Unlocking the Secrets of the Ultimate 25 Fusion: Meet the Superfoods Behind the Blend

The Incredible Nutritional Value of our Organic Ultimate 25 Superfood Fusion

- And why this whole food matrix is so nutritious 

If you have been a customer of Z Natural Foods since the beginning, you have seen us slowly expand our line by creating new or recreating classic and traditional functional superfood blends that allow you to consume 

A wide range of highly nourishing foods easily and conveniently 

However, when we make a formula, we don’t just pick ingredients currently favored at the time; we choose ingredients that stand the test of time and have proven efficacy. 

25 Superfoods. 1 Scoop. Total Body Wellness.

While we have come out with many great and more advanced Superfood Formulas like;

• Optimum 30, 

• Cacao & Mushroom Wellness Blend, 

• Original Superfood Fusion, 

• Ultimate 25 Superfood Fusion, 

• Vitality Blend Coffee Creamer, 

• Essential Reds, and 

• Super 8 Berry

For many years, we have known the power of the major categories of functional foods, such as;

• Greens, 

• Superfruits, 

• Tonics, and 

• Adaptogens. 

For this reason, they are the base of all great formulas, and key components of our focus today. 

What is our Organic Ultimate 25 Superfood Fusion?

- Synergy: why the whole food matrix is greater than the sum of its parts

Discussing the concept of synergy is essential to understanding the benefits of combining all of these nourishing foods. 

The primary principle behind synergy is understanding that the whole is greater than the sum of its simple parts. 

When applying this concept to a product containing a wide array of nourishing foods, it is vital to know that the potent compounds in each food and herb have a broader spectrum and nourishing effect than any isolated compound within that mixture. 

One Blend, Massive Benefit: Naturally Supports Health &  Well-Being

When eaten as a whole food matrix, no individual compound works alone. 

Therefore, combining a wide variety of superfruits will provide more potent nourishment than consuming a standardized version of any particular compound. 

If you are experienced with using functional food powders, you already know that most premade formulas are created for the masses. In simple terms, it was not made specifically for you. 

This is not to say that it won’t be highly effective, but it won’t be as effective as if it was specific to your needs. A company's most complex challenge is to make a formula that works for everyone on some level and ensures that it puts you on the correct path to good health. This goal is often accomplished by having a wide range of ingredients that cover all aspects of a specific health concern. 

For example, when a company creates a sleep formula that will positively affect everyone who takes it, it is essential to have herbs from each area that may affect healthy sleep patterns. 

So, having sedatives, nervines, anxiolytics, analgesics, and antispasmodics in the formula would ensure that it will have a positive effect regardless of why the person is having sleep issues. 

However, our formulas are not specific to any one condition. Unlike medicinal herbs and tonics, functional superfoods and adaptogens are not condition-specific.

Superior Nourishment and Outstanding Flavor: 

Organic Ultimate 25 Superfood Fusion 

Ultimately, Z Natural Foods makes a formula with the primary goal of superior nourishment while focusing on the primary ingredients to create an outstanding flavor profile. We want to present you with products that provide exceptional nutrition and taste great, as well as the convenience of adding them to water and having them at a moment's notice. 

However, all great formulas can be improved upon as new science and technology emerge. As new research emerges, we learn how to improve upon what was once considered “perfect.” Keep in mind that this does not take away from the original version of a product or formula. 

We see it all the time in the herb and nutraceutical industry, whether adding ingredients to increase effectiveness or a new version of a raw material that shows significantly better results. 

Therefore, when creating a food blend to provide potent nourishment, you can’t go wrong when you pick foods based on their traditional purposes backed by human studies and look to technology to help create the most optimized and bioavailable formula. 

This is what we have done by creating Organic Ultimate 25 Superfood Fusion. 

The Ultimate Daily Ritual: Greens, Mushrooms, Berries & More in One Delicious Blend

While there are 25 ingredients, hence the name Ultimate Superfood Fusion 25, today we narrow in on the 9 newest ingredients that have been most recently added to this formula.

These 9 new ingredients are:

1) Moringa leaf powder

Moringa, known as the Tree of Life, is often hailed as nature's ultimate multivitamin/mineral. Its exceptional content of around 92 nutrients and 46 antioxidants sets it apart, offering nutritional qualities that surpass those of other green foods. 

Moringa leaf is a powerhouse of nourishment, including chlorophyll, the vitamin K family, and a full spectrum of carotenoids. 

Moringa is also renowned for its rich amino acid content, containing all nine essential amino acids among its 15 amino acids. Some experts suggest that moringa could be a potential substitute for meat, fish, and other proteins due to its complete protein profile. However, the balance of these amino acids may be more critical for overall protein utilization. Moringa remains an excellent source of all 15 amino acids, known to support various aspects of health.

