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 found that a proprietary carob seed and pod extract from Pharmactive, called CSAT+, may support cardiometabolic health when paired with aerobic exercise and a balanced diet. In the study, mice were fed a high fat and sugar diet form 23 weeks, inducing metabolic syndrome. After that, one group remained in the high fat high sugar diet, while the rest were subject to a diet change for the next two weeks. Those mice were divided into four groups: 1) diet change alone, 2) diet change with CSAT+, 3) diet change and aerobic training, and 4) diet change, CSAT+, and aerobic training.

Results showed that caloric reduction and aerobic training both improved the lipid profile of subjects, and attenuated metabolic-syndrome-induced insulin resistance, but only supplementation with CSAT+ enhanced body weight loss, increased circulating levels of adiponectin, and lowered the plasma levels of IL‐6. Aerobic training did not accentuate the body weight loss induced by caloric reduction. According to the study, only CSAT+ supplementation resulted in the reduced weight of epidydimal adipose tissue and reduced liver weight, making it an effective strategy for improving insulin sensitivity in the liver and skeletal muscle. 

All interventions improved endothelial function in aorta segments, however only CSAT+ supplementation was shown to reduce obesity‐induced hypertension, prevented endothelial dysfunction in mesenteric arteries, and decreased the vascular response of aorta segments to the vasoconstrictor Ang II. Additionally, alone or in combination with aerobic training, CSAT+ supplementation was associated with a decrease in mRNA levels of pro‐inflammatory markers such as MCP‐1, TNFα, IL‐1β, and IL‐6 and with an increased gene expression of antioxidant enzymes, such as GSR, GPX‐3, and SOD‐1 in the liver, gastrocnemius, retroperitoneal adipose tissue, and aorta.

This study is a follow up to a 2020 study

 which found that CSAT+ was effective at reducing the risk of developing cardiometabolic alterations. “The recent study was designed to assess the possible beneficial role of CSAT+ once MetS is has been already established,” explained Daniel Gonzalez-Hedström, PhD, senior scientific researcher for Pharmactive, in a press release. “We also wanted to analyze if supplementation with CSAT+ in combination with aerobic training could offer any synergistic benefit in accentuating the weight-reducing effect and improve metabolic and cardiovascular function in obese mice. CSAT alone had no impact on weight loss in conjunction with a high sugar and fat diet, which also supports the importance of maintaining a balanced diet and lifestyle to cardiovascular health.”

CSAT+ is standardized to 36% galactomannans, 2% oligofructose, and 1% polyphenols. It is 100% soluble, making it suitable for dietary supplements and integration into functional foods and beverages.

Fuente-Fernández, M et al. “Carob extract supplementation together with caloric restriction and aerobic training accelerates the recovery of cardiometabolic health in mice with metabolic syndrome.” 

Fuente-Fernández, M et al. “Supplementation with a Carob (

.) fruit extract attenuates the cardiometabolic alterations associated with metabolic syndrome in mice.” 

Articles

A recent animal study found that a proprietary carob seed and pod extract from Pharmactive, called CSAT+, may support cardiometabolic health when paired with aerobic exercise and a balanced diet.

Carob extract enhances cardiometabolic health in combination with exercise and healthy diet alone, says recent study

Jennifer Grebow is the editor-in-chief of 

, an award-winning media-content provider in the dietary supplement and natural products market. 

, an MJH Life Sciences brand, provides insights and industry updates critical to manufacturers of dietary supplements, healthy foods, and nutritious beverages. 

 keeps industry abreast of current market trends, research updates, news, and regulatory developments. 

goes beyond the 24-hour news cycle and provides in-depth analysis to help industry players navigate the challenges and changes in the near- and long-term. 

