Towards the end of 2006, Clif Bar introduced Luna Elixir, a product targeting women that provides a goodly dose of calcium and iron, among other nutrients. The product is unusual in the advice it gives the user to vary its sweetness by adding various amounts of water, but not unusual is the fact that it touts the presence of antioxidants. Indeed, in the year 2006, the Mintel Global New Product Database (GNPD) recorded some 703 new foods and dietary supplements that referred to antioxidants. (See the chart “A Profile of Antioxidant Products.”) This is a 400% increase from five years earlier in 2001, when the GNPD recorded 176 new foods, beverages and dietary supplements mentioning antioxidants. According to SPINs, a market research and consulting firm for the natural products industry, the sale of consumer products with carotenoids and/or antioxidant formulas increased 11% to $90.9 million in 2006 over the previous year’s sales (data from SPINSscan Natural and Conventional Channels, Natural Supermarkets (>$2MM) and Conventional FDM, excluding Wal-Mart).

Sugar and spice is not always so nice for the 20.8 million people who have diabetes, about 30% of whom are undiagnosed. Just the right balance of foods in controlled amounts eaten during carefully timed meals and snacks is vital for living well with diabetes. For another 41 million who are pre-diabetic, following the same basic guidelines improves their chances of remaining diabetic-free or delaying its start or severity.

Functional foods may typically increase energy, optimize mental capacity, optimize wellness and prevent disease. However, camouflaging the functional ingredients is important, as many ingredients adversely affect taste, texture and flavor. Functional ingredients may be phytochemicals, zoonutrients, fungochemicals or bacteriochemicals.

Research on the health benefits of eating olives combined with new manufacturing techniques has resulted in a new product that allows developers to unleash the advantages of this pitted fruit in other products.

California-based NutriBev Science, an affiliate of Nationwide Beverage Bottling Inc., has announced the launch of great tasting sports drinks containing PeptoPro®, the award-winning protein hydrolysate from DSM Food Specialties. RAD™ Endurance and RAD™

Although the low-carb craze has subsided, it has changed the way many think about their diets. Bread and other carbohydrate-based foods no longer are enjoyed with the abandon of the

No matter the opinions surrounding the current state and prospects for the future within the nutra-industry, the consensus holds that a number of dietary micro-fads have morphed into major lifestyle mega-trends. These trends are so powerful, in fact, that they are serving to reshape the global nutritional landscape. What is the impact on the consumer? Furthermore, where is this industry heading?

Addressing health concerns such as vitality, immunity, weight, cardiovascular and digestive health is what successful ingredient manufacturers are focused on. This section showcases reader service items that dovetail nicely with consumer priorities.

Crazy for CranberryThe powerful antioxidant and anti-adhesion properties inherent in cranberries are present even in juice form. Ocean Spray has added a new "not from concentrate" cranberry juice to its