Pycnogenol®: The new generation food & beverage ingredient

Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all) is a natural plant extract originating from bark of the French maritime pine tree which grows exclusively along the coast of southwest France. The ingredient represents a natural combination of genetically programmed constant proportions of procyanidins, bioflavonoids and organic acids which offer extensive natural health benefits.

“Pycnogenol® has four basic properties; it's a powerful antioxidant, acts as a natural anti-inflammatory, selectively binds to collagen and elastin, and finally, it aids in the production of endothelial nitric oxide which helps to dilate blood vessels.”
-Horphag Research

Published findings in over 80 clinical studies on more than 7,000 patients have demonstrated Pycnogenol^®'s beneficial health effects in cardiovascular and circulatory health, joint health, skin care, blood glucose, eye health, respiratory health and sports nutrition, among others. With such versatile health benefits, the extract is available in more than 700 dietary supplements, multi-vitamins, cosmetic and functional food and beverage products worldwide.

Pycnogenol^® has four basic properties; it's a powerful antioxidant, acts as a natural anti-inflammatory, selectively binds to collagen and elastin, and finally, it aids in the production of endothelial nitric oxide which helps to dilate blood vessels.

The French maritime pine tree used for production of Pycnogenol® grows in the South Western part of France, representing Europe's largest forest. This maintained monoculture is not treated with fertilisers or pesticides. It represents an ideal botanical source as the extracted components are not subject to seasonal variations like in most other plants. Pycnogenol^® is manufactured with the highest quality through a patented extraction process and is certified to be manufactured in accordance to Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines (GMP).

Innovative Food/Beverage Applications

After 30 years in the dietary supplement arena, Pycnogenol® is again proving its standout versatility as an active ingredient in functional food and beverage applications.

Pycnogenol® has been extensively researched for its safety, and has been approved Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) in the USA. Considerable progress has been made on taste and stability of Pycnogenol® in complex formulations, such as shakes, functional drinks, confections, chewing gums and dairy products. Other approved applications for Pycnogenol^® in functional foods and beverages include baked goods, breakfast cereals, breakfast bars, processed fruits and vegetables, jams and jellies, soft candy, chewing gum, margarine, sauces, fats and oils and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Many new functional beverage products with Pycnogenol^® as an active ingredient are being introduced here in Europe and generating buzz due to their innovation.

New Research Review

With such versatile health benefits and an impeccable science and safety portfolio, there are many options for Pycnogenol^® in functional food and beverage applications. We take a closer look at some of the notable research in the past 8 months and how the science on this botanical extract may translate into innovative finished products.

Heart Health Solutions: A new study published in the March issue of Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics reveals Pycnogenol^® counteracts kidney damage caused by hypertension, lowering urinary proteins and improving blood flow to the kidneys. According to Dr. Gianni Belcaro, a lead research of the study, results demonstrated Pycnogenol^®'s ability not only to reduce blood pressure, but also to relieve the kidney damage caused by chronic hypertension. [Cesarone et al., 2010]

Eye Health Solutions: New research on eye health was published in the Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics demonstrates that Pycnogenol^® can improve microcirculation, retinal edema and visual acuity in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. "Previous research has shown that Pycnogenol^® may reduce the progressing advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy," said Dr. Robert Steigerwalt, a lead researcher of the study. "While previous studies focused on the latent stages of diabetic retinopathy, the aim of this new study was to show the protective effects of Pycnogenol^® in the early stages of this growing diabetic complication." [Steigerwalt et al., 2009.]

For Joint Care: Published in International Immunopharmacology, researchers found that Pycnogenol^® inhibits the generation of COX-2 and 5-LOX, two naturally occurring enzymes associated with a host of inflammatory conditions. According to Dr. Raffaella Canali of the National Research Institute on Food and Nutrition in Rome, Italy, the study reveals that Pycnogenol can actually decrease pain and reduce inflammatory conditions, as has been previously reported, by shutting down the production of specific enzymes involved with inflammation. [Canali et al., 2009]

For Cosmetic Applications: The initial approach for functional cosmetic beverages is going beyond the beauty from within concept for which Pycnogenol® has already been successfully applied for beauty/skin health in ready made beverages and portable powder packets.

Keep in mind that this is just a sampling of our most recent research. Each of the research applications mentioned above (heart, eye, joint, skin) has an entire portfolio of published research that supports a large variety of health benefits for each one. For a more complete listing of our bibliography visit www.pycnogenol.com

References

Canali R, Comitato R, Schonalu F, Virgili F Pycnogenol inhibits the generation of COX-2 and 5-LOX enzymes in pharmacological investigations of inflammatory processes in humans. Int. Immunopharmacol 9: 1145-1149, 2009.

Pycnogenol taken as an adjunct to hypertensive medication improves kidney flow and function and further improves blood pressure. Cesarone et al., J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther 2010.

Pycnogenol taken at early stages of diabetic retinopathy may partially restore vision further to strengthening retinal capillaries. Steigerwalt R, Belcaro G, Cesarone MR, Di Renzo A, Grossi MG, Ricci A, Dugall M, Cacchio M, Schonlau, F., J Ocul Pharmacol Ther 25: 537-540, 2009.