Weekly Roundup: Chobani debuts on-the-go probiotic portfolio, Sabinsa’s Macumax shows visual health benefits in clinical trial

18 Dec 2020 --- This week in nutrition news, Greek yogurt manufacturer Chobani introduced a portfolio of probiotic-rich dairy and non-dairy products to the gut health sector. Sabinsa welcomed clinical trials results demonstrating the eye health benefits of its botanical blend Macumax. In other research developments, US scientists explored the role of peanut protein in muscle growth in older adults, while others discovered how higher omega 3 indexes can lead to better heart recovery rates.

In brief: Launches and releases
Chobani debuted its new World of Chobani Probiotics. The portfolio includes probiotic yogurts, drinks, non-dairy functional beverages and kids’ pouches and shakes. Designed for at-home or on-the-go consumption, the products contain a blend of probiotic strains LGG, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus and L. Casei. The portfolio is positioned for the gut health and holistic well-being markets, which have seen increased interest since the pandemic’s outbreak.

Further in probiotics news, Danone North America is accepting applications for its Danone North America Gut Microbiome, Yogurt and Probiotics Fellowship Grant until mid-February. In its ninth year, the dairy giant will award US$25,000 to two graduate students interested in exploring the gut microbiome, probiotics and yogurt to better understand how they help support and maintain human health and wellness.

The Chobani probiotic portfolio targets the gut and immune health sectors.Healthycell entered the Southern Californian retail market with its Microgel line of gel supplements, including REM Sleep, Bioactive Multi and Vegan Essentials. The REM Sleep blends of herbs and amino acids can help consumers fall into a deep sleep, while the phytonutrient and mineral combos in Bioactive Multi and Vegan Essentials provide multivitamin support.

In brief: Business news
Hofseth BioCare (HBC) began a long-term collaboration with US-based marketing consultancy company Tenet Partners. Their partnership will develop a new name, messaging matrix, new packaging concepts, new logo/identity and redesigning HBC’s own-product website. “A recognizable brand will help drive sales purchased through the internet or directly through pharmacy, drug and retail stores. It is very important to ‘consume-ify’ our natural ingredients to connect with consumers all over the world,” says HBC CEO Roger Hofseth.

Denmark-based Lactosan inaugurated new facilities, including a new tower, administration building and extensions of the current lab-facilities, to optimize its value and production chain. The cheese-focused company is also partnering with Danish universities to strengthen its business in the future.

M2 Ingredients, the parent company of Om Mushroom Superfood, secured the Brand Reputation through Compliance (BRC) Global Standards Certification for Food Safety, which globally verifies food safety and quality for compliance to industry best practices. M2 Ingredients is the only functional mushroom powder producer to achieve the coveted AA rating, says Jan Hall, M2 Ingredients CEO. “Very few companies in the world achieve an AA rating in their first audit.”

Microgel supplements, including REM Sleep, Bioactive Multi and Vegan Essentials, are now available at Erewhon retail stores in Southern California.In brief: Research and studies
Macumax, developed by Sabinsa, demonstrated vision health benefits in a clinical trial on subjects diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Supplementation for 60 days showed significant improvements in diminished and distorted vision scores, leading the researchers to conclude it could prevent AMD from worsening in patients with early-stage dry-type AMD without causing any adverse events. 

Puredia’s SeaBerry Seed Oil, from omega 3-rich sea buckthorn extract, showed it could improve skin hydration in a new study. In vitro data indicated that the company’s seed oil up-regulated hyaluronic acid synthetases 2 (HAS2) and aquaporins 3 protein expression in reconstructed epidermis skin model, leading to better-nourished skin. HAS2 expression boosts hyaluronic acid synthesis, which is responsible for facilitating skin hydration and further influencing inflammation, cell proliferation and wound healing. 

Blue California’s ErgoActive ergothioneine could help to preserve telomere length and reduce the rate of telomere shortening under oxidative stress in an in vitro study. Telomeres are complex protein structures located at the end of each DNA strand, protecting chromosomes from becoming damaged. Shortened telomeres are associated with many chronic conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes – obstacles to healthy aging. Ergothioneine is a naturally occurring amino acid with potent antioxidant properties obtained from specific species of mushrooms, beans and oat bran.

New facilities in Lactosan, along with cooperation with Danish universities, aim to optimize the company’s value chain.A direct relationship between heart rate recovery and omega 3 index values was observed in a study from the Fatty Acid Research Institute. Over 13,000 US test subjects took part in a “heart rate recovery” exercise test, which measured how quickly the heartbeat slows down after maximal exercise. The faster it drops, the healthier the heart. The heart rates of participants with a higher omega 3 index dropped faster than those with lower omega 3 indexes. The link was noted in both men and women subjects, with a steeper gradient in women. These findings suggest a potential cardioprotective mechanism for omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

In combination with resistance training, peanut protein powder intake can positively affect select markers of muscle growth and strength among untrained, older adults. A study from Auburn University, US, had 39 test subjects supplement with protein powder for ten weeks twice daily. It significantly increased knee flexion peak torque, a marker of muscle strength, in the ten-week cohort relative to the control group. With growing popularity for plant-based protein, the defatted peanut protein powder makes “an exceptional plant-based protein option,” reads the study.

By Anni Schleicher