The November / December 2009 issue of Nutraceuticals Now is now available.

Excerpts of featured articles are available on this website:

Frutarom: Healthy, Natural Ways to fight Obesity
Barry Callebaut: All the Goodness of the Cocoa Bean
BENEO-Orafti: Responds to Obesity the Natural Way

In contrast to this over-all trend, there is a growing proportion of the population who are becoming more health conscious and concerned about their weight, so are demanding alternative food products that will help them lead a healthier lifestyle. Yves Servotte, member of the executive board of the BENEO-Group reviews the latest trends and observations and highlights the innovative opportunities the group’s ingredients can offer food manufacturers.

This article is available in full in the November / December 2009 issue of Nutraceuticals Now

However, recent breakthroughs are pointing to the effectiveness of these powerful compounds in protecting the skin against the harmful effects of UV radiation. The best news is that one company has succeeded in developing a process, which preserves the activity of these cocoa flavanols in chocolate. In fact, Barry Callebaut’s patented ACTICOATM chocolate is the only chocolate with a guaranteed minimum content of antioxidant flavanols.

Barry Callebaut has developed a unique process to preserve these compounds in the best possible form: the finest quality chocolate.

This article is available in full in the November / December 2009 issue of Nutraceuticals Now

Three different approaches to slimming strategies are well known: The first is to reduce ingestion by influencing the glycemic index, suppressing the appetite and inducing a feeling of satiety. The next method is based on reducing food assimilation by decreasing fat and glucose resorption. The final approach works by increasing the burning of body fat and inhibiting body fat formation. Here, physical activity plays an important role in terms of metabolism activation, and reaching and maintaining a healthy body weight. Today, more and more innovative herbals are becoming available for each of the three slimming strategies. These can be used individually or in combination to achieve the desired outcome. Frutarom Ltd has selected special extracts such as Finomate®, Fenulife® from Fenugreek, and extracts of green coffee bean, algae and apple for efficient weight loss programs.

This article is available in full in the November / December 2009 issue of Nutraceuticals Now

Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine said ‘Let food be thy medicine’ two-and-a-half thousand years ago. This is the basis of the ‘functional foods’ concept whereby dietary ingredients are used for purposes over and above their normal nutritional value. In other words, a functional food is ‘a dietary component that may exert physiological aspects on the consumer which may eventually lead towards justifiable health claims.’ Whilst many of the purported health advantages remain to be determined, it is the case that functional foods have huge commercial and possible biological, significance. The Global Market Review of Functional Foods estimates that by 2013 the worldwide functional food market will reach a value of at least US $90.5bn. Should this potential be realised, then it is important that the approach is underpinned through thoroughly rigorous scientific validity and testing. Should all this come together, then the opportunities for tackling major causes of human morbidity and mortality are enormous.

So, how can a food be more functional than it already is? This may involve one or more of the approaches: fortification through the addition of components seen as desirable such as vitamins or minerals; increasing levels of certain components native to the food, for example enhanced dietary fibre composition; the removal of deleterious compounds such as the extraction, or destruction, of pathogenic bacteria and/or their toxins; and tailoring of the product through replacement of indigenous components including the replacement of fats with emulsified carbohydrates that have a similar technological aspect to the food.
The first generation of functional foods emerged at the end of the 1980’s and largely involved deliberate dietary fortification with organic and inorganic micronutrients. This was rapidly complemented by an explosive increase in the health food market and the current popular use of supplements as part of the daily routine. The concept has now moved heavily towards gastrointestinal function and in particular the impact of gut bacteria. In fact, it is thought that around 60% of the current functional foods market comprises of products that aid digestive health. The biological and clinical importance of resident gastrointestinal microflora in humans is becoming increasingly recognised. Modulation of the human gut microflora towards a more beneficial composition has probiotics and prebiotics as a principal focus. The former are live microorganisms in the diet that are said to improve health, while the latter are specific nutrients for beneficial bacteria indigenous to the gut. These and many other functional food topics are reviewed in the various volumes of the Food Science and Technology Bulletin: Functional Foods published annually by the International Food Information Service.

