Nestlé has launched a milk product for adults in China, consisting of ingredients to support bone health, muscle strength and joint functionality. The move from the Swiss food giant comes as global consumers are increasingly concerned about healthy aging.

The powdered beverage under the Yiyang Active brand has been clinically proven to enhance mobility during aging, and it is the first Nestlé product with functional food approval in China.

Teams from Nestlé have been developing Yiyang Active and its health claims’ scientific substantiation for some time. 

“This approval is a recognition of the scientific work done by our teams over a long time period,” says Catherine Macé, deputy head of the Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences.

Expanding in China and beyond
The product was developed by Nestlé R&D and clinically tested in a collaboration between Nestlé and the Peking University Third Hospital.

“The results of the clinical study showed that the product in combination with tailored physical activity led to a significant increase in mobility of Chinese seniors with joint discomfort and thus improved their quality of life,” explains Marie Noëlle Horcajada, the Nestlé scientist who led the study.

“We are looking to expand our offering across our portfolio in China and beyond to provide nutritious, great-tasting products with targeted health benefits,” adds Mayank Trivedi, head of Nestlé’s Dairy Strategic Business Unit.

Aging and mobility concerns grow
In November, NutritionInsight spoke with mobility industry experts to see how scientific findings and consumer preferences are redefining popular mobility ingredients. 

Physical exercise is crucial to balancing a healthy immune system – a significant concern throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Increased attention to well-being has, therefore, brought mobility health concerns to the fore.

Senior health overall has also been in the spotlight. This has been particularly prevalent during the pandemic. 

In September, various interpretations of healthy aging were on display at Vitafoods Virtual Expo 2020. According to specialists, the healthy aging sector has developed to include more than just senior consumer groups. It ranges from acute pain relief to long-term heart and bone health.