issue_3_2018

26
ingredients
Two questions for Julien Bonvallet*
Q: Plant power – what inspiration can we expect at this year’s Hi
Europe?
Julien Bonvallet: The Hi conference on the 27th November will shine a
spotlight on plant proteins. From sports nutrition via supplements to
protein-enriched food, consumers understand the benefits of proteins,
but they are looking at standard protein sources more and more
critically now: Plants seem to be the solution of the future. And HiE
attendees will be able to meet hands-on experts who will provide
product development examples based on naturally functional
ingredients that are making headlines. The second day of the
conference will have a slightly different focus: Most plant ingredients
that are valued today for their health benefits have centuries-old
traditions. Think, for example, of Ashwagandha in India – and
integrating these traditional ingredients into modern food and drink
concepts holds a lot of promise. Day two of the conference will explore
this potential.
Q: What is your personal Hi Europe & Ni highlight?
I am looking forward to this year’s Innovation Tours. We know that it is
almost impossible to fully explore Hi Europe in just three days. So, in
partnership with the experts from NutriMarketing, we will be offering a
variety of free of charge tours related to trending topics. The tours will
include a general market overview of the specific trend followed by
visits to relevant companies – established key players as well as
newcomers – so that attendees can explore their solutions.
fired the imagination of
marketeers as well as consumers.
According to Mintel, between
2011 and 2015, the number of
food and drink product launches
containing the terms ‘superfood’,
‘superfruit’ or ‘supergrain’
increased by 202% globally. 2 Today,
these products can be found not
only in wholefood stores, but in
virtually every supermarket and
discounter too.
The list of superfoods, fruits and
grains reads like our ancient
ancestors’ traditional menu – from
berries and herbs to greens and
nuts. Now known to deliver
antioxidants, anti-inflammatory
components or a gentle energy
kick, these natural powerhouses
are reaching new heights in the
health and wellbeing sector. Chia
seeds, for example, combine
antioxidants 3 with high amounts of
nearly all essential proteins: A
randomly controlled study has
even proved that they have a
positive effect on blood pressure. 4
Not so exotic, but equally
powerful, grape seeds are rich in
secondary plant compounds like
polyphenols and have already
entered the market as OPC
(oligomeric proanthocyanidin)
supplements. Goji berries and
mangosteen – both well known for
their health effects in traditional
Asian medicine – are conquering
the market too, and current
studies document their numerous
benefits.
Plant power is detox power
Vitamins, minerals, protein, fibre
and chlorophyll: Green food is now
considered to be a powerfood with
a strong health proposition.
Initiated in the , the detox trend
has reached and built a
considerable market here, too –
consumers want to eliminate
toxins and purify their bodies. The
liver, the kidneys and the immune
system do a convincing job of
protecting us from daily toxins
produced by everything from
environmental pollution to
unhealthy eating habits. So plant-
based detox is all about supporting
and gently boosting the body’s
own cleansing system.
The detox trend has been
criticised, but scientific studies
have shown the positive effects of
leafy green vegetables in terms of
antioxidant and detoxification
activity, even in correlation with
cognitive decline. 5 Vegetables that
contain high levels of bitter
compounds, such as artichokes,
and herbs such as milk thistle are
known to support liver metabolism
and stimulate bile flow. Dandelions
offer support for the kidneys, with
a clinical study demonstrating that
dandelion extract boosts urinary
output. 6
Also extremely popular now are
products containing or derived
from algae. In the food industry,
these marine organisms are used
as a basis for alginate, agar-agar
or carrageen. But they’re also
known for their detoxifying power
and their positive effects on the
immune system and cholesterol
levels. The microalgae Chlorella,
for example, is rich in proteins,
vitamins, minerals and omega-3
fatty acids. Astaxanthin, a highly
effective antioxidant, meanwhile,
is sourced from the microalgae
Haematococcus pluvialis. Studies
have shown that it reduces
inflammation, improves blood
circulation and reduces triglyceride
levels, thus preventing
ateriosclerotic plaques. 7 Green
teas such as Matcha are especially
valued for being high in EGCG
(epigallocatechin-3-gallate), an
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and
anti-atherogenic agent. 8
Fighting lifestyle diseases and
obesity
Today’s official institutions
recommend a healthy diet with
plenty of fresh fruit and
vegetables, whole fibres and
proteins, in combination with an
active lifestyle. But for all those
who do not follow these
guidelines, pharma offers solutions
that fight high blood pressure and
elevated cholesterol levels.
www.foodmagazine.eu.com issue three | 2018