Pharmactive combines olive leaf extract with ribwort plantain for immune support

29 Sep 2020 --- Pharmactive has introduced a blend of its branded Isenolic olive leaf extract with ribwort plantain to support immunity and respiratory function. Available for syrups, shots and chewables, Isenolic Complex addresses consumers’ growing pill fatigue while tapping into booming immunity and naturality trends.

It is “definitely a balance” of consumers and product-innovating companies that are driving the countermovement against conventional pills in the supplements sector, Julia Díaz, head of marketing at Pharmactive, tells NutritionInsight.

“Consumers are gaining awareness and spending more on health and healthy lifestyles now. Meanwhile, companies are looking for the best solutions to meet these new priorities for the consumers and to gain their heart and trust.”

Isenolic is based on olive with a documented history of use for health and culinary purposes. Likewise, demand for environmentally conscious practices throughout the supply chain continues. “Isenolic comes from olive trees grown in Spain, so the raw material transportation requires lower distances rather than if we would export them from other places,” Díaz states.

She also points out that the olive tree is “perfectly acclimated to these areas” and therefore does not require large amounts of water in its cultivation or adding chemical fertilizers.

Which natural ingredients to choose?
As consumer demands for natural ingredients soar, ribwort plantain couples bioavailable verbascosides with phenylethanoids, the organic compounds synthesized by plants from the amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine. 

These two phytochemicals exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, tissue-healing and antibacterial activities against a variety of gram-positive and gram-negative pathogenic bacterial strains, including Streptococcus pneumonia.

“Plantain is a wild-grown, nutritious leafy vegetable that has been revered as a highly valuable medicinal food for centuries,” explains Alberto Espinel, manager of strategic R&D in active and functional natural ingredients for Pharmactive. 

“It carries a long tradition of safe use for treating lung congestion and dry irritated coughs and is typically consumed as a warm tea concoction or hot broth. In addition to the natural, helpful compounds, the leaves also contain gums that provide a soothing cough-suppressant and anti-inflammatory effect on the lower respiratory tract.”

The Spain-grown olive trees reduce Pharmactive’s transportation distances and energy costs.With plaintain’s traditional use for sore throat alleviation in the Mediterranean for centuries, Pharmactive can claim the Isenolic Complex has strong traditional roots that can appeal to consumers, says Díaz.

Immunity NPD
In late March, the antiviral effects of olive leaf extracts were flagged amid initial heightened immunity tensions. Since then, the immunity sector has blown up with NPD, ranging from carrot fiber to dairy ingredients.

Overall, immune health claims are increasingly seen in global food and beverage launches, with an average annual growth of +15 percent between 2014 and 2018, according to Innova Market Insights data. Immunity claims are spotlighted front-of-pack, with ingredients like vitamin C and selenium enjoying increased popularity.

By Anni Schleicher