CocoActiv™

Natural support for cardiovascular health

Clinically tested cocoa flavanols bring benefits for blood vessel health and support blood flow

Supported by patents, CocoActiv™ is a cocoa bean extract standardised to 29% cocoa flavanols. Clinical studies in peer-reviewed journals have shown that cocoa flavanols support multiple cardiovascular benefits by supporting healthy blood flow throughout the body¹ ². Backed by a positive scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and an authorized health claim by the European Commission, CocoActiv™ is an effective option for consumers seeking natural solutions to support their heart health.
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Benefits

Heart health

The importance of supporting cardiovascular health

Consumer interest in healthy foods and lifestyles have increased over the past few years. Heart health products are in high demand. In fact, this category continues to increase year over year. As the “food as medicine” trend continues to grow, consumers desire to support their health goals with food products and supplements they can easily incorporate into their diet plans. Cocoa flavanols from Cocoactiv™ have been shown to be a complementary adjunct to heart healthy lifestyles. Balancing a health focussed diet with other healthy behaviours such as exercise are important elements for cardiovascular health and meeting consumer goals.

Clinical evidence

Clinically shown to support healthy blood flow and reduce blood pressure

Approved health claim

Authorized health claim by the European Commission following a positive EFSA opinion

Highly concentrated flavanols

Standardised to 29% cocoa flavanols

Natural & sustainable

Sustainably sourced in Ecuador

Want to know more about OatWell™'s unique characteristics?

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The science behind

CocoActiv™

CocoActiv™ – clinically demonstrated to contribute to healthy blood flow

Supported by patents, CocoActiv™ is a cocoa bean extract standardised to at least 29% flavanols with clinically demonstrated benefits for blood vessel health in a daily, convenient 690 mg dose that delivers 200 mg of cocoa flavanols. Additionally, data shows that cocoa extract rich flavanols reduce blood pressure¹ and LDL cholesterol.³

Cocoa is particularly rich in a specific class of flavonoids called flavanols, which have been shown to have positive effects on health and ageing.⁴ Clinical research and epidemiological studies spanning the last two decades highlight the beneficial effects of cocoa consumption on health, including heart health.²

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CocoActiv™

responsible sourcing

Sourcing cocoa beans responsibly

The flavanol rich cocoa beans we use to create CocoActiv™ are sustainably cultivated in Ecuador, following the principles of our Sourcing4Good programme, which promotes responsible practices across our supply chains in a way that protects both people and the environment.

Our cocoa bean suppliers are committed to our responsible sourcing practices, and we work closely with them to support you throughout your sustainability journey. Together, we continue to drive tangible actions to protect and promote the environment and the wellbeing of the communities where we source ingredients and operate our facilities.

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Traditional use

Cocoa beans are native to South America, and various cultures including the Aztecs and Mayans, first consumed them thousands of years ago. These cultures used cocoa beans as a stimulant, which they believed could reduce fatigue.²¹

Why formulate

with

CocoActiv™

?

With a small effective dosage, CocoActiv™ is ideal for dietary nutraceutical applications such as capsules, gummies and softgels.
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FAQs

1. Is it possible to get a high level of cocoa flavanols simply by eating chocolate?
2. Why is endothelial function an important marker for health?
3. Why does CocoActiv™ have such a high content of flavanols compared to traditional chocolate?

We would love to hear from you!

If you have a specific product in mind or are curious about how we can assist in your innovation journey, please don't hesitate to get in touch
Contact us
References

CocoActiv™

The natural adaptogen backed by science

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The science behind CocoActiv™

Clinically demonstrated to contribute to healthy blood flow

Supported by patents, CocoActiv™ is a cocoa bean extract standardised to at least 29% flavanols with clinically demonstrated benefits for blood vessel health in a daily, convenient 690 mg dose that delivers 200 mg of cocoa flavanols. There is a growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of high dietary intake of flavonoids – bioactive compounds found in plant-based foods. Cocoa is particularly rich in a specific class of flavonoids called flavanols, which have been shown to have positive effects on health and aging.⁴ Clinical research and epidemiological studies spanning the last two decades highlight the beneficial effects of cocoa consumption on health, including heart health.²

