Benecol
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Benecol is a brand of food products owned by Finnish company Raisio Group. The brand is marketed by Raisio Group, McNeil Nutritionals and Cilag GmbH International in more than 30 countries[1]. The first Benecol product was margarine that was brought to market in Finland in 1995. Today, the product line includes margarines, spreads, yoghurts, yoghurt drinks, cereals, milk and soy drinks, pasta and olive oil. Because of regulatory issues, the availability of different products varies in different countries.
Benecol products are Functional foods intended to reduce dietary cholesterol. The active ingredients are plant stanol esters. Several studies show that stanol esters lower cholesterol levels, thus reducing the risk of Coronary heart disease (CHD)[2][3]. Anti-cancer health effects have also been suggested in some studies[3].
Raisio Croup licences the Benecol brand and sells the Benecol active ingredient to food companies worldwide[4]. Stanol ester is manufactured in two factories, one in Raisio, Finland, another one in Summerville, South Carolina, USA.
[edit] Benecol spread
Benecol spread, as marketed in Finland, is a low fat product containing 32% of fat. The main source of fat is rapeseed (canola) oil. Rapeseed oil contains high amount of unsaturated fatty acids and only 7% of saturated fatty acids [5], which is the lowest among the commonly used vegetable oils. Because of this, U.S. Food and Drug Administration have given canola oil "qualified health claim" status for reducing the risk of coronary heart disease[6]. A variety of Benecol spread that contains olive oil is available, too.
Recently, the recipe has been improved by adding camelina oil (from camelina sativa). Camelina oil contains exceptionally high amount of omega-3 fatty acids. The oil is also rich in natural antioxidants.
[edit] References
- ^ Food navigator.com (2008-03-14). Yearly results raise Raisio expectations. Retrieved on 2008-04-08.
- ^ Katan et al. (2003). Efficacy and Safety of Plant Stanols and Sterols in the Management of Blood Cholesterol Levels. Retrieved on 2008-04-08.
- ^ a b IFIC (July 2007). Functional Foods Fact Sheet: Plant Stanols and Sterols. Retrieved on 2008-04-08.
- ^ High Tech Finland (2005). Take your pick for a healthier diet. Retrieved on 2008-04-08.
- ^ NutriStrategy (2005). Fats, Cooking Oils and Fatty Acids. Retrieved on 2008-04-19.
- ^ US Food and Drug Administration (2006-10-06). Qualified Health Claims: Letter of Enforcement Discretion - Unsaturated Fatty Acids from Canola Oil and Reduced Risk of Coronary Heart Disease. Retrieved on 2008-04-19.
