Steve Hoffman 5/9/22 Steve Hoffman 5/9/22

Rediscovered Ingredients that Built an Empire

By AWA Nutrition

Scientists are still baffled by how Incan builders hoisted 100-ton stones to create massive, earthquake-proof structures that fit together so precisely a piece of paper can’t be inserted between the monumental building blocks. They do know, however, what fueled those builders: superfoods.

AWÁ Nutrition uses some of the same Andean superfoods to power their protein blends. Though protein product connoisseurs may be unfamiliar with some of the ingredients that make AWÁ Nutrition’s blends so powerful and delicious—they are certainly not new. These potent botanicals have been around for millennia. Mostly vegan, Incans needed power to energize their extraordinary accomplishments, from a 25,000-mile road system to brain surgery. The plants they cultivated held honored positions in Incan society for thousands of years—until they were deliberately replaced by European species—and faded into relative obscurity. Recently, manufacturers like AWÁ Nutrition have been tapping into these deep agricultural—and cultural—roots to bring the nutritional bounty of the “lost crops of the Incas” to today’s consumers.

“The superfood ingredients AWÁ Nutrition sources from small-scale producers in the Andes have been powering people for over 5,000 years,” said AWÁ Nutrition Founder and CEO Felipe Guevara. “Foods such as Andean Lupine which has the highest amount of protein of any legume and quinoa have long provided highly digestible, plant-based protein sources for humans. Combined with the benefits of super fruits grown in Ecuador and the Andes region, our products match ancestral tradition with today’s consumer desire for authentic, plant-based nutrition, fitness and a balanced diet,” he said.

Sourcing ingredients from local Ecuadorian farmers makes a positive impact on fair trade communities. AWÁ Nutrition processes and manufactures their fruits and proteins in-house through a proprietary process at its NSF-certified Good Manufacturer Practice (GMP) facility.

All AWÁ Nutrition products feature the flavors and antioxidant and micronutrient power of Andean superfoods. Most may be familiar, like passion fruit and cacao. But have you ever experienced the Andean flavor explosion of a juicy mouthful of golden berry? Think of them as nature’s Sour Patch Kids—with health benefits. They’re star players in the Andean Berries flavor of AWÁ Nutrition’s High Performance Series.

Tart, tangy golden berries have a sweet start and end with a delicate sour note, a unique berry citric flavor that tastes like a mix of pineapple, strawberry and sour cherries.

When dried, they have a texture similar to dried figs with a complex sweet-tart. Members of the nightshade family, they are closely related to the tomatillo and look like miniature yellow tomatoes—housed in paper-thin “lantern” wrappers. Golden berries have many names: uvilla (“tiny grape” in Spanish), ground cherry, Cape gooseberry and uchuva. In French, they’re called amour en cage, “love in a cage,” because of their nifty wrapper.

Though small in size, golden berries deliver extraordinary health benefits. Incans prized them as healing foods. In traditional Andean healing, they’ve been used for lung, urinary and digestive health. Recent research suggests they have potent anti-inflammatory properties. Packed with immunity-boosting vitamins A and C, golden berries deliver a potent dose of antioxidants, including polyphenols and carotenoids, which help fight the free radicals that damage cells and may lead to diseases like cancer.

One of this superfruit’s most unique qualities is its withanolide content. Withanolide is a naturally-occurring adaptogen (and the active ingredient in ashwagandha).

These compounds help your body adapt to stress by improving the health of your adrenal system. This, in turn, can reduce feelings of anxiety and irritability. A whopping 25% of each golden berry seed is pure protein— extremely high compared to other seeds and nuts. Almonds are 13% protein and walnuts are only 8%. The whole fruit contains 16% protein—compared with 0% in other berries like cranberries and blueberries—helping ward off hunger. Plus, golden berries contain five grams of dietary fiber per serving, supporting digestive health.

Unique superfood ingredients like golden berry set AWÁ Nutrition protein products apart from the crowd in terms of both flavor and health benefits. There are no other products made from Andean superfoods supplemented with Andean and Amazonian fruit concentrates, which deliver the micronutrients required for a balanced diet. The plant-based smoothie-mixes come in two lines for personalized nutrition. The Lifestyle Active series is formulated for the everyday, healthy lifestyle consumer and is available in six Andean flavor mixes. The High Performance series of mixes are ideal for more serious athletes and are available in four Andean flavor mixes. All AWÁ Nutrition products are dairy free, soy free, gluten free and GMO free.

About AWÁ Nutrition
Based in Ecuador and with offices in Santa Monica, CA, the mission of AWÁ Nutrition is to promote an active lifestyle and encourage mindfulness of nutrition through unique and natural Andean plant-based nutritional products. We source from local, small-scale producers and cater to consumers who consciously seek out quality products with greater purpose. A direct percentage of sales of AWÁ Nutrition products go toward supporting social responsibility and nutrition and sports programs for disadvantaged communities in Ecuador.

