FrieslandCampina Ingredients harnesses gut-brain axis for stress in new Biotis GOS propositions

11 Dec 2020 --- FrieslandCampina Ingredients (FCI) is addressing heightened consumer stress and anxiety with its D-Stress sachet and Re-lax health shot. The new delivery format examples within the Biotis Brain Health Benefit Solutions range contain galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), a dairy prebiotic that stimulates the growth of gut bacteria that may help consumers feel less stressed and anxious.

“Generally, consumers are becoming more and more aware of the role of mental health in their overall well-being,” Guus Aerts, FCI’s managing director of performance, active and medical nutrition, tells NutritionInsight.

“Consumers are taking a long-term and proactive approach to health. They see good mental health as being central to maintaining a good overall quality of life.” The D-Stress sachet allows companies to premix minor components like flavors and sweeteners with GOS.

COVID-19’s toll on mental health
The company underlines that as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic coincide with increasingly busy lifestyles, people of all ages are more likely than ever to report feelings of poor mental well-being, including higher stress and anxiety levels.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has really put mental well-being in the spotlight, elevating it to the same level of importance as other aspects of physical health,” says Vicky Davies, FCI’s global marketing director of performance, active and medical nutrition. 

Notably, Innova Market Insights has crowned “Mood: The Next Occasion” as one of its Top Ten Trends for 2021. The market research reports that 44 percent of people have taken action to improve their mental and emotional well-being.

Aerts observes that mental health has been rising on the agenda in recent years. “Previously, consumer perception of mental health was focused more on medicines to cure mental diseases. This has evolved much more toward prevention using certain ingredients and functional foods.”

A host of potential delivery formats
The two new propositions showcase how the same Biotis Brain Health Benefit Solutions formula can be used in different delivery formats. It can also be used in bars, gels or as an ingredient in other foods like yogurts. 

Jouke Veldman, global market development manager and Biotis Brain Health lead, emphasizes that products on shelves must appeal to consumers’ key concerns and fit into their lifestyles. 

The D-Stress sachet allows companies to premix minor components like flavors and sweeteners with GOS. Consumers then add 7.3 g powder to 200 mL of cold water and shake in a shaker. 

Meanwhile, the Re-lax shot allows consumers to gain the benefits of GOS in a quick gulp. Companies can prepare it easily by adding Biotis GOS to water. It is then mixed for 10 minutes before citric acid is used to bring the pH to 3.0. Flavor and color can then be added before being mixed for another 10 minutes and the pH is measured again. The Re-lax shot appeals to time-restricted consumers looking for an easy way to consume Biotis GOS. 

Assessing the gut-brain axis
Biotis GOS can influence the gut microbiota composition by encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria. Through the gut-brain axis, this translates into a reduction in feelings of stress and anxiety.

“The important role of the gut microbiota composition and activity in human health and well-being has become apparent,” says Aerts. 

He explains that although the microbiota is present in our “inner outside,” there is a close symbiotic interaction with, and impact on, the human body throughout life. 

The metabolites produced by specific gut bacteria affect not only digestion and gut comfort, but also immune and metabolic functions.

“Some compounds have neuroactive properties and reach the brain through the bloodstream after uptake from the intestine or by direct signaling via the vagus nerve. There are clear indications that this communication impacts brain physiology, behavior and mental well-being,” Aerts adds.

He anticipates that more “exciting” results from scientific research will soon be released as the gut-brain axis is increasingly understood. FCI also delved into the latest findings in its recent webinar. 

Overlap with sleep
Biotis GOS was first launched in May this year, and encompasses a range of solutions for gut and brain health, with an immune health proposition set to launch in early 2021.

Closely connected to stress and anxiety, Biotis GOS also addresses sleep needs. Aerts explains that while these are all different propositions, they offer solutions for consumer problems that are “basically inter-linked.”

“Increased levels of stress are often the cause of sleeping issues for consumers. By targeting both angles with specialized propositions, we offer our customers multiple options to support consumers in improving their mental well-being.”

By Katherine Durrell