Protein Bar Company Unveils Line Of Plant-Based Protein Bars, Powders

Protein bar company thinkThin has expanded its product line to include a range of plant protein-based nutritional bars and powders. All of the bars and protein and probiotic powder mixes are soy-free, GMO-free, gluten-free and vegan. Products include Sea Salt Almond Chocolate High Protein Bar, Chocolate Mint High Protein Bar, Belgian Chocolate Protein & Probiotics Powder Mix, and Madagascar Vanilla Bean Protein & Probiotics Powder Mix. They will be sold at Whole Foods Market, Kroger, Target and Walmart nationwide.

"thinkThin Launches Line of Plant-Based Protein Products", Drug Store News, July 07, 2017

Catholic Church Reaffirms Its Position On Gluten-Free Communion Wafers

Gluten-free is a major food trend, and a multi-billion-dollar business. But it hasn’t yet breeched the walls of Vatican City and isn’t likely to anytime soon. The hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church recently advised its bishops worldwide that – celiac disease notwithstanding – there will be no messing around with the basic recipe for communion wafers. The reason? Christ ate bread, made with gluten-rich wheat, and drank wine at the Last Supper, declaring that they were his body and blood. The Catholic Church takes those words literally, not symbolically. As one U.S. theologian said, “Christ did not institute the Eucharist as rice and sake, or sweet potatoes and stout."

"The Catholic Church Says No to Gluten-Free Communion. Here’s Why.", The Washington Post, July 11, 2017

Cauliflower Pizza Crusts Are A Hit At ESPY Party

Cali’flour Foods says its plant-based, vegan cauliflower pizza crusts garnered rave reviews from athletes and celebrities attending the recent pre-ESPYs sports awards party in Beverly Hills, Calif. According to company founder Amy Lacey, current Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay ordered a year's worth of the crusts after sampling. The company offers two gluten-free varieties made with cauliflower, cheese, eggs, and spices. A new variant is the plant-based Italian crust containing no eggs or dairy. Lacey was inspired to create the new pizza crusts after her own lupus diagnosis and her discovery that certain foods triggered inflammation. The crusts are available nationwide and online.

"Cali'Flour Foods Serves Up Their Cauliflower Pizza Crusts to World's Best Athletes and Celebrities at GBK Pre-ESPYS 2017 Party", News release, Cali’flour Foods , July 14, 2017

Commercial Compound Boosts Effects Of Caffeine Without Bad Consequences

Love coffee but hate caffeine jitters? A new study finds that the compound theacrine, found in varieties of tea leaves and coffee, offers some relief. The study looked at the effects of ingesting a commercial, nature-identical version known as TeaCrine, finding that co-administering caffeine with TeaCrine increases its concentration in the blood (bioavailability). It seems to enhance mental clarity, focus, and energy without the caffeine crash. The study was partially funded by Compound Solutions, maker of TeaCrine.

"New Study on TeaCrine Suggests Co-Administration with Caffeine May Help Prevent the Jitters", NUTRAingredients-USA.com, July 19, 2017

Direct-To-Consumer Distribution Of Vitamins: The Future Is Now

National Business Journal (NBJ) says vitamin supplement producers have embraced the trend toward direct-to-consumer distribution, now the largest sales channel for multivitamins. Use of vending machines and other novel modes of multivitamin delivery – could drone delivery be far off? – are gaining legitimacy. According to NBJ, new delivery technologies and formats could finally convince the federal government to allow multivitamins as a permitted purchase in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). At any rate, NBJ expects vitamin sales to surpass $15 billion by 2021, led by multivitamins.

"Is the Future of Vitamins in Vending Machines?", New Hope Network, July 27, 2017

FDA Allows Heart Health Claim For Soybean Oil

The FDA has approved a soybean producer’s health claim that soybean oil consumption cuts the risk of heart disease. According to industry analyst Hartman Group, heart health leads the list of health concerns among American consumers. Bunge, the world’s largest producer of soybean oil, said its FDA filing included summaries of clinical studies showing the potential benefits of soybean oil to heart health. Those benefits are based on soybean oil’s positive effect on cholesterol levels and its high concentration of polyunsaturated omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids versus other oils and fats. The FDA decision means companies can now claim that soybean oil as an ingredient replacing saturated fat may reduce heart disease risk and lower LDL-cholesterol.

"FDA Approves Bunge Soybean Oil Heart Health Claim", News release, Bunge, July 31, 2017