Prepared Foods and its NutraSolutions brand present this annual “Ingredients for Health” reference. It offers market data and information about commercially available ingredients that assist developers and formulators with products targets various health benefits. From ingredients such as chia seed and red tomato for antioxidant supplementation, to the colors, flavors and textures that make functional foods and beverages products attractive and palatable, this section offers a comprehensive range of new offerings.

Categories include:

Antioxidants for Health

Bone & Joint Health

Cardiovascular Health

Cognitive Health

Diabetic Benefits

Digestive Health

Energy and/or Sports Performance

Eye Health

Immunity Enhancement

Weight Management

General Health

Antioxidants

After static growth involving antioxidant claims from 2011 to 2012, the numbers of food and beverages with antioxidant claims did grow in 2013, as recorded by Innova Market Insights. Global launch activity continued to be dominated by beverage categories, with soft drinks alone accounting for more than a quarter of claims relating to antioxidants.

Juice drinks continued to be the largest individual sector with 13.6%, ahead of tea with 10.3%. Cereal and energy bars led in terms of food products with antioxidant claims, with 4.7%, comparable to the soft drink category, iced tea. Chocolate products came second in terms of food launches with 3.9%, ahead of breakfast cereals with 3.0%.

The use of antioxidant claims is particularly popular in the North America, where it was used for 2.8% of launches recorded in 2013, compared with 1.2% globally. Iced tea and fruit pouches also used a proportionally higher level of antioxidant claims in the US, featuring on a leading 23.7% and 17.1% of launches, respectively.

—Lu Ann Williams, Innova Market Insights, helpdesk@innovami.com, www.innovadatabase.com

Coenzyme Q10

Blue California offers Sol Q10 BLUE, a water-soluble coenzyme Q10, in 10% and 40% concentrations for energy drinks, functional beverages, chewable tablets, stick packs and other products. Blue California’s 40% concentration differs significantly from other water-soluble forms of coenzyme Q10 in the marketplace because it does not contain emulsifiers and all ingredients used in the micro-encapsulation process are classified as GRAS. “The complete solubility of our product in cold water ensures an improved bioavailability,” notes Cecilia McCollum, Blue California’s executive vice president. “No emulsifiers are used in the manufacturing process of our product ensuring that our product will stay in a clear solution.” –Blue California, www.bluecal-ingredients.com

Chia Seeds

BI Nutraceuticals’ Chia Seeds are the black seeds of the plant, Salvia hispanica, native to Central and South America. BI also offers a Black Chia Seed Meal. These seeds have played an important part in the lives of both the Aztecs and Mayans. The legend states that Aztec warriors were able to survive for 24 hours on one tablespoon. Chia seeds are known for their high omega-3 content, but they also are fiber-rich, protein-rich, and contain a comprehensive range of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Chia seeds have an advantage over flax seeds in that they can be ground without risking rancidity of the omega-3 due to their naturally high antioxidant content. Antioxidants found in chia are chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, myricetin, quercetin and kaempferol.
—BI Nutraceuticals, www.botanicals.com

Green Tea Leaf

Taiyo’s Sunphenon series, including the Teavigo brand, consists of standardized tea polyphenols and natural catechins that have been shown to have numerous physiological benefits—including antioxidant, anti-microbial, deodorant and thermogenic activities. Sunphenon and Teavigo are produced from pesticide-controlled green tea leaf, extracted via a water infusion process and decaffeinated using only approved food-grade solvents. Taiyo’s green tea extracts comply with strict US FDA pesticide regulations
for tea.—Taiyo International Inc., www.sunphenon.com and www.teavigoinfo.com

Apple Polyphenols

AppleActiv harvests the health benefits of apple peels to provide extracts and powders. AppleActiv contains a rich polyphenol blend with high levels of antioxidants, flavonoids, quercetin, triterpenoids, ursolic acid, vitamins and minerals. AppleActiv has been tested for its antioxidant content using industry standard antioxidant tests such as the CAP-e (Cellular Antioxidant Protection in erythrocytes). The antioxidants in AppleActiv play an important role in neutralizing oxidative damage caused by free radicals, repairing damage and protecting the normal functioning of cells and tissues. AppleActiv DAPP (Dried Apple Peel Powder) is an all-natural ingredient, made from organic dried apple peels, and AppleActiv GHX is an all-natural extract with standardized polyphenol content.—AppleActiv, www.appleactiv.com

