Why Coca Could Become the Next Superfood (and How to Invest)

Superfoods refer to nutrient-rich foods that convey positive health benefits. While catechin-rich green tea, fisetin-rich strawberries, and omega-3-rich walnuts are well-known superfoods, coca leaves remain relatively undiscovered due to their association with cocaine. But fortunately, decocainized coca leaves open the door to new possibilities.

Let’s take a deep dive into the nutritional benefits of coca leaves and how you can invest in one of the only companies bringing them to market.

What’s in Coca Leaves?

Coca leaves have been used for centuries as a natural herbal remedy for upset stomach, environmental stress, weight loss, and energy. In fact, indigenous cultures across South America still consume raw coca leaves regularly to achieve these health benefits. However, importing raw coca leaves into the U.S. is illegal due to their cocaine content.

Power Leaves Corp. plans to use state-of-the-art extraction technologies to decocainize coca leaves and bring premium extracts to the U.S. market. These extracts will provide the enormous potential health benefits of coca leaves to energy drinks, protein bars, and other convenient product formats for athletes and health-conscious individuals.

Coca leaves have four core benefits:

• High Protein – Coca leaf extract has 72% more protein than average plant-based foods, according to a Harvard analysis of protein requirements, with 19 grams of protein per 100 grams of extract. In other words, consumers can meet one-third of their protein intake requirements with just 100 grams of coca extract.
• Polyphenols – Coca leaf extract has three grams of polyphenols per 100 grams of extract, which is three times greater than what most consumers take in each day. In addition, unique processes could improve bioavailability compared to other sources, according to the company’s literature.
• Low GI Carbs – Coca leaf extract provides 44 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams of extract but has a low glycemic index to maintain ideal blood sugar levels.
• High Calorie/ Fuel – Coca leaf extract provides over 300 calories per 100 grams, translating to 10% more calorie content than other plant-based foods. However, these calories stem mainly from protein and low-GI carbohydrates, making them “healthier” calories.

Coca leaves also provide other nutrients:

* Data from a company-provided nutritional analysis. Daily values from MyPlate.gov.

A Potential Game-Changer

The functional food and beverage market will grow from $258.8 billion in 2020 to nearly $530 billion by 2028, according to Fortune Business Insights, representing a 9.5% compound annual growth rate. Consumers are increasingly seeking nutrient-enhanced foods to improve their health while new product development is supercharging growth.

Coca could follow in the footsteps of hemp – another superfood held back by prohibition in the past. According to IMARC, the global hemp-based food market exceeded $1 billion in 2021 and could reach nearly $3 billion by 2025, representing a 15.52% compound annual growth rate. That’s about 50% faster than the broader functional food market.

Coca leaf extract is well-suited for the functional food and beverage industry, given its nutritional profile. In particular, it provides a high-protein, high-calorie, low-fat, and low-GI food source for the fitness community, along with antioxidants and essential micronutrients that may appeal to those seeking a healthier overall diet.

Investing in the Coca Market

Power Leaves Corp. is the first and only private commercial business to sign a government-approved 15-year exclusive license to extract, manufacture, and distribute decocainized coca-based products in the United States. The company achieved this status through its partnership with an indigenous group with a UN exemption.

The company plans to initially provide bulk extract to food and beverage customers across the U.S. Soon after, it plans to launch its organic and liquid biofertilizer products along with a coca-infused energy drink and tequila. These markets garner hundreds of billions of dollars in annual sales, translating to a significant opportunity for investors.

While it plans to list on the NASDAQ over the next nine to 12 months, investors can participate in a private placement of up to 22,222,222 units consisting of one common share and one-half share purchase warrants (for one common share at US$0.60 for 24 months). For more information, email info@powerleaves.com or sign up using the form below.

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