SINGAPORE, Oct 1 — The term superfoods has been frequently thrown around in wellness-speak. What it means is, really, food that your mother had nagged you to eat — mostly plant-based ingredients and herbs, which are nutritionally dense.

And while you may already know about superfoods such as avocados, chia seeds and blueberries, have you heard of lesser-known ones such as pili nuts, moringa, maca powder, acai and noni? Interest in such unusual superfoods has been rising — thanks to the internet and more discerning, health-conscious consumers.

“We started three years ago before moringa even got popular, and we’ve seen a tremendous increase in customer interest and business in the past year,” shared Clorine Teo, one of the four founders of Moringa.sg, a website retailing moringa products.

She revealed that sales is three times more compared with last year as customers learn about the benefits of the plant, which is trending heavily in the wellness circle for being a “complete food”. “People are reading more and realising the importance of taking care of themselves,” she said.

Co-owner of GreenCircle EcoFarm Evelyn Eng, who will be selling her wares at Open Farm Community Social Market today and tomorrow, agrees that as consumers get more adventurous and exposed to a wider variety of food, they are keen to find out about the nutritional value of what they consume. “We get a lot of customers at the markets and our farm asking questions about our herbs and veggies,” she said, adding that GreenCircle is advocating for more locally grown varieties, which are similarly rich in nutrients.

“Rural Singaporeans used to eat these herbs, such as blue butterfly pea flower, which has the antioxidant anthocyanin also found in blueberries and purple grapes, before we got so urbanised.”

One reason why lesser-known superfoods have not quite made it into mainstream diets is the fact that many of them, such as pili nuts, are still not commercially produced and marketed. “Pili nuts, unlike other nuts, are not commercially grown. They are harvested from the wild and it’s a laborious process,” explained Terry Tong, owner of Pili Pushers, which imports these nuts and has been retailing them since 2013.

But things may soon improve — Pili Pushers got a big boost recently when its range of pili nuts (Ginger and Tumeric, Cinnamon and Raw Honey and Unsalted) received the acclaimed Great Taste award from the United Kingdom in August.

So with superfoods being super delicious and super nutritional, isn’t it time to load up on them?

This weekend, hunt down these lesser-known superfoods to add to your diet

1. Moringa

Packed with antioxidants and vitamins, this is practically a miracle plant. It reduces blood sugar, boosts energy, improves immunity and reduces inflammation. Teo has received lots of positive feedback from customers who have tried moringa — from breast-feeding mothers who need a milk boost to parents who report that their kids are less prone to illnesses. “If you’re getting moringa leaves from the market, make sure the leaves are green instead of dark green and grey,” Teo advised. Get the moringa capsules or smoothie mix for greater convenience. You can also buy moringa seed oil and use them as a moisturiser for your hair and skin.

2. Pili nuts

Found in the volcanic regions of the Philippines, pili nuts (above) are creamy in taste and make a healthy snack as they are a great protein alternative — containing all eight amino acids. Rich in nutrients such as omega fatty acids, magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin E, it improves heart health and the functioning of the brain.

3. Noni

Also called the “mengkudu”, noni is a fruit that is said to strengthen the immune system, lower cholesterol and ease hypertension. The Polynesians have long prized the fruit for its anti-bacterial properties. And studies done by Kobe Gakuin University have shown noni juice can help ward off strokes.

4. Acai berries

Pronounced (ah-sa-ee), these berries, commonly found in the rainforest of the Amazon, are found to negate the effects of a high-fat diet, increase energy and keep fatigue at bay. It is known for being high in antioxidants (with 10 times the amount of antioxidants found in grapes, and two times the amount in blueberries). Acai berries also contain ellagic acid, a natural chemical compound, which may help slow the growth of certain cancers.

5. Maca powder

Derived from the maca root grown in the Andes in Peru, this is also known as the Peruvian ginseng. It helps improve hormonal balance — relieving pre-menstrual cramps in women and boosting the libido in both genders. Being rich in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, vitamins B1, B2, C, E, and iron, it is a mood-enhancer that fends off depression and chronic fatigue, and increases energy and stamina.

6. Ivy gourd

Gourds are a great source of nutrients, and it is probably a matter of time before they are widely popularised as superfoods. Ivy gourds are already known to help with diabetes by lowering and controlling blood sugar. It has also been used traditionally to treat coughs, ulcers, wounds and bronchial inflammations.

7. Camu camu

Yet another power-packed fruit from the Amazon, camu camu (above) has 30 times more vitamin C than an orange, thereby boosting the immune system and providing protection against diseases. Camu camu also contains potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorus and various kinds of amino acids such as serine, valine and leucine, considered to ward off the spread of cancer and cell damage. The fruit has also been linked to the prevention of cognitive illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. — TODAY