The USDA’s MyPlate guide suggests two servings of fruit per day for adults. But according to a 2017 press release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 12% of U.S. adults consume those recommended servings.
Like Ponce de León searching for the Fountain of Youth, food manufacturers are always on the hunt for the next superfruit. While there is no exact definition of a superfruit, any fruit with a high antioxidant content, and thus potential to stave off the effects of aging, is a ripe candidate.
It seems that every year I learn about another exotic tropical superfruit brimming with healthy phytonutrients. But the reality is that most fermented dairy products in the United States rely on a fairly narrow list of traditional and cost effective fruits in their flavor lineup.
The label "superfruit" has been used to describe any fruit with high nutrient levels. Superfruits come in every color of the rainbow, but those with red, blue or purple hues from the presence of anthocyanins generally boast superior antioxidant power.
Pomegranates, once considered exotic, are considered mainstream, like blueberries and strawberries. Growing in popularity are passion fruit, guava, mango and papaya.
The very definition of a superfruit is arbitrary, but that’s only the beginning of the many questions surrounding so-called super foods. Be careful in the marketing of dairy foods and beverages spiked with superfruits.
As people continue to search for a miracle cure for what ails and ages them, there will always be a market for “super foods,” that is, foods and beverages somehow deemed higher-than-average in health-promoting properties.
During a recent visit to Whole Foods Market, I slowed down my pace in order to better observe the trends in new products and label claims. Filtering out natural, organic and similar marketing tactics, one solid trend that was apparent across most food categories was a tie-in to fruit. The pork chops had a serving suggestion to include apple sauce. Breakfast cereals either contained dried fruit pieces or a recommendation to add something fresh from the farm stand.