For more information, visit our home page at www.awanutrition.com, visit AWÁ Nutrition on Walmart.com, or visit the AWÁ Nutrition store on Amazon.com. Also, visit AWÁ Nutrition on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Contact
For retail, wholesale and distribution inquiries:
Felipe Guevara, CEO, AWÁ Nutrition, fguevara@awanutrition.com

For media inquiries:
Evan Tompros, Compass Natural, evan@compassnaturalmarketing.com

Steve Hoffman 4/19/22 Steve Hoffman 4/19/22

The Lost Treasure of the Incas isn’t Gold… it’s Legumes

By AWA Nutrition

Ancient Andean people may have revered gold to create glittering temples and adorn their leaders, but when it came to fueling the largest empire ever known to the Americas, legumes were key — specifically Andean Lupine seeds. Also known as chocho, tarwi and pearl lupine where it is native to the Andean Highlands in South America, Andean Lupine seeds pack nutritional power worthy of an Incan warrior with its nutrient-dense 50% protein content.

Archeologists have found evidence of cultivated Andean Lupine seeds dating back 5,000 years. Since colonial times, however, the plant has been devalued as a crop. It was derided as “Indian food,” or “poor man’s food,” and consumption shriveled like a bean pod in the sun. Today, advocates for indigenous culture and food sovereignty are working to revive the ultra-nutritious, super-sustainable crop.

And now, one Ecuadorian company dedicated to healthy lifestyles and plant-based nutrition, AWÁ Nutrition, is using Andean Lupine as a key ingredient in its premium line of plant-based protein smoothie blends to power people with active lifestyles and elite athletes striving for peak performance.

“Foods such as Andean Lupine, which has the highest amount of protein of any legume, and quinoa, which is also native to the Andes region, have long provided highly digestible, plant-based protein sources for people,” says AWÁ Nutrition Founder and CEO Felipe Guevara, whose experience in the food industry includes directing business and brand development for leading companies worldwide.

“Combined with the benefits of antioxidant-rich super fruits grown in Ecuador and the Andes region, our products match ancestral tradition with today’s consumer’s desire for authentic, plant-based nutrition, fitness and a balanced diet.”

A Plant-based Protein Powerhouse
A natural nutrient powerhouse, Andean Lupine makes other beans, like soybeans, pale in comparison. Andean Lupine is:

Protein packed — 50% protein — more than three times the protein of quinoa

Easily digestible — Unlike other legumes, none of the compounds that cause gas and bloating
Zero net carbohydrates — Paleo friendly
Low glycemic — Keto friendly
High fiber — Three times more fiber than oats
Highly satiating — Helps reduce food cravings and maintain a healthy weight
Good source of lysine — This essential amino acid is critical for collagen production and healthy skin and bones
High in antioxidants
High in iron

Fueling Today’s Indigenous Cultures
After researching the properties of Andean Lupine, the Ecuadorian government developed national policies to promote expanding its cultivation as a way to improve the health and nutritional status of marginalized populations. The crop can be cultivated 7,800-11,400 feet above sea-level, which can make it a critical food source in the mountains, where Ecuadorians with the highest levels of nutritional deficiency live.

Ecologically, the Andean Lupine is incredibly efficient — and regenerative. By stabilizing atmospheric nitrogen, it enriches the land, making it more productive and profitable to the farmers who grow it. International agencies such as the Sustainable Development Goals Fund created by the United Nations have invested in promoting Andean Lupine cultivation to nourish the bodies and economies of Ecuadorians living in the mountains. The plant also plays an important role in Andean culture. In addition to food, people use its purple flower to dye alpaca and sheep fiber, helping color the vibrant textiles for which the region is well known.

Fueling Active People
In pre-colonial times, Incan women soaked the seeds of Andean Lupine in rivers for up to eight days to remove the alkaloids — bitterly flavored chemical compounds contained in the seeds. This lengthy preparation process was another reason the beans nearly disappeared from dinner plates. However, recent technological advances in processing led by AWÁ Nutrition have made Andean Lupine more readily available.

To deliver a complete essential amino acid profile in its products, AWÁ Nutrition combines Andean Lupine with quinoa and pea protein in a proprietary blend that provides easy-to-digest, complete protein nutrition. The protein blend is then mixed with concentrates of tropical super fruits including naranjilla, golden berry, wild Andean blueberry, passion fruit, bananas, cacao and coconut to create delicious smoothie mixes and single serving packs high in antioxidants, minerals and essential micro-nutrients.

Ideal for meal replacement, breakfast, snack, post-workout recovery or any time you need an energy boost, AWÁ Nutrition supplements are available in two product lines, High Performance and Lifestyle Active, all with healthy protein, carbs, fats (omega 3, 6 and 9) and antioxidants — and no artificial flavors or ingredients.

