November 28, 2022 – NutriLeads BV today announced an agreement with Kilyos Nutrition to distribute award-winning BeniCaros®, a functional ingredient clinically proven to accelerate healthy immune responses, in Brazil.  The companies will seek approval from the Brazilian Healthy Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) to use this soluble prebiotic carrot fiber for use in foods, beverages and supplements.

BeniCaros trains the immune system to respond faster through a dual mechanism of action that prepares innate immune cells for a heightened state of readiness and selectively increases beneficial gut microorganisms and their metabolites that support immune responses. Clinical research shows consumers taking BeniCaros felt better faster and reported significant reductions in the severity and duration of symptoms following a controlled challenge with a mild common cold virus.

“We are pleased to partner with Kilyos Nutrition to make our remarkable immune-support ingredient BeniCaros available in the largest market in South America,” said Joana Carneiro, Ph.D., NutriLeads Chief Executive Officer.

Brazil is one of the countries with the highest potential for consumption of products that contribute to personal health, wellness, and an improved immunity. With more than 20 years of human nutritional expertise, Kilyos Nutrition will open the door to BeniCaros in Brazil, providing an excellent quality and highly differentiated ingredient to the Brazilian market.

“We would like to thank our partner NutriLeads for the opportunity to include BeniCaros in the Kilyos portfolio,” said Dr. João José Name, Kilyos Nutrition Medical Director. “BeniCaros is an ingredient of proven effectiveness in promoting health and immunity for individuals. Being able to offer such a promising ingredient to the Brazilian population makes us very excited. We will certainly see great projects from this partnership.”

BeniCaros, scientifically known as RG-I (Rhamnogalacturonan-I), is a soluble prebiotic fiber upcycled from carrot pomace.  A clinical study utilizing a controlled challenge with a common cold virus found that just 300 mgs. of BeniCaros daily accelerated protective immune responsiveness, reduced airway symptom severity (20-33%) and duration (25-43%) and minimized the impact on quality of life.

Eco-friendly BeniCaros is off-white in color, water soluble, odorless, tasteless and pH and heat stable. It is also Kosher, Halal, non-GMO, vegan and vegetarian and available in an organic version.

November 15, 2022 – An organic version of BeniCaros®, the award-winning immune health ingredient for foods, beverages and supplements, is now available upon request, NutriLeads BV announced today.

BeniCaros is a soluble prebiotic carrot fiber known as RG-I (Rhamnogalacturonan-I) that trains the immune system to respond faster.  Clinical research shows BeniCaros’ dual mechanism of action accelerated and strengthened healthy cellular and gut-initiated immune responses to significantly reduce the severity and duration of common cold symptoms. BeniCaros is sourced from upcycled carrot pomace.

“BeniCaros is earth friendly, people friendly and clean label,” said Joana Carneiro, NutriLeads’ Chief Executive Officer. “Organic certification expands BeniCaros’ versatility as an immune-support solution for a broad range of products in the nearly $200 billion global organic food and beverage market.”

Certification of BeniCaros Organic assures manufacturers and formulators that this product complies with strict standards covering every aspect of production. This includes seeds, soil conditions, weed and pest management, storage and recordkeeping. BeniCaros has a completely traceable supply chain and is manufactured using a proprietary, all-natural extraction and purification process that utilizes only water.

BeniCaros Organic was certified by SKAL, the national organization in the Netherlands that ensures compliance with European Union organic regulations. Under an equivalency agreement, products certified to EU or USDA organic standards may sold, labeled and represented as organic within the European Union and the United States.

BeniCaros is off-white in color, water soluble, odorless, tasteless and pH and heat stable. It is also Kosher, Halal, non-GMO, vegan and vegetarian and now available in an organic version.

July 13, 2022 – BeniCaros®, a natural immune health ingredient for foods, beverages and supplements from NutriLeads BV, received top honors in two categories at the prestigious NutraIngredients-USA Awards today.

BeniCaros won the 2022 NutraIngredients-USA Award in the Nutrition Research Project category that recognizes “the best game changing nutrition research projects that push the boundaries of nutritional science.” The innovative, science-based ingredient is also an active ingredient in Stem & Root Daily Immunity from Bayer, which was named “Product of the Year” in the immune support category.

BeniCaros is a patented bioactive polysaccharide (fiber) known as cRG-I (rhamnogalacturonan-I) derived from upcycled carrot pomace. It trains the immune system to be fit year-round through a unique dual mode of action that both prepares innate immune cells and stimulates beneficial gut microorganisms that support immune responses. A recently published peer-reviewed clinical trial demonstrated that just 300mgs daily of BeniCaros accelerated protective immune responses and significantly reduced the severity and duration of symptoms after a controlled challenge with a common cold virus.

Stem & Root Daily Immunity combines BeniCaros and zinc in a novel formula that strengthens the immune system. In addition to solid science, BeniCaros enables Daily Immunity to offer consumers a sustainability value proposition as an upcycled and renewable ingredient.