1+%
improvement in endothelial function based on multiple studies¹⁻² ⁵
1
health claim from the European Commission⁹

Supporting healthy blood flow, by supporting endothelial function

The cocoa flavanols found in CocoActiv™ have been shown to beneficially support endothelial function, which affects blood flow, in multiple clinical studies published in peer-reviewed journals.² ³ ⁴ ⁵

The endothelium is a large organ that plays a key role in keeping the blood moving smoothly through the body. It is made up of over a trillion endothelial cells, which release substances that aid in blood flow.⁶ Endothelial function is measured via flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Recent meta-analyses have found that a 1% improvement in FMD reduces the risk of CVD by 8-12%.⁷ ⁸

In a randomised, double-blind, cross-over study in 2014 by Grassi et al, cocoa flavanols were shown for the first time to dose-dependently improve FMD in healthy participants.¹ This ground-breaking study led EFSA to conclude that a cause-and-effect relationship had been established between the consumption of cocoa flavanols and maintenance of normal dilation of blood vessels.⁹

Cardiovascular health benefits

Cocoa flavanols have been shown in clinical trials¹ ² ³ ⁵ ¹⁰ ¹¹ to have benefits for a range of vascular health markers, including:

  • Significant decrease in blood pressure¹ ²
  • Dose-dependent, significant reduction in secretion of endothelin-1², a vasoconstrictor peptide produced by endothelial cells¹⁰
  • Dose-dependent, significant improvements in arterial stiffness¹
  • Significant reduction in LDL cholesterol and insulin sensitivity in people with high blood pressure³
  • Increase in nitric oxide synthesis from endothelial cells, resulting in improved vasodilation and increased blood flow⁵ ¹¹
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Broader benefits for health and wellbeing

Clinical studies in peer-reviewed journals have found a range of additional benefits from cocoa flavanol consumption that are likely linked to healthy blood flow too:

  • Fitness – improved trial performance, reduced muscle damage, and enhancements in VO2 max and work achieved¹² ¹³ ¹⁴
  • Cognitive health – improvements in processing speed, memory, and executive function in adult and elderly populations ¹⁵ ¹⁶ ¹⁷
  • Skin health – enhanced dermal blood flow, decreased erythema (reddening), and improvements in skin roughness, elasticity, UV-B tolerance, density and hydration.¹⁸ ¹⁹ ²⁰
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Approved health claim

Europe

Based on a large library of clinical evidence, including the 2014 study by Grassi et al, cocoa flavanols received a positive opinion from EFSA, which resulted in the following EC health claim (Regulation Number: 851/20135): “Cocoa flavanols help maintain the elasticity of blood vessels, which contributes to normal blood flow.” It is noteworthy to mention that this is one of the few positive opinions granted by EFSA to botanical extracts.

References

CocoActiv™ Responsible Sourcing

Driving impacts across the cocoa value chain

As part of our commitment to source all materials and services in a way that protects both people and the environment by 2030, we work with our cocoa suppliers to ensure trust and compliance across our entire supply chain.

‘’We make sure fair wages are reaching growers and eco friendly agricultural practices are applied throughout the supply chain.’’

Benoit Legris,
Snr Global Category Manager Nutrition & Health

Our Commitment

High-quality crops traceable to the fields

Our cocoa beans are sustainably cultivated throughout the year in Ecuador, with the main crop harvested from August to February and a smaller crop from April to July. Our growing partner operates strict quality monitoring controls and guarantees traceability to the fields to meet consumer expectations and ensure the highest quality finished product.

Championing sustainable cocoa cultivation

By working together, we are championing sustainable cocoa cultivation, while driving tangible impacts across the value chain. We collaborate with our partners to ensure that farmers are receiving a fair price for their cocoa seeds, while increasing the productivity of their cocoa plantations. This is done through onsite training to improve agricultural practices and by facilitating access to fertilisers and plantlets.