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Nuritas (Ireland), a company using artificial intelligence to discover new peptides, announced it obtained self-affirmed Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status for its PeptiStrong ingredient. PeptiStrong contains peptides from fava bean and has shown benefits for muscle health, including the ability to reduce skeletal muscle atrophy and to increase muscle regeneration. The fava bean protein hydrolysate was found by an independent scientific GRAS panel to be safe for use in foods and beverages.

“Backed by two peer-reviewed clinical studies, this plant-based intelligent ingredient has outperformed animal protein,” the company’s press release states. “It has a multidimensional effect on muscle health: promoting muscle strength, improving recovery after intensive exercise, boosting energy, and supporting the synthesis of protein that assists in maintaining building muscle. These results show promising potential for functional foods and beverages in sports nutrition but also for a wide array of healthy aging solutions.”

Nuritas introduced PeptiStrong at November’s SupplySide West trade show in Las Vegas in applications including gel shots, cereal bars, and shake powders.

PeptiStrong contains natural peptides derived from fava bean.

Nuritas gains self-affirmed GRAS status for PeptiStrong ingredient for muscle health

Layn Natural Ingredients (Irvine, CA) has expanded its comprehensive portfolio of tea extracts with the addition of an Instant Tea Extract Powder line. Produced using a simple water extraction method, the Instant Tea Extract Powders retain the flavor and functionality of the tea leaves. Both hot and cold water soluble, the product is ideal for instant tea and ready-to-drink applications.

“Consumers are familiar with the benefits of tea, and next to water, tea is the most consumed beverage in the world. By 2027, the global tea extracts market is expected to reach $4.3 billion. We have seen growing interest from beverage brands wishing to incorporate instant tea extracts both for the functional health benefits and for tea flavors,” said Collette Kakuk, vice president of global marketing at Layn Natural Ingredients, in a press release. “Our tea extract powders have excellent liquid solubility as well as pleasant taste, making them ideal for use in a variety of applications including hot and cold beverages, liquid shots, gummies, bars, and instant tea packs.”

The line of Instant Tea Extract Powder includes caffeinated and decaffeinated versions of instant black tea, green tea, pu-erh tea, white tea, and oolong tea.

Both hot and cold water soluble, the product is ideal for instant tea and ready-to-drink applications.

Layn Natural Ingredients introduces line of Instant Tea Extract Powder

IFF (New York City) has forged a strategic partnership to bring AI-driven personalized-nutrition technology to its finished-product customers. The company announced it has partnered with Salus Optima, a UK-based developer of digital tools for personalized nutrition, health, and wellness.

“By leveraging Salus Optima’s core technology with IFF’s portfolio of health-enabling ingredients from its Nourish and Health & Biosciences business divisions, brand owners can offer consumers a differentiated and engaging personalized nutrition experience that addresses the aspects that influence metabolic health,” says an IFF press release.

IFF’s work with Salus Optima will initially focus on metabolic health, including obesity, prediabetes, high cholesterol, and prehypertension. The companies will make available mobile phone technologies and wearables “to help consumers understand their unique metabolic response to food, supplements, activity, and sleep.”

The press release adds: “Key to the success of the personalized nutrition offering is blending science-backed, data-driven recommendations with behavioral change techniques, such as digital coaching, with branded products at the core of the offering.”

“The partnership with Salus Optima places us at the forefront of the personalized-nutrition space,” said Nicolas Mirzayantz, president, Nourish, IFF, in the press release.

IFF is entering a strategic partnership with Salus Optima and its AI-driven personalized-nutrition technology.

Ingredients supplier IFF is bringing personalized-nutrition digital technology to its finished-product customers

Niamh Hunt, Kerry Global Marketing Manager, received her BSc in Genetics and Cell Biology in 2013, followed by her PhD in 2018 from Dublin City University, Ireland. Hunt supports Kerry’s immune and digestive health portfolio of science-backed branded ingredients, and contributes to the growth of Kerry’s portfolio ingredients into further need states.