“We are gratified to receive these prestigious honors for BeniCaros,” said Erik Dam, Chief Executive Officer of NutriLeads. “Our team, along with our research partners at numerous medical and scientific institutions, have worked diligently over the past decade to discover and develop this exciting new ingredient. We thank our partners at Bayer for making BeniCaros available to consumers who want to strengthen their immune and overall health.”

BeniCaros is supported by strong clinical research. It improves responsiveness of innate immune cells and increases beneficial microorganisms and production of their metabolites in the gut to further strengthen immune health. “The combination of direct effects on innate immunity and prebiotic effects provides a powerful dual mechanism of action that is unique among immune health ingredients,” said Dr. Ruud Albers, NutriLeads co-founder and Chief Science Officer.

Since its commercial launch last year, BeniCaros has earned several coveted industry honors. It received a 2021 Health Innovation Award from Food Ingredients Europe. Earlier this year BeniCaros was a finalist for a NutraIngredients Europe award in the Nutrition Research Project category.

May 30, 2022 – In an effort to continue to grow the company’s US footprint, NutriLeads announced today it has appointed Steve Meredith (General Manager of NutraHealth LLC) as a new US Representative for NutriLeads.  With over 20 years of experience selling specialty ingredients with clinically proven health benefits, Meredith will be a key asset in the company’s growth strategy. 

 “We are thrilled to bring on Steve; he brings a true passion for the industry, deep nutritional expertise, and a strong sales acumen. Steve’s addition to our team will greatly enable us to better cater to our US customers and the unique positioning that BeniCaros® offers,” says Joana Carneiro, Chief Commercial Officer responsible for sales, marketing and new business development.  

Meredith’s early pharmaceutical industry experience consists of both Quality Control and Assurance experience across pharma and nutrition. Meredith’s later career history consists of over 20 years of experience selling branded specialty ingredients with demonstrated clinically proven health benefits for companies ranging from TSI Health Sciences, Biothera, PLT Health Solutions, and Gencor. Meredith spent over ten years as VP of Sales of North America for Biothera, representing the immune health ingredient, Wellmune. His background demonstrates a strong commitment to bringing efficacious ingredients to the market.  

Steve joins the NutriLeads team with a high degree of optimism for the company’s future. He is particularly excited about one of NutriLeads’ more recent developments; “After more than ten years of focusing on the immune health category via Wellmune, I have never been more excited about the potential of an ingredient than with BeniCaros®. BeniCaros® is an award-winning ingredient with strong clinically demonstrated immune benefits. This ingredient is naturally sourced from the cell wall of carrots and as such, BeniCaros® is a leading example of plant-sourced ingredients with clinical benefits,” exclaims Meredith. 

BeniCaros is a clean-label, natural, and clinically proven immune health ingredient that trains your immune system to be fit via a dual mode of action. BeniCaros® is the commercial name for a unique polysaccharide (fiber), also known as cRG-I (rhamnogalacturonan-I upcycled from carrot pomace). A recently published breakthrough clinical trial demonstrated that BeniCaros® improved immune response and resilience in a validated Rhinovirus respiratory infection model. It can easily be integrated into a variety of dietary supplements, functional foods, and beverages without affecting taste or texture.  

April 21, 2022 – Nutrileads has received a letter with no questions from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding their Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) application for their revolutionary immune health ingredient, BeniCaros®. The FDA letter states that the agency has no questions to Nutrileads’ application for GRAS status for BeniCaros® for inclusion in Dietary Supplements, Beverages and Functional Foods. 

GRAS is a designation created by the FDA under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. It determines that a new food ingredient or additive has adequate evidence of safety to be consumed under the conditions and dosage of intended use.

Launched in the US in October 2021, BeniCaros® is an award-winning, natural, clinically proven immune health ingredient that trains your immune system to be fit.  BeniCaros® is the commercial name for the unique polysaccharide (fiber), also known as cRG-I (rhamnogalacturonan-I  derived from carrot pomace). A recently published breakthrough clinical trial demonstrated that BeniCaros® improved immune response and resilience in a validated Rhinovirus respiratory infection model. 

Established in 2012, Nutrileads is an innovative health ingredients company that develops and commercializes crop-derived food ingredients with clinically proven health benefits.  NutriLeads’ proprietary ingredients undergo clinical trials to demonstrate their efficacy in improving human health and are taken through regulatory approval for market access before being licensed out to partner companies, that will incorporate the ingredients in their finished products to bring the benefits to consumers. 

What sets Nutrileads apart is their dedication to the scientific discovery of innovative techniques that unlock the health potential of natural foods, meaning that all ingredients developed by the company bring benefits that are science-based.  Living up to this standard means that Nutrileads submitted its GRAS self-affirmed dossier to the FDA for evaluation.  Opening their submission to FDA review and receiving a letter of no questions highlights the confidence that Nutrileads has in the quality of the ingredient and the scientific substantiation behind BeniCaros®.

