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30 Jan 2019
Sticky Post By Posted in Ingredients Permalink

Featured: organic yeast

Sticky Post By On 30. January 2019

Introduced: organic yeast

Yeast – an exciting microorganism that resembles a separate small universe. As a single-celled being it predominantly ferments with sugar and starch to alcohol and carbon dioxide. This results in the soft dough of bread, rolls and other pastries. There are over 700 kinds of yeast, and we decided to choose the nutritional yeast since we are not keen on the alcohol and carbon dioxide.
Though commonly known as raising agent and fermentation assistant in beer and wine, many people don't know that yeast is actually loaded with nutrients. Even the ancient Egyptians used it for their meals without knowing that it is loaded with niacin and B vitamins such as B1, B2 and B6. Important nutrients that ensure a well-balanced metabolism and support muscles and nerves The contained potassium in conjunction with sodium ensures a healthy heart and a well-adjusted fluid balance in the body.

In order to guarantee excellent quality we use organic nutritional yeast powder which we provide with a sugar source made of clean spring water and grain instead of using conventional molasses.

Why organic?

All of our products are organic since we are convinced that good quality already starts with the ingredients. The advantages are easily demonstrated through the example of our organic yeast:

The sugar source of conventional yeast is primarily made of molasses, whereas the sugar source of our organic yeast is made of grain from organic farming.
Ammonia (NH3) or ammonia salts are used in conventional yeast. The nitrogen source of organic yeast is also organic grain.
Acids like sulfuric acid and alkalis like caustic soda are used in conventional yeast in order to regulate the pH value. This regulation is not necessary with organic yeast.
Synthetic vitamins and inorganic salts are needed for conventional yeast. These substances are already sufficiently available in natural mediums.
Conventional yeast is made with synthetic defoaming agents. Organic yeast is made with organic sunflower oil instead.
In the case of conventional yeast, the washing has to be repeated several times in order to eliminate unpleasant flavors and odorants. There is no washing with organic yeast. The sterilization happens through water steam.
With conventional yeast, the waste water is heavily contaminated and hard to clean. But with organic yeast, the fermentation medium provides the basis for further products such as pre-ferment or pre-leaven starters.


How does it get into the product?

Nutritional yeast is a yeast inactivated by heat. The basis is the organic yeast cream which already features the very good nutritional profile but cannot be used yet in our product due to its consistence and activity. In order to obtain the yeast powder used in BERTRAND we need to inactivate the yeast cells first. This happens through brief heating to 55° – 60°. Should there be any surviving yeast cells, they will be subsequently inactivated due to the drying. Drum drying is used in this case. It is particularly gentle and makes the yeast cream into yeast flakes at 130° by putting a thin film of the product on the drum. The contained liquid evaporates thereby. Then the yeast flakes are grounded to a fine yeast powder with the help of a cone crusher. This powder is subsequently mixed with our other ingredients to make BERTRAND.

Moreover, yeast serves as source of protein and is therefore perfectly suited for diets low in protein such as vegetarianism and veganism. Athletes also benefit from proteins since they are responsible for muscle growth, as well.
Annika | Customer Care

Have any questions remain unanswered?

I am happy to answer any questions you might have on this topic. Feel free to write me an e-mail. You will usually receive an answer within 24 hours.

Annika | Customer Careannika@bertrand.bio
21 Jan 2019
Sticky Post By Posted in General, Versions Permalink

BERTRAND supports #veganuary

Sticky Post By On 21. January 2019

Don’t vegans only eat grass?

The vegan diet is still one of the most controversial topics. Yet there’s actually no reason for that at all. By being aware of the food and the nutrients from food that you put in your body, you can ideally eat better and also be more mindful of the environment.

As a way of just giving this a shot, there’s the #veganuary challenge, which was created to globally promote the idea of trying to go vegan for the month of January. It has been around since 2014 and was started as a charity organization in the UK to help people throughout the world realize that going vegan is neither unhealthy nor boring. People share their experiences on social media, discuss the challenge with each other, and help each other out because being vegan definitely doesn’t need to be complicated.

For the sake of the environment, it is definitely worth taking a closer look at this diet because a kilogram of beef alone requires about 15,500 liters of water. The 14.5% CO2 emissions caused by intensive livestock farming and the clearance of green spaces for feed are other negative aspects of an omnivorous diet.