Preliminary studies have shown that moringa may have protective qualities against heavy metals due to the presence of a phenolic compound called gallic acid. Gallic acid is a potent biologically active phenolic acid compound with antioxidant capabilities.  

While most well known for being abundant in your cup of java (gallic acid is formed during the roasting process), moringa is also a quality source of this nourishing compound. 

According to the National Institutes of Health, Gallic acid is the most abundant in dried leaves, with a concentration of 1.034 mg/g dry weight. The concentration of chlorogenic and caffeic acids ranges from 0.018 to 0.489 mg/g of dry weight and 0.409 mg/g of dry weight, respectively. 

2) Kale powder

Kale is a member of the exclusive and powerfully nourishing group known as cruciferous vegetables. The term cruciferous is an informal classification for members of the mustard family. This diverse group includes kale, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, bok choy, arugula, Brussels sprouts, collards, watercress, and radishes, all of which initially descend from wild cabbage. 

Due to modern agriculture techniques like cross-breeding, multiple versions of foods like kale exist, varying in taste, texture, and consistency. 

However, the two true superstars of this food group are compounds known as DIM (Diindolylmethanks) and I3C (indole-3-carbinol). DIM is created through a complex conversion process from I3C in the gut. In other words, it is a metabolite of I3C. I3C is a phyto compound explicitly found in cruciferous vegetables and derived from the breakdown of glucobrassicin, a type of Glucosinolate (A family of compounds found in Cruciferous Vegetables). The conversion of Glucosinolates to Isothiocyanates like I3C can occur in the color where the native bacteria hydrolyze them. Preliminary studies show its potential for protecting DNA and its positive effects on estrogen metabolism by preventing estrogen conversion into potentially harmful compounds. 

In simple terms, here’s how this works:

• Estrogen metabolizes into estrone, estradiol, and estriol, which in turn metabolize into a more comprehensive array of compounds. 

• Some of those compounds have the ability to create potential problems by promoting the growth of “hormone-dependent” cancers. 

• I3C has been shown in preliminary studies to channel estrogen metabolism into proper pathways via improving phase one detoxification of estrones and keeping it out of paths that may promote cancer growth (like the potent pathway 2OH estrone), which can potentially make DNA damaging Quinones.  

I3C is also a well-known chemopreventive agent shown in preliminary studies to inhibit inflammation and angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels), decrease proliferation (the growth and spread of mutated cells), and promote tumor cell death. 

In a group of studies, Italian scientists found that people who ate Cruciferous vegetables at least once a week not only had a lower risk of oral, colorectal, and breast cancers by 17% but also lowered their risk of kidney and esophagus cancers by an average of 30%. 

3) Ginger powder

According to Stephen Buhner, the author of Herbal Antivirals, which uses a more Western approach to herbs, states that ginger may possess antiviral effects, thereby supporting a healthy immune system response. 

Modern research shows that ginger is rich in specific active compounds called gingerols (6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 10-gingerol), which are believed to be the primary reason for its ability to support a healthy inflammation response, immune response, and healthy blood flow. 

These uses of ginger show how important it is because blood flow, inflammation, and immunity are core fundamentals to overall good health. 

In complex terms, gingerols are aromatic phenolic structures composed of a series of structural analogs. More than 400 compounds have been identified in ginger. Its bioactive constituents include tannins, anthocyanins, and terpenes. While many studies focused on 6-gingerol as an isolated compound, there is a full spectrum of gingerols (4, 5, 6, 8, and 12)found in ginger that work synergistically to provide a well-balanced effect of various mechanisms of action. However, when ginger is dried or mildly heated, gingerol forms shogaols, which are partially responsible for its pungent taste. They are said to be twice as spicy as gingerols, which explains why dry ginger is more potent than fresh ginger. 

A review discussing the important nutraceutical principles of ginger stated the following: 

• Due to their diverse biological activities, Shogaols are important biomarkers for the quality control of many ginger-containing products. 

• The manuscript highlights convincing evidence that these phenolic compounds could serve as essential lead molecules for developing therapeutic agents to treat various life-threatening human diseases, particularly cancer. 

4) Baobab fruit powder

Baobab fruit (along with green bananas and unripe papayas) are part of a unique group of foods known as resistant starches. Resistant starches are dietary starch that does not break down into sugar and resists digestion in the small intestines. They pass through most of the digestive system unchanged, ending up in the colon, fermenting, and feeding the microbiota. This unique property of resistant starches specifically benefits gut health, creating a cascade of incredible effects on overall well-being. 