When you picture someone buying your nutritional product, what do they look like? Older? Younger? Male? Female? Sporty? A parent? Whether or not products are deliberately aimed at a particular audience, manufacturers usually have a strong idea of the consumers who will buy them. And it’s fair to say that the degree to which that picture is based on actual data (rather than common assumptions) can vary.

Earlier this year, Kerry published an eBook 

Functional Health Benefits for Every Generation

 Our goal was to provide manufacturers of functional foods, beverages, and supplements with helpful insights on the role of demographic factors like age, gender, and activity level in purchasing decisions. It was based on a major survey of over 13,000 consumers in 16 different countries.

Our first and most important finding was that different demographic groups have more in common than you might imagine.

One is a tendency to be more proactive and to turn to nutrition as a strategy to address health concerns. This is a trend COVID undoubtedly accelerated: 44% of respondents globally said they had bought more dietary supplements since the outbreak of the pandemic, while 42% had increased their purchases of functional or fortified foods and beverages.

This proactive, preventative mindset was evident across demographic categories. The motivation to take greater action on wellbeing was greatest among the youngest age groups (Generation Z and Millennials) and one of the oldest (Boomers).

When respondents were presented with a list of health areas and asked to choose those that were the most important reasons for buying healthy lifestyle products, nearly six in ten (58%) chose immune system support.

 Indeed, immune health was the top concern across all age groups as well as all countries. The next most common were digestive health and joint health, and—again—demand for solutions in these areas was high across all age groups, including the youngest.

…But Different Groups Can Have Different Needs.

Of course different groups often have different needs, so an understanding of the importance of demographic factors like age and activity level can help manufacturers create on-trend products. Often that’s because of obvious differences in health need states and activity levels, but it can also be the result of different mindsets as attitudes shift over time.

In our eBook, we provide insights into the specific needs of three groups in particular:

Generation Z consumers are known for a holistic approach to wellness. They invest in a range of strategies to improve physical, mental, and emotional health, led by getting enough sleep and keeping an active mind. In a 2021 Innova Market Insights survey, for example, four in 10 respondents between the ages of 18 and 25 said they had taken action to improve their sleep in the past 12 months, with 22% purchasing products to do so.

Sports nutrition is also a strong category for this age group, reflecting high levels of physical activity. Our survey found that around one in five consumers between the ages of 18 and 34 purchased sports nutrition and energy beverages.

Across all age groups, consumers are increasingly skeptical about the claims made for nutrition products. However, the tendency to ask questions is particularly evident among millennials, 75% of whom carry out extensive research ahead of a purchase.

With millennials now parents to around half of children in the U.S.

, our eBook highlights the fact that mothers and fathers are increasingly well informed as well as health-conscious. They want to support their children’s health with safe, credible, and science-backed products. Formulating with functional ingredients supported by research can build trust and generational loyalty, while incorporating functional benefits into tasty products that children will enjoy can make it easier for parents to make healthy choices.

As consumers enter their 30s and 40s, concerns about long-term health begin to emerge. By the ages of 46-55, as consumers see visible signs of the aging process, physical health becomes an even greater focal point. Reflecting this, our survey found that heart and joint health displaced improved sleep on the list of the top three most-sought functional benefits for this age group.

Ultimately, however, it makes sense to focus on selling points that resonate with consumers across all demographic groups. Our survey found that people of all ages are increasingly doing their own research on the nutritional products they buy and are more likely to make a purchase if they have seen scientific data supporting its claims.

 In this climate, using clinically validated ingredients, and communicating transparently about their benefits, offers a significant competitive advantage—whatever the age of your target market.

Kerry Global Consumer Survey. “Digestive, Immune, and Joint Health.” 2021

Innova Market Insights report. “Trends Insider: Diet Principles and Health Needs by Generation.” 2021

Ingredient Innovation Is on the Rise for Children and Infant Nutrition Products, Dietary Supplements

NRF Study Finds Millennial Parents Shop Differently than Those from Other Generations

.” National Retail Federation website. Posted April 29, 2018.

