Are berries and pomegranate more appropriate for lovers than
flowers and chocolates? Recent studies suggest benefits on heart
health and in the bedroom.
Extracts from tomatoes offer heart health benefits by reducing the
accumulation of platelets that lead eventually to blood clots,
heart attacks and strokes, say two complimentary studies from the
UK.
Heart health is a preoccupation of almost half of adult Americans,
according to data from the Natural Marketing Institute that flags
up the considerable opportunities for healthy and functional
food-makers.
US soy processor ADM has gained additional patents for the
combination of soy protein and sterols in functional foods, giving
food formulators extra leverage in the heart health category.
Cereal makers have a major hold on the heart health foods market
but new ingredients will help other sectors tap into strong
consumer demand for these products, writes Dominique Patton.
US agri-giant Cargill introduced a new barley ingredient, with high
levels of beta-glucan soluble fibre, at Health Ingredients Europe
last week, as part of its platform designed to target heart health.
Israeli firm Enzymotec has developed a novel product line marketed
under the brand carDiabeat, designed to fight the major risks for
cardiovascular disorders of diabetes patients.