The Votes Are In: Here Are Your 2019 Superfoods
Each new year brings in a whole host of new possibilities, new trends, and new discoveries. In the past few years, we’ve seen superfood trends include ancient grains, dark leafy greens, blue-green algae, and plenty of berries, nuts, and seeds.
So what superfoods can you expect to see in the year 2019? The votes are in, so look out for these 12 superfoods, projected to be on trend in the coming year.
1. Seaweed
We have had plenty of seafood, algae, and other sea creatures come into the trend at superfood status. This year, seaweed is coming back big time, and we won’t just be seeing it in sushi.
Restaurants all over are starting to incorporate this superfood into many different kinds of dishes, including soups, buddha bowls, roasted vegetables, and more. You’ll also be seeing more snacks in the supermarket that include seaweed, such as popcorn, trail mix, and even just plain, crunchy, toasted seaweed strips.
Seaweed is rich in many important nutrients, including vitamins A, C, D, E, and B vitamins. It’s teeming with minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, and iron. Seaweed is also one of the richest sources of iodine out there—an essential mineral necessary for proper thyroid function.
RELATED: Can Seaweed Battle Cancer?
2. Hemp
This superfood has been sneaking into our peripheral vision in the last few years. We’ve been seeing sprinklings of hemp seeds over breakfast bowls in health gurus’ Instagram photos for a while now. This year, hemp seeds are projected to make it into the limelight, with more hemp seed products being sold than we’ve seen yet.
Hemp seeds are packed with protein, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential nutrients including vitamin E, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, and iron. Their health benefits are vast, and there’s really no reason you shouldn’t be sprinkling these healthy seeds in your life.
3. Fermented Foods
Fermented foods—such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, miso, tempeh, kombucha, and yogurt—continue to top the charts of popular superfoods. As awareness of the incredible health benefits of eating fermented foods increases, we’ll be seeing many more fermented food options in restaurants, health-food stores, and grocery stores.
Fermented foods contain probiotics—“good” bacteria and yeasts—that are essential to gut health. Since 70 percent of the immune system is in the gut, probiotics also help to ensure that you can easily fight off pathogens, preventing infection and keeping you strong and healthy.
RELATED: Fermentation: Why You Need Fermented Foods and How to Make Them
4. Cassava Flour
More people than ever before are swearing off refined flours and many are going gluten-free. The demand for healthier alternatives to white flour has been higher, and with that, many different types of flours made from nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, and even fruits and vegetables are popping up all over.
Cassava flour, made from the root vegetable cassava, is expected to rise in popularity in the year 2019. The flour is gluten-free, nut-free, paleo-friendly, and vegan, so you may find yourself purchasing a bag of cassava flour in the coming year.
5. Tiger Nuts
These funny little shriveled-looking “nuts” are actually not nuts at all, but tubers. They’re in the same category as potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, Jerusalem artichokes, and cassava.
Not so popular yet, they’re bound to start appearing all over the place in 2019 as we finally celebrate them for their well-deserved superfood status.
Tiger nuts are incredibly rich in fiber and serve well as a prebiotic food. They also aid in weight loss because of their high fiber content. In addition, they pack a big antioxidant punch with their high levels of vitamin E and oleic acid.
Interestingly enough, tiger nuts are also proven to have antibacterial properties, which means that they help the body fight off pathogens and infection and boost immune function.
6. Moringa
Move over, matcha; Moringa is sliding into 2019 with its varied nutrition profile, high antioxidant value, and countless health benefits.
Moringa, or Moringa oleifera, is a plant native to India. It’s also known as the drumstick tree, the miracle tree, the ben oil tree, and the horseradish tree. It’s been used for thousands of years as a traditional herbal medicine due to its antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Moringa is rich in many nutrients and antioxidants, including vitamins A, B2, B6, and C, and minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc.
7. Maca
You may already be familiar with maca, and it’s planning on sticking around as a popular superfood—for good reason.
Maca is a plant native to Peru, and the maca root has a rich history of being used to enhance fertility and sex drive. It was consumed for its energy-giving qualities. You’ll probably find it in powder form in health food stores. It can easily be added to smoothies for a boost in nutritional value.
A one-ounce serving of maca powder contains 4 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, 133% of your recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin C, and plenty of vitamin B6, copper, iron, potassium, and manganese.