The myth that a vegan diet causes people to have less energy also continues to endure. There are a lot of examples that prove the opposite, such as competitive athletes like Lewis Hamilton, Rich Roll or Fiona Oakes. Professional athletes from Germany like professional beach volleyball player Max Betzien also eat a vegan diet.

Another big myth surrounding the vegan diet, in addition to the one about not getting enough nutrients, is that it takes a lot of effort. This assumption can already be refuted by the fact that even a simple pasta dish with tomato sauce is vegan. The vegan version of BERTRAND kills both myths with one stone, so to speak, because preparing it is very easy, and at the same time you get the exact nutrients that fall by the wayside in a purely plant-based diet, and it accomplishes all of this in a completely natural way and without artificial supplements, instead getting some help from the world of algae.

The vegan version of BERTRAND does not contain the milk powder that can be found in the classic and active versions, which is why it’s recommended to mix the powder with oat or almond milk instead of water in order to improve the flavor. For an even better and distinct flavor, we can also recommend using the fruit juice of your choice or taking a bit of extra time to cut some fruit and blend it together with the plant-based milk of your choice and the Bertrand powder in a blender to create an even more unique shake. Because with BERTRAND, being vegan is neither boring nor complicated. And there’s no need to eat grass either.

 

Annika | Customer Care

Have any questions remain unanswered?

I am happy to answer any questions you might have on this topic. Feel free to write me an e-mail. You will usually receive an answer within 24 hours.

Annika | Customer Careannika@bertrand.bio
18 Apr 2018
Sticky Post By Posted in Ingredients, Nutrients Permalink

High readings in ORAC analysis: The antioxidant effect of BERTRAND

Sticky Post By On 18. April 2018

Sea buckthorn is one of the main ingredients in BERTRAND's liquid meals. The high content of ascorbic acid in the fruit is not only important in terms of optimal vitamin supply, but also to the degree that Vitamin C is an important antioxidant in combating free radicals. A current investigation of all three product lines (classic, vegan, active) with regard to their antioxidant capacity showed that the measured value can be considered high for all meal powders.

ORAC values between 26,000 and 41,000 µmol TE/100g

The so-called ORAC analysis (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) was conducted by INTERTEK, an international industry leader in testing and certification procedures, and underscores that the combination of natural ingredients used in BERTRAND makes an important contribution to combating free radicals in the context of a healthy diet.

BERTRAND Classic: 29,000 µmol TE/100g: Intertek ORAC – classic PDF (118KB)
BERTRAND Vegan: 26.000 µmol TE/100g: Intertek ORAC – vegan PDF (113KB)
BERTRAND Active: 41.000 µmol TE/100g: Intertek ORAC – active (113KB)

Free radicals and antioxidants

Free radicals are chemical molecules containing oxygen, but are incomplete in their structure. They lack an electron, which they then remove from intact cells and molecules in the body in order to be complete again. This electron theft is called "oxidation". Since the robbed molecule itself becomes a free radical, a chain reaction occurs. If the degree of oxidation is higher than the body can withstand, we speak of "oxidative stress", which can lead to long-term damage since the deprived molecules are primarily our elementary building blocks of cells, such as fats, proteins or DNA. Examples of how free radicals primarily occur today include, among other things, smoking, air pollution and pollution by exhaust gases, UV radiation, alcohol, fast food, radioactivity and the taking of medicines. Various factors play a role in the extent to which free radicals develop, for example, the combination of individual food components in our gastrointestinal tract or the reaction of sulfur dioxide in exhaust gases and pollutants.
Oxidative stress speeds up the aging process and encourages the onset of disease. Thus, during the course of electron theft by free radicals in our body, there may arise, among other things, skin damage, rheumatism, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, eye and joint problems, stroke or calcification of the arteries (2). As there can also be damage to elementary cell components, additional diseases are facilitated, such as dementia due to brain damage, as well as various cancers due to DNA damage and the concomitant degeneration of cells.

