Collagen Peptides to the Rescue

Health and wellness is not just a passing trend in the food industry. Awareness of the importance of diet and nutrition in supporting a healthy and active lifestyle has grown to an all-time high, with more and more consumers around the world demanding healthy food and beverages as they grow increasingly proactive in taking control of their well being. Governments and health organisations are attempting to combat a global rise in the number of people affected by life quality-impacting conditions, such as obesity, by further increasing consumer awareness and understanding of the importance of making healthier eating choices.

Another growing global health concern is the increase in mobilitylinked conditions associated with aging. The average age in countries across the globe is rising rapidly as birth rates decline and life expectancy increases. With many people striving to limit the physical effects of aging and stay active for longer, there is a growing demand for products that can assist in maintaining joint, bone and muscle health for greater mobility in old age.

These trends have opened up exciting opportunities for manufacturers to produce healthy, good-tasting functional foods that fi t into consumers’ daily lives and meet the demand for solutions which are proven to support an active lifestyle. For manufacturers aiming to target these markets, ingredients such as collagen peptides offer verifi ed effi cacy and ease-of-use in a wide variety of applications.

A growing problem
The rise in the number of obese and overweight individuals is a major global challenge to public health. Today, obesity is a leading cause of death worldwide. Greatly restricting an individual’s quality of life, obesity and being overweight causes health problems such as heart disease, type two diabetes and osteoarthritis. The increase of obesity rates can be attributed to two modern trends. Firstly, a change in eating habits towards an energy-dense ‘convenience’ diet containing high quantities of fats and sugars, and secondly a decrease in physical activity due to growing urbanisation and less active forms of employment.

A growing body of research has shown that enriching foods with nutritionally benefi cial ingredients can support weight loss and weight management – particularly protein. Widely known to be the most satiating nutrient to both animals and humans, protein has been shown to result in effi cient weight loss, and has been proven to help maintain weight afterwards.

Collagen peptides in action
Collagen is a key protein in the body. Its hydrolysed form, collagen peptides, offers unique benefi ts. Having gained popularity across Asia, collagen peptides are now becoming increasingly sought-after across the rest of the world.

Collagen peptides have been shown to have a higher satiating effect in comparison to other proteins. A randomised experimental study has found that those individuals who consumed a breakfast in which 10 to 25 percent of the energy was provided by collagen peptides, or collagen peptides enriched with tryptophan, reduced their energy intake by around 20 percent during the following lunch, demonstrating 30 to 50 percent more satiation than casein, soy and whey.

Manufactured using a gentle enzymatic process to assure superior performance, Rousselot’s Peptan range is made up of type I collagen, the most abundant protein in the body. Peptan is particularly suited to protein blends formulated for weight management and meal replacement products, as they enable easy formulation, even at high concentrations – such as in high-protein nutritional bars.

Aging gracefully
Weight-related concerns are not the only crises affecting global health today. Decades of rising life expectancies and decreasing birth rates have led to a higher number of older consumers. This trend has been noted across the globe, though nowhere is it more pronounced than in Japan.

As the population ages, the physical drawbacks associated with aging become more apparent. Bone and joint complaints such as osteoarthritis and osteopenia are common amongst the older generation, and are leading causes of pain and disability.

Active health
Osteopenia is a marked reduction in bone mass. Like all body tissue, bones are in a constant state of fl ux and are maintained by a process known as bone turnover. About 15 percent of bone in healthy adults is replaced through this process each year. However, bone loss is thought to begin during the thirties for both sexes and accelerates for women during the menopause. During this period, irregular bone resorption and formation can lead to a low bone mass, known as osteopenia, which could heighten the risk of fracture. Joints are made up of a single cell type, chondrocytes, which are embedded in a matrix made up of type II collagen and aggrecan. The characteristics of the cartilage are regulated through orchestrated synthesis and turnover of these components. In individuals suffering from arthritis, this regulation breaks down, leading to degradation of cartilage matrix and infl ammation.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. While osteoarthritis is most commonly associated with aging, it can also be caused by strenuous activity, such as sports, or being overweight.

Supporting bones, joints and muscles
Collagen represents up to 90 percent of organic bone mass and holds together all living tissue. It provides the infrastructure of the musculoskeletal system – making it essential for increased and pain-free mobility. Collagen peptides have been shown to be effective in the treatment of osteopenia.

Collagen peptides are increasingly recognized as a highly effective ingredient solution for manufacturers targeting the healthy aging market segment. Unlike native collagen, peptides are highly digestible and bioavailable. Ninety percent of hydrolysates are, in fact, digested and absorbed within a few hours of oral ingestion, rapidly delivering specifi c peptides to connective tissues and stimulating the synthesis of endogenous collagen in bones and joints.

Extensive studies have shown that Rousselot’s Peptan collagen peptides can support bone health and reduce joint pain. In vivo tests have confi rmed Peptan’s ability to improve bone status by supporting bone mass density and bone strength, when compared to placebos.

Trials have also demonstrated that collagen peptides have a signifi cant effect on both pain reduction and joint comfort in participants with primary osteoarthritis, as well as participants with sport-related joint pain.

Peptan: the functional solutions
In addition to its proven effi cacy to support weight management and joint and bone health, Peptan offers unique functional benefi ts for manufacturers targeting healthy aging or weight management markets. It delivers exceptional organoleptic properties, thanks to its neutral taste and odour profi le. Free from additives and preservatives, it is also fully traceable, 100 percent natural and causes no known side-effects. As a result, Peptan collagen peptides can be easily incorporated into a wide range of applications, including powdered drinks, functional beverages, nutrient bars and gummies.

Moving forward
As consumer demand for products that can support them in meeting their health goals increases, there are growing opportunities for food and beverage manufacturers to tap into the growing weight management or healthy aging markets. Collagen peptides, with their clinically proven effi cacy, provide manufacturers with an effective solution for succeeding in this dynamic industry.