ACI Group has introduced two new nutraceuticals, Hytolive® and Vintera™, to its product portfolio.
The ingredients distributor has acquired these two Mediterranean functional ingredients from nutrition specialist Alvinesa, with ACI being named as the exclusive distributor of both products within the UK.
Hytolive is an extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) extract taken directly from the olive, meaning it is considered a food product.
Rich in hyroxytoyrosol, the nutraceutical has been proven to boost cardiovascular health and reduce the presence of excess cholesterol through its antioxidant properties.
Vintera is a polyphenol-rich grapeseed extract taken from wine production byproducts.
This ingredient, while being susatinable, has also been proven to enhance levels of HDL cholesterol, while also reducing the risk of arterial plaque formation.
To find out more about these new products and how they can benefit heart and metabolic health, NBR caught up with Karsten Smet, CEO of ACI Group.
Supporting cardiovascular health
Maintaining heart health has become a major consumer prerogative, with an increased proportion of the population looking to look after this crucial organ.
Karsten comments: “82% of consumers recognise the link between a healthy heart and a healthy body. They’re eager to support these healthier life choices in ways that work for them; grab and go functional foods, nutraceuticals and supplement powders are all growing in popularity, as they can be easily integrated into busy lifestyles.”
“As cardiovascular health is an important consideration for consumers today, the industry must pay attention.” She adds.
Therefore, ACI Group has teamed up with Alvinesa to bring the global population Hytolive and Vintera, which are both rich in polyphenols that have been scientifically proven to reduce oxidative stress.
They have also been found to enhance HDL cholesterol levels, while relieving systemic inflammation that can lead to poor cardiovascular health.
“The beneficial effects of these compounds have been observed for decades in the Mediterranean region, where citizens experience lower rates of coronary heart disease, despite consuming diets relatively high in saturated fat.”
Championing sustainability
Not only are these ingredients beneficial for heart health, but they were crafted with sustainability in mind, states Karsten:
“Both Hytolive and Vintera are sustainably sourced from Spain, meaning our customers can incorporate their wellness-boosting properties into their recipes and formulations without compromising on product sustainability.”
Utilising byproducts to create health-promoting nutraceuticals has also been a trend within the industry, as nutrition experts look to create solutions that utilise ingredients typically considered ‘waste’.
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