Protect Antioxidants

There are two types of antioxidants used in beverages: those that help preserve the product itself such as mixed tocopherols and rosemary extract; and those with nutritional benefits (CoQ-10, pycnogenol, berry extracts, cocoa flavanols, etc.)  Berry juices and extracts often are used for flavor as well as antioxidant benefits.  Pomegranate, acai, mangosteen, cranberry and other “super fruits” are good examples of this.  Yet some antioxidants create a flavor problem for formulators. These taste issues can usually be resolved by masking or microencapsulating with The Wright Group’s SuperCoat technology. The Wright Group creates nutritional ingredient platforms, antioxidant systems and microencapsulated ingredients, including a wide array of antioxidants. These include vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene and other carotenoids, as well as CoQ-10 and natural botanicals such as polyphenols and flavonoids that have antioxidant activity.—The Wright Group, www.thewrightgroup.net

Blueberry Power

Blueberries, nature’s little blue dynamos, contain just 80 calories per cup. They are virtually fat free and a good source of fiber and vitamin C.  Plus they taste good! Consumers say flavor and health benefits motivate them to buy blueberries and products that contain blueberries. Researchers are investigating blueberries, including anthocyanins, pigments that give blueberries their beautiful color and also give them their high antioxidant activity. Antioxidants work by neutralizing free radicals, the byproducts of metabolism that can damage cells and DNA and lead to some forms of cancer, heart disease, stroke and other chronic diseases of aging. There are more than 50 published studies about blueberry research involving antioxidants, anti-aging and cancer, to eyesight, brain function, diabetes and other topics.  Check out the US Highbush Blueberry Council Health Research Library and Database.
—US Highbush Blueberry Council, www.blueberry.org. 

Vitamin E

Nutralliance and Advanced Organic Materials of Argentina have joined forces to offer a complete line of natural vitamin E products including d-alpha tocopherol, mixed tocopherols, and plant sterols. These products include Sun E 900 Natural Vitamin E Oils, Tocomix Mixed Tocopherols, Sunvitol Vitamin E Powders and Advasterol Plant Sterols. These non-GMO Verified, soy free ingredients are kosher and halal certified.—Nutralliance, www.nutralliance.com

Pure Pomegranate

From smoothies to craft beer, salad dressings to savory and sweet sauces and nutritional supplements in soft chews, capsules, tablets and gels, pomegranate, the superfruit, is steadily becoming a “super-flavor” and “super-ingredient.”  With 15,000 acres of orchards in central California, POM Wonderful is the United States’ largest grower and producer of fresh pomegranates and pomegranate juice.  POM offers a portfolio of pomegranate ingredients known for unique pomegranate polyphenol antioxidants: 100% pomegranate juice concentrate in liquid and powder forms; POMx extract liquid and powder forms, juice infused arils, freeze-dried arils and Individually quick frozen arils. Specifically, POMx is a high-quality, pure pomegranate extract. To create this ingredient, POM uses only a proprietary water extraction process to extract the beneficial polyphenols and other nutritious attributes from the pomegranate.—Pom Wonderful, www.POMindustrial.com

Antioxidant Leader

It is well known that all blueberries are loved for their flavor and their high antioxidant capacity pleasing taste buds and helping to protect against disease and age-related health risks. Increasing now, is the understanding that the little Wild Blueberries from Maine and Eastern Canada have an even more intense blueberry flavor than regular, cultivated blueberries and twice the antioxidant capacity per serving. Packed with phytochemicals such as anthocyanin, Wild Blueberries are being studied for their powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help protect against diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s. From cereals and muffin mixes to jams and jellies, from teas and juices to yogurt, smoothies and ice cream, the Wild Blueberry is an ingredient that adds taste, color and extra-healthy appeal to a broad array of fine products.—Wild Blueberry Association of North America, www.wildblueberries.com.

Powerful Whole Coffee Fruit

CoffeeBerry is a trademarked term suggestive of a line of proprietary, patented products derived from the whole fruit of coffee plant. CoffeeBerry Brand Whole Coffee Fruit products are loaded with high levels of scienti?cally studied phenolic acids, such as chlorogenic acids, and other bene?cial nutrients not available from the green coffee bean alone.  CoffeeBerry products are from coffee fruit that is hand-picked and immediately quick dried to preserve the fruit and protect nutrients. Available in powdered and extract (powder) formats. Perfect for teas, coffees, specialty and functional beverages, foods, and nutritional supplements. The product is GRAS and non-GMO.—FutureCeuticals Inc., www.futureceuticals.com