Arla spotlights dairy to maintain muscle and bones in 40 to 60-year-old healthy agers

22 Apr 2021 --- Arla Foods Ingredients has launched a “Healthy Through Life” dairy concept to help manufacturers capitalize on the 40 to 60-year-old healthy aging demographic.

These consumers are “highly aware of the importance of nutrition to help them stay healthy and active,” according to new research assessing the markets in China, Japan, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Russia.

“Consumers in the 40-60 age group have significant buying power, and naturally many of them want to use it to stay fit and active for as long as possible,” says Barbara Jensen, sales development manager for dairy and bakery at Arla Foods Ingredients.

“There is increasing interest in nutrition as a strategy for healthy aging, and in particular in everyday foods and beverages that can reduce the risk of age-related bone and muscle loss.” 

Food as medicine
Age-related bone and muscle loss are driving interest in food and beverage products with high levels of protein and calcium. 

Arla Foods Ingredients reports that six in ten consumers aged 40-60 choose products with protective or preventative health benefits, and 65 percent strongly agree that food or beverages can be used to reduce the need for medical products.

As well as providing high levels of protein and calcium, the Healthy Through Life recipes are all low-in-sugar or contain no-added-sugar.
Arla Foods Ingredients’ “Healthy Through Life” concept is a direct response to this demand. It features three dairy recipes that showcase the potential of its protein and calcium ingredients for healthy aging.

• An indulgent yogurt featuring Nutrilac YO-8402 and Nutrilac YO-4205 (functional milk proteins) and Capolac (a milk mineral concentrate high in calcium phosphate). 
• A high-protein, high-calcium pudding featuring Nutrilac FO-7922.
• A high-protein iced coffee with Nutrilac RM-7020 and Capolac.

As well as providing high levels of protein and calcium, the recipes are all low-in-sugar or contain no-added-sugar. 

“By using our solutions, manufacturers can create a range of dairy products that are high in protein and calcium, contributing to the maintenance of muscle mass and bone health, and helping consumers stay healthy and active for longer,” concludes Jensen. 

Healthy aging abounds
As the world’s population gets older, there are new industry opportunities in products that support health in this growing demographic. 

This spring, several beverages, yogurts and supplements are launching in Japan that feature Kirin Holdings’ new functional ingredient beta-lactolin to support the maintenance of memory, which declines with age.

Moreover, companies like BioGaia have launched new approaches to bone health, such as through the use of probiotics. 

Edited by Missy Green