Resveratrol Rising in Dietary Supplements, Food

Resveratrol interest keeps growing, thanks to new regulatory approvals and new products.

Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant whose role in preventing free radical damage has been linked with health benefits for cancer, cardiovascular health, healthy inflammatory processes, and antiaging properties such as youthful energy and appearance. Natural sources of resveratrol include peanuts, mulberries, and Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatun), not to mention one of its most-publicized sources, red wine (from grape skins).

Consumer awareness of resveratrol’s potential health benefits has increased in the past few years alongside growing research on resveratrol’s effects on the body. Additionally, resveratrol is starting to move out of the specialty dietetic market and into the mainstream.

Resveratrol on the Up

Innova Market Insights has tracked resveratrol launches for a number of years and has seen the number of food and drink launches containing resveratrol rise consistently between 2000 and 2010. Launch activity was particularly strong in 2009 and 2010, as resveratrol products other than supplements started to appear in greater numbers, especially in the United States, boosted by the introductions of a number of branded resveratrol ingredient blends.

New launches have been greatly assisted by the development of such proprietary resveratrol ingredients as resVida from DSM Nutritional Products (Parsippany, NJ) and Fluxome’s (Easton, PA) resveratrol, both of which have helped raise awareness and drive product activity.

Since launching in 2009, DSM’s GRAS-affirmed resVida has been featured in a number of finished products in the United States. Fluxome’s resveratrol, also launched in 2009, gained GRAS status in the United States in 2011 and then Novel Foods approval in the EU early this year.

Resveratrol Product Launches

Looking at the resveratrol product launches recorded, in the supplements category, launches have grown more widespread and sophisticated, often including other ingredients and targeting different consumer groups and health requirements.

In non-supplement categories, launches have tended to focus on beverages, confectionery, and snacks, taking advantage of the natural presence of resveratrol in key ingredients such as grape skin, cocoa powder, and peanuts. In 2008, certain wines even began marketing “high resveratrol content.”

In 2008, the Amoriss chocolate range debuted in the United States touting superfruits and resveratrol. Today, the Amoriss line features a wide range of superfruit and resveratrol ingredients, including wine extract, grapes, raspberries, peanuts, and blueberries.

One of the early applications of DSM’s branded resVida, in 2009, was also in the confectionery sector. In addition to providing as much resveratrol as 50 glasses of red wine-in the form of resVida trans-resveratrol as well as Cyvex Nutrition’s (Irvine) branded BioVin Advanced resveratrol extract derived from French grapes-the WineTime Bar from ResVez is a nutrition bar featuring dark chocolate, dates, and almonds, plus seven superfruits.

The U.S. soft drinks market has been particularly active launching products with resveratrol. In 2010 alone, launches included Nutra Resveratrol Anti-Ageing Waters, Adina for Life’s Holistics Zero Maqui Melon with Resveratrol fruit and herb elixir, and Genesis Today’s Pomegranate Berry Boost with 15 g of resveratrol per serving.

The Genesis Today Pomegranate Berry Boost has since been replaced with a Pomegranate & Berries with Resveratrol version that claims to support cardiovascular health, youthful energy and appearance, and healthy inflammatory processes, offering more antioxidants and polyphenols than red wine. The drink contains 25 g of resveratrol in the form of resVida resveratrol; 50 g of an antioxidant blend from acai, grape skin, and grapeseed; 100% of the daily vitamin B12 requirement; and 200% of the vitamin C requirement for natural immunity support.

Another interesting U.S. beverage launch with resveratrol is in the hot drinks department. Republic of Tea’s get young No. 19 is an herbal tea for longevity featuring ingredients such as organic rooibos and maqui berries, as well as Cyvex Nutrition’s BioVin Advanced.

Other recent resveratrol launches have focused on supplements and sports nutrition. Interest is also growing in products with naturally high levels of resveratrol, such as packs of peanuts in Malaysia, peanut cookies in the Philippines, and peanut butter in South Africa in 2011-all marketed on a resveratrol platform.

Resveratrol: New Regulatory Approvals, New Business?

While products containing resveratrol remain relatively limited, particularly outside of the supplements market, there are indications that this may change thanks to higher levels of interest in the United States. Interest could soon rise in Europe as well in the wake of this year’s EU Novel Foods approval clearing the way for the use of Fluxome’s resveratrol in food.