is based in Sydney, the pure noni juice is produced in the Solomon Islands. Wild Noni has formed cooperatives with the local people and received backing from the islands’ government.

“We provide the seedling noni plants and infrastructure and they grow the trees and eventually fruit on their local village land.

“We buy the mature fruit from them thus providing a source of employment and income which they would not otherwise have,” Lunt explains.

The range is available on its website, with the business working with distributors to get a retail presence soon.

“We are looking to increase sales internationally and are currently in talks with Amazon internationally as well as distributors in the Middle East, France, Japan and China.

The company has an established market in South Korea, with the Lunts keen for other countries to catch on to what they think is an amazing fruit.