Comfort snacking: Fonterra launches stress-reducing milk phospholipids for functional F&B

26 Nov 2020 --- Fonterra has launched a new range of milk phospholipids to manage the effects of stress. Naturally present in milk as part of the milk fat globule membrane, NZMP Milk Phospholipids are complex lipids positioned to help consumers “stay focused and positive.” 

Fonterra launched the range at Fi Europe Connect 2020, presenting the phospholipids as a standalone product or for functional F&B applications.

NutritionInsight speaks with Rachel Marshall, technical engagement manager of global sports and active lifestyle at Fonterra, about the range’s applications and how it addresses consumer needs.

A natural solution with clinical backing
Phospholipids are essential structural components within the body, especially concentrated within the brain, Marshall explains. 

As we age, brain phospholipid levels decline, a condition potentially ameliorated by phospholipid supplementation.

“The good news is that dietary phospholipids are easily absorbed and can actually cross the blood-brain barrier, delivering health benefits to us.” 

“From our own research and that of others, we’re seeing strong support for the benefits of phospholipids in the mood aspect, and especially relating to stress with phospholipids having been proven to manage the response to stress including the ability to stay focused,” Marshall details. Fonterra’s research has shown milk phospholipids help manage the body’s stress response and ability to stay focused.

Mental health top of mind
Mental health and stress have been growing concerns among consumers worldwide, even before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In a 2019 Innova Market Insights survey, 32 percent of UK consumers and 39 percent of US consumers claimed to experience stress at least once a day, rising to over half in India.

“Last year, consumers selected ‘mental well-being’ as the top criterion to define health. It was the first time it won out over physical aspects of health, such as weight management or strength building,” says Marshall. 

“Not surprisingly, mental well-being and stress are strongly interconnected. Stress is a primary trigger to aspects such as low mood and cognitive performance.”

In 2020, stress has only been exacerbated by the pandemic, which makes solutions to support mental being timely. 

“A certain level of stress is good for us, but too much can be detrimental to our health. These understandings and clinical research has led us to work on how to deliver the natural milk phospholipids present in the milk fat globule membrane and milk,” she adds.  

Eating to reduce stress
Marshall has seen an increased interest in consumers seeking more holistic solutions to their well-being, including managing stress through diet and nutrition. 

“Consumers are using nutrition and diet to combat stress, whether it be through supplements or other foods,” she adds. NZMP Milk Phospholipids are available in powders that can be added to cereal and protein bars.

She also highlights that eating to relieve stress is “a very real thing,” with many consumers reaching for snacks, such as chocolate, that can boost their mood, relax or deal with a difficult day. 

“In addition to snacking to fill yourself up and get the nutrition you need for your body, there are many motivations around comfort and indulgence as well,” she adds. 

Snacking may therefore be an important category to watch in functional foods, as mood-boosting F&B hit the market.

Mood has been flagged as an increasingly important topic in food and beverages, highlighted in trend seven of Innova Market Insights’ 2021 Top Ten Trends, “Mood: the Next Occasion.” 

“Being able to tie in the sensory snacking benefits with the functional benefits of the milk phospholipids is quite exciting for us and can create some great opportunities for brands with functional foods and beverages,” affirms Marshall.  

“Things like high-quality dairy proteins also work well in snacks.” 

Cross-category opportunities
Stress management in adults is the current area of focus for Fonterra as it brings its NZMP Milk Phospholipids to market, but other categories are being explored including cognition and sleep. 

Clinical studies have shown that the phospholipids can deliver benefits across the lifespan, in a range of areas from brain development and protection in infants to cognition, mood, physical performance and anti-inflammatory effects in adulthood, explains Marshall. 

“You’re already seeing milk phospholipids obviously in infant formula around the world and there are some new launches for older children emerging in that Asia Pacific region at the moment,” she remarks.

The new ingredient also has potential for synergistic pairings, including stress-reducing botanicals or nootropics, although this area has not been explored by Fonterra. 

Milk phospholipid combinations
Several ingredients in Fonterra’s current portfolio could be formulated with milk phospholipids to offer functionality beyond stress reduction.

“Things like probiotics for digestive health and immunity can also have benefits around the mental well-being via the gut-brain axis connection,” says Marshall

Both immunity and gut health have been the focus of research for Fonterra’s probiotic strains LactoB HN001TM and BifidoB HN019TM. 

“There's a lot of opportunities to layer things together, and there's no reason from our work today to suggest any negative interactions would occur. It should be synergistic in terms of one plus one equals at least two, if not more in terms of the benefits.” 

Time will tell as to when and where the first B2C launch is going to be, but Marshall says the company has already seen early interest in trials being run by customers in the US, China and Europe. 

By Missy Green

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