Beautiful bones: oligofructose-enriched inulin--helping to prevent osteoporosis.

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Global functional food sales increased by almost 65% between 2002 and 2006--and are set to rise by a further 30% by 2011--according to figures from market analyst Euromonitor International. Such impressive growth figures translate to massive opportunities for food manufacturers. But they also come with a concern. Consumers and regulators are becoming increasingly intolerant of products based on unsubstantiated claims and paper-thin scientific arguments. They want to see evidence-based products that are scientifically proven to improve health and well-being. For product developers, that means that any functional ingredient needs to be backed by watertight clinical evidence.

Orafti's proprietary oligofructose-enriched inulin offers groundbreaking scientific evidence in the domain of bone health--something that no other functional ingredient can claim. For food manufacturers looking to create scientifically sound products, which deliver confirmed health benefits, this research offers untapped opportunities for making powerful claims.

High Risk of Osteoporosis Fracture

Calcium is an essential mineral in the body. More than 99% of our calcium is stored in bone, providing vital support for the skeleton. Calcium levels can only be maintained through the diet because the body does not produce calcium itself. However, data suggest that many people are consuming well below the recommended daily amount of calcium. USA data estimates that 70% of American adults have low calcium intakes, whereas in Europe low intakes have been reported in a number of 'at risk' groups, including 50% of Irish girls, 75% of French women over 55 and 16% of British 14-34 year olds. A low calcium intake is one of the reasons for the increasing prevalence of osteoporosis. Characterized by low bone density and bone fragility, osteoporosis affects one in three women after the menopause. As life expectancy increases in the western world, so does the incidence of the disease--at an alarming rate. Indeed, the lifetime risk of an osteoporosis fracture in the over 50s is 50% in women and 25% in men.

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Increasing calcium intake via supplementation and calcium-fortified foods goes some way to addressing this issue. However, there is no guarantee that the body will absorb the supplemented calcium. With public health measures and calcium supplementation failing to get this escalating problem in check, there is an opportunity for the food industry to develop products that protect against the risk of developing osteoporosis by increasing calcium absorption and strengthening bones.

Proven by Science

Support for the role of inulin and oligofructose in bone health began in the early nineties with a series of animal and human studies. The results of the human studies were promising, showing that inulin and oligofructose improve calcium absorption. However, in these studies, inulin and oligofructose were consumed at very high levels. In the light of these results, BENEO-Orafti developed a new form of oligofructose-enriched inulin:

Orafti Synergy1, which has superior efficiency in increasing calcium absorption. Orafti Synergy1, patented by BENEO-Orafti, is a unique composition of oligofructose and inulin, derived from the chicory root. Oligofructose and inulin are natural ingredients that occur in more than 36,000 plants and vegetables. They are selectively fermented by the intestinal flora. This means that they act as prebiotics--improving the balance of the body's intestinal flora by stimulating beneficial bifidobacteria and contributing to a healthy digestive system. Scientific research supported by BENEO-Orafti has also established that Synergy1 helps the body to absorb more essential nutrients, such as calcium, from the diet.

The Missing Link

Research by Professor Abrams at the Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, Texas, USA) has not only shown that Orafti Synergy1 increases calcium uptake, but also concluded categorically that the extra-absorbed calcium is going exactly where it is needed--straight to the bones. One hundred adolescents were given either 8 g of Orafti Synergy1 or an equivalent amount of placebo every day for a year. Calcium absorption and bone mineral density were far higher in those who consumed Orafti Synergy1. After one year, the increase in Bone Mineral Density (BMD) among the Orafti Synergy1 group was 45% higher than the controls The researchers also measured Bone Mineral Content (BMC) and found that in the Orafti Synergy1 group, bone calcium accretion increased by an extra 30 mg per day--proof that extra calcium was actually deposited in the bones.

Market Opportunities

These results have opened up the door to new and innovative functional foods. Whether manufacturers are looking to develop products aimed at maximizing bone health in children or minimizing calcium loss in middle-aged consumers, the food industry can capitalize on the science that Orafti Synergy1 supports.

Adult plus: Low hormone levels in middle-aged women are known to cause the bones to leach calcium--lowering bone density and increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Orafti Synergy1 can minimize the loss of calcium from the bones and, in turn, help prevent against osteoporosis. As osteoporosis is becoming increasingly common, consumers are more aware of the link between diet and health; self-prevention through dietary measures is a positive approach that is appealing to more and more consumers. An adopter of this concept is Works with Water (UK), a range of 'nutraceutical spring waters' that is targeted at specific members of the family: Water of Life (seniors), Eau Man, Aqua Family, Little Squirts (kids) etc. They all contain enriched inulin, claiming prebiotic, fibre or bone health, and taste great too.

