Meurens Natural

Is Less Sugar Always Healthier? Artificial sweeteners are often used to reduce/replace the amount of sugar in products; however, new research suggests this does not necessarily make these products healthier. Recent research from the Cleveland Clinic, published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, has identified a potential link between erythritol, a common sugar substitute in many baked goods and sweets, and an increased risk of various health complications.  While artificial sweeteners may reduce sugar, they may come with some health risks not observed from glucose or sugar in traditional sweeteners. What are some of the potential health risks of artificial sweeteners? 😓 May disrupt gut health: Some artificial sweeteners (e.g., saccharin, sucralose, and stevia) can alter gut bacteria, leading to an imbalance that may cause cramping, gas, and bloating.  🍭 May increase cravings for sweets: Despite being calorie-free, alternative sweeteners can trigger cravings for sweets and confuse the body's appetite regulation.  📈 May be linked to long-term weight gain: Some studies suggest artificial sweeteners could contribute to weight gain over time.  If you are looking for a sweetener for your next product formulation, but recent studies have made you unsure about the potential risks of artificial sweeteners then Meurens Natural has you covered! To avoid unknown risks, use Meurens Natural’s unrefined sweeteners made from natural ingredients!  #artificalsweeteners #sweeteners #natural #healthrisks #sugar 

Today, September 23rd, we celebrate EU Organic Day. EU Organic Day is an initiative by the European Union to promote organic farming and organic food across Europe. The day was first introduced in 2021 as part of the EU’s "Farm to Fork Strategy" and "Biodiversity Strategy", which aim to make the EU’s food systems more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Organic farming plays a central role in these efforts by reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, supporting biodiversity, and promoting soil health. The main objectives of EU Organic Day are: 🌍 Raising awareness: to increase public awareness of the benefits of organic farming and organic products. 🌍 Promoting sustainability: to highlight the role of organic farming in promoting sustainable agriculture, reducing the environmental footprint, and contributing to climate change mitigation. 🌍 Increasing organic farming: to work toward the EU’s goal of having at least 25% of agricultural land under organic farming by 2030. This aligns with broader European sustainability and climate goals. On this day, events are organized across Europe to celebrate organic food, educate consumers, and encourage farmers to adopt organic practices. The day also recognizes those contributing to organic agriculture with the EU Organic Awards 📣 , which honour organic farmers, retailers, and companies promoting sustainability. 🍃 EU Organic Day serves as a key moment to unite farmers, businesses, and consumers in a collective effort to advance environmentally friendly agricultural practices across the region. #organic #agriculture #EU

☕ Did you know that more coffee shops now offer oat-based drinks as their default option for milk drinks?  🏆 The surge of oat milk in specialty coffee has been remarkable. In a market once dominated by soy, almond, and coconut products, oat milk has emerged as the clear winner.  As baristas and consumers have gravitated towards oat-based drinks for their smooth texture and mild taste, coffee shops and roasters in the US and some parts of Europe are increasingly opting for oat-based drinks as their standard offering. So, what does this mean? This means that when you order a “milk” based drink, oat-based drinks automatically take center stage, replacing dairy as the default component.  ❌🐄This marks a move away from cow's milk as the standard, with customers now getting oat drink in their “milk” based drinks—even if they don't specifically request it.  If you are a formulator looking to make the next barista oat drink or ready-to-drink coffee, Meurens Natural is here to help! 👍  Meurens Natural brings you gluten-free oat syrups and powders crafted to create the perfect smooth and mild oat drinks, including barista-style options, so you can ride the specialty coffee wave in style! 🏄♀️  #Oatmilk #Oat #BaristaOatMilk #OatDrink #SpecialtyCoffee #Coffee #Barista 

Have you heard of the latest TikTok health trend “Oatzempic”? 🤳  That’s right, you read that correctly!  Oatzempic has gone viral as a “promising” weight loss means. 💊 As you may have already deduced the name comes from the popular drug Ozempic, which is touted for inducing weight loss.   What is “Oatzempic” Oatzempic is an easy-to-make blended drink featuring a half-cup of rolled oats, 1 cup of water, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a splash of lime juice. That’s it…oaty, limey water…🤢  Can it really support weight loss? ❌ Not really…As with most trendy diets “Oatzempic” relies on the simple fact that a person will be in a caloric deficit. However, this can also be dangerous as one will not be getting the needed nutrients, and surely is not sustainable.   ✅Nevertheless, oats are a great source of nutrients including beta-glucans.   So, if you’re ready to craft a truly functional food that unlocks all the awesome benefits of oats, Meurens Natural is here to make it happen! Meurens Natural offers natural unrefined oat syrups and powders, including oat protein powders, which can help you formulate something truly functional and nutritious!  Forget about “Oatzempic” and let Meurens Natural help you make an oat-based functional food that is truly TikTok-worthy! 🌟 🤳  #Oatzempic #Oats #Natural #FunctionFoods  

🤔 Is it possible that some artificial sweeteners are actually "forever chemicals"? Many people turn to artificial sweeteners as calorie-free alternatives to sugar and while there may be some health benefits for people, some of them may be hurting the planet! 📚 Recent research has uncovered a troubling discovery. Some artificial sweeteners can behave as "forever chemicals." Forever chemicals, scientifically known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), are incredibly persistent in the environment, earning their ominous nickname due to their inability to break down over time. KEY FINDINGS: 🌊 Persistence in Water: Unlike natural substances that decompose, the artificial sweeteners studied remain intact in water, accumulating in rivers, lakes, and oceans. 🐟 Impact on Aquatic Life: This study indicates that these chemicals can disrupt aquatic ecosystems, affecting the health and behavior of fish, amphibians, and other marine organisms. The bioaccumulation of these substances can lead to harmful effects, altering the growth, reproduction, and survival rates of aquatic species. 👨👩👧👦 Human Health Implications: While the primary concern is environmental, there are potential downstream effects on human health, as these chemicals can enter the food chain through contaminated water and aquatic organisms. WHY IT MATTERS: Our choices extend beyond personal health, influencing the broader ecosystem. The revelation that some artificial sweeteners can harm aquatic life underscores the interconnectedness of our actions and the environment. As individuals and companies, we must be informed about the hidden costs of seemingly beneficial products. Meurens Natural’s #syrups #proteins allow for a wide range of plant-based product formulations that are not only good for you but also for the environment! 👍 Let's work together to ensure our quest for healthier living does not come at the expense of our precious ecosystems. 🌍 hashtag #EnvironmentalAwareness #Sustainability #ForeverChemicals #ArtificialSweeteners

