Ingredient firm Unibar Corporation recently announced the launch of Univita, a plant-based line of ingredients.
“We have chosen three ingredients with an array of potent benefits and rich Ayurvedic history to start our Univita line,” said Sevanti Mehta, president of Unibar. “Consumers continue to become more aware of their health and of the variety of natural options that are increasingly more available to them. Our enhanced guava leaves, holy basil, and Amla-Indian gooseberry cover a large spectrum of health needs and are a great addition to current and new supplement formulas from immune health to blood sugar support and even cognitive health.”
Mehta, detailed to NutraIngredients-USA how the new ingredients deliver benefits across a variety of health categories.
“Our first three Univita ingredients all provide powerful support for immune health, especially with improved zinc and magnesium content, but that is not their only forte. Guava leaves are also a great source of support for digestive health and blood sugar management. Holy basil, and its increased magnesium content, provide cognitive support, including stress and mood related challenges. Amla-Indian gooseberry has been recognized for its ability to influence cholesterol levels for improved cardiovascular function among other benefits for cognitive and skin health. Each of our Univita ingredients hold a treasure trove of potential toward a wide range of health improving benefits. In the future we plan to add additional ingredients that will help support metabolic health and cardiovascular health and will deliver several benefits for sports nutrition,” he explained.
Biofortification process
The line used a US-patented biofortification process to provide enhanced mineral retention and nutrient concentration in chelated form.
According to the company, the heightened amounts of zinc and magnesium are vital at a time when consumers are demanding efficacious options for improved immune health. The biofortification process also stimulates plant tissues for improved nutrient and secondary metabolite uptake.
“Just the beginning”
Unibar said it plans to continue developing additional ingredients to include in its Univita line for an even more comprehensive range of benefits.
“We stand by our Univita line as a way to enrich lives,” said Mehta. “This is possible by offering ingredients that are able to serve a variety of health needs and the three currently available are just the beginning. We plan on making two more ingredients available this year and then in upcoming years, as we find ingredients that are a good match for the line and consumer needs, we will be adding those as well. So far, our Univita ingredients have enriched zinc and magnesium content, but we will be improving other mineral absorption as well, when applicable, such as with iron. As we do so, our customers can be assured that all ingredients in the Univita line will be enriched via our biofortification process for improved chelated mineral content and nutrient uptake.”
