To a food scientist like me, catching wind of a new “superfood” can lead to skepticism and embarrassing fits of geekiness. I want to know everything about it—where it came from, what it’s like, what we know about it—especially in cases where solid research was conducted before it hit the scene. Show Of course, like many crushes, aspiring superfoods rarely live up to their promise. Some fail basic tests like cost, sustainability or even palatability (I don’t know about you, but I find I can only eat so many goji berries). Some candidates are healthy, but nothing superior to nutritious staples like apples, broccoli and eggs that many of us are fortunate to have in our every day diets. Yet, every once in a while, a true jewel emerges that seems like such a natural fit for our current needs and tastes that I’m left wondering, Why did it take us so long to figure this out? Enter Mankai, a cultivated strain of the Wolffia globosa aquatic plant. Sounds exotic, right? You’ve probably seen its close relatives before—making a green blanket on a pond or canal. Also called duckweed or watermeal, Mankai has long been consumed in Thailand and other southeast Asian countries where many of its local names translate roughly to “water egg.” It’s also a favorite food of ducks and fish and has been successfully used to nourish animals ranging from pigs to cattle to quail. Now, Mankai is making its way to the U.S., thanks to factors like advances in its growing and processing techniques and increased consumer demand from the nearly 10 million Americans now following plant-based diets[1]Vegan Trends In The U.S. Ipsos. Accessed 01/27/2022. . In terms of nutrition, the initial research looks highly promising—Mankai is the one plant-based food I’ve seen that addresses several needs at once: It provides complete protein, a high dose of bioavailable iron and, almost unique to the plant world, vitamin
B12[2]Mankai Duckweed Plant Found To Offer Health Benefits. American
Associates. Accessed 01/27/2022. . Traditionally, Mankai is added to curries, salads or omelets. In the U.S., where we have an appetite for on-the-go solutions, you can now purchase either Mankai powder or frozen cubes that are easy to add to smoothies, shakes, soups and more. I can sense some readers cringing, wondering what adding powdered pond weeds to their breakfast shake
might taste like. Take heart, anyone who has gagged on a kale smoothie. Mankai tastes like…nothing. It’s about as neutral as you can get for a plant. You can add it to virtually anything you dream up and don’t mind dying green—broccoli casserole, frittata, green curry, even pancakes or biscuits. Skinny Greens Green Juice Superfood Powder Packed with 34 essential superfoods, adaptogens, and powerful prebiotic and probiotic ingredients to help you with your
daily nutrients, a healthier digestive system, and increased immunity. Try It Now! Mankai for Vegetarians, Vegans and People Following Plant-Based DietsFor being one of the tiniest vegetables in the world (one-sixty-fourth of an inch in length), Mankai offers outsized nutrition. In one serving of Mankai, you get 5 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, 15% of your daily B12, a whopping 45% of your daily iron and and other nutrients including choline and omega-3 fatty acids, according to a Manaki manufacturer. A protein is considered complete when it contains all nine essential amino acids that our bodies can’t produce on their own. Animal-based foods like eggs, fish, meat and dairy are complete proteins, but plant-based foods contain varying profiles of these amino acids that often need to be combined to obtain all essential amino acids—like classic rice and beans. Only a handful of plant-based complete proteins like soy have earned places of honor in traditional diets. Per serving, Mankai offers about as much complete protein as an egg, making it a potential new superstar for plant-based protein. Iron and B12, two other nutrients plant-based eaters must watch out for, are also abundant in Manakai. First, iron. The form of iron found in plants tends to be much more poorly absorbed by the body compared to the iron present in animal-derived foods. Research shows absorption of non-heme (plant-based) iron tends to range from just 1% to 15%[3]Hunt, J. R. (2003). Bioavailability of iron, zinc, and other trace minerals from vegetarian diets. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 78(3), 633S-639S. Doi:. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/78.3.633S. . However, the iron in Mankai has been demonstrated to be highly bioavailable. At least one early, animal-based study shows supplementing a low-meat diet with Mankai can help prevent loss of iron, which could be beneficial for vegetarians, vegans and those with poor iron status who can’t tolerate or choose not to take iron supplements[4]Yaskolka Meir A, Tsaban G, Zelicha H, et al. A Green-Mediterranean Diet, Supplemented with Mankai Duckweed, Preserves Iron-Homeostasis in Humans and Is Efficient in Reversal of Anemia in Rats. J Nutr. 2019;149(6):1004-1011. . Next, B12. Because vitamin B12 is found primarily in animal-derived foods, vegetarians (and particularly vegans) tend to be at higher risk of B12 deficiencies. Outside of supplements, plant-based sources of vitamin B12 include fortified foods, some fermented foods and mushrooms. One of the really unusual things about