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March 15, 2022 – Stem & Root, a product line developed by Bayer, and NutriLeads, a natural health ingredients company announced today the launch of a new and innovative immune product called Daily Immunity featuring the award-winning ingredient, BeniCaros^TM. Stem & Root Daily Immunity is substantiated by breakthrough clinical trials, tying BeniCaros^TM, and zinc – a unique natural blend to support a healthy immune function.

“Everything we do is to create products that fill a consumer need. Consumers are being more proactive with their health especially when it comes to immunity, said Kyle Garner, General Manager of Stem & Root. Our product line of all natural products, Stem & Root, delivers the power of nature that is backed by science. Daily Immunity rounds out our lineup of products, supported by over 100 clinical trials that provide daily support for your immune system,” Garner added.

BeniCaros™ is an award-winning, natural, plant-based, clean-label immune ingredient with clinically proven health benefits. It is a carrot-derived rhamnogalacturonan-I (cRG-I), a soluble polysaccharide, unlocked from the carrot cell wall through Nutrileads’ proprietary extraction process. BeniCaros™ supports your immune system to be at its best when needed the most.

“We are proud to collaborate with Stem & Root, a natural product line of Bayer. Bayer is a company that sets the bar in terms of the supplement industry’s highest standards with products that contain scientifically substantiated ingredients” said Erik Dam, CEO of NutriLeads. “We are thrilled that our BeniCaros™ will now be available to consumers in Stem & Root Daily Immunity to train their immune system to be fit all year round.” Dam said.

Stem & Root Daily Immunity is now available on Amazon in the US along with other best sellers from the brand.

Pivotal study published in Nutrients showing that Nutrileads’ proprietary carrot-derived rhamnogalacturonan-I (cRG-I) (commercially known as BeniCaros) fiber, accelerates protective anti-viral immune responses and reduces symptoms after an experimental infection with common cold virus in humans.

20 January 2022, Wageningen, the Netherlands. Dutch health ingredients company, NutriLeads, announced the publication of the positive results of a pivotal clinical trial demonstrating that its award-winning ingredient cRG-I, commercially known as Benicaros, helps support protective immune responses to a common respiratory infection.      

“The Dietary Intake of Carrot-Derived Rhamnogalacturonan-I Accelerates and Augments the Innate Immune and Anti-Viral Interferon Response to Rhinovirus Infection and Reduces Duration and Severity of Symptoms in Humans in a Randomized Trial” has been published in the open access journal Nutrients¹.

Conducted in collaboration with the Amsterdam University Medical Centre (UMC; location AMC), NIZO Food Research, and StatistiCal B.V. in the Netherlands, the BeniCaros clinical trial assessed how the food ingredient carrot-derived rhamnogalacturonan-I (cRG-I) impacted peoples’ responses to an experimentally induced mild rhinovirus infection. Rhinoviruses are responsible for common colds and impose an enormous economic burden on society. In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 146 healthy adults were given either cRG-I or the placebo for eight weeks, after which they were exposed to a standardized dose of an attenuated rhinovirus via the nose. In the clinical study, daily consumption of BeniCaros prior to the rhinovirus infection significantly accelerated protective innate immune and antiviral responses, resulting in a 20% reduction in severity of symptoms, and a 25% reduction in symptom duration. 

René Lutter, PhD, Principal Investigator at the Amsterdam UMC, who runs the rhinovirus challenge model in collaboration with NIZO, commented: “The impact of cRG-I on the immune response observed in this nutritional intervention study is the biggest that I have ever seen with this model. It is clinically relevant and especially exciting because fast innate antiviral and immune responses are important for limiting infections with respiratory viruses.” 

The ingredient cRG-I is a unique polysaccharide upcycled from carrot pomace, a by-product of carrot juice production. It has been developed as a natural food ingredient to promote healthy immune function as previously shown². BeniCaros was launched for formulation in dietary supplements and functional food and beverages in the US in October 2021. 

Commenting on the publication and impact of the findings, Ruud Albers, PhD, CSO of NutriLeads, said: “This publication is the culmination of extensive work by numerous people over ten years, and I am grateful to all involved for their dedication. The unique design of this trial was essential to demonstrate that consumption of cRG-I as a dietary supplement accelerated protective anti-viral immune responses, reducing the symptoms triggered by a standardized infection with a common cold virus. With increasing awareness of immune health over the past years, the discovery that cRG-I trains the immune system to respond faster when needed, is timely and particularly relevant.  

These exciting results fully support our earlier findings with cRG-I² and play an important role in supporting the launch of BeniCaros (cRG-I) our immune health ingredient. This publication is a significant milestone for the company as we progress in our mission to unlock the potential of clinically proven food ingredients”. 

References
1. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/12/4395

2. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/3/963