Wellness Ingredient Trends 2008

Goji, reported as an up-and-coming trend last spring (see “Healthy Out West,” www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2007/079.html) are still moving forward. Beverage processors are taking advantage of goji’s antioxidant profile, specifically its high content of the carotenoids beta-carotene and zeaxanthin. Indicative of the attraction the little rose-colored berries from Asia have is St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch Inc.’s (www.anheuser-busch.com) new energy drink, 180 Red with Goji. It’s described as having a “slightly sweet cherry taste balanced with subtle tartness.” The berries also are becoming popular additions to cereals and bars.

Mangosteen in juice form was one of the big emerging superfruits of 2006/2007, thanks in part  to companies such as Adam’s 100% Inc. (www.mangosteens.com), San Francisco, and Xango LLC. (www.xango.com), Lehi, Utah.

Xango began marketing the juice of the Southeast Asian fruit a few years ago as a supplement. The fruit’s deep burgundy rind and ivory-colored, lychee-like pulp is rich in xanthone antioxidants. Research shows xanthones may maintain intestinal health, strengthen the immune system, help support cartilage and joint function and protect the respiratory system.

Strange Fruit

Two big South American superfruits coming up are acerola and camu camu. Acerola was popular as a supplement a generation ago. The sour, bright-red cherrylike fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C. It’s just now making a comeback as a beverage ingredient and could break big in 2008 or later.

Camu camu is also a vitamin C bonanza — in fact, the reddish-purple fruit has more C per gram than any other fruit. It also provides  amino acids, beta-carotene, iron, niacin, phosphorous, riboflavin and thiamine. Camu camu’s ability to balance the nutrition profile of some formulations makes it a serious contender for future Top Superfruit.

Ingredient suppliers are combing the rainforests, steppes and other exotic locales to find the next generation of trendy ingredients. Companies such as Earthfruits (www.earthfruits.com), South Jordan, Utah; Blue California (www.bluecal-ingredients.com), Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.; PLThomas (www.plthomas.com), Morristown, N.J.; Fona International Inc. (www.fona.com), Geneva, Ill.; and NP Nutra (www.npnutra.com), Hawthorne, Calif., offer such exotics as dragonfruit, cupuaçu, rambutan, camu-camu and yuzu in addition to the current crop of hot exotics such as the now ubiquitous pomegranate and açai.

Domestic Bliss

Since 1984, many studies connected cranberries to health benefits ranging from cholesterol management and cancer and heart-disease protection to fighting cavities. The foremost benefit, though, was cranberry’s “anti-adhesion” effect on certain bacteria via compounds called proanthocyanidins. Because of this, cranberries and cranberry juice gained popularity as fighters of urinary tract infection and, a few years ago, H. pylori-induced stomach ulcers.

However, emerging science is showing cranberries could help protect against flu and lung conditions. According to the Ocean Spray Ingredient Technology Group (www.oceansprayitg.com), cranberry juice offers a non-specific antiviral effect toward different viruses. The world’s largest cranberry cooperative, Lakeville-Middleboro, Mass.-based Ocean Spray, noted an exponential global demand for cranberry products, especially sweetened dried cranberries, which saw sales rise 30 percent in 2006.

Decas Botanicals Inc. (www.decasbotanical.com), Carver, Mass., has kept pace with both the accelerating science and consumer demand for berry-derived nutraceuticals. The company expanded its expertise beyond cranberries to a full line of berry extract powders and combinations for multiple food and beverage applications. This is in addition to its growing production of enhanced dried cranberries and omega-rich cranberry seed oil.

Tart cherries are another domestic red fruit, are being remarketed for their health properties. According to the Cherry Marketing Institute (www.choosecherries.com), Danville, Calif., they’re not only a strong antioxidant, cherries exhibit powerful anti-inflammatory properties and a significant source of melatonin, a hormone-like compound known to regulate sleep and mood. While available fresh for only about eight weeks out of the year, manufacturers and consumers can get tart cherries year round in dried, frozen, or juice forms.

Grapes also are loaded with polyphenolic compounds, including anthocyanins, flavonoids (such as quercetin) and stilbenes (such as resveratrol). Resveratrol is believed to protect against cancer, vascular disease and osteoporosis. It also may help regulate cholesterol, glucose and blood pressure, and has anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal capacity. San Joaquin Valley Concentrates (www.activin.com), Fresno, Calif. The company provides ActiVin water-soluble resveratrol powder, a heat-stable product that can be added to beverages or the liquid portion of a food formulation.