Our Star Ingredients
Wakame
Did you know that Omega-3 doesn't just come from fish? Wakame, a powerful source of Omega-3 fatty acids adds a delicious saltiness and powerful nutritional punch. In addition to Omega-3, wakame has magnesium, which improves sleep quality, cancer fighting antioxidants, and is known to support weight loss. As a sea vegetable, wakame is one of the most eco-friendly crops out there, making it good for you and for the planet. As a green leafy vegetable, it is an excellent source of iron, which is critical for preventing fatigue and supporting your blood’s ability to carry oxygen.
Kombu
Kombu adds a burst of flavor and nutrients. It has the natural ability to reduce gas and bloating due to the enzyme glutamic acid. Like other sea vegetables, it is a great source of iodine which is critical for healthy thyroid function. Kombu is especially beneficial for those following a vegan diet because it is a great source of iron, calcium, and protein. Like wakame, kombu is a sea plant and therefore requires no fresh water or land to grow, it is therefore one of the most environmentally-friendly and health-friendly crops there are.
Wild Mushrooms
Mushrooms don’t get nearly enough attention in the superfood conversation, but they are seriously good for you. Even in small doses, these flavor-packed fungi promote a strong microbiome by feeding the good bacteria you need to stay healthy. They have also been shown to slow cellular damage that leads to cancer thanks to the amino acid, ergothioneine.
White Miso
When you take the humble soybean and ferment it, delicious miso is born! Fermented foods, like miso, are uniquely wonderful for your gut and microbiome health by offering a natural source of healthy prebiotics and probiotics. White miso has a very mild flavor, and gives sweet depth to Brothology’s Focus flavor. Miso contains isoflavones, a powerful antioxidant that helps fight against aging and chronic diseases. Miso may be particularly beneficial for postmenopausal women to add to their diets - in this population, miso has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer and separately to reduce some symptoms of menopause. The miso benefits go on and on - ranging from promoting heart health by helping to balance cholesterol, to improved mental health, improved bone mineral density, and increased cognitive functioning.
Longan Fruit
This powerhouse of a fruit offers a delicate and fruity flavor alongside a multitude of health benefits. Longan is a brain-friendly super food, used in traditional Chinese medicine to reduce anxiety. One study in mice showed longan consumption may enhance learning and memory. If you are reading this, you are likely a human and not a mouse, but even if the memory boosting properties don’t translate to humans, longan is packed with too many benefits to fit in this small text box from iron to reduce fatigue, antioxidants to fight aging, manganese to promote sleep quality (without making you sleepy), vitamin C to support your immune system, and ellagic acid, epicatechin, and gallic acid all of which reduce inflammation.
Goji Berries
Sweet, sour, and bursting with color and flavor, these tiny superfood berries are a staple of Chinese medicine. They offer a low calorie source of protein, fiber, iron, vitamins A and C, antioxidants, and more. One study found that the antioxidants in goji berries can help prevent macular degeneration, a disease that causes vision loss. We first became interested in these tasty little fruits because of their purported ability to help with both male and female fertility. Studies have shown goji berries may provide fertility benefits ranging from increased IVF success to increased sperm count.
Ginger
Ginger is a powerhouse for boosting your overall health, providing a natural energy lift while soothing your digestive system. It’s especially effective in reducing nausea, helping you feel more settled whether you're experiencing motion sickness, morning sickness, or digestive discomfort. With its strong anti-inflammatory properties, ginger also reduces joint pain and muscle soreness, making you feel more flexible and less tense. In your body, it supports healthy circulation, helps lower blood sugar levels, and reduces cholesterol, which can improve cardiovascular health and leave you feeling more vibrant and resilient.
Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
Raw fermented foods are your microbiome’s best friend. This natural probiotic feeds the little guys that live inside your intestine so that your digestive system can operate smoothly. Regular consumption of apple cider vinegar helps promote regular bowel movements, reduces bloating, and helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Some research has shown that apple cider vinegar may reduce heartburn and acid reflux. In addition to the health benefits, apple cider vinegar adds a delicious acidity to all Brothology flavors, acting as the perfect balance to the coconut milk’s creaminess. During cooking, it silently serves a critical function; by making the broth acidic, it draws nutrients into the water so that the best parts of all of our ingredients actually get into to your mug.
Matcha
Matcha is made from the same leaves that make green tea, but instead of steeping them like in tea, they are powdered. This means you get a more potent flavor and nutritional profile along with a higher dose of caffeine. Most importantly, this means you also get a bigger dose of antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent cell damage and thereby reduce chronic disease progression and reduce signs of aging. Additionally, matcha has been shown to be a super food for your liver and brain, with separate studies demonstrating improved liver enzymes and improved cognitive performance. The earthy flavor adds subtle depth to Perform, making it our favorite way to start our days.
Turmeric
This bright orange root packs a lot of flavor and even more nutritional and performance benefits. It is naturally antiinflammatory thanks to its high concentration of curcumin, so often used by people with arthritis, IBD, joint issues, and infections. It’s also a favorite of athletes because it is a great natural remedy for sore muscles after challenging workouts. All Brothology flavors include organic black pepper, which when combined with turmeric make it 2000% more bioavailable thanks to a compound called piperine. Separate studies have shown that it increases the concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a compound known to play a critical role in memory and learning, making it a must have in our recipes.