Dry Creek Nutrition: Unlocking The Secret To The French Paradox

Dry Creek Nutrition, Modesto, CA, was created in June of 2000 based on winemaking giant E&J Gallo’s acquisition of the ActiVin® assets from InterHealth Nutraceuticals. In the course of that purchase E&J Gallo picked up the physical manufacturing assets as well as the intellectual property rights that was part of the brand ActiVin. Steven Anderson, vice president and general manager for the company explained, “Dry Creek Nutrition was created to develop health products from residual grapes that are generated from the winemaking process. The first marquee product was the grape seed extract, which is ActiVin.”

E&J Gallo’s motivation be­hind acquiring the ActiVin assets, according to Mr. Anderson, was to take what InterHealth had done and further the research and consumer awareness of the ingredient. “We wanted to improve product quality and promote the brand across a more broad consumer base,” he offered. “We also wanted to grow the business, and the winery, as a source of the raw material, is in a unique position to take advantage of that opportunity.”

Dry Creek’s ActiVin ingredient contains a concentrated source of antioxidant nutrients crucial in helping protect against the effects of internal and environmental stresses. Studies have shown that ActiVin IH636 is a super antioxidant far more powerful than vitamins C, E and beta-carotene. In addition, more than 90 research presentations, publications and abstracts have reported on the health benefits regarding grape seed extract focusing on areas related to antioxidant activity, cardiovascular health, gastric health and anti-inflammatory properties.

Also playing an essential role in the development of ActiVin is the patented process used to create it. ActiPure®, which was developed in 1997, is a water-based process used manufacture ActiVin. Mr. Anderson said the process is crucial because it is positioned as all natural. It involves a hot water extraction of polyphenolic compounds (OPCs) from dry grape seeds. Extracted OPCs are selectively purified using food grade membrane filters and adsorption resins. Active compounds adsorbed on the resin are reversibly removed using an ethanol/water solution. Food grade mem­brane filters are employed to concentrate the OPCs before drying. The finished product consists of a red powder containing over 80% poly­phenolics (measured as gallic acid equivalents) and a potency of greater than 250 Porter units.

Most recently the company received generally recognized as safe (GRAS) approval for its ActiVin brand. Mr. Anderson commented on the approval. “We know that a lot of other companies are pursuing GRAS but we have the broadest GRAS affirmation on the market as it extends into solid foods as well as beverages,” said Mr. Anderson.

For the future, Mr. Anderson said the company will continue broadening consumer awareness. “We are finding that the demand for grape seed extract is increasing despite the slowing market for overall supplements because people feel more comfortable with grape polyphenols. In fact, 38% of consumers are aware of grape polyphenols,” he commented. “The challenge is getting consumers access to the product. They need to be educated and we are in the process of figuring out whose responsibility that should be.”—R.M.


Dry Creek Nutrition
P.O. Box 3027
Modesto, CA 95353
Telephone: 209-341-5696
Fax: 209-341-7200
Email: information@drycreeknutrition.com
Website: www.drycreeknutrition.com