Kerry launches 2-in-1 ingredient blend for immunity & stress
Wellmune, Kerry’s baker’s yeast beta 1,3/1,6 glucan ingredient, is supported by over a dozen clinical studies, which have shown that it can support general immune health and maintain overall physical health.
Additionally, Sensoril is backed by 16 clinical studies, supporting its benefits for stress reduction, sleep, mood, energy and focus.
“Immune health and stress are intimately intertwined – when we’re stressed or sleeping poorly, our natural defenses suffer. Wellmune Adapt is designed to support immune health both directly, with Wellmune and Vitamin C, and indirectly, by helping the body adapt to stress,” said Dr. Niamh Hunt, Senior Global Marketing Manager at Kerry Taste and Nutrition.
The ingredient is available immediately in the US for use in a range of supplement applications. Dr Hunt confirmed the company intends to extend the launch of the ingredient blend to meet demand in regions beyond the US in the near future.
Wellmune Adapt is an off-white/brown colored powder, added Dr Hunt. The ingredient can be formatted into many supplement formats such as pills, capsules, tablets and gummies, she added.
“Ashwagandha can have earthy and/or bitter notes, especially in concentrated extracts. Kerry has a wide range of taste capabilities and expertise that supports supplement manufacturers to mask bitterness, such as our Tastesense masking solution,” she said.
Immunity-plus
Immunity and stress management were among the biggest growth categories during the COVID-19 pandemic. The categories have also evolved with some stakeholders viewing immunity as more of an anchor claim to be used with other related health endpoints as consumer seek out multi-functional products.
“The “immunity-Plus” trend has been around for many years,” said Dr Hunt. “In recent years and spurred by increased stress levels as a result of the pandemic, the link between mental and immune health is becoming more widely recognized by consumers, in particular the link between stress and sleep and how these can negatively impact the immune system.
“The start of this trend is evident when looking at product launches in 2020, where immune/brain launches outnumbered immune/digestive launches – three quarters of products with an immune claim also featured a brain health claim in 2020. Of these brain health claims, stress has been the most used terminology under product description,” she added.
Indeed, Innova Market Insights’ 2020 Trends Survey reported that three in four consumers agree that being mentally healthy boosts the immune system, while 71% say that getting enough sleep is an important way to achieve immune health.
“These are also paired benefits that consumers accept and actively look for,” said Dr Hunt. “In terms of ingredients, ashwagandha is top of mind when it comes to stress/sleep support, with 59% of consumers believing that ashwagandha would help them achieve their sleep support goals.”
“Wellmune Adapt is a potentially game-changing product in the post-pandemic world, where demand for scientifically substantiated immune health benefits remains huge, and consumers are increasingly aware of the links between physical health and mental and emotional wellbeing,” said Erin Klipstein, Senior Global Product Manager at Kerry Taste and Nutrition.
