Antioxidants
The use of dietary antioxidants in drinks
By Ram Chaudhari, PhD, FACN, CNS Fortitech Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer
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t has long been known that people with diets rich in fruit and vegetables have lower incidence of heart disease. Since these foods are the richest sources of antioxidant nutrients vitamin E, vitamin C and carotenoids, e.g. beta-carotene, scientists have done many studies about these nutrients and the possible ways they help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The evidence for a protective effect is particularly strong for vitamin E. Several studies have shown people with the highest intake of vitamin E, above 20 milligrams per day, have the lowest rates of death from coronary heart disease. However, obtaining this amount of vitamin E from food alone is very difficult, so supplements or fortified foods and beverages normally boost intakes of this level. It is well established that an antioxidant like vitamin E works by protecting cells in the body from the potentially damaging action of free radicals. Antioxidant nutrients in the diet help to boost the body’s natural defenses and protect cells from damage. In addition to its other important roles in the body, such as protecting the immune system and helping iron absorption, vitamin C works as an antioxidant with vitamin E and betacarotene to strengthen the efficacy of vitamin E as a free radical scavenger. Advances in our knowledge of the role of dietary antioxidants in the prevention and treatment of chronic disease proceeds on several fronts simultaneously, however, it would be appropriate to elucidate current evidence for health benefits and recomFOOD & BEVERAGE ASIA
mendations for antioxidant nutrients.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Vitamin C is required for the biosynthesis of collagen, carnitine, and catecholamines. A lack of vitamin C in the diet causes the deficiency disease scurvy, which can be prevented by as little as 10 milligrams/day of vitamin C. In addition to its metabolic functions, vitamin C is an important dietary antioxidant in which it decreases the adverse effects of reactive species, such as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. The detrimental effects of these reactive species are oxidative damage to DNA and proteins. Such oxidative damage has been implicated in chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, cancer and cataracts.
Vitamin E
Most of the dietary vitamin E is found in fats and oils. Alphatocopherol is found predominantly in canola, olive and sunflower oils. If one consumed a low fat diet, it is advisable to closely evaluate vitamin E intake because servings of most foods contain about 1 per cent or less of the vitamin E required daily, except for nuts and fortified foods. Vitamin E has a significant potential usefulness for cancer patients because of its ability to shield immune cells from the toxic effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy through its antioxidant properties. JUNE/JULY 2008
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Antioxidants
Selenium
Selenium is an essential component of at least 11 selenoenzymes or selenoproteins. There are two major families of selenoenzymes – glutathione peroxidases and deiodinases. The metabolic function of glutathione peroxidases is to convert oxidised fat, which is generated as the result of normal metabolism and contributes to heart disease and stroke, to less harmful compounds. This protective effect is similar to the antioxidant activity of vitamin E. The deiodinase enzymes regulate the metabolism of thyroid hormones.
Tocotrienols
These are four forms of vitamin E; alpha,beta, gamma and delta. Like the tocopherols, they show strong antioxidant effects within membranes but are more evenly distributed Tocotrienols are also known to be efficient inhibitors of the enzyme necessary for cholesterol synthesis. Finally, we now know antioxidants work much more efficiently when used together. In fact, there appears to be a synergistic effect when certain antioxidants are combined. This is especially true when antioxidant vitamins and minerals are combined with flavonoids. In addition, each of the antioxidants appears to operate in different cellular compartments as well as within different tissues. For example, water-soluble antioxidants, such as vitamin C, magnesium and other minerals, exist mainly within the cytosol and plasma, whereas fat-soluble vitamins are concentrated within the membranes and lipid storage sites. This means particular antioxidant effects on cancer inhibition are not only compartmentalised in the cell, but also appear to be tissue specific. For example, lung tissue has a high concentration of lutein and beta-cryptoaxanthin. The cervix had been found to
Beta-carotene
Beta-carotene, a yellow-orange compound found in various fruits and vegetables, is a precursor of vitamin A (retinol). Many studies have found a relationship between dietary intake of beta-carotene and lower rates of cancer, especially lung, throat and cervical cancers. The studies also suggest a 30-60 per cent reduced risk of heart disease in populations consuming foods high in beta-carotene.
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Antioxidants
and appropriate technical backup from the ingredient manufacturers can usually ensure trouble free incorporation into products. Types of beverages where antioxidants containing nutrient premixes developed by Fortitech, Inc can be used are: • • • • • • • Functional dairy drinks Probiotic and prebiotic beverages Juice-based beverages Soy beverages Sports beverages Beverages containing botanical extracts Energy drinks
contain considerable amounts of lycopene and beta-carotene. This might explain why certain antioxidants are tissue and organ specific in their inhibition of cancers. Beverages are now consumed in large quantities in most countries and cover a very wide spectrum of product types. Increasingly though, beverages are seen as more than just a source of water. They can be an important vehicle for delivering nutrients, such as carbohydrates and proteins, but increasingly it is major components such as antioxidant nutrients and herbal extracts that are taking centre stage. The last few years have seen a significant growth in the range and variety of beverages available to the consumer with the “added value” ingredients that are available. There are many ingredients, particularly antioxidants and herbal extracts, now available to meet the specific needs of the beverage formulator
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All of the above beverages have tremendous appeal to baby boomers, who are very interested in wellness products. Today’s technological development in new ingredient application and processing methodology will allow beverage manufacturers to offer wide varieties of beverages containing antioxidant nutrients and other functional ingredients with good flavour, taste and mouthfeel. In Europe, the market for functional dairy products is dominated by yogurts and the new style dose-delivery fermented milk drinks. The main focus of activity has been in the area of probiotics with symbiotics also now increasingly in evidence in some countries. A lot of companies are using vitamins and antioxidants fortifications like vitamin E, A, B-complex, vitamin C and some antioxidants alongside trace minerals like selenium. In addition second generation beverages will have peptides, D-ribose type functional food ingredients. Functional beverages can be considered a suitable delivery system for antioxidants and other heart healthy nutrients. The incorporation of nutrient premixes in beverage and food fortification is an essential step that manufacturers will need to take if they are to stay competitive in today’s marketplace. Overall health and wellness within the consumer mindset, as it relates to purchasing decisions, will greatly influence what gets put into the grocery cart during a trip to the local supermarket. Enhanced waters, meal replacement bars and beverages and fortified biscuits, as well as organic foods, will continue to grow in popularity. To successfully introduce new products to the marketplace, a manufacturer needs lay a solid foundation at the very beginning of the development process. That foundation should include partnering with an experienced nutritional premix formulator to minimise the challenges associated with not just bringing their products to market, but to ensure a product that lives up to its label claims delivers repeat purchase as well. For additional information on custom blended nutrient premixes, please visit www.fortitech.com. FBA
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