The supply of Fruitflow continues the partnership DSM and Team Sunweb formed back in May, in which the cycling team already use DSM’s PeptoPro, a peptide formulation derived from dairy protein that is said to aid muscle protein synthesis.
“For top athletes, the margins between victory and failure are slim. Professional athletes need their nutrition to support them in every way possible, through both training and events,” SAID Ruedi Duss, global business and marketing manager at DSM Nutritional Products.
Fruitflow a water-soluble, tomato-based concentrate, has been added to Team Sunweb cyclists’ diets to support recovery. The team believe it has helped secure them two of the top 10 places in the general classification at the Giro d’Italia.
Team Sunweb will also use Fruitflow+ Omega-3 during the Tour de France, which is set to begin this weekend.
“Towards the end of the Giro d’Italia, keeping the power output high was a challenge. I felt that by adding Fruitflow to our nutrition regime, it contributed to feeling stronger in the final days,” said Team Sunweb cyclist, Tom Dumoulin.
“Effective recovery made a significant difference to my overall performance. It is a relief knowing that I can rely on Fruitflow in an event as important as the Tour de France.”
First past finishing line
In May 2009, Fruitflow became the first natural cardio-protective functional ingredient to receive approval of an Article 13.5 claim from the European Commission.
Its health claim states that 150 milligrams (mg) of the ingredient “helps maintain normal platelet aggregation, which contributes to healthy blood flow.”
The effect is observed within 1.5 hours and lasts for 12 to 18 hours. When taken regularly on a once per day basis, the effect is continuous, making it ideal for use in functional foods or dietary supplements.
In speaking about the use of antiplatelets to address and support exercise recovery, a spokesperson for DSM described the ingredient’s potential as “only at the beginning as there is strong interest”.
“Athletes are looking for a performance edge and nutrition is central to this,” the spokesperson commented. “Even occasional exercises are more likely to continue their exercise if they improve, and recover well, so companies will continue to look for nutrition that is proven to make a difference – especially if it meets their need for clean label offerings.
“The three lead markets of US, UK and Australia are anticipated to drive this growth, but the less-developed and fast-growing markets of China, India and Brazil are anticipated to continue to evolve.”
DSM added that Fruitflow has been used in further pilot tests in rowing as well as in a standardised treadmill test and in cycling. The firm are now in the process of setting up a series of tests in various sports, which would be used to further demonstrate its efficacy.
They added that Fruitflow II, a sugar-free version, is now being developed for use in dietary supplements, which also has a recommended dosage of 150 mg.
A fruitful partnership so far
The partnership between DSM and Team Sunweb has so far proved particularly fruitful.
Along with Sunweb’s use of Fruitflow and PeptoPro during training and recovery sessions, the pact has also added sports nutrition specialist, BORN, to create ISO PRO+ – an energy beverage that Peptopo to aid faster protein absorption.
DSM has gone as far as working with the Sunweb’s partner Etxeondo, a cycling clothing manufacturer to develop the team’s bib-shorts that use Dyneema.
The material is DSM’s ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibre that provides cyclists with protection from abrasions in the event of an accident.
DSM say that Fruitflow II, a sugar-free version, is now being developed for use in dietary supplements, which also has a recommended dosage of 150 mg.