Youngsters: Throughout childhood and early adulthood, calcium is taken up by the bones and stored. Absorption is enhanced during childhood and adolescence, so if calcium intakes are low during these critical periods, bone health in later life is at risk. This area is clearly an opportunity for innovative products in the market.

The Claims

Products containing Orafti Synergy1 can now be marketed as proven to improve bone health, as well as supporting calcium absorption claims. At present, no other functional ingredient can make these claims, providing a unique selling point. The new legislation, which came into effect in July 2007, has ensured that any claim made on a food label in the EU is clear, accurate and substantiated, thus enabling consumers to make informed and meaningful choices when it comes to food and drinks with nutritional or health benefits. Enforcement of the new legislative framework is preventing abuse in this area and is exposing ingredients that lack proper evidence. This has created an advantage for products formulated with Orafti Synergy1. How these claims can be made relevant and attractive for the consumer can be combined with the marketing expertise of BENEO-Orafti, which holds a raft of worldwide consumer research.

Conclusion

As consumers become increasingly health conscious and legislation becomes more stringent, products that cannot prove their purported health benefits are likely to be forced out of the market. Orafti Synergy1 gives food manufacturers the chance to develop innovative and enduring products that deliver bone health benefits that both consumers and regulators can trust.

Bibliography

(1.) C. Coudray, et al., "Effects of Inulin-Type Fructans of Different Chain Length and Type of Branching on Intestinal Absorption and Balance of Calcium and Magnesium in Rats," Eur. J. Nutr. 42, 91-98 (2003).

(2.) I.J. Griffin, P.M. Davila and S.A. Abrams, "Non-Digestible Oligosaccharides and Calcium Absorption in Girls with Adequate Calcium Intakes," Br. J. Nutr. 87, S187-S191 (2002).

(3.) S.A. Abrams, et al., "A Combination of Prebiotic Short- and Long-Chain Fructans Enhances Calcium Absorption and Bone Mineralization in Young Adolescents," Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 82, 471-476 (2005).

Dairy Drinks Buck Global Trend

Dairy drinks that promote health have been bucking the trend in declining new product development during the past 3 years. Since dairy drink product launches reached their peak in 2005, with 2329 brought to market globally, the frequency has been dropping year on year. However, the number of dairy drinks created that promote health benefits has been on the increase (www.innova-food.com). Tim Van der Schraelen, BENEO-Orafti marketing and communication manager, explains further: "We have seen a growing emphasis on health in society as obesity becomes a global problem; and although 'convenience' is still a big driver in the promotion of dairy drinks (34% of new products use it as a reason to buy), 'health' has overtaken it as the primary claim used to encourage sales (with 42% of producers using it to sell the product). With this in mind, we have seen a ten-fold increase in the number of dairy drink products being brought to market that contain inulin and oligofructose during the last 5 years. From small beginnings back in 2002, when only 15 dairy drinks contained this active food ingredient, 2007 saw 164 products brought to market globally that contained inulin and oligofructose. Yet there is room for growth. And for drinks manufacturers wanting to include active food ingredients such as Orafti inulin and oligofructose, to enable them to make health and wellness claims, great opportunities still exist."

With the largest proportion of dairy drink innovations coming out of Western Europe and Asia, followed by the US, it is interesting to note that North America leads the field with dairy drinks that contain inulin and oligofructose (10% in North America, as opposed to 7.4% in Western Europe and 4.8% in Asia). With growing concerns regarding health issues and the increasing education of consumers on the subject of well-being, it is also noteworthy that gut health is a significant driver being used to position dairy drinks. Although almost 17% of the products containing inulin and oligofructose launched during the last 5 five years boasted 'low fat,' and 13% used 'gut health,' only 3% opted to use 'low sugar' as a key driver. Tim continues: "At BENEO-Orafti, we have been working alongside food and drink manufacturers to facilitate the development of products that promote health and well-being. As we have seen with the growing trend towards health over convenience as a buying signal, consumers are becoming more interested in what they purchase from a wellness standpoint. We have also found that, thanks to an independent scientific committee affiliated with BENEO-Orafti, food and drink producers can make a number of accredited health claims--all of which have been submitted to the EU Health Claims Regulatory board--ensuring the integrity of their new dairy drink products from day one." BENEO-Orafti, long renowned for its ability to develop products that promote nutrition and health, has been working alongside a range of leading companies and encouraging the growth of balanced food and drink products. The company now provides food manufacturers with an extensive range of BENEOOrafti products and support packages to enable increased market development and penetration. For further business information, please contact [e-mail].

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For more information

Tim Van der Schraelen

Marketing & Communication Manager

BENEO-Orafti

Aandorenstraat 1

B-3300 Tienen, Belgium.

Tel. [phone]

[e-mail]

www.orafti.com