Have you heard about the EU’s new Nature Restoration Law? 😱 Europe’s nature is in trouble, with over 80% of habitats in bad shape. But there’s a game-changer on the horizon! 📃 On June 17th, the European Council adopted the groundbreaking Nature Restoration Law, the first comprehensive law of its kind across the continent. This law is a major part of the EU Biodiversity Strategy, setting ambitious targets to revive degraded ecosystems. THE GOAL? To restore 20% of the EU's damaged ecosystems by 2030 and all of them by 2050! The law focuses on rejuvenating ecosystems, habitats, and species across Europe's land and sea to: The law aims to restore ecosystems, habitats, and species across the EU’s land and sea areas to: 🌲 Enable the long-term and sustained recovery of biodiverse and resilient nature. 🎯 Contribute to achieving the EU’s climate mitigation and climate adaptation objectives 🌍 Meet international commitments At Meurens Natural, we are dedicated to regenerative agriculture and committed to supporting the restoration of European lands. Join us on this journey to nurture the earth with our organic and natural syrups and powders. Together, we can make a greener, healthier Europe! #Regenerativeagriculture #NatureRestorationLaw #SustainableEurope #Sustainability

🧀 Could the future of cheese be dairy-free?  Recent reports from Rabobank and The Good Food Institute Europe reveal that dairy sales are dropping across Europe, thanks to the soaring popularity of plant-based alternatives. 🌱 The plant-based cheese market is skyrocketing, with an expected CAGR of about 13% by 2030. In Europe and the US, the demand for plant-based products is booming. Between 2020 and 2022, plant-based cheese sales in Europe surged by 62%, while traditional dairy cheese sales dipped by 4%. *  Adding to the dairy industry's challenges are inflation-driven price hikes, leading to higher costs for shoppers across numerous food categories. ♻️ On the other hand, dairy alternatives such as plant-based cheeses are widely considered to be more sustainable and better for the environment than their traditional counterparts.  🍕 Meurens Natural is all about making the world greener and helping food innovators craft healthy cheese or hybrid alternatives. Our oat syrup is perfect for creating delicious mozzarella substitutes, and our oat protein is ideal for whipping up a variety of alternative cheeses, including fun string cheese!  Don't hesitate—embark on your alternative cheese journey with us today! 🚀  *Dairy News Today, 2024. #cheese #alternativecheese #vegancheese #vegandairy #dairysubstitutes Discover more about the changing world of dairy alternatives! 🔎 https://lnkd.in/eGwXMwux 

Join us at our upcoming seminar this thursday June 27th in Stafford at the International Cheese & Dairy Awards focusing on the future of cheese and dairy, featuring plant-based food ingredients that can be used to produce vegan cheese and dairy alternatives. This seminar will highlight both fully plant-based and innovative hybrid options that are reshaping the industry. #oat #cheese #hybrid

Today June 24th is World Upcycling Day. Upcycling is a transformative approach in the food industry that focuses on converting food by-products and waste into valuable new products, thereby reducing waste and promoting sustainability. It is an initiative that highlights the importance of rethinking waste management to create a more sustainable food system. By repurposing ingredients that would otherwise go to waste, such as spent cereal grain, companies can reduce their environmental footprint, conserve resources, and contribute to a circular economy. Upcycling will become more and more important. According to the European Commission AGRICULTURAL OUTLOOK report (2023)*, the amount of EU agricultural and forest land is projected to remain stable from now until 2035. Within the category of arable crops, there is a trend of shifting land use from cereals to soybeans. This shift is driven by anticipated lower demand for cereals used as feed, along with policy measures that promote an increase in the cultivation of plant proteins. However, form a sustainability point of view, oats for example, have a lower environmental impact compared to soy. They use less water, require less land, produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and have positive effects on soil health and biodiversity. Additionally, oat proteins can be recovered through the process of upcycling, leading to zero food waste. Discover the versatility of oat proteins at www.meurensnatural.com *EC (2023), EU agricultural outlook for markets, 2023-2035. European Commission, DG Agriculture and Rural Development, Brussels. #agriculture #oat #protein

Ever wonder how much pesticide is hiding in your food? While governments try to prevent as much as possible pesticide use in food crops locally, it is often difficult to prevent pesticide use in food imports from third countries. A recent study from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), found that while there are low risks to consumer health from exposure to pesticide residues in food from within the EU, imports from third countries need to be monitored since they are four times more likely to exceed maximal recommended levels. Residue excess in food from third countries can stem from using pesticides unapproved in the EU, like chlorpyrifos on cumin seeds from India or oranges from Egypt. It can also result from contamination from past pesticide use, pesticide transport by wind, and soil absorption of leftover residues. Meurens Natural relies as much as possible on short supply chains from within the EU to source most of our cereals ensuring that our products are safe and healthy! On top of that, all raw materials are rigorously tested. To keep your products natural, choose Meurens Natural! #pesticidefree #nopesticides #natural #EU