[Latin Name]  Pinus pinaster.

[Specification] OPC ≥ 95%

[Appearance] Red brown fine powder

Plant Part Used: Bark

[Particle size] 80Mesh

[Loss on drying] ≤5.0%

[Heavy Metal] ≤10PPM

[Storage] Store in cool & dry area, keep away from the direct light and heat.

[Shelf life] 24 Months

[Package] Packed in paper-drums and two plastic-bags inside.

[Net weight] 25kgs/drum

[What is Pine bark?]

Pine bark, botanical name Pinus pinaster, is a maritime pine native to southwest France that also grows in countries along the western Mediterranean.  Pine bark contains a number of beneficial compounds that are extracted from the bark in a way that doesn’t destroy or damage the tree.

[How does it work?]

What gives pine bark extract its notoriety as a powerful ingredient and super antioxidant is that it’s loaded with oligomeric proanthocyanidin compounds, OPCs for short. The same ingredient can be found in grape seeds, the skin of peanuts and witch hazel bark. But what makes this miracle ingredient so amazing?

While OPCs found in this extract are mostly known for their antioxidant-producing benefits, these amazing compounds exude antibacterial, antiviral, anticarcinogenic, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. Pine bark extract can help reduce muscle soreness and may help improve conditions relating to poor circulation, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, diabetes, ADHD, female reproductive issues, skin, erectile dysfunction, eye disease and sports stamina.

Seems like it must be pretty amazing, but let’s look closer. The list goes on a bit further, as the OPCs in this extract may “inhibit lipid peroxidation, platelet aggregation, capillary permeability and fragility, and to affect enzyme systems,” which basically means it may be a natural treatment for many serious health conditions, such as stroke and heart disease.

[Function]

1. Lowers Glucose Levels, Improving Diabetic Symptoms
2. Helps Prevent Hearing Loss and Balance
3. Staves Off Infections
4. Protects the Skin from Ultraviolet Exposure
5. Decreases Erectile Dysfunction
6. Reduces Inflammation
7.  Helps Increase Athletic Performance

I do use Stevia. I have a really sweet tooth, and have been on the lookout for a solution that helps managing my sugar intake, as I do think sugar is just as addictive and just as harmful as alcohol. I rarely drink and don’t have cravings for a “nice glass of wine”; but when it comes to sweet taste I’m losing all my self-control…

Stevia is a natural sweetener. Although in the last couple of years it has been becoming a mainstream ingredient in the European and US market too, for many it is still an unknown option when it comes to substituting sugar or artificial sweeteners.

What is Stevia?

Stevia is a plant with green leaves growing 2-4 feet tall. It is a native plant to South America; Paraguayan tribes have been using it for centuries as a sweetener and as a medicine too.

Stevia is an herb. Its Latin name is Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni. It belongs to the Composite family that includes for example lettuce and chicory. The two main compounds that are responsible for Stevia’s sweet taste are called Stevioside and Rebaudioside A that found in the plant’s leaves.

There are many different types of Stevia. The quality of the sweet flavour of Stevia depends on the species used in production and what form it is consumed in. You can find Stevia in powder and liquid forms. The most natural form that it can be consumed in is the green powder. It is made by simply grounding the dried Stevia leaves. It is about 10-15 times sweeter than sugar. The white powder form is a processed form of Stevia. Its consistence is very similar to caster sugar, but it is several times more concentrated (varies depending on brands). The liquid extract commonly contains alcohol, but alcohol free products can be purchased from different suppliers too. The processed forms (powder or liquid) can be 100-300 times sweeter than sugar.

Stevia has a certain aftertaste that takes a bit of time getting used to. Trying out different forms and brands that exist on the market is recommended to