Benexia Oil is First Chia Oil Authorized on the European Market As Novel Food

28 Nov 2014 --- After introducing in Europe the Chia Seed (Salvia hispanica L.) for its exceptional nutritional value, BENEXIA brings for the first time to the European market its Chia Oil, a very promising new product for the food and nutraceutical industry. BENEXIA products are produced by Functional Product Trading S.A. in Chile and exclusively distributed in Europe and Asia by Ingredia Nutritional.

BENEXIA CHIA OIL application for the placing on the market of chia oil as a novel food ingredient pursuant to Article 4 of Regulation 258/97, has just been approved by the EU Member States and the European Commission after the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes delivered a positive opinion. The uses in Europe are the following applications:
- Food supplements (2g/day)
- Plant fats and oils (maximum 10%)

BENEXIA CHIA OIL is obtained via the cold pressing of the seed, guaranteeing 100% pure and natural oil, free from contaminants. The temperature is maintained at low levels throughout the entire process, and no chemical solvents nor diluents are applied. All this to safeguard the seed’s nutritional characteristics and to insure low acidity and peroxide levels.

BENEXIA CHIA OIL is the vegetable oil with largest content of Omega-3 fatty acids found in nature: over 60% of its composition is Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA), the most essential fatty acids. ALA can be elongated and desaturated to convert to long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 LCPUFA) with important impact on body functions, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In recent years, a number of studies have evidenced that consumption of large amounts of ALA from Chia oil can significantly increase the hepatic levels of ω-3 LCPUFA, including DHA, by using the natural metabolic ways of the body.

BENEXIA CHIA OIL also contains bioactive substances, including antioxidants, tocopherols and phytosterols, which make from it, an amazingly rich nutritional ingredient:
- √ 63% of the Total Fat Omega-3, with a ratio Omega-3:Omega-6 = 3:1!
- √ A Natural High ORAC Antioxidants: 962μm/TE ORAC in 100ml (Canola: 1,4 / Soy: 1,5)
- √ Cholesterol and Trans free
This unique composition provides clinically proven cardiovascular health benefits: Heart health improvement, stroke risk and cardiac rhythm decrease.

BENEXIA CHIA OIL provides outstanding functional properties compare to other Omega-3 sources on the market:
√ A high oxidative stability
√ No after taste
√ No odor

Today, the oil industry is focusing in searching the perfect Oil Blend for a better combination of saturated and unsaturated fats, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, in other words, to offer consumers a healthy and cost effective oil blend. BENEXIA CHIA OIL will allow manufacturers to reach the optimum ratio of product fat blend and boost health benefits with a relevant quantity of Omega-3 and Antioxidants. BENEXIA CHIA OIL can be used to supplement your products like gourmet cooking oils, breads, cereals, pasta, margarines.

BENEXIA CHIA OIL is also adapted to nutritional supplements as soft capsules. Only one 500mg softgel of BENEXIA CHIA OIL provides 310mg of ALA. The benefits of this type of Omega-3 are recognized by EFSA through Health claims (According to the Regulation (EU) No 432/2012):
√ For General Population: “Alpha-linolenic acid contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels”
√ For Children: “Essential fatty acids are needed for normal growth and development of children” with a daily intake of 2g of ALA and 10g of LA

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