Kerry Global Consumer Research. “Digestive and Immune Health.” 2021

Kerry’s Niamh Hunt discusses the role of consumer demographics in the functional food and beverage markets.

Is age just a number when it comes to nutrition?

Hofseth BioCare ASA (Ålesund, Norway) announced a newly published animal study showing that its OmeGo nutraceutical ingredient was able to reduce inflammation associated with asthma. The study was published in the journal 

OmeGo is “enzymatically liberated from fresh Atlantic salmon and is a close proxy for consuming whole fish,” the company states in a press release. OmeGo contains not only omega-3 fatty acids but also “all of the polyunsaturated acids found in whole fish,” offering “the full spectrum of 21 omegas and fatty acids.”

research showed that OmeGo has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, including the reduction of eosinophils, which are “well recognized as important drivers of a number of inflammatory disease in humans, including asthma,” the 

 work demonstrated OmeGo to significantly reduce eosinophilic effector function, whereas this was not the case for oils containing either omega-3 alone or omega-3 and astaxanthin…”

 mouse study used a “house dust mite model of induced asthma.” According to researchers, “OmeGo showed a significant reduction in eosinophilic lung and system inflammation and reduced lung remodeling compared to cod liver oil.” They concluded, “OmeGo has the potential to be a pragmatic, cost-effective co-treatment for less severe forms of eosinophilic asthma.”

In the Hofseth press release, the company stated that the current study “aimed to assess the extent to which OmeGo could reduce lung inflammation in a standard animal model of induced asthma. The findings showed that OmeGo significantly reduced eosinophilic lung and systemic inflammation and lung remodeling (scarring).”

It concluded: “The latest findings underpin OmeGo’s position as a one-of-a-kind innovation that offers superior inflammation-resolving, antioxidant, and anti-allergic properties compared to traditional fish oil supplementation, including cod liver oil.”

OmeGo recently received a “no objections” letter 

 in response to a new dietary ingredient notification filing.

Assessing the anti-inflammatory effects of an orally dosed enzymatically liberated fish oil in a house dust model of allergic asthma

 vol. 10, no. 10 (October 14, 2022): 2574

Supplementing with OmeGo is said to mimic consuming whole fish because OmeGo contains all of the polyunsaturated fatty acids found in whole fish, not just omega-3.

Hofseth BioCare’s OmeGo ingredient reduces inflammation associated with asthma in animal study

PLT Health Solutions (Morristown, NJ) has been selected to market the MegaNatural line of cardiovascular and antioxidant ingredients in North America on behalf of California Natural Color (Fresno, CA). California Natural Color is a division of E. & J. Gallo Winery.

PLT Health Solutions will market MegaNatural–BP, a patented grape seed extract with FDA no-objection GRAS standing that supports healthy blood pressure metabolism and normal arterial function and is standardized to over 94% polyphenol content. The other ingredient, MegaNatural Gold, touts a polyphenol content not less than 90% by weight. Both ingredients are water soluble and suited for functional foods and beverages.

The ingredients are made in California and come from seed blends derived from unfermented domestic red and white varietal wine grape seeds. California Natural Color retains complete control over the entire growing and manufacturing process. According to the companies, “The seeds are extracted with hot water, purified, concentrated, and spray-dried with no carrier, resulting in a high-phenolic, high-ORAC grape seed extract powder without any preservatives.”

The company is marketing the ingredients on behalf of California Natural Color, which is a division of E. & J. Gallo Winery.

PLT Health to market MegaNatural cardiovascular, antioxidant ingredients in North America

PLT Health Solutions Inc. (Morristown, NJ) is now offering a water-soluble version of its Rhodiolife 

 ingredient in North America. Based on a full suite of applications and shelf-life testing conducted by PLT innovation partner, 

, the ingredient will not impact the color or flavor of formulations and the active components of the adaptogen remain stable through processing and ultimate consumer use.

