Oat ingredients maker targets nutrition market
product that may allow food manufacturers to make an FDA heart
health claim on their foods, beverages and supplements.
US maker of oat-based ingredients Nurture has introduced a new product that may allow food manufacturers to make an FDA heart health claim on their foods, beverages and supplements, said the company.
OatVantage is a highly concentrated soluble oat fibre, claimed to provide a cholesterol-reducing benefit at a more convenient dose level than previously possible.
The oat bran concentrate contains 50 per cent beta-glucan by weight - the highest level of concentration available, according to H. Griffith Parker, chairman of Nurture.
"This high concentration enables just 1.5 grams of OatVantage to economically deliver 0.75 grams of beta-glucan, a soluble fibre," claimed Parker. He added that products that contain 0.75 grams of beta-glucan may qualify for the FDA health claim: "Soluble fibre from foods such as oats, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease." The amount of beta-glucan soluble fibre needed daily for an effect on cholesterol is about 3 grams.
Soluble fibre, specifically beta-glucan, is the primary agent in oats believed to contribute to the reduction of total serum and LDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and the moderation of glycemic response in diabetics.
The cardiovascular benefits of oat soluble fibre, including cholesterol-lowering effects, are supported by a number of studies. "There is high awareness of the link between oats and a healthy heart," said Parker. "Our research shows that nearly 30 per cent of consumers want to see 'oats' on the label. Oats are a natural ingredient, familiar to most American consumers."
OatVantage is made from non-GMO oats and is available as a free-flowing powder that is water-soluble and has a neutral taste. It can be used in capsules, tablets, opaque liquids, semi-solid foods and other applications.
"OatVantage is the result of a three-year technology development venture with General Mills," added Parker. "The patented concentrating technology that resulted from this venture enables a product containing five times greater concentration of beta-glucan than is normally found in oat bran. It also enables applications in dietary supplements, foods, and beverages that were not previously possible due to formulation issues."
Nurture is continuing work on its extraction technology to produce additional soluble oat bran fibre products.
