Tag: ingredients

 In Part 1 of Functional Ingredients Trends, the focus was on adaptogens more commonly incorporated into food and beverage products for the health benefits they bring. Beyond adaptogens, there are other key functional ingredients that developers are beginning to integrate into their products to meet consumer needs. 

 Calling on Collagen to Restore Protein Levels  

Collagen is the most prominent protein our body produces. It is in our skin, bones, tendons, muscles, and ligaments – even in our teeth! As we get older, our bodies produce less collagen, resulting in rougher skin and weaker joints. The health benefits of taking a collagen supplement or consuming products featuring collagen as an active ingredient are undeniable. These include improving skin hydration and elasticity, providing relief for aching joints, and supporting the development of muscle. 

Probiotics and Prebiotics: The Foundation to a Healthy Gut 

Probiotics: Most consumers are familiar with Probiotics, the live yeasts and bacteria that help maintain and support a healthy gut and aid in digestion. Doctors often recommend a probiotic supplement to restore balance to the body’s bacterial system after taking antibiotics.  They are also used to treat lactose intolerance, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and Diarrhea.  

 Prebiotics: For those of you who have never heard of Prebiotics, you are not alone. Although not as well know, they are just as important. Prebiotics are plant fibers and carbohydrates that the body cannot readily digest. When they move through the lower digestive tract, they feed the healthy bacteria that promote gut health. Prebiotics are found in a variety of different vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, such as bananas, cocoa, garlic, leeks, and flaxseeds. 

Boosting Immunity with Vitamin C (and Zinc!) 

Now more than ever, consumers are hyper-aware of their immune systems and are looking for natural ways to strengthen its ability to fight off illness. Vitamin C, also known as L. ascorbic acid, can be taken in many different forms to ward off the common cold as well as fight infections. Where to get your supply of Vitamin C? Whether it be in raw produce such as strawberries, citrus, and spinach or in the plethora of food and beverage products featuring the immunity–boosting vitamin, the resources are abundant. When combined, Vitamin C and Zinc are a particularly powerful duo for improving immunity. Grapefruit and elderberry offer high levels of both! 

Improving Sleep Quality with Melatonin 

Most consumers are familiar with Melatonin as a supplement used for sleep issues including insomnia. Melatonin is a hormone our brain produces, letting us know when it’s time to go to sleep and when it’s time to wake up. Typically, our bodies generate more melatonin at night when the amount of light we are exposed to diminishes. Melatonin supplements come in liquid, pill or chewable form and are either natural or synthetic; the natural form sourced from animals or micro-organisms. Beyond taking Melatonin for better sleep, consumers also take it to manage jet lag and post-operative pain.  

The Future of CBD = CBD + (Insert Functional Ingredient Here)  

Most consumers want to minimize the number of products in their daily health routine, yet still get the nutritional value of all the vitamins, minerals, supplements, and other functional ingredients. The best way to achieve this is to pair functional ingredients in food or beverage products. In this next wave of infused food and beverage products, CBD will likely share the spotlight with some of the functional ingredients described above, and that ingredient will be dependent on the product’s purpose and the consumer’s needs. 

Combining ingredients is not as simple as it looks. The R&D Team at SōRSE  understands the challenges and nuances of pairing various cannabinoids with other functional ingredients. Leveraging our current CBD emulsion portfolio combined with our formulation and technical expertise, we can create a blended solution tailored to your needs. If you are considering adding another functional ingredient to your product or product line, get in touch with the SōRSE team today! 

 

With health and wellness being front of mind for many consumers, the food and beverage industry creates language to describe the different qualities an ingredient brings to a product. A “functional ingredient” can best be defined as one that provides some sort of health benefit to the consumer.   

“Adaptogens” is a word the consumer is seeing a lot of these days in the realm of functional ingredients in food and beverage, but they may not know exactly what they are and that familiar herbs fall into this category of functional ingredients. Adaptogens come from plant material, namely herbs and roots, that help the body manage and combat different stressors. They are used to bring balance back to the body. Here are a few adaptogens that are either featured prominently on grocery store shelves today or are becoming more widely known given their beneficial health properties.  

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a succulent that thrives in tropical climates. Most consumers are familiar with it because its gel is typically marketed as a way to treat sunburn, acne, psoriasis, and surface-level wounds. Due to the high concentration of water in its leaves, Aloe is a great source of hydration, flushing out toxins and impurities. It also provides a healthy dose of Vitamins B, C, and E. The result of these healing properties is that consumers are seeing more aloe vera juice drinks on the shelves.  

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is a small shrub that grows in India, parts of Africa, and the Middle East that has been used medicinally for hundreds of years. Its roots and berries are said to boost energy levels, reduce stress and anxiety, improve brain function, lower blood sugar levels, and increase fertility. What more could you ask for? 

Ginseng

Ginseng is a root which has long been used in Chinese medicine. There are two types on the market today: American and Asian. Despite being from the same family of plant, the two offer different health benefits. American ginseng is used for its antioxidant properties and to boost the immune system. People with Type 2 Diabetes can also use it to lower blood sugar levels. Asian ginseng (also known as Korean red ginseng) is can mitigate the possible onset of the cold or flu, promote heart health, improve physical endurance, and minimize symptoms of menopause. 

Mushrooms

When consumers typically think about mushrooms, they picture them as an ingredient in a savory culinary dish like Stuffed Portobellos or Crimini and Leek risotto. While it’s true that these fungi are a staple in many diets, certain mushroom varieties like Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Shitake and Maitake have notable medicinal qualities. Mushrooms have been used to treat infection, boost the immune system, alleviate stress, and improve sleep. They are also used to treat heart disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.  

Rosemary

Rosemary is an extremely fragrant herb that many consumers are familiar with because it’s a key ingredient in Mediterranean food. The evergreen shrub is a member of the mint family, as are many of the other herbs like Thyme, Basil, and Oregano. Rosemary is used for its anti-inflammatory properties, improving circulation, aiding in digestion, and improving focus and memory.   

 Turmeric

 Turmeric is best known for its place in Indian cooking. It is the main spice in curry that gives it its golden color and its bright, slightly bitter taste. Turmeric comes from the stem of the Turmeric plant, which grows in India and South East Asia. Beyond its role in cooking, Turmeric, powered by curcumin, the substance responsible for the spice’s bright hue, has notable anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, Turmeric has been used for thousands of years to treat various illnesses and health problems, including inflammation, arthritis, heart disease, high cholesterol, and allergies.  

Today’s consumers are shopping for products based on the role they play in promoting good health and reducing the risk of disease, resulting in an increased demand for items that taste great AND deliver added health benefits. If you are considering adding an adaptogen to one of your products to meet your consumer’s needs, the SōRSE team is eager to consult with you to find a great match for our emulsion.   

Read Part 2 to Functional Ingredients Trends, where we cover functional ingredients for restoring protein levels, balancing gut heath, improving sleep, as well as the benefits of cannabinoids being paired with functional ingredients.