Whole-Plant Nutrition, Backed by Research.
Whole-Plant Nutrition, Backed by Research.
Mankai combines whole-plant nutrition with more than 12 years of independent scientific research.
Mankai may be the world’s smallest leaf, but it delivers an impressive combination of naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and beneficial plant compounds. This tiny aquatic leafy vegetable has a distinctive nutrient profile that attracted growing scientific interest over the last decade.
More than 24 peer-reviewed publications, including 10 clinical and pre-clinical trials, have evaluated Mankai both on its own and as part of a Green Mediterranean dietary pattern, which is a plant-forward variation of the traditional Mediterranean diet that emphasizes reduced red and processed meat and includes nutrient-dense plant foods such as Mankai.
Researchers have explored Mankai’s unique nutritional composition, including the bioavailability of key nutrients such as iron and vitamin B12. Learn more about Mankai’s key nutrients, why they matter, and what ongoing research has found so far!
A Closer Look at Mankai’s Nutrient Profile
What’s in a scoop of Mankai? A lot more than you’d expect from the world’s smallest leafy vegetable. Just 5 grams of Mankai provides an excellent source of folate, iron, molybdenum and vitamin K, plus a good source of vitamin A and copper. You’ll also find varying amounts of vitamin B12, omega-3, choline, lutein, and other beneficial plant compounds—all contributing to Mankai’s distinctive nutrient profile.
Explore some of the nutrients found in Mankai and see how they compare to familiar foods.
Folate
Folate is an essential B vitamin that supports healthy cell growth and red blood cell formation contributing to overall health of the heart, brain, or nerve health. It's especially important during periods of rapid growth, such as pregnancy.
Mankai is an excellent source of folate. Researchers have explored Mankai's role as a natural food source of folate as part of the Green Mediterranean Diet.
Iron
Iron is a mineral that helps your body make hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. It also supports energy production, cognitive function, immune health, and helps reduce fatigue and tiredness.
Mankai is an excellent source of iron. Researchers have evaluated the bioavailability of iron in Mankai and continue to explore its role in supporting healthy iron status.
Molybdenum
Molybdenum is a mineral that your body needs to activate enzymes, support normal cellular function, and play a role in the body's natural detoxification processes. It is also involved in breaking down drugs and toxic substances in the body.
Mankai is an excellent source of molybdenum.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K plays a key role in normal cellular function, blood clotting, and contributing to bone strength and cardiovascular health.
Mankai is an excellent source of vitamin K.
Copper
Copper is a mineral your body needs to produce energy, form connective tissue and blood vessels, and support the normal function of the nervous and immune systems. It is also involved in brain development.
Mankai is a good source of copper.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A plays a key role in supporting normal vision, immune function, reproduction, and growth and development. It also supports the normal function of the heart, lungs, and other organs.
Mankai is a good source of vitamin A. The vitamin A in Mankai comes from naturally occurring beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A as needed.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is an essential B vitamin that helps keep your body's nerve and red blood cells healthy, and it plays a key role in DNA synthesis. It supports cognitive health, helps reduce fatigue and tiredness, and overall wellbeing.
A 5 gram serving of Mankai provides 8% of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin B12. Because vitamin B12 is found naturally in very few plant foods, researchers have taken particular interest in studying the vitamin B12 that is present in Mankai. Research has explored the bioavailability of vitamin B12 in Mankai and its contribution to vitamin B12 status.
Complete Protein
Protein helps your body build and repair cells and make new ones. Protein is made up of amino acids, and when a protein has all nine essential amino acids, it is considered a "complete" protein.
Researchers have studied Mankai's protein composition, including its amino acid profile and digestibility, and have found that Mankai has all nine essential amino acids that make up a complete protein, and its digestibility is comparable to white cheese. A 5 gram serving of Mankai has 2 grams of complete protein.
Discover the Research
Nutrition is just the beginning. Mankai has been the subject of a growing body of independent, peer-reviewed research exploring its unique nutrient profile and its role in various aspects of health. Explore the latest research, covering topics such as metabolic health, the gut microbiome, cardiovascular health, healthy aging and more on our Science page.