Why Givaudan?
Botanical expertise
Explore our trusted, natural ingredients–sustainably sourced with rigorous quality control.
Science & technology
Innovate with our science-backed ingredients with proven health, wellbeing and nutritional benefits.
Enjoyable food experiences
Create unique products with the right taste, colour, texture and functional ingredients.
The latest consumer insights
Transform consumer needs into outstanding products.
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References

Enhanced nutrition in any application

OatWell™ offers multiple functional benefits for food formulations, making it a versatile ingredient and allowing for fibre fortification in many applications, including bread, crackers, pastas, sweet baked goods and extruded snacks.

OatWell™ behaves as a natural stabiliser/emulsifier, making it an ideal ingredient for clean label strategies, while its high viscosity can deliver thickening properties. In applications such as bakery or processed meats, it exhibits water binding capacities, which hold potential for fat reduction. For classic applications, such as crackers and cereals, it can add a satisfying crisp.
11.4g
of OatWell™ BG28 delivers: 3g of oat beta glucan, 5.6g of dietary fibre and only 32Kcal

Designed for your formulation needs

The Oatwell™ range offers varying levels of total dietary fibre, oat beta-glucan and protein content, as well as different particle sizes. Its unique characteristics make it easy to incorporate in application while meeting taste and nutritional targets for a truly enjoyable consumer experience.

Baked goods

  • Easy to incorporate
  • Water binding capacity and moisture retention help extend shelf life
  • Can be mixed in binder syrup to provide thickness
  • High viscosity delivers thickening properties and texture
  • Enables some fat reduction in cakes
  • Improves overall nutritional profile

Extruded cereals / Snacks

  • Easy to incorporate
  • Excellent format to deliver high content of oat beta-glucan and fibre
  • Good expansion properties
  • Lighter, aerated and crispy texture
  • No colour impact
  • Improves overall nutritional profile

Pasta

  • Easy to incorporate
  • Water binding
  • Comparable texture to regular pasta
  • Improves overall nutritional profile

RTM Powders

  • Free flowing and easy to blend
  • Good dispersion
  • Can deliver added mouthfeel
  • Texture may add to perception of satiety
  • Improves overall nutritional profile

A little product for a lot of nutrition

Our OatWell™ Bran BG28 has over 50% total fibre and 28% beta-glucan. This beta-glucan is a powerful fibre and can help achieve different health claims around the globe. For example in the US, using the heart health claim requires delivering 3g of beta-glucan/day. 

Unique properties to deliver unmatched benefits from oats

For over 30 years, OatWell™ has been researched to develop innovative oat products. Much of our work has focused on proving the health benefits of oat beta-glucans in order to deliver premium value to our customers.

A unique nutritional profile

Generally considered healthier and more nutritious than the other main cereals, oats offer a full range of benefits in a single ingredient. OatWell™ can be provided in three different concentrations of beta-glucans, all delivering both soluble and insoluble fibres, along with an average of 21% - 23% protein.

A proprietary production process

OatWell™ uses a unique production process to fractionate the oat kernel into three product lines: beta-glucan products, oat flours, and oat oils. Our production process preserves the native structure of oat beta-glucans, retaining their high molecular weight during fractionation into oat brans with a high amount of beta-glucans.

The importance of high molecular weight

The molecular weight of oat beta-glucan is essential to delivering health benefits. OatWell™'s beta-glucan has a very high molecular weight (2000-2500 kDa as naturally found in oats), which contributes to its unique viscosity and thickening properties. This viscosity has an important impact on physiological functions, such as reducing blood cholesterol levels, moderating blood glucose and insulin levels, and potentially benefiting satiety.

Benefits of OatWell’s high molecular weight:

  • Ability to effectively reduce cholesterol and maintain healthy blood sugar levels compared to low molecular weight alternatives
  • High viscosity – thickening properties
  • Excellent water-binding properties
  • Potential to replace fat in product formulations

Unlocking the potential of dietary fibres and oat beta-glucan

Dietary fibre is an essential part of a healthy diet, promoting digestive health and providing a range of benefits that can help maintain overall wellbeing. Found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes, dietary fibres are carbohydrates that cannot be digested by the body.

