Tannins are generally associated with wines, since the grapes have this substance in abundance. But it is not just this drink that has this substance.

There are many foods in nature with this component and the best thing is: tannins can be used as 100% natural ingredients for food, cosmetic, and pharmacological products.

But what are tannins?

Tannins are natural compounds, part of the polyphenol group, present in the stems, bark, and seeds of plants. Because they have a bitter taste, they cause astringency and work as a plant defense mechanism against predators and pests.

 

Learn more about some benefits of tannins

Tannins have an antioxidant effect. Therefore, they prevent premature aging caused by free radicals, in addition to increasing the body’s immunity against infections and inflammatory diseases.

The heart also benefits from the action of tannins. That is because these polyphenols strengthen the walls of the arteries, slowing the aging of cells, reducing bad cholesterol levels and the clogging of veins.

It is components with these benefits that have attracted the most health-conscious consumers. Willing to change certain eating habits, and even brands, they are keeping an eye on product labels and giving preference to those with less sugar, salt, and fat.

READ MORE: Natural antioxidants, what is their role in the food and beverage industries?

 

Tannins are present in some 100% natural ingredients

As we said at the beginning of this article, grapes are fruits with a lot of tannins. But the list is longer than you think. These polyphenols can be found in food such as:

• Acai
• Apple
• Pear
• Grapes
• Green Tea
• Green Coffee
• Oilseeds
• Spinach
• Muirapuama
• Catuaba

 

And did you know that all these foods are found in Frootiva® Co in different versions?

Acai, apple, pear, grape, and spinach are part of the list of dehydrated fruit and vegetable powders developed by the company. When going through an atomization process called Spray Drying, these foods have their water removed, but retain all the properties and nutrients.

100% natural fruit inputs can be used in food and beverage industries (juices, teas, ice cream, mousses, gelatin powders, etc.), cosmetics (moisturizers, perfumes, shampoos, among others), and in pharmacology for the production of herbal medicines. Spinach, on the other hand, can make preparations for soups, for example.

Green tea, green coffee, muirapuama, and catuaba are some of the flavors of dry plant extracts from Frootiva® Co. The roots, stems, leaves, seeds, and flowers of these products also pass through Spray Drying, but they may have certain components reinforced during the process. Muirapuama and Catuaba have standardized versions in 3.5% or 5% of tannins, respectively, according to the client’s needs.

Apple is a key component of fruit bits. It is dehydrated, cut into small pieces, and covered with crunchy tropical fruit powder, in acai, passion fruit, cupuacu, banana, cashew, and jabuticaba flavors.

When mixed with nuts, another food rich in tannins, fruit bits can be sold in private label packages and reach the final public in the snack format.

Do you want to ensure more tannins in your products and make them even healthier and more natural? Contact us by phone 55 11 4765-0732 or fill in the contact form.