Beneo Containing Water Range Hits UK Market

Works With Water is the first spring water beverage in the UK, bringing the accepted health benefits of Active Health Drinks to bottled spring water.

27/02/06 Works With Water Nutraceuticals claims to have notched up a UK first with the launch of an innovative and advanced range of flavored spring waters with proven health benefits under the Works With Water brand. It is the first spring water beverage in the UK, bringing the accepted health benefits of Active Health Drinks to bottled spring water.

The range of flavored waters contains Orafti’s brand of inulin and oligofructose (Beneo) and includes Little Squirts for children and Delicate Balance for women, Eau Man and Water of Life. Eau so Cool and Aqua Family include a formulation that is clinically proven to optimise calcium absorption by almost 20%.

Beneo inulin and oligofructose are multi-functional ingredients that provide a number of nutritional benefits for both the food manufacturer and the consumer, particularly in drinks consumed at breakfast. “The confirmed status of these products as soluble dietary fibres means that manufacturers can promote products containing these ingredients as 'a source of fibre' or 'with added fibre'. Now with the new scientific studies new claims can be made relating to the increase bone mineral density,” says Christine Nicolay at Orafti.

The ingredients are non-digestible fibres that ferment in the gut, promoting the growth of the good bacteria already present in the gut that use it as food. By selectively stimulating the growth of health-promoting bacteria, the bad bacterial levels are reduced, generating a more positive bacterial balance. “This contributes to a considerable number of biological functions in our body, such as the absorption of essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals and the formation of a protective barrier against intestinal infections. In addition, such benefits help lead to an improved digestive and an overall feel-good factor,” Nicolay notes.

The Works With Water launch follows the introduction of a branding initiative for Orafti’s chicory derived ingredients, whereby the company has moved the branding of its ingredients as Beneo beyond the original four markets it started with (Belgium, Spain, Switzerland and Italy). “Our association with Beneo & use of the symbol on all our packaging ensures that the consumer has confidence in our products and can easily identify the positive health benefits. We are delighted to be part of the UK launch of the Beneo information, education & marketing programme that has proved so successful throughout Europe”, says Jules Birch of Works With Water.

According to market research, the functional water sector has seen dramatic growth in the last few years, rising from EUR12bn in 2000 to EUR24bn in 2004 and Nicolay at Orafti believes that prebiotics can have a major role to play in this sector. “Formulating soft, non-carbonated drinks and bottled waters with Beneo inulin and oligofructose offers a great number of new product development opportunities to drinks manufacturers. These versatile ingredients present a range of nutritional benefits that have a healthy influence on the body”, she notes.

Numerous scientific animal and human studies have proven significant health benefits of Beneo inulin and oligofructose when supplementing a well balanced diet. The most recent findings include: a recent yearlong study by Prof. Abrams from Baylor College of Medicine and the Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, US has proven how prebiotics can increase calcium retention within bones. The study revealed that when Orafti’s Beneo Synergy1, an oligofructose enriched inulin powder was used to supplement the diet over a period of one year, the change in bone mineral content over the year increased by 15% and what was even better was the 45% increase of bone mineral density.

Beneo Synergy1 has also been proven by SYNCAN, an EU funded study, to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer when used in conjunction with probiotics (synbiotic effect). In addition to this, earlier this year, Prof. Butel undertook a study in Paris with infants attending day care centres, which showed that consistent consumption of 2g of Beneo P95 per day can reduce common diseases such as diarrhoea, vomiting and fevers.

Manufacturers using Beneo inulin and oligofructose can make the following claims: increased/added fibre, prebiotic effect: improves digestive health, increased calcium absorption by more than 20% and improved bone health. Previous bottled waters using Orafti’s health ingredients are: Algin, which was launched in South Africa in 2005 and claims increased calcium absorption, Heng Yi, Nestlé Harmony was launched in 2003 with a prebiotic claim and in 2004 Pere Ocean was launched into Singapore with a fibre claim.

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