Protection through nutrition with high ORAC value

Drugs cannot specifically combat free radicals. However, since there are foods that are rich in antioxidants, a healthy diet can counteract the damage. Thus, antioxidants are also called "radical scavengers" and are likewise chemical compounds. Unlike the free radicals, they voluntarily relinquish one of their electrons and thus protect the cells before they can be attacked. Since antioxidants themselves are not converted in the process into free radicals, they interrupt the chain reaction and also return immediately to their antioxidant form, so they can act again. Important antioxidants are, above all, the vitamins, especially Vitamins E and C. The Vitamin E radical, for example, is regenerated into its antioxidant form by Vitamin C, But, in addition, enzymes, phytochemicals such as polyphenols, minerals and trace elements function as radical scavengers, either produced by the body itself or absorbed in our diet.

A practical example

A very vivid example of oxidation and the effect of antioxidants is the cut apple. The cut surface inevitably turns brown in the air after a short time: Free radicals have caused the oxidation here. However, if the apple is drizzled with a little lemon juice, its color is preserved. The ascorbic acid in the lemon works as an antioxidant and protects the apple from the attack of the free radicals. In BERTRAND, for example, the sea buckthorn with its high Vitamin C content functions as an antioxidant, but so do the included almonds, flaxseed, sunflower seeds and the walnut meal, which have a high amount of minerals and vitamins.

BERTRAND Classic: 29,000 µmol TE/100g: Intertek ORAC – classic PDF (118KB)
BERTRAND Vegan: 26.000 µmol TE/100g: Intertek ORAC – vegan PDF (113KB)
BERTRAND Active: 41.000 µmol TE/100g: Intertek ORAC – active (113KB)
ORAC = Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity: determines the antioxidant capacity of foods
Unit µmol TE/100g – micromol Trolox Equivalent
The measured value is the relation to the antioxidative effect of the product/food, the higher the value, the better and stronger the antioxidative capacity and the more free radicals can be neutralized.
Write us an email

Carolin | B.Sc. Ecotrophology

Carolin studied ecotrophology at the University of Niederrhein and writes periodic articles about healthy eating. Are you interested in a specific topic?

Write us an emailhey@bertrand.bio
22 Mar 2018
Sticky Post By Posted in Comparison, Ingredients, Nutrients Permalink

What do lemons and sea buckthorn have in common?

Sticky Post By On 22. March 2018

The answer is: vitamin C. Although we associate lemon with this “good mood” vitamin, sea buckthorn—which is a particularly valuable source of vitamin C in BERTRAND’s drinkable meals—contains a considerable amount of it. 100g of lemon contain about 53mg of vitamin C, while sea buckthorn gives us 18 times that amount, about 900mg per 100g.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends a daily vitamin C intake of 80 mg in its reference levels. Thus, about two lemons already cover the daily requirement, as do three Bertrand Classic drinkable meals (made with 167g of powder each), providing almost 90mg of vitamin C in total.

But what makes vitamin C—called ascorbic acid in chemistry—so important and such a crucial component of our nutrition? Why and when should we ensure an adequate intake of vitamin C?

Vitamins are not replaceable

Vitamins are vital to our health because our bodies cannot produce them on their own. Therefore, they have to be absorbed from food. Since each vitamin has a different function in our metabolism, they are not interchangeable or replaceable. While many vitamins are found in animal products, vitamin C is only found in plant foods and has several important functions in our body and health, and is involved in many metabolic processes. On one hand, vitamin C is involved in the formation of collagen, a protein that makes up our connective and supporting tissue and which helps to optimally build up and maintain our skin, bones, and teeth. Furthermore, vitamin C plays an important role in wound healing and scar formation, e.g., after injuries and burns. Vitamin C is also involved in cell growth.

Especially important for vegetarians and vegans

Two other main functions of vitamin C are the protection of our body against free radicals and its effect as an antioxidant as well as its role in immune protection. Free radicals are compounds that can lead to cell damage and cell degeneration. These lead to diseases such as cancer, cataracts, or arteriosclerosis. Vitamin C, absorbed through nutrition, acts as an antioxidant. Antioxidants react with the free radicals, making them slower or harmless. In addition, vitamin C supports the work of white blood cells in our immune system, helping to fight off pathogens and produce antibodies. Other functions include the breakdown of medicine in our body and iron absorption in the intestine. This is particularly important for people on a vegetarian or vegan diet who do not get enough iron through meat and meat products. Consuming products rich in vitamin C helps our bodies better absorb and utilize the iron from plant-based foods.

