Functional Food: Benecol Strawberry and Berries Drink

European countries in general are in the forefront of the manufacture of functional foods, foods that contain extra nutrients or claim to have healthy properties.

And the Finnish company Raisio Group owns the Benecol brand which is is marketed by Raisio Group, as well as McNeil Nutritionals and Cilag GmbH International, in more than 30 countries.

Every year Benecol offers more new products. Last year I wrote about Benecol Adds Tropical Fruit Flavored Soy Drinks.

This year's launch is for The Strawberry and Berries Dairy Free Drink.

Quoting that press release:

Esther Van Onselen, Marketing Manager for Benecol, said; “We’ve been really pleased with the first-year sales of Benecol Tropical Dairy Free Drink and it’s brought in new consumers to the cholesterol-reducing category. Strawberry and Berries is a popular combination that offers non-dairy consumers a tasty new way to take control of their cholesterol, through an everyday and easy addition to their diet.”

Over two thirds of UK adults have raised cholesterol, the number one cause of heart related problems. Benecol contains the unique ingredient Plant Stanol Ester, which is clinically proven to reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol by up to 14% after just 2 weeks. Drinking just one bottle of Benecol’s Dairy Free Drink every day, in combination with a healthy diet and lifestyle, can significantly lower cholesterol to help maintain a healthy heart.

The new flavour dairy free drink will be available in all major supermarkets by the end of the year. Roll out will begin with Tesco, where the product will be stocked from 1st September 2008. The RRP is £3.69 for a six-pack.

Benecol drinks don't appear to be available in the U.S. yet, although other Benecol products are. Although I can't confirm all the promised health benefits claimed, I'm positive that these drinks are smarter purchases in the long run than the ridiculously overpriced and overpromised vitamin-infused waters that are the craze.