The emergence of health conscious consumers with a proactive approach of ‘prevention over cure’ and the development of nutritional science has driven the growth of functional foods. The dairy sector currently dominates the functional food market in terms of size and growth. Functional soft drinks are the most successful after dairy, with cereals, drinks and baked products also having major roles.

The changing focus of the food science and industry perspectives towards diet and health means that good research is needed to substantiate health claims. There is also a need for hypothesis driven evidence on the health benefits of food components, so as to understand mechanisms of effect. Today, consumers are more likely to choose functional foods if they have valid explanations of effect.

This issue of Nutraceuticals Now is devoted to the science of functional foods. It has brought together leading authors to review sections that are of much current interest. These include functional food perspectives in various countries, and overviews of major ingredients. It is a timely and first rate collection of the latest functional foods news.

Professor Glenn R. Gibson
Professor of Food Microbial Sciences University of Reading, UK

21st & 22nd October 2009, Crowne Plaza Hotel - St James, London, UK

The awareness of nutrition’s role in a healthy lifestyle in addition to preventing diseases is constantly growing along with the number of new products, approaches, regulatory aspects and related concerns.

SMi’s 10th annual Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods conference is well established in the market place. It is well timed with the announcement of new regulations. Additionally it will focus on new product developments, the challenges and developments in health claims legislation and the key issues facing the industry. Take the opportunity to meet and network with distinguished international speakers and delegates.

With a breadth of topical issues being addressed, this conference is essential for people with a developed interest in nutraceuticals and functional foods. Simon Parker of the MHRA will discuss medicinal claims and the associated statutory procedures, whilst Peter McConville of GlaxoSmithKline will present on the evolution of sports drinks, drawing attention to performance enhancement issues and claim substantiation.

Hear from leading expert Aleksandra Wesolowska from European Advisory Services about the future of health claims legislation and upcoming FSA and FDA regulatory changes. Also covered in this presentation are strategies to mitigate the impacts of these changes, preventing unjustified claims and predicting future changes.

This is a must-attend event for anyone looking to further their understanding of key technologies and developments or network with leading members of this growing industry.

PLUS A HALF – DAY PRE CONFERENCE WORKSHOP

Health Claims Legislation: The Bumpy Road Towards an Approved Health Claim
20th October 2009, Crowne Plaza Hotel - St James, London, UK
In association with analyze & realize

Quote “Nutraceuticals Now” to receive a discount of £100

Click here for more information or to register.

Alternatively contact Charlotte Johnson:
tel.: +44 (0) 20 7827 6060 or
e-mail: cjohnson@smi-online.co.uk

The Spring 2009 issue of Nutraceuticals Now is now available.

Excerpts of featured articles are available on this website:

Vitafoods 2009 Preview
Laboratoire PYC
Rousselot: Hydrolyzed Collagen

The world is in the throes of an obesity epidemic. Projected to be a bigger threat to life than AIDS and malaria combined, obesity is quickly becoming the most severe global health-care crisis.

But it’s not an irreversible situation. Yes, the onus is on the individual to take reasonable control of their diet but a commitment by the industry to produce healthier food is also essential. This means there is huge opportunity for everyone with any link to the sector to get on the innovation train and develop products that meet these requirements.

However, in the current economic climate, both money and time are precious. Things aren’t as they once were when it comes to new product development (NPD). Gone are the days of hopping on plane after plane to visit potential partners across the globe. Every penny spent needs to be justified and each and every result evaluated. Companies therefore need to find the most cost-effective and efficient ways of making inroads into the industry.

But it’s easier said than done. It’s all very well creating an advertisement or doing a bit of sampling here and there, but does this always have the desired effect? This industry is more complex than most and often a more robust approach to communication is required. Victory lies in the correct and balanced application of the marketing mix, and the role that exhibitions play in a business-to-business campaign should not be underestimated, particularly in an industry like this. However, exhibition organisers can’t rest on their laurels. To guarantee a successful event, they need to ensure that added value is delivered at every opportunity.

People are often skeptical of exhibitions, believing them to be rather costly. However, what the critics might not be aware of is that visiting highly-targeted exhibitions with a genuine strategy for success in mind can bring tangible results as well as offering real networking opportunities.

