Coffee cherry antioxidants: Testing uncovers broader benefits of upcycling the coffee bean fruit

13 Dec 2019 --- Following processing advancements and testing, CoffeeFruit Pure – an upcycled antioxidant developed from recycling the fruit surrounding the coffee bean – has been found to contain high levels of antioxidant activity, including polyphenols and chlorogenic acid. Its North American distributor, Ingredients by Nature (IBN), says that this surpasses the capacity of other fruit-derived superfoods. The ingredient taps into the trend for clean label and sustainable foods.

“The independent testing confirmed high levels of antioxidants and overall significant levels of key nutrients that help support a variety of conditions. With the recent test results, IBN is currently working with various finished product manufacturers to concept how CoffeeFruit Pure can be added to multivitamins and other products that help support daily health and wellness regimens for consumers,” Rob Brewster, President of IBN, tells NutritionInsight.

The recent test results reveal CoffeeFruit Pure as a potent and efficacious choice for various health solutions, adds Stuart Nixon, Business Development Director at CoffeeFruit Pure. “The antioxidant levels of the cherry, along with the high potency of additional key nutrients within it, allow us to make an ingredient that suits most formulation applications across a wide spectrum of sought out benefits.”

The ingredient is touted as being a good addition to any multivitamin due to its high levels of magnesium, potassium, dietary fiber and chlorogenic acid. The company notes that these naturally occurring nutrients provide benefits that support blood sugar levels, gut health, cardiovascular health, skin health and metabolic health. The significant levels of magnesium and potassium also provide protection for – and recovery of – muscle mass for sports nutrition solutions.

Consumers are demanding that brands deliver sustainable solutions for health-improving products.The coffee industry creates vast amounts of waste produced from discarding the outer fruit and pulp of the coffee cherry. CoffeeFruit Pure addresses this waste issue through its development of an all-natural, specialized production process, which preserves the fruit and pulp. This allows CoffeeFruit Pure to transform the coffee cherry into a potent ingredient.

Sustainable processing 
Brewster further highlights that in light of the global climate crisis, consumers are demanding that brands deliver sustainable solutions for health-improving products. “Upcycling is a specific area of sustainability that is gaining traction because of its efficient use of resources by recycling leftover and wasted produce to create potent and efficacious ingredients.”

He continues that CoffeeFruit Pure’s unique production process reduces tons of toxic waste that typically results from discarding the fruit during the traditional coffee milling process. “By immediately processing the fruit before it can ferment and decay, CoffeeFruit Pure is able to maintain its nutritional value and the unique balance of its various constituents.”

Also in this space, Wize Monkey created a tea product made from upcycled prunings of the arabica coffee plant earlier this year. It is touted as offering high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and phenolic compounds.

Meanwhile, alder tree bark was recently found to offer a significant source of natural antioxidants. The results provide insight into the potential use of alder bark as a source of valuable bioactive materials that can be used in chemical, food and pharmaceutical applications.

Last week, SternLife launched a range of powder-format products containing polyphenols and phytonutrients for the beauty-from-within market. A variety of plant ingredients are used in the range, including hibiscus and reishi, both of which are touted for having antioxidative effects. 

By Katherine Durrell