Arjuna Targets Sports Nutrition for EU Market With Amaranthus Extract

28 Apr 2016 --- New clinical research results show that Arjuna’s OXYSTORM can help athletes work out longer and harder. OXYSTORM is an extract of Amaranthus one of the sources of nitrate in nature. Arjuna’s patent-pending production process delivers an optimum level of nitrate content from the leaves of Amaranthus species – 9,000mg/100g – which is more than the amount of nitrate from beetroot powder and beet juice.

Offered as a powder, OXYSTORM is highly water-soluble and has a neutral pH, making it ideal for a range of applications, as Benny Antony, PhD, Joint Managing Director for Arjuna, told NutritionInsight: “OXYSTORM is an all-natural ingredient that can help to boost stamina of athletes and sportsmen. It can be added to build-up powders but it is not a protein. OXYSTORM can be used in an energy drink, making it healthier, as well as chewing gum, nutrition bar or candies.”

Clinical research published in January online in advance of print in the journal Nutrition shows that a single oral dose of Amaranthus extract is able to increase the levels of NO3¯ and NO2¯ in the body for at least eight hours. An increase in NO3¯ and NO2¯ levels can help improve the overall performance of people engaged in dynamic sports or other physical activities.

“There is a growing demand for nitrate for athletes in sports nutrition products, and OXYSTORM fits well into this slot,” says Antony. “Simultaneously, it addresses hypertension and demonstrates several cardiovascular health benefits.”

How does it work? The bacteria in your mouth converts nitrate to nitrite (as long as you don't kill those bacteria with mouthwash), that is then circulated in the bloodstream. In conditions of low oxygen availability, nitrite is converted into nitric oxide, which is known to play a number of key roles in cardiovascular health and metabolic control. Dietary nitrate supplementation increases plasma nitrite concentration and reduces resting blood pressure.

“Beetroot powder and beet juice have typically been used to support nitrite levels but they contain comparatively low levels of nitrate in a typical serving. Moreover, the nitrate amount can vary widely based on where and how the plants were harvested and processed,” explains Antony.

“OXYSTORM is a potent form of nitrate for sports nutrition applications. It’s standardized to 9-10% nitrate content. But almost important is what isn’t in OXYSTORM: Reducing sugars and Oxalates. Many beet-based products contain relatively high amounts of inherent reducing sugars and oxalates.”

Arjuna’s production processes and products meet market-specific regulations worldwide. A GMP-certified, SAP-driven company, Arjuna has achieved international certifications including ISO22000, Kosher and Halal. Arjuna continues to engage in research and development, with continuing scientific validation of its novel product line through advanced clinical studies.

Arjuna Natural Ltd will launch OXYSTORM standardized nitrate to the sports nutrition market at Vitafoods, Geneva, May 10-12. “It was launched a few months ago in the US market and we intend to offer it worldwide in the coming weeks,” Antony revealed to NutritionInsight.

By Kerina Tull

This feature is provided by Nutrition Insight’s sister website, Food Ingredients First.

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