Turkey tail, holy basil… The new wellness elixirs of 2024

From spirulina to turmeric: every year we see the wonders of a new, healthy super ingredient touted. Some are brilliant, promoting wellbeing and becoming mainstays in our nutritional and skincare regimes.

Others are more hot air than cure all. What are the buzzwords that are likely to be on every health and beauty expert's list in 2024? Here we share the ones to watch…

HASKAP BERRIES

Haskaps are similar to blueberries, but contain four times as many anthocyanins, the antioxidants that make them blue – and a health-promoting superfood.

“These are like blueberries on steroids,” says Alex Glover, head of nutritional development at Holland & Barrett. 'Great for cognitive function and cardiovascular health, in powder or juice form.'

• Haskapa Superberry powder, £17.95 for 1kg, amazon.co.uk

MANGO LEAF

Caffeine-free energy boosters are big news, promising increased alertness and reaction time without sleep disruption. Mango leaf, which is said to increase dopamine in the brain, is available as a calorie-free compound called Zynamite that you dissolve in water like Berocca.

• H&B Expert Advanced Daily Energy Sachets, £26.49 for 30 sachets, hollandandbarrett.com

TURKEY TAIL

The latest mushroom powder must-have. Posts mentioning turkey tail have been viewed more than 54 million times on TikTok. It's praised by some as a powerful immunity booster, and researchers are also investigating how it can help balance blood sugar levels, improve athletic performance and reduce fatigue.

• KIKI Health Organic Mushroom with Turkey Tail Extract, £30 for 60 capsules, kiki-health.com

TREMELLA

It is claimed that it can help increase the body's production of hyaluronic acid and collagen, while thickening hair, strengthening nails and reducing wrinkles. Tremella is known as the beauty mushroom. In creams to apply to your skin, and in capsules and tea.

• DIRTEA Tremella Mushroom Powder, £31.49 for a 60g sachet, dirteaworld.com

Tremella is known as the beauty mushroom and is said to increase the body's production of hyaluronic acid and collagen

INOSITOL

Known as vitamin B8, inositol has been seen in reputable studies to regulate glucose, control PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), aid in fat metabolism, and control anxiety.

“It's hard to overemphasize the importance of controlling blood sugar levels,” says Alex Glover. 'Dementia is called type 3 diabetes because it is linked to insulin sensitivity, and inositol is seen as the newest tool in our armor for this.'

• Inositol 500mg vegetable capsules, £13.50 for 50, solgar.co.uk

Known as vitamin B8, inositol has been seen in reputable studies to regulate glucose, control PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), aid in fat metabolism, and control anxiety.

POSTBIOTICS

You've probably heard of probiotics and prebiotics, intestinal-friendly bacteria and the substances in food that promote them, but now it's the turn of postbiotics. These are a byproduct of eating fiber, described as what's left behind when your body has digested pre- and probiotics, including amino acids and certain vitamins.

Together, all three are known as 'tribiotics' and are seen as an emerging way to manage mood and weight through healthy gut.

• H&B Expert Triple Action Biotic Gut Formula, £29.99 for 60, hollandandbarrett.com

HOLY BASIL

Also known as tulsi, and revered in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, holy basil is hailed as a wonder herb in controlling blood sugar levels. It is an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body cope with all types of stress and has antidepressant and anti-anxiety properties. It can be taken as a supplement or in tea.

• Tulsi Clarity organic herbal tea, £4.99 for 20 tea bags, pukkaherbs.com

Also known as tulsi, holy basil is hailed as a wonder herb in controlling blood sugar levels

GOLDEN KIWI FRUIT

With yellow instead of green flesh, golden kiwis are packed with pectin, which is a great source of fiber. Most of us don't get enough fiber in our diets, yet they are essential for controlling blood sugar levels, lowering cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of colon cancer. It can also encourage us to eat less, as it makes us feel full and helps our gut bacteria.

• Holland & Barrett Tribiotic Metabolism, £28.99 for 60 capsules, hollandand barrett.com