Anti-scurvy acid

But can a diet with too much vitamin C also have negative effects? And is vitamin C deficiency still possible in today’s world? A vitamin-rich diet that contains more vitamin C than the recommended daily dose of 80mg usually has no side effects. Ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, thus, an overdose above 200 mg is usually excreted in the urine. A significantly higher intake than needed will only lead to diarrhea or abdominal pain. However, such a high overdose of vitamin C almost never occurs due to a vitamin-rich diet alone, but usually due to the additional intake of high-dose vitamin preparations and dietary supplements. And vitamin C deficiency is also rare given our modern food supply and nutrition. While scurvy, a common seafaring disease caused by vitamin C deficiency (hence its former name anti-scurvy acid), was still widespread in the 16th and 17th centuries given the lack of vitamin-rich foods on board, only a few populations are at risk of deficiency today.

So vitamin C is not merely the “good mood” vitamin, but also one of the most valuable vitamins in terms of a healthy and balanced diet, and it can be obtained from many different plant-based foods to contribute to our health and vitality.  Right at the forefront: Sea buckthorn!

In this blog post, we talk about the sea buckthorn we use in our drinkable meal in more detail: Featured – Sea Buckthorn in BERTRAND

Write us an email

Carolin | B.Sc. Ecotrophology

Carolin studied ecotrophology at the University of Niederrhein and writes periodic articles about healthy eating. Are you interested in a specific topic?

Write us an emailhey@bertrand.bio
23 Feb 2018
Sticky Post By Posted in Press, Sponsoring Permalink

We support the Mudbusters

Sticky Post By On 23. February 2018

The Mudbusters are are an association of running-enthusiasts who participate in obstacle, cross-country and road races in Europe. These athletes now also have a partner who takes care of their nutrition.

If a 42,195km marathon race is just not enough for you, because you also want to crawl through mud, shimmy around obstacles, haul tree trunks or dive along the way, then you have the spirit of a mudbuster.

At BERTRAND, we support these athletes in preparing for OCR competitions such as Lake Run or Strong Man Run. OCR is the abbreviation for Obstacle Course Racing. Especially in Europe, an OCR scene is emerging in which the toughest, newest and most extreme obstacle courses are up for discussion. A few years ago there were a few events where people had to climb over barriers, swim through muddy lakes and rivers or crawl under barbed wire. The scene is, however, very well organized. In every region, every month of the year there is now at least one OCR race.

Preparation for the competition in terms of nutrition

While preparing for exhausting runs such as marathons or OCR competitions the body needs a balanced mix of long-chain carbohydrates, proteins as well as vitamins and minerals with good bio-availability. BERTRAND active has been a popular and proven diet for many years among followers of the outdoor scene, providing athletes with the nutrients they need to prepare their bodies for the strain of competition.

Signore PE

Extremely beneficial!

The shakes help me to close a gap and to eat healthy and balanced food in spite of "missing" meals. For me, this is an extreme advantage that I don’t want to miss.

Signore PEMudbusters
Interested? Put our active variant to the test. We give every new customer one of our high quality shakers, which will survive even the hardest trails.
13 Dec 2017
Sticky Post By Posted in General Permalink

Thank you for 2017 – Donation to the WFP

Sticky Post By On 13. December 2017
Donate to the WFP

Once again, over here at us Bertrandistas a warm wintery feeling gradually starts settling in. The colleagues bring all kinds of pastry to the firm, many are wearing hand knitted wool jerseys to work and preferably, everybody wants to exclusively produce our baked apple and cinnamon variants. The year comes to an end.

We look back on a successful year. Our team and our premises have grown, just like our aspiration to our environmental and social responsibility as a company. We are very grateful for our faithful existing customers and the many new customers that have contributed to this positive development of our company.

Just like yesteryear, we want to present a coupon campaign once again, which both benefits you, as a customer, and the regions supported by the “UN – World Food Programme”.

Code: WFP // 7,5% for you – 4€ for the WFP

For every order using the code “WFP“, your shopping cart will be eased by 7,5%. In addition, we forward a donation of 4,00€ for each order using this code to the “UN – World Food Programme”, which can nourish a school child for 10 days.

Valid until 15. Jan. 2018

Of course, you also donate to the WFP projects yourself. You can find all information on the official page of the World Food Programme as well as on the highly recommended page ShareTheMeal.org

Annika | Customer Care

Have any questions remain unanswered?

