Hemant Bagul, PhD – Assistant Professor, Polytechnic in Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Gujarat, India
Nikita Patel, PhD – Assistant Professor, C G Bhakta Institute of Biotechnology, Uka Tarsadia University, Gujarat, India; Instructor, Department of Health Science, University of the People, Pasadena, USA

Series: Food Science and Technology
BISAC: SCI060000; SCI011000; SCI073000
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52305/NPAI7000

Wild Superfoods: Nutrient-Rich Forgotten Tribal Edibles explores the remarkable nutritional and medicinal wealth hidden within India’s forest landscapes. Across India, tribal communities have long relied on wild fruits, leafy greens, tubers, seeds, and forest herbs not only for sustenance but for resilience, healing, and ecological balance. This book brings that knowledge into contemporary scientific dialogue. Blending ethnobotany, nutrition science, and sustainability studies, the authors present scientifically validated profiles of underutilized tribal foods, highlighting their phytochemical richness, antioxidant capacity, micronutrient density, and functional health benefits. The volume bridges traditional ecological wisdom with modern research, examining how biodiversity-rich diets contribute to food security, climate resilience, and preventive healthcare. Unlike commercial “superfood” trend books, this monograph is grounded in field experience and academic rigor. It documents indigenous culinary practices, seasonal harvesting systems, and conservation strategies while evaluating emerging opportunities in nutraceuticals and plant-based nutrition.

Designed for researchers, postgraduate students, nutrition professionals, agricultural scientists, ethnobotanists, and policy makers, this book serves as both a scholarly reference and a call to action. At a time of dietary homogenization and biodiversity loss, Wild Superfoods advocates for reviving forgotten forest foods—restoring diversity to our plates while preserving cultural heritage and ecological sustainability.