blueberries, açai and others wild fruitsAvocado, salmonspinach and green leafy vegetables and seeds like chia. Project manager Jordi Salvador explains: “From time to time, certain foods and drinks that are called superfoods become popular, because they have certain nutritional properties and until then they were unknown and somewhat exotic. This makes them trendy.” At the consulting firm PriceWaterhous Coopers (PWC), which produced a study on food trends in Catalonia two years ago. This Christmas, family tables They will standardize these products As part of festive menus.
“Despite the difficult period we are experiencing due to inflation, people don’t mind paying more This is for superfoods,” emphasizes Salvador, reminding us that this name “is just a label, a label.” marketing strategy“These foods, which have been in operation for years despite not being recognized by the European Union and the World Health Organization (WHO), are generally of foreign origin and were not included in our normal diet until a few years ago.” However, it has recently been promoted due to its health effects, apparently very strong“, CSIC researcher Jara Pérez Jiménez in ‘What do we know about superfoods?’ in which she analyzes the scientific evidence on each of these products. He gives details in his book.
Although it’s a term coined by marketing, “the reality is that the consumer values these foods. effects on health The PWC consultant continues: “In our study in this area, commissioned by FCAC, the Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives of Catalonia, we found, for example: Red fruit sales doubled “In just two years,” says Salvador. Christmas is one of the times of the year when sales of raspberries, currants and strawberries increase the most.
From banana to açai
Today’s superfoods, from bananas to quinoa and acai, are also closely linked to random factors. virality on social networks“, indicates the expert. Its recent existence food brands “It’s up more than 100%” on channels like Instagram, the advisor continues. Some ‘signed’ reference figures (both to prepare recipes and to promote lifestyles) Customer acquisition and encouraging new eating habits and products.
But all that glitters is not gold. “There are a lot of rumors and it is true. Goji berries contain polyphenols“Another ingredient in which this ingredient, also called a superfood, stands out is beta-carotene,” adds the CSIC researcher. “It is insisted that it is superior.” Same with carrots, but also true: Consumption of 50 grams of carrots “We will meet the daily needs of the facility in question,” he said.
Additionally, the scientist from the Institute of Food Science and Technology (ICTAN) points out “another important issue”: price should be taken into consideration because a kilo of goji berries usually costs around 15 euros, while the same amount of carrots costs slightly more than a euro.