I am happy to answer any questions you might have on this topic. Feel free to write me an e-mail. You will usually receive an answer within 24 hours.

Annika | Customer Careannika@bertrand.bio
21 Nov 2017
Sticky Post By Posted in Press, Sponsoring Permalink

2nd Paderborn Martinslauf

Sticky Post By On 21. November 2017
Robiel Weldemichael gewinnt den zweiten Paderborner Martinslauf

Winner Robiel Weldemichael // © Frank Beineke – New Westfalian Newspaper

The 2nd Paderborn Martinslauf took place last Friday in Paderborn and we once again took the opportunity to provide healthy vitamins and minerals to the finishers

1,400 athletes enjoyed the challenging circuit through the center of Paderborn, which had a very special running atmosphere, as some sections of the track were artistically illuminated by local art students. Robiel Weldemichael (cover picture) shot like a flash to the front right at the beginning. The 25-year-old exceptional athlete repeated his 10-kilometer win in the previous year and won confidently in 31:15 minutes.

We were able to distribute a total of 1,500 complimentary meals to the athletes and visiting spectators. This year we introduced our BERTRAND bottle for the first time. In this bottle, which covers 1/4 of the daily requirements of the daily recommended nutrients, we do not rely on simple rotproof PET bottles, but on a plastic that is made of vegetable starch and is completely biodegradable. Our Green Bottle is currently available as a prototype only for German-speaking customers. More information here (German page): BERTRAND – Green Bottle

Impressions of our promotion


Annika | Customer Care

Have any questions remain unanswered?

I am happy to answer any questions you might have on this topic. Feel free to write me an e-mail. You will usually receive an answer within 24 hours.

Annika | Customer Careannika@bertrand.bio
17 Nov 2017
Sticky Post By Posted in Review, Video Permalink

STUMP Review by Jason Hunt

Sticky Post By On 17. November 2017

Jason Hunt from the channel Campcraft put our product on his tree stump and gave it a detailed examination from an experienced outdoorsman. He gives it a very positive review. Watch the video here.


Annika | Customer Care

Have any questions remain unanswered?

I am happy to answer any questions you might have on this topic. Feel free to write me an e-mail. You will usually receive an answer within 24 hours.

Annika | Customer Careannika@bertrand.bio
23 Oct 2017
Sticky Post By Posted in General, Press Permalink

Vitamin and Mineral Supplier for Mario Weidler

Sticky Post By On 23. October 2017

We are thrilled to announce that, as of now, we are sponsoring Mario Weidler. Last year, he achieved two major successes by finishing 24th in the overall ranking of the World Cup 2016 (elite) and 16th in the European Championships 2016. During his competitions, he obviously needs to have total concentration and rely on his physical fitness. We are happy to help him on this front.

The aim of trial sports is to complete an obstacle course on a bike without touching the floor with your feet. The basic requirements of bike trial are maintaining good balance, total concentration, and perfect control over your bike and your body. Mario not only rides his bike, he also hops and jumps over stones, barrels or tree trunks as if it were the easiest thing in the world. As a trialer, he is an artist among cyclists: a lot of people can’t even use their feet with the same kind of control that he has over his bike.

We are happy to help Mario with the right nutrition and hope that our practical mix will support him during his competitions in the upcoming season. In 2018, Mario will participate in various international competitions and you might be able to see him in your area.

22 Sep 2017
Sticky Post By Posted in General Permalink

We are BERTRAND.

Sticky Post By On 22. September 2017

After several months’ neglect of our “Meet the Team” page, we have now been able to talk some colleagues into posing for a photo.

You should know who regularly mixes and sends your BERTRAND order. And who’s providing the answers to your questions about our product.

We are BERTRAND.

Get in touch with us!

Please use the contact form for questions about BERTRAND or write an e-mail to hey@bertrand.bio
You will find all points of contact on the Meet the Team page.
Many questions were already answered in the FAQ-section.

Annika

Annika speaks German and English, is responsible for Support and oversees our social media channels.

annika@bertrand.bio

Daphne

Daphne speaks German, English, and French, and is responsible for support and our social media channels.

daphne@bertrand.bio

Anna

Anna speaks German, English, and French, and runs the Customer Support at BERTRAND Food.

anna@bertrand.bio

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