The key to the success of exhibitions like Vitafoods International and Finished Products Expo is simple: potential. With a specialist approach, the exhibitions offer research, communication and face-to-face networking, meaning there is a wealth of opportunity out there for companies to explore.

At the 2008 shows, for example, almost 400 companies exhibited, offering visitors an unparalleled opportunity to learn about the exciting new and innovative ingredients taking the markets by storm. As Kevin Prudence from DSM Nutritional Products put it: ‘I have been coming to Vitafoods for as many years as the exhibition has been running – as either an exhibitor or a visitor – and I am always inspired by how the show evolves. Every year, as the market changes, Vitafoods International expands and moves forward so it is a great place to keep up with industry changes. The networking potential is vast too, so meeting with customers and colleagues as well as forging new relationships is easier than ever before.’

The opportunity to meet with a whole host of key industry players and experts can be found in one of the brand new visitor attractions set to take place at the show. This year, experts from EAS will be running free tailored advisory sessions providing information on the very latest regulatory and strategic advice to assist companies looking to enter the functional foods market, health claims, novel foods and labeling requirements. The communication opportunities that surround exhibitions are also essential for both manufacturers and suppliers looking to ‘do business’. Unlike consumer industries where the messages are simpler and the concepts are easier to comprehend, in the nutraceutical market, complexities abound and it is much simpler for both parties to communicate face-to-face in a neutral environment, where all angles and eventualities can be explored. Speaking directly to technicians to gain an understanding of the product and hearing the benefits from those closely involved in the NPD process saves a significant amount of time and money.

But it’s not just about the research aspect. The sociable nature of exhibitions like Vitafoods International and Finished Products Expo lend themselves well to networking. In this market, competition is fierce, so the more opportunities there are to meet with suppliers and thrash out ideas, the better the chances of creating a product with a significant competitive advantage. Exhibitions play on the five senses and these elements combined are what make events such a powerful tool in the marketing mix.

And that is why events like Vitafoods International and Finished Products Expo are so critical within the business-to-business marketing mix, and this year is no exception. Over 8,000 trade visitors are expected to gather in Geneva to see more than 450 exhibitors from across the world. No doubt there will be some serious negotiating, buying and learning going on.

Chris Lee
Event Director, Vitafoods International and
Finished Products Expo 2009

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the animal kingdom and represents almost 30% of mammalian protein matter. There are at least 16 types of collagen, but 80–90% of the collagen in the body consists of types I, II and III, with type I being the most common. The various collagens and the structures they form all serve the same purpose — to help tissues withstand stretching. Collagen plays a major role in the structure of the body, as it is the chief component of connective tissues, bones and cartilage.

Hydrolyzed Collagens are primarily available as powders — ranging from fine particle sizes to dust-free agglomerated forms. However, and as expected, it is as a dust-free and ‘instant’ form that Hydrolyzed Collagen is most versatile and easy to use. The dust-free form exhibits excellent flow properties with no cohesion and clogging in pipes or hoppers. The instant form enables the collagen to disperse quickly when poured into cold, water-based solutions and rapidly dissolve.

This article is available in full in the Spring 2009 issue of Nutraceuticals Now

What is a high protein and low calorie diet? The sales network of the brands for which Laboratoire PYC develops its dietetic products extends from medical prescriptions for the strictest high protein diets, to drugstores and specialized shops for the softest low calorie ones.

The principle of a low calorie diet is simple: forcing the body to draw from its reserves in order to involve a weight loss. The advantage of the low calorie and high protein diets is that they allow a weight loss while preserving the lean muscle mass. The menus to follow limit the intakes of carbohydrates and fat in favor of proteins. The calorie intakes are decreased, for a given period, to make them appreciably lower than the expenditures: 1000-1200 kcal/day for the most sedentary ones and 1200-1400 kcal/day for the people having much activity. Traditionally the diet is in several phases: strict phase, transition phase and stabilization phase, more or less long depending on the weight loss objectives.

This article is available in full in the Spring 2009 issue of Nutraceuticals Now