Mankai is that it offers a good source of plant-based B12, which also appears to be highly bioavailable. Vital All-Day Greens Complete A synergistic blend of bioavailable super-foods, vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and digestive enzymes that can help to support your immune system, daily digestion, and overall metabolic health. Learn More Mankai Benefits for OmnivoresWhy might a meat-eater want a scoop of Mankai in the morning? Researchers have been testing Mankai against many common ailments like obesity and metabolic disorders, finding that it has the potential to improve these conditions over and above other healthy changes to the diet alone. One study found participants with obesity who replaced their evening meal with a Mankai shake improved their morning fasting glucose levels more than those who had a calorie-, carbohydrate- and protein-matched yogurt shake[5]Zelicha H, Kaplan A, Yaskolka Meir A, et al. The Effect of Wolffia globosa Mankai, a Green Aquatic Plant, on Postprandial Glycemic Response: A Randomized Crossover Controlled Trial. Diabetes Care. 2019;42(7):1162-1169. . Those who consumed Mankai also reported feeling more satisfied with their meal. Digging deeper, researchers have created something called the Green Mediterranean diet, taking one of the most research-supported diets in the world (the Mediterranean diet) and enriching it with Mankai, green tea and walnuts. Preliminary trials found this dietary pattern may benefit those with obesity and metabolic disorders. Compared to the Mediterranean diet alone, the Green Mediterranean diet is shown to achieve better reductions in waist circumference, LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, insulin resistance and 10-year cardiometabolic risk (though some of those benefits are attributed to the addition of green tea and walnuts)[6]Tsaban G, Yaskolka Meir A, Rinott E, et al. The effect of green Mediterranean diet on cardiometabolic risk; a randomised controlled trial. Heart. 2020. . Is Manaki Right for You?After digging into the science and nutrition of Mankai, what’s my takeaway? For its strong nutritional profile, suitability for plant-based eaters and promising health benefits, sustainability and more, Mankai may, indeed, qualify as a true superfood. And, as the Green Mediterranean diet demonstrates, no single superfood is going to be as good as a superdiet. So, eat well, and then choose your add-ons wisely. Since I got to know this fascinating newcomer, Mankai has earned a place of honor in my morning smoothie. You may not taste it, but your body will know it’s there. You May Also Be Interested In Proteins From Our Featured Partner
 Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 18+ Protein Per Serving 20 grams of plant-based protein Features Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Major Allergen Free, Vegan Friendly
Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 50+ Protein Per Serving 20 grams of plant-based protein Features Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Major Allergen Free, Vegan Friendly
Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake Pregnancy & Postpartum Protein Per Serving 20 grams of plant-based protein Features Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Major Allergen Free, Vegan Friendly (Note: Product details and prices are accurate as of publication and are subject to change.) Why is Mankai no longer available?Our efforts have, unfortunately, come to an end. Wednesday, January 19, 2022 will be the last day to order Mankai in the US Market. All subscriptions and recurring orders of Mankai will also end on this date. This decision was made by Hinoman's investors and is in no way a reflection of the product itself.
Is duckweed the same as Mankai?Mankai is a cultivated strain of the aquatic plant commonly known as duckweed. While it is one of the smallest flowering plants on earth, it has a huge potential for providing high-quality protein and nutrients.
Is Mankai available in the US?In the U.S., where we have an appetite for on-the-go solutions, you can now purchase either Mankai powder or frozen cubes that are easy to add to smoothies, shakes, soups and more.
What is Mankai good for?Extremely versatile in the kitchen, Mankai is the only plant source to have many nutritional benefits. Research shows it is an excellent source of numerous nutrients including vitamin K (providing 580-percent of the recommended daily value), folate, vitamins A, zinc, and iron.
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