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