Duckweed is considered the new "superfood" of the 21st century.

(Dan Tri) - Mankai (duckweed) has long been familiar to Vietnamese people as a type of animal feed. However, few people know that this vegetable is a "superfood" rich in protein and nutrition.

Mankai belongs to the duckweed family, grows on the surface of freshwater, and has a clover-like shape. This plant is found in many places in Southeast Asia, and is familiar to Vietnamese people as a food source for livestock and farmed fish. However, many studies have shown that this plant contains 9 types of amino acids and more than 60 nutrients, and is considered a new "superfood" of the 21st century.

Mankai grows wild in Southeast Asia, contains many nutrients, and is expected to be a "superfood" that can replace meat in an era of vegetarian diets (Photo: Getty).

In Israel, mankai is produced on a large scale in powder form. Mankai powder has a neutral taste and can be easily added to many dishes such as smoothies, salads, soups or cakes.

Mankai is proven to be a protein-rich food, containing all 9 essential amino acids, equal to chicken eggs. Research in Clinical Nutrition shows that the protein in mankai has a high absorption capacity, equivalent to soft cheese and protein in beans, helping to strengthen muscles and repair cells effectively.

Mankai also contains more than 200 polyphenols, a class of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory plant compounds. These active ingredients help nourish beneficial gut bacteria, improve the microbiome, and protect the brain by reducing inflammation, improving memory and cognitive function.

A study from 2022 also showed that eating a lot of polyphenols from mankai and green tea helps reduce cognitive decline, prevent Alzheimer's, thereby enhancing outstanding brain benefits.

Not only a source of protein, mankai also contains 60 nutrients, including bioavailable iron, fiber, vitamin B12, vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin E, folate, zinc, omega 3 fatty acids. 85g of mankai provides only 45 calories, 5g of protein, 4g of fiber and 1g of fat.

As more and more people turn to vegetarian diets, mankai may be one of the top choices for protein and nutrition.

Research on PubMed shows that people who eat a Mediterranean diet rich in mankai and green tea have lower bad cholesterol (LDL), higher good cholesterol (HDL), and lower inflammation markers.

In addition, drinking mankai as a meal replacement has also been shown to reduce blood sugar levels, delay glucose response, and reduce the risk of fasting hypoglycemia.

In addition, mankai supports weight loss thanks to its high protein content that makes you feel full for a long time. Combined with exercise, it helps control weight and metabolism. This vegetable also contains a lot of lutein/zeaxanthin, which helps reduce inflammation and protect the retina.

Not only is duckweed good for your health, it is also good for the environment. This aquatic plant grows quickly, doubling its yield every 72 hours with minimal fresh water and light.

Because it is a freshwater plant, it can also be easily grown hydroponically using a fraction of the water used by kale, spinach, or soybeans, meaning mankai can provide a nutrient-rich food source year-round without the need for arable land.

In addition, this plant can be grown using filtered wastewater, which is a viable solution to global water scarcity. In addition, as a sustainable source of protein, mankai can be an alternative to animal meat, in line with the current green food trend.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/beo-tam-duoc-vi-nhu-sieu-thuc-pham-moi-cua-the-ky-21-20251026225641967.htm