Resistant starches are typically formed when starch-containing foods are cooked and cooled. This occurs due to a process known as retrogradation, which happens when the amylose and amylopectin chains in cooked gelatinized starch realign themselves as they cool. Cooling these foods in the refrigerator overnight or for several days has been said to increase their starch-resistant content. While not explicitly confirmed, it is generally accepted that reheating resistant starches under 140 degrees F does not destroy their prebiotic qualities. However, foods in their unripened stages also contain these resistant starches.   

We can’t speak about resistant starches and gut health without delving into prebiotics and the potential that baobab has shown in preliminary studies. This area of study is consistently evolving as the list of foods containing these various fibers grows. Furthermore, what was once believed to be a component of insoluble fiber is now also seen in soluble fibers. 

The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics defines a prebiotic as “A substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit.” In simple terms, they are selected fermented carbohydrates that bring specific changes in composition and activity to the GI micro-flora, resulting in health benefits for the host. Baobab contains around 50% fiber, of which 75% is soluble and considered a prebiotic food.

5) Coconut Milk Powder

Coconut milk contains a unique fatty acid profile. Coconut is known to contain MCFAs, or medium-chain fatty acids, also called MCTs or medium-chain triglycerides. Fats constitute the most significant nutritional source of energy. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are uniquely processed in the body, making them easier to digest and metabolize. In the past, MCTs were considered unhealthy due to their high saturated fat content. However, it has now been proven that medium-chain triglycerides are unlike any other fat on Earth and have high nutritional value.

• Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) are more ketogenic than long-chain triglycerides (LCT) 

• Easily digested, MCTs give your body plenty of readily available energy.

So, why is MCT fat different? MCTs are unique fat molecules; this makes their fat different from most fats we consume. They are rapidly broken down and go straight to the liver, which is used as an instant energy source or turned into ketones. Ketones are created when insufficient sugar or glucose supplies the body’s fuel needs. 

6) Apple powder

Way back in the 1860s, there was the expression, ”Eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.”  Over the years, the expression has evolved to “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Both expressions were right on the money, as apples are a powerhouse of nourishment. As wonderful as nutrient and polyphenolic supplements are for supporting well-being, they are often presented in an isolated form. This may create issues with how well the body will utilize these compounds. Dried wholefood powders are an excellent alternative to isolated supplements as they provide the complex wholefood matrix the body can use. 

Like most other fruits and vegetables, apples possess unique qualities and compounds for various health purposes. These polyphenolic compounds all fall under (at some level) four general categories of plant compounds. The total phenolic content of apples ranged from 31.5 to 980.8 GAE/g, which is comparatively higher than the concentration in grape extract, a beverage known for its polyphenolic content. 

While onions are often spoken about as a top-quality source of quercetin, apples can hold their own as a close second as a fantastic source of this potent flavonoid. Among the compounds researchers have discovered in apples, flavinoids were the most abundant, including quercetin glycosides. 

Quercetin has been spoken of as one of the most potent flavonols in the entire family, and a little bit goes a long way. Quercetin is being aggressively studied for its ability to support a healthy aging process through multiple mechanisms of action. In one human study, quercetin showed its ability to inhibit inflammation by increasing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARy), which was shown to antagonize nuclear factor kappa b (NFKB), a protein complex at the top of the inflammation cascade that controls transcription of DNA, cytokine production, and cell proliferation 

7) Beet Root Juice Powder

With a deliciously sweet taste and beautiful, deep, rich red color, beet powder contains a treasure trove of nutrients and compounds that nourish the body, rarely found in a single food. 

Beets are classified within the top ten foods with the highest antioxidant activity and possess many unique qualities. 

They not only support powerful mechanisms of action like healthy blood flow, which directly correlates with vibrant health; beets also may work as a transport system for any powerful nourishment consumed into the body. 

Beet extract and freeze-dried powders have a wide range of uses in the functional food market. 

They have been shown to support antioxidant activity and the end product's functionality and mechanisms of action.

A review titled The Potential Benefits of Red Beetroot Supplementation in Health and Disease concluded that “beetroot supplementation is a new and exciting area of research that to date has been shown to induce favorable effects in several facets of health and disease. This indicates that beetroot supplementation holds promise as an economical, practical, and, importantly, natural dietary intervention in clinical settings. Because of beetroot’s high biological activity, there are still several unexplored areas in which supplementation might confer health benefits. This includes but is not limited to; pain reduction, cognitive function, vascular function, insulin resistance, cancer and inflammation, especially in older and diseased populations.” 

8) Turmeric Root Powder 

You may notice a wide array of turmeric products as you search online or in the aisles of a health store. You will often see every version of this herb, from whole turmeric root in a capsule and whole herb tinctures to various versions of standardized extracts focusing on concentrated levels of curcuminoids. 

It is not uncommon when terms describing various end products derived from the same original food are used interchangeably. Much like how cacao, cocoa, and chocolate are terms often clumped together because they are all derived from the cacao bean but are actually different end products with individually unique nourishing qualities. This is also the case when we speak about curcumin and turmeric. 

