Everyday joint support: Bioiberica and Lactalis unveil first collagen-enriched milk

Bioiberica and Lactalis Spain have launched Puleva Vita Calcio Colágeno, a “first-of-its-kind” milk beverage for joint health that is enriched with the company’s science-backed native (undenatured) type II collagen, Collavant n2, derived from chicken sternum. The product was developed in partnership with dairy producer Lactalis Spain, which owns the Puleva brand.

“The launch of Puleva Vita Calcio Colágeno is both a success story in itself and a positive sign for future innovations,” says Antonio Vendrell, marketing director at Bioiberica. “Its development demonstrates the successful application of Collavant n2 in a mainstream consumer beverage, highlighting our capacity to infuse our high-quality bioactive ingredients across diverse consumer segments.”

“The release also reinforces our position in the functional food space, which we are dedicated to strengthening through continuous innovation and strategic partnerships. Through initiatives like this, we aim to expand our presence as a trusted partner for food and nutraceutical brands, supporting health and wellness on a global scale.”

Scientific advances enter commercial products

Puleva Vita Calcio Colágeno is the first milk drink enriched with native type II collagen to be released in Spain. The companies say their product sets a new precedent for mainstream dairy products with science-backed functional health ingredients.

Bioiberica and Lactalis highlight that Collavant n2 adds “significant credibility” to the milk product’s joint support claims, citing multiple studies supporting its tangible results at a low daily dose of 40 mg.

The latest clinical research conducted by Bioiberica showed that 40 mg/day of Collavant n2 supports faster recovery after exercise and could help support articular cartilage in healthy individuals experiencing activity-related joint discomfort.

Puleva Vita Calcio Colágeno (Image credit: Bioiberica).The study investigated how six months of Collavant n2 supplementation affected urinary CTX-II concentration — a biomarker of collagen degradation and cartilage breakdown — in healthy individuals who experienced joint discomfort when exercising.

Alleviating higher joint discomfort

Findings revealed a significant improvement in a sub-population with higher levels of discomfort. Participants taking Collavant n2 experienced an 18.3% reduction in CTX-II levels. Meanwhile, those given a placebo had a 20.6% increase.

“These findings add to existing evidence demonstrating that Collavant n2 not only helps reduce exercise-related joint discomfort but also supports mobility, quality of life, and cartilage health at the structural level,” states Bioiberica.

The company adds that Collavant n2 meets self-affirmed generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status, and was the first collagen ingredient to receive NutraStrong Collagen Verification.

Cristina Torres Antelo, brand manager at Lactalis Puleva, adds: “We always strive to stay aligned with the latest market trends, and our collaboration with Bioiberica is yet another example of this.”

“Collagen is an ingredient for which there is increasing scientific evidence, and market data shows that consumers are increasingly confident in its benefits. Puleva Vita Calcio is already the leading brand in the calcium-enriched dairy drink category, and now this new formulation offers an innovative, practical, and natural solution to the growing demand for collagen in Spain.”