Add maca powder to your diet to benefit from its mood-boosting and performance-enhancing benefits.
8. Watermelon Seeds
Pumpkin seeds will take a back seat this year as watermelon seeds rise in popularity. They’re a low-calorie snack that happens to be a good source of healthy fats, proteins, fiber, B vitamins, and magnesium.
Eat them dried and sprinkled on top of a smoothie bowl, or go for sprouted for extra nutritional value.
9. Turmeric
This is one superfood that will never go out of style. Turmeric is an incredibly powerful anti-inflammatory food due to the high antioxidant value in its active compound, curcumin.
Turmeric is proven to help fight chronic inflammation and protect from diseases including cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
RELATED: 8 Secrets About Turmeric That Will Make You Think Twice
10. Seed Butters
We’ve already seen the soaring successes of a variety of nut butters including almond butter, cashew butter, hazelnut butter, and more. In 2019, we’ll see a whole lot of seed butters made from chia, flax, pumpkin, sunflower, and hemp.
These butters may be a bit pricier, but they’re well worth it in their varied nutrient profiles and rich taste. Anticipate seeing more of these jars hitting the shelves this coming year.
11. Mushrooms
We’re talking Reishi, Astragalus, Shiitake, Cordyceps, and Chaga. People are starting to open their eyes to the vast number of health benefits that these fungi have to offer. Some are powerful adaptogens—meaning that they help the body to cope with and adapt to stressors. Some are mood-boosters, some increase stamina, and others support immune health.
These mushroom superfoods can be found in powder form in health food stores and online. Easily add it to your tea or coffee for a daily boost.
RELATED: 7 Top Superfoods That Guarantee to Add More Years to Your Life
12. Bone Broth
An increasing number of health foodies are beginning to brew their own bone broths. Said to have a ridiculous number of health benefits, bone broth makes use of nutritious contents, including collagen, bone marrow, amino acids, and many minerals.
Bone broth is said to benefit the digestive system, improve joint health, and lower inflammation throughout the body.
Superfoods We Saw A Lot of in 2018
These superfoods are still around—not to fear. The most popular superfoods of 2018 were:
- Sumac. A spice packed with antioxidants for powerful anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Indian Gooseberries. They contain twice the amount of antioxidants as goji berries.
- Chia Seeds. Rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.
- Dark Leafy Greens. The year 2018 saw a lot of kale, Swiss chard, collard greens, and spinach in many different recipes. They’re teeming with antioxidants and many essential vitamins and minerals.
- Turmeric. Up there in popular superfoods for the past few years, turmeric doesn’t seem to be going anywhere due to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
- Quinoa. Often mistaken for a grain, quinoa is actually a seed that has gained popularity for its high protein, fiber, and mineral content. Over the past few years, many people have started incorporating quinoa as a regular part of their diet.
- Matcha. Powdered green teas were definitely in throughout 2018, and they’ll probably continue to stick around as people sip on their matcha lattes well into 2019 and on. This superfood has anti-inflammatory and anticancer benefits, and it protects against heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and weight gain.
- Kefir. A popular fermented milk drink, kefir is rich in probiotics for a healthy gut and strong immune system.
- Salmon. Fatty fish, including salmon, mackerel, herring, lake trout, sardines, and albacore tuna, are all excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are vital for mental health, as well as eye, brain, and heart health.
- Ceylon Cinnamon. Incredibly high in antioxidants, cinnamon is is a versatile spice that can be used to add flavor and health benefits to many different dishes.
Conclusion
Looks like 2019 is going to an exciting, healthy year filled with a variety of new superfoods to choose from. Hit the nearest health food store to see what’s on trend in your area!
Sources:
- https://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Best-Superfoods-2019-45480014
- https://blackdoctor.org/524611/2019-best-6-superfoods-you-should-know-about-their-benefits-to-your-health/
- https://cornerstonenaturopathic.ca/superfood-trends-2019/
- https://www.bestproducts.com/eats/food/g2019/best-superfoods-list/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/308044.php
- https://draxe.com/tiger-nuts/
- https://www.tigernuts.com/blog/tigernuts-super-food/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319916.php
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-maca-root#section3
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/bone-broth#section8