Nutrition Facts Label: FDA definition of “dietary fibre”

"non-digestible soluble and insoluble carbohydrates (with 3 or more monomeric units), and lignin that are intrinsic and intact in plants; isolated or synthetic non-digestible carbohydrates (with 3 or more monomeric units) determined by FDA to have physiological effects that are beneficial to human health."⁸

Soluble Fibers

Soluble fibres are dispersible in water. Fibres with high molecular weight, such as OatWell™, transform into a gel-like substance as they move through the digestive tract, where they are fermented by beneficial bacteria.⁹ This type of fibre is known to reduce cholesterol levels, particularly LDL (bad cholesterol)¹⁰, and manage blood glucose levels⁷ making it particularly beneficial for those concerned with heart health and healthy blood glucose. When soluble fibre, such as that found in Oatwell™, is digested by beneficial bacteria in the large intestine, it acts as a prebiotic.¹¹ As a result of digestion, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are released in the colon and serve as a nutrition source for the colon’s own cells.

Oat beta-glucans

One exceptional soluble fibre is beta-glucan, a natural, indigestible polysaccharide found in oats, barley, yeast, bacteria, algae, and mushrooms. Oats are particularly rich in beta-glucan, with concentrations ranging from 3-5% depending on the variety. Oat bran, produced by removing the starchy content of the grain, contains the highest concentration of beta-glucan, offering numerous health benefits for cardiovascular health⁵ ⁶, glycaemic response⁷ and the gut microbiome.⁴

Insoluble fibres

Insoluble fibres, on the other hand, do not dissolve in water as they pass through the digestive system. They help promote regular bowel movements, helping the stool pass more quickly through the intestines, which studies indicate is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer.¹² By delivering both insoluble and soluble dietary fibres, including beta-glucans,¹³  OatWell™ helps meet consumer expectations for nutritious and delightful food experiences while promoting overall wellbeing. Embrace the power of these natural ingredients to create food experiences that truly resonate with today's health-conscious consumers.

Prebiotic support for the gut microbiome

Oat fibre contributes to improved gut health by increasing faecal bulk, but there’s more to the story. OatWell™ oat bran fibre has prebiotic effects, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria. These bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids like butyrate and propionate, which have been associated with anti-inflammatory, and cholesterol-lowering properties.²⁰

What is a prebiotic?

Prebiotics are substrates that are selectively utilised by host microorganisms that confer a health benefit. Simply put, they are food for beneficial microbes that live in the human gut. These microbes can produce short chain fatty acids, which are considered beneficial compounds. Most prebiotics are dietary fibres, but not all dietary fibres are prebiotics. Many prebiotic fibres are soluble and some are insoluble.¹¹

The prebiotic effects of oat bran fibre have been validated through years of research. In a review by Malkki and Virtanen, they cite: “in the large bowel, soluble dietary fibre increases the fermentation activity, especially production of butyric acid, enhances growth and colonisation of some probiotic bacterial strains, increases production of microbial mass and thereby aids the removal of nitrogen via faeces. It also increases wet weight of stools, thereby alleviating constipation”.²¹

Research conducted on oat beta-glucan demonstrates that it meets three important criteria, confirming its status as a prebiotic fibre:¹ ²

  • helps produce Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs): acetate, propionate and butyrate³
  • increases lactic acid as well as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli³
  • increases faecal bulk and promotes proper gut function⁴
By nurturing the gut microbiome, OatWell™ is an ideal ally for creating healthy and delightful food experiences that optimize wellbeing from within.
Disclaimer
This web page is intended to provide business-to-business education and information. Its purpose is not intended to communicate to end consumers. Ingredient information is for educational purposes only; specific ingredients are not intended to prevent, treat, mitigate or cure any disease states. This information is not intended to be used in final consumer products and any use or reference of the intellectual property of Givaudan in the final product may only be made with Givaudan’s prior written permission. The information provided may or may not be applicable to, or satisfy, all regulatory requirements for all global regions. Specific regulatory requirements must be evaluated to ensure compliance within the individual countries and regions.

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Health solutions for breakfast, Friday evening snacking, and snacking on the go!

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