Plant-based micronutrients: SternVitamin targets bone health, mental performance and immunity

28 Sep 2021 --- SternVitamin has unveiled a range of plant-based premixes that not only prevent deficiencies but also meet certain target-group-specific needs, such as strengthening bones, immune system or gut health, in light of today’s consumer demands for healthier lifestyles.

To prevent deficiencies, many plant-based products are fortified with micronutrients. 

“Customer interest in micronutrient premixes for plant-based products is growing,” says Dr. Christina Mesch, SternVitamin’s product manager. “So together with our sister company Planteneers, we have developed further concepts for plant-based drinks that address the current health trend.”

Oat drinks for mental power and immunity
SternVitalityV and SternDefenceV are new to the company’s product line. 

SternVitality is for a coffee oat drink with essential micronutrients to support mental performance. The vitamins and minerals of the premix reduce tiredness and fatigue and provide new energy. 

SternHeartV is incorporated into a chocolate oat drink.SternDefenceV was developed for a fruity oat drink and contains vitamins, minerals and botanicals. 

B vitamins are essential for antibody synthesis and can act as immunomodulators. Sea buckthorn, vitamins B2, C and E, and the trace elements selenium and zinc protect the cells from oxidative stress. In contrast, vitamin D contributes to the growth, maturation and activity of immune cells. 

Strong bones, healthy heart 
SternVitamin has also reviewed its existing premixes SternBonesV and SternHeartV. SternBonesV is for a vanilla oat drink with a combination of vegan vitamin D3, vitamin K2 and calcium, which helps maintain bone health. B vitamins further protect the bones. 

Mental stress can negatively affect vascular function and impact heart health. Since flavanol-rich cocoa has been demonstrated to improve blood flow in stressful situations and helps maintain the elasticity of blood vessels, SternHeartV is incorporated into a chocolate oat drink. 

It contains additional vitamin K1 for vascular health and vitamin C, which improves the elasticity of the aorta and raises “good” HDL cholesterol. 

Meanwhile, B vitamins contribute to a normal homocysteine metabolism, the formation of red blood cells, muscle function and a strong nervous system – crucial for heart health.

Micronutrients for alternatives
There are also new premixes for plant-based meat and fish alternatives. These contain essential micronutrients found in their animal counterparts. 

For example, the premix for burger patties contains iron and vitamin B12. The premix for salmon filet supports consumers with B vitamins, vitamins D and E, selenium and the omega 3 fatty acid DHA.

Through the close collaboration of SternVitamin and Planteneers in the group’s Plant Based Competence Center, customers get tailor-made all-in packages for manufacturing a wide array of plant-based products. 

Planteneers ensures optimum taste and texture, while SternVitamin delivers added health benefits through fortification with individual micronutrient premixes to fit a modern lifestyle. 

Last month, Planteneers developed two new hybrid plant and animal products solutions, appealing to meat-eaters unwilling to compromise on taste. The fiildMeat+ and the fiildDairy+ range can help formulators cut the amount of meat or dairy by half in hybrid plant products while boosting sensory appeal.To prevent deficiencies, many plant-based products are fortified with micronutrients.

Additionally, this spring, Planteneers unveiled fiildTex and fiildFish, plant-based solutions to replicate the taste and texture of salmon and tuna for vegan sushi applications. 

Last November, SternVitamin developed micronutrient premixes to give the booming plant-based dairy alternatives category a fortified boost. 

Tapping into Innova Market Insights’ second top consumer trend of 2021, “Plant-Forward,” the plant-based market is diversifying to meet new niche markets. 

The launches also come as consumers increasingly seek functional foods to improve their physical and mental well-being, underscored during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Health is one of the twelve megatrends recently defined by the Future Institute in Frankfurt. It informs all facets of daily life and dominates entire lifestyles. “Physical well-being has grown in importance to be a key resource since the COVID-19 pandemic,” say the futurologists of the institute. And, nutrition plays a central role in this. 

Plant-based benefits
“Plant-based alternatives are considered not only good for one’s health but also the environment and the entire planet,” the researchers flag.

Various scientific studies have shown that vegetarian and vegan diets offer multiple health benefits. These include less obesity, lower cholesterol, and a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. 

However, an all-vegan diet brings with it the disadvantage of critical supply of certain micronutrients. Among these are vitamins B12, B2 and D, calcium, iron, selenium, zinc, the amino acid lysine and specific omega 3 fatty acids. 

By Elizabeth Green