Free from gluten, soy, GMO and dairy, all AWÁ Nutrition products are vegan and have no added sugar. Browse products here and experience this Incan nutritional treasure. Andean Lupine is poised to conquer the plant-based food market — and usher in a delicious new era of eating.

# # #

Steve Hoffman 4/4/22 Steve Hoffman 4/4/22

Packing a Plant-based Protein Punch: Walmart.com Is the Latest Major Retailer to Feature AWÁ Nutrition’s Smoothie Mixes Made with Nutrient-dense Superfoods from the Andes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Packing a Plant-based Protein Punch: Walmart.com Is the Latest Major Retailer to Feature AWÁ Nutrition’s Smoothie Mixes Made with Nutrient-dense Superfoods from the Andes

Superfood Nutritional Products Maker AWÁ Nutrition Expands Its Online Retail Presence in the U.S. with Products Now Available on Walmart.com, Amazon.com and the Company’s Own eCommerce Site, AwaNutrition.com

SANTA MONICA, CA (April 4, 2022) — AWÁ Nutrition, maker of plant-based smoothie mixes and nutritional supplements featuring ancestral superfoods sourced from the highlands of the Andes Mountains in South America, is pleased to announce that its products are now available on Walmart.com, the ecommerce website of the world’s largest retailer.

Walmart.com joins the world’s number two retailer, Amazon.com, and the company’s own ecommerce site, AWANutrition.com, in offering AWÁ Nutrition’s unique line of nutrient-dense smoothie blends to health conscious consumers who demand quality, efficacy, and products free of many common food allergens.

Founded by the Walton family in 1962 in Rogers, AR, Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) currently operates more than 10,500 retail stores, including nearly 5,000 locations in the U.S., 600 Sam's Club stores and more than 5,000 international locations. In addition, Walmart operates 364 distribution facilities throughout the world. Walmart.com was established in 2000. In 2005, the company made a major commitment to environmental sustainability, including initiatives in zero waste, renewable energy and “focusing on products that sustain people and the environment.”

Andean Lupine, Quinoa and Pea Provide Complete, Plant-based Protein
AWÁ Nutrition’s soy-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and non-GMO plant-based smoothie mixes combine ancient wisdom and modern nutrition in uniquely formulated blends – with no added sugar – that meet rising demand for plant-based protein, nutrient-dense superfoods, ancient ingredients and convenient solutions for meals, snacks, post-workout recovery and energy boost in all natural, tasty tropical flavors from Ecuador.

Protein-packed, ancient Andean superfoods including the protein-rich Andean lupine (also known as chocho, tarwi and pearl lupin), quinoa and peas in a proprietary blend provide a complete amino acid profile to AWÁ Nutrition’s smoothie mixes. The superfoods are mixed with concentrates of tropical super fruits including naranjilla, golden berry, Wild Andean blueberry, passion fruit, bananas, cacao and coconut to create delicious products high in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and micro-nutrients.

“The ingredients AWÁ Nutrition sources from small-scale producers in the Andes have been powering people for thousands of years,” said AWÁ Nutrition Founder and CEO Felipe Guevara. “Foods such as the Andean Lupine, which has the highest amount of protein of any legume, and quinoa have long provided high quality and highly digestible, plant-based protein sources for people,” he said. “We specially developed our smoothie blends to appeal to and serve the nutritional needs of everyday active lifestyles, as well as those of elite athletes striving for peak performance,” Guevara added.

Lifestyle Active and High Performance Products for All Fitness and Energy Needs
Ideal for meal replacement, breakfast, snack, post-workout recovery or any time consumers need an energy boost, AWÁ Nutrition supplements are available in two lines, all with healthy non-inflammatory and non-allergenic protein, carbs, fats (omega 3, 6 and 9) and antioxidants, and with no artificial flavors or ingredients.

Lifestyle Active Series: For the Everyday, Healthy Lifestyle Consumer
Available in 6 Andean flavor mixes: Naranjilla (citrusy lemon-pineapple flavor), Andean Blackberry, Andean Wild Blueberry, Coconut, Cocoa and Passionfruit; 11g of plant protein from non-inflammatory sources, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants; made with real fruit concentrates

High Performance Series: For More Serious Athletes
Available in 4 Andean flavor mixes: Andean Berries, Tropical Splash, Ancestral Power and Jungle Shake; 21g of plant protein from non-inflammatory sources; 3 billion CFU probiotics; vitamins, minerals, antioxidants; made with real fruit concentrates; KETO friendly

Contact
For retail, wholesale and distribution inquiries:
Felipe Guevara, CEO, AWÁ Nutrition, fguevara@awanutrition.com

For media inquiries:
Evan Tompros, Compass Natural, evan@compassnaturalmarketing.com

# # #

Rediscovered Ingredients that Built an Empire