Brewery says cheers to the Food and Drink iNet

A Leicestershire brewery is raising a glass to the Food and Drink iNet project after being given a grant to help with expansion plans.

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Omniceutica/SAQ

The project

Leicestershire firm Omniceutica developed a unique sports recovery drink fuelSAQ™ which reduces the ‘sugar drop’ experienced by athletes, but which also has the potential to be the foundation of a range of drinks that could have health benefits for the heart, joints and other parts of the body. Tests and trials were carried out with athletes under the direction of the world-renowned sports training company, SAQ International Limited, which is also based in Leicestershire.

The need

Researchers wanted to create a drink that would improve recovery after exercising and taking part in sport, but also that could be used for other nutraceutical opportunities i.e. would be beneficial for health generally and for specific parts of the body.

Food and Drink iNet support

The Food and Drink iNet awarded Omniceutica a £10,000 grant to help with development, which was match-funded.
The funding was used towards field trials of the proprietary drink that documented information on the product’s impact on performance, endurance and recovery - ultimately enabling Omniceutica to finesse the marketing strategy.

The result

Omniceutica created a drink that contains a rapid-acting stimulant and a slow release carbohydrate component which has a longer lasting energy profile compared to conventional sugars and which also avoids spikes in plasma insulin. The formulation also comprises a protein hydrolysate that has been demonstrated in clinical trials to accelerate recovery from exercise and increase physical performance.

Professional cricketers at Derbyshire Cricket Club were among those who tested the product (including veteran first-class, one-day and international bowler, Steffan Jones - pictured), and the results showed that their fatigue was reduced over several hours by between 21% and 49% in tests, when compared to a placebo (‘dummy’) drink.
The unique selling point of the product, compared to currently available sports drinks, is its multi-component formulation that provides several benefits in a single serving.

Quote

Glen Martyn, from Omniceutica, said:

“There is a potential market of around 27million people in the UK who regularly buy health and sports drinks to help them through busy schedules and fitness regimes. We believe the global potential for this product is huge. We would like to thank the iNet and their team for their constant support and helpful input over the last nine months, without which we would not have entered this critical phase of testing.”