Super Fruits
31 May 2012While Super Fruits developed mainly as juices, in 2007 they began to appear as single piece products or as ingredients for functional foods, confectioneries and cosmetics. Many of these fruits, such as the Acai Berry, Acerola, Camu Camu, Goji Berries, are really one of a kind. They grow in exotic locations like the Amazon jungle and are increasingly available at your local grocery store.
Super Fruits are important because of their amazing nutritional profile and antioxidants benefits. The Acai berry, for example, has three times more antioxidants than blueberries. Another characteristic of these berries is their high content of anthocyanins, substances found in red wine grapes that have powerful positive effects in the human body. Most people know by now that antioxidants are key substances that kill free radicals in your body and promote better overall health. An analogy might be that we human beings "rust" and antioxidants slow down that process dramatically.
Super Fruit products can be found in many grocery stores, products such as Bossa Nova ]uice, which contains "high amounts of antioxidants and anthocyanins".
Here is a table that shows some summary information of Super Fruit properties, which is available on the super Fruit Wikipedia site. This is a well maintained site that has a lot of information on Super Fruits in general Super Fruits
There is also a social dimension to Super Fruits because they tend to be located in exotic locations, usually in jungles or remote areas. Sometimes the development of a market for these fruits causes local farmers and communities to benefit tremendously, but unfortunately sometimes the opposite can occur. Be aware and investigate your sources because many times the "social marketing" benefits are grossly exaggerated.
If you want to buy Super Fruit products, buy from a company that clearly states where their products come from, the processes they use, and how exactly these communities benefit from "social marketing". As the CEO of Everything Nature Inc, a Florida based company and the leading supplier of acai berries to reputable companies, I constantly travel to the Amazon to continue to develop our network of farmer/ partners/ processors. Maybe it is because I grew up in Brazil, and I feel a certain connection to the people. Many times I see things that are currently being done in the Amazon in the name of "social marketing" where I have to stop, scratch my head, and ask how can anyone possibly do this and claim that they are helping down here?
I truly hope that the industry becomes more transparent and that somehow somebody figures out how to help the consumer to separate the true "socially equitable" companies from that ones that make the claim, but don’t "walk the talk." One way for consumers to do this is to demand that these companies buy their products directly from the farmers or coops, instead from brokers. It is my personal opinion that brokers hurt the economics of this industry all too often.
I also strongly believe that consumers and retailers that distribute these products should be asking companies not only about their quality control, or if they buy their raw products from brokers, but we should be asking very loudly what is the effect of these companies’ on the people and on our planet. Finally, do not assume that their answer or their marketing pitch is the truth. Go out there and investigate for yourself to always keep them honest.
Carlos E. Garcia, entrepreneur CEO of Everything Nature Inc. www.everythingnature.com and www.superfruitoils.com
Vol 28 Issue 3 Page 28