Superfoods - statistics & facts
The term “superfood” has become an often used buzzword in the language of food and health. But due to the lack of scientifically-based evidence of the often praised positive health effects of these products, the actual term is neither legally protected nor officially defined. According to the English Oxford dictionary, a superfood is described as “A nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being”. These foods often have an additional nutritional value (value-added products) in comparison to other food products such as a high fiber, antioxidant, mineral or vitamin content or a desirable fatty acid composition. Producers and marketers of superfoods highlight this extra value in order to market their products. The size of the health and wellness food market has exceeded 23.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. With the growing popularity and expected wider consumer adoption in the next years, superfoods are projected to have a market value of 38.5 billion U.S. dollars by 2033. Foods that are often discussed as being superfoods include ancient grains, chia seeds, pulses, seaweed and kombucha.