“Beverage formulation is challenging. Nektium Pharma's studies with Rhodiolife and beverage formulations show that it meets industry standards for performance in processing and that color, flavor and the bioactives content are shelf-stable. This means we can now deliver the benefits of Rhodiolife in beverages and other delivery systems," said Devin Stagg, chief operationg officer of PLT Health, in a press release. "The real innovation of this new water-soluble Rhodiolife is that it allows a premium 

 – containing the rosavins and salidroside found in the actual plant root – to be formulated into challenging beverage systems easily and consistently. This will allow faster and more cost-effective product development and ultimately a better consumer experience.”

In studies conducted by Nektium, the firm used a low pH orange flavored formulation, and the introduction of Rhodiolife did not affect the Brix or pH of the orange beverage. They also observed that there was no change in the total rosavins content. Rosavin is one of the main bioactives found in 

. Previous studies have shown that Rhodiolife’s bioactives – rosavins and salidroside – are resistant to thermal degradation in both powder and aqueous solutions. In Nektium’s latest study, pasteurization had no effect on the physical and sensory properties of the orange beverage.

“Successful beverage formulations require very special performance parameters from their ingredients. Our testing has shown we have accomplished this task,” said Deborah Thoma, marketing manager of Nektium Pharma, in a press release. “We feel that this new form of Rhodiolife can deliver adaptogen benefits into virtually any beverage product – and also into foods that feature the use of aqueous phase production.”

Based on a full suite of applications and shelf-life testing conducted by PLT innovation partner, Nektium Pharma, the ingredient will not impact the color or flavor of formulations and the active components of the adaptogen remain stable through processing and ultimate consumer use.

PLT Health brings water-soluble Rhodiolife ingredient to North American market

NOW has introduced its new Give a Tea line, with the goal of donating one box of the tea to the Chicago Food Depository for every two boxes of Give a Tea purchased by retailers. Current tea flavors carrying the new design include Better Off Red, Ojibwa, Organic Heavenly Hip Hibiscus, Organic Chamomile, Ginger Mint Comfort, Organic Black Tea, Organic Peppermint Tea, and Organic Green Kick. NOW says that other teas in its line will transition to the new branding next year.

“Food pantries expressed a big need for quality, healthy beverages that aren’t loaded with sugar, and we’re excited to be able to help fill this void,” said Dave Rosenberg, food category manager, NOW, in a press release. “In October, we made our first donation to the Chicago Food Depository of 27,642 cartons of tea. That’s a retail value of nearly $140,000 and represents the number of teas purchased from July to September. This is just the beginning of what we anticipate will be a long-term partnership that will benefit our local community.”

Tea boxes are being donated to the Chicago Food Depository.

NOW’s Give a Tea initiative donates one box of tea to a food bank for every two boxes of its tea retailers purchase

Natures Crops International (Winston-Salem, NC) and its Brazilian partner Ayalla announced that Natures Crops’ Ahiflower oil has gained Novel Food approval in Brazil. The approval comes after a multiyear review of Ahiflower’s safety and efficacy substantiation by Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency of the Brazilian Ministry of Health (ANVISA), the companies said.

“Ayalla is extremely excited to have achieved the approval for Ahiflower oil with ANVISA with distinction,” saidSandra Ayalla de Anselmo, business development director at Ayalla, in the press release. “This opens up great opportunities to bring sustainable, complete, and balanced plant-based omegas to Brazilian consumers and make a positive impact on human nutrition in our country.”

Ahiflower oil is a rich source of multiple omegas, touted as containing “more omegas than any other natural plant or seed in commerce, delivering the health advantages of fish oil, evening primrose oil, olive oil, and flax seed oil all in one plant.”

The approval was given after a multiyear review by ANVISA of Ahiflower’s safety and efficacy substantiation.

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Better Bones: Next-generation bone health ingredients give formulators more options