LONDON, May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Heart diseases account for approximately 50 per cent of all mortalities in the industrialised world. With one of the major risk factors for heart disease being elevated cholesterol levels, particularly low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), there is an increasing demand for foods and beverages containing phytosterols or nutraceuticals that lower cholesterol levels.
Frost & Sullivan (http://www.food.frost.com) valued the total European Phytosterols Market to be worth $184.6 million in 2005, and estimates this to reach $395.2 million in 2012.
Today, consumers are actively seeking products containing health-promoting ingredients, such as nutraceuticals, to improve their health and well-being. In keeping with this trend, nutraceuticals such as phytosterols, that have a beneficial impact on heart health, have grown in popularity. The trend of consumers choosing to lower blood cholesterol through a dietary approach has been a key growth driver.
“The growing trend towards fortification of foods with vitamins, folate, minerals and herbal extracts has helped to create a more conducive environment for the incorporation of phytosterols in foods and beverages,” notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Kaye Cheung. “Phytosterols are now incorporated into a range of foods and beverages such as yoghurts, milk, sausages, cold cuts, bakery products, spicy sauces, margarines and spreads.”
With the steady increase in the number of new products incorporating phytosterols since 2000, consumer awareness about their associated health benefits has continued to grow. At the same time, the wave of regulatory approvals in the European Union (EU) for phytosterol ingredients and approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of their cholesterol-reduction claims has benefited growth.
“However, consumers are often overwhelmed and confused with the flood of information related to the importance of various nutrients in the diet and are consequently unable to distinguish fact from marketing hype,” warns Ms. Cheung. “Consumer education also remains a challenge as cholesterol is not a visible problem to many young people.”
Often marketing campaigns aimed at differentiating phytosterols and other heart-healthy food ingredients are sending consumers mixed messages, confusing them and ultimately, dampening sales. Hence, it is important to create simple and easy-to-understand message to increase the adoption of these products.
“The first step should, therefore, be to increase public awareness of the benefits of phytosterols,” advises Ms. Cheung. “Shifting consumer attitudes from awareness to understanding to overall acceptance will be a major area of focus for phytosterol ingredients manufacturers across the globe.”
If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users, and other industry participants with an overview of the latest analysis of the Strategic Analysis of the European Phytosterols Market then send an e-mail to Janina Hillgrub- Corporate Communications at janina.hillgrub@frost.com with the following information: your full name, company name, title, telephone number, e-mail address, city, state, and country. We will send you the information via email upon receipt of the above information.
Strategic Analysis of the European Phytosterols Market is part of the Food and Beverages Subscription, which also includes research in the following markets: Nutraceuticals, Dietary Supplements, Microencapsulated Food Ingredients and Functional Beverages. All research included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants. Interviews are available to the press.
Title: Strategic Analysis of the European Phytosterols Market
Code: B911-88
Background
Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company’s industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community, by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit www.frost.com.
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Our team of expert analysts is structured around four key areas: Food Speciality Chemicals Fine Chemicals Performance Materials Media Contacts: Europe: Janina Hillgrub Corporate Communications P: +49-(0)-69-770-33-11 E: janina.hillgrub@frost.com Americas: Trisha Bradley Corporate Communications P: +1-210-247-3870 E: trisha.bradley@frost.com Asia Pacific: Donna Jeremiah Corporate Communications P: +603-6304-5832 E: djeremiah@frost.com India: Surbhi Dedhia Corporate Communications P: +91-22-2832-4705 Ext: 131 E: sdedhia@frost.com Australia: Sharmin Jassal Corporate Communications P: +61-2-8247-8900 E: sjassal@frost.com
List of keywords in this press release: heart disease, cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, LDLs, functional foods, functional beverages, phytosterols, Europe, nutraceuticals, cholesterol levels, cholesterol lowering treatments, health-promoting ingredients, cardiac health, dietary, food fortification, vitamins, folate, minerals, herbal extracts, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, cholesterol-reduction claims, sterol-containing products, nutrients, heart-healthy food ingredients
List of key industry participants: Aarhus United A/S, Abitec Corporation, ADM, Angel Technology, Arkopharma Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Arizona Chemicals, Atrica, Barleans, Cargill, Carlson Laboratories, Carotech, Cedar Health, Coca Cola, Cognis Nutrition and Health, Danone, Degussa, Deli Reform, Douglas Labs, DRT, Emmi International, Fayrefield Foods, Fazer Bakery Division, Forbes Medi-Tech, Forchem Oy, General Mills, Gillco, Hain Celestial Group, IMACE - the EU Margarine Association, Kao, Kesko Food Ltd (Brand name Pirrka), Life-Flo Health Care Products, Lifeline Foods, Lifeline Technologies, Marco Hi-Tech, Marie Uniq - France, Masterfoods/Mars, McNeil Nutritionals, Minerva, Minute Maid (Coca Cola), Multibene Group, Novartis, Pharmavite, Raisio Life Sciences, ScanVit, Singletons, Source Food Technology Inc, SourceOne Global Partners, Teriaka, Triple Crown, Unilever, UPM Kymmene, Valio Oy
Frost & Sullivan
CONTACT: Europe: Janina Hillgrub, Corporate Communications, P:+49-(0)-69-770-33-11, E: janina.hillgrub@frost.com, Americas: TrishaBradley, Corporate Communications, P: +1-210-247-3870, E:trisha.bradley@frost.com, Asia Pacific: Donna Jeremiah, CorporateCommunications, P: +603-6304-5832, E: djeremiah@frost.com, India: SurbhiDedhia, Corporate Communications, P: +91-22-2832-4705 Ext: 131, E:sdedhia@frost.com, Australia: Sharmin Jassal, Corporate Communications, P:+61-2-8247-8900, E: sjassal@frost.com
