IFF Health lands non-GMO and organic recognition for heart-friendly olive leaf extract

03 Feb 2021 --- IFF Health is putting the focus on natural positionings for its olive leaf extract targeting cardiovascular health. Benolea (EFLA 943) is the company’s latest ingredient to gain Non-GMO Project Verified certification.

IFF Health has also received recognition from the Council of Ecological Agriculture of the Region of Murcia (CAIRM) for an organic grade of Benolea.

“The Non-GMO Project Verified seal gives consumers the assurance that the non-GMO claim is unbiased, rigorous and transparent. Together with the organic certification, these certifications endorse the ingredient as a trusted and transparently sourced all-natural product,” Dr. Laetitia Petrussa, IFF’s product manager, tells NutritionInsight.

A potent concentration
Benolea olive extract is standardized to a potent concentration of polyphenols (30 percent), with 16-24 percent oleuropein – the most prevalent phenolic component of olives.

The company extols it as a strong antioxidant that actively contributes to the protection of blood lipids from oxidative stress. 

Benolea undergoes IFF Health’s proprietary EFLA HyperPure technology to guarantee the absence of contaminants and ensure a consistently concentrated and stable source of polyphenols.

The olive leaves used for IFF’s formulation are grown in Spain as a side stream of the olive oil industry. The extract is processed at the company’s Murcia facility to reduce the environmental footprint.Olives play a central role in the Mediterranean diet, which has been recognized as a leading nutritional heart protector.

Transparency and naturality on the rise
Innova Market Insights has tipped transparency to be the top trend for 2021, with six in ten global consumers now expressing interest in learning more about where foods come from. 

This is also often connected to naturality. Petrussa argues consumers believe they can trust natural products, deeming them to be less-processed and perhaps with a more simple ingredient profile made from familiar “store cupboard,” rather than artificial ingredients. 

“Natural products are often perceived to be healthier than non-natural products because of the absence of chemicals and additives.”

She adds that while there is no legal definition of “natural,” it’s important to understand what consumers define as natural. 

Many consumers define ‘natural products’ as free of chemicals and additives, without the use of GMO and preferably organically grown.   

“The consumer preference moving toward natural and organic supplements is a key trend in the supplement market. The projected growth of natural and organic food in 2020 will shortly become a lifestyle for many people. Growing sales in the industry show the COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating the trend for organic food supplements.”

Maximizing olive leaves’ full potential
Petrussa flags a “good opportunity” for botanicals that are directed toward prevention rather than treatment. 

“This is especially the case for ingredients with heart health benefits like Benolea, which is designed to help consumers keep their cardiovascular system in shape, naturally.”

Benolea’s heart-protective potential has been confirmed by a range of studies in animal models and three human clinical studies.

In one trial involving 20 monozygotic adult twin volunteers, Benolea intake was associated with dose-dependent decreases in blood pressure. This study also showed a significant reduction of LDL-cholesterol and demonstrated positive effects on blood lipid profiles.

A secondary metabolite of oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, is responsible for the potent antioxidant potential of olive leaves. IFF says this carries a high Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) value that surpasses other natural antioxidants on the market, such as coenzyme Q10 and green tea.IFF Health says the certifications highlight its aim to do more good for the planet and for the people.

Notably, one daily 500 mg dose of Benolea contains the equivalent of 20 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil-sourced polyphenols.

“Our dedicated team of expert formulators worked intensively to achieve an ideal combination of olive leaf bioactives and maximize their full potential. Our studies have demonstrated Benolea’s ability to exert coronary and vascular protection,” says Petrussa. 

She adds that IFF has focused significant R&D activities on researching the cardioprotective mechanisms of the botanical ingredient and optimizing the formula to promote cardiovascular support at the highest purity, quality and sustainability standards.

Expanding non-GMO portfolio
The company already offers several ingredients with non-GMO project verification, including its men’s health ingredients Go-Less Men and pumpkin seed extract, and its cognitive ingredient Neuravena. 

“We are actively working on certifying various ingredients for several different indications. We also aim to increase our range of organic ingredients, expanding our current offering of Benolea, SoyLife, green mate and rosemary,” says Petrussa. 

Change is afoot for the company, which has just completed its mega-merger with DuPont’s Nutrition & Biosciences business and unveiled a new brand identity.

By Katherine Durrell