Contrary to popular opinion, while curcumin is derived from turmeric, consuming a whole version of turmeric rather than a product with concentrated levels of curcuminoids produces some unique qualities and differences in the end result. Discussing the concept of synergy is essential to understand what separates these two products.  

The primary principle behind synergy is understanding that the whole is greater than the sum of its simple parts. When applying this concept to using a whole turmeric root extract versus a product that focuses on specific levels of curcuminoids, the natural levels of the other various compounds (other than curcuminoids) found in whole turmeric root create a broader spectrum of nourishing results versus a targeted approach on specific mechanisms of action. 

The potent broad-spectrum compounds in whole turmeric root extracts create a whole herb matrix, so no particular compound dominates the entire spectrum. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that consuming a whole turmeric extract creates different nourishing results than consuming a standardized extract focusing on a specific family of compounds. So, in a nutshell, curcumin is a compound in the curcuminoid family that is derived from turmeric root. 

A curcuminoid is a small class of secondary metabolites that include curcumin, Demethoxycurcumin, and Bisdemethoxycurcumin, all of which are isolated from Turmeric. These compounds are phenols and are responsible for turmeric's yellow color. Within the curcuminoid family, curcumin is the primary compound, and the other two curcuminoids are analogs of curcumin. An analog is a compound with a molecular structure that is similar to the primary compound. While Demethoxycurcumin and Bisdemethoxycurcumin are believed to act similarly to curcumin, it is not explicitly known if they act to the same extent. 

To simplify this explanation, think of a lock, and each of these three compounds has a key that fits the lock, but only curcumin can open it. It is important to note that all curcumin extracts naturally contain curcumin and both analogs, but the analogs are often not standardized to a specific percentage. 

9) Cinnamon Powder 

Best known for its warm and cozy flavor and aroma and tremendous versatility, cinnamon is a staple in every home, especially in the fall and winter. Cinnamon's distinct smell and taste are due to an essential oil/ naturally occurring flavonoid compound called cinnamaldehyde. This compound is believed to be primarily responsible for cinnamon’s nourishing effects on metabolic health. 

Like many spices, cinnamon is a nourishing source of polyphenols. 

Polyphenols are a term used to describe a general category of compounds found in a broad spectrum of fruits, vegetables, and tea that work as “reducing agents” along with other compounds known as antioxidants to support a healthy inflammation response and the body's ability to protect and repair damaged tissue caused by oxidative stress. 

While over 8,000 polyphenols have been identified, some of the most common are flavonoids, flavonols, and anthocyanins. Cinnamon is a vibrant source of rutin. Rutin is a flavinoid glycoside combining the flavonol quercetin and the disaccharide rutinoise.

However, cinnamon is most famous for its overall effects on metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a term used to describe a group of conditions (blood pressure, blood sugar, and lipids) that raise your risk for more severe conditions, which are directly connected to how efficiently your metabolism works. Western medicine defines metabolism as enzymatic changes that take place in a cell or organism. 

These changes create energy, and the materials cells need to grow, reproduce and stay healthy. In simple terms, metabolism is the physical and enzymatic processes by which your body changes what you eat and drink into energy by mixing calories and oxygen to create said energy. Therefore, the more efficiently your metabolism runs and converts your calories into power, the greater your chance of living a healthy, vibrant life.

In conclusion, both of our fusion formulas are packed with highly nourishing foods that promise to support a healthy lifestyle. 

While each formula can be used daily, it is unnecessary to consume both. 

Therefore, we often suggest using the original Ultimate Superfood Fusion as your daily base, and for the times when you need extra support, switch over to the Superfusion 25 until you are over that hill. 

Whichever one you choose, you can feel confident that you will get the nourishment and support you need. 

For more information about our Ultimate Superfood Fusion, go here:

Ultimate Superfood Fusion

For more information about our Organic Ultimate 25 Superfood Fusion, go here:

Organic Ultimate 25 Superfood Fusion

For more information about all of our Superfood Blends, go here:

Superfood Blends

About Michael Stuchiner, Master Herbalist
Michael Stuchiner is a Master Herbalist and proud graduate of The School of Natural Healing and has worked in different areas of this field for over 25 years. He is a retired elite-level powerlifter who competed for 27 years. As an avid international traveler, he is passionate about the use of medicinal and tonic herbs, as well as foods traditionally found in local markets in the 35 countries he has visited. Michael brings you his years of experience as a Master Herbalist, traveler, and athlete through the hundreds of articles he has written and his YouTube channel (A Master Herbalist Perspective). He is considered a true educator in this field. For more articles written by Mike, go here: Master Herbalist.