Groupe Berkem unveils immunity-supporting botanical gut health range Biombalance

15 Sep 2023 --- French biochemistry and plant extraction specialist Groupe Berkem has launched a new range of gut health ingredients dubbed Biombalance.

The plant-based active ingredients aim to balance microbiota, restore the intestinal barrier, reduce oxidative stress and restore immune tolerance. The flagship product of this new range, Symgrape, is derived from the extraction of grape seed polyphenols. The range also includes Symint, Mallowsym and Symthym. 

Reaching consumers in need  
The Biombalance ingredients range is positioned to meet the demand for food supplements targeting intestinal microbiota balance, a health issue affecting millions of people worldwide. 

The launch represents the brand’s strategic move into the intestinal health supplements sector – an area which the company reports was estimated at US$38.8 billion in 2021. It is also expected to grow by almost 9% a year between now and 2031, Groupe Berkem relays. 

Biombalance’s flagship gut health ingredient is sourced from grape seeds.“With the launch of Biombalance, we are pursuing the strategy of broadening our offering that we initiated with the acquisition of i.Bioceuticals earlier this year,” says Olivier Fahy, chairman and CEO of Groupe Berkem.  

“We are convinced that we can leverage our deep expertise in plant extraction in this business segment, for which naturalness is a key driver.”

Groupe Berkem acquired i.Bioceuticals in February 2023, which enabled the company to enter North America, the world's leading nutraceuticals market, where Groupe Berkem had already been distributing its natural active ingredients for several decades. 

Extensively researched 
The Biombalance range of active ingredients represents the culmination of a long-standing effort by Groupe Berkem’s R&D teams, says Eric Moussu, vice president of sales of Groupe Berkem. 

“Indeed, in addition to reinforcing the Group’s international development strategy, we are now in a position to offer the nutraceuticals market ethically sourced ingredients, rigorously selected for their active molecules with a favorable impact on digestive health and scientifically proven benefits.”

Groupe Berkem will present its range of food supplements on October 25 and 26 at SupplySideWest show in Las Vegas, US. 

While grape seed derivatives such as Symgrape are showing potential for gut health, upcycled yeast from winemaking also holds potential as a digestive health ingredient. Research at the University of California, Davis, is investigating how the polysaccharides and oligosaccharides from non-saccharomyces yeast may act as a prebiotic. 

Edited by Missy Green