Nestlé China Expands Glucose Management Portfolio with New No-Sugar Oolong Tea Featuring White Mulberry Leaf Extract

Ready-to-Drink (RTD) tea is a significant beverage category in China due to established consumption habits and consumer acceptance. According to Statista, the RTD tea at-home and out-of-home markets are expected to reach 9.3 billion liters (L) and 1 billion L in 2024, respectively. As a result, the RTD tea combined market growth is forecast at 10.3 billion L in 2024, a 5.1% increase compared to 9.8 billion L in 2023.

Figure 1. Combined RTD Tea Market Growth in China

To capitalize on this growing trend, Nestlé China is expanding its range of RTD tea products containing white mulberry leaf extract, clinically proven to reduce postprandial blood sugar levels. The latest addition to this portfolio is a no-sugar Oolong tea, each bottle containing 750 milligrams (mg) of white mulberry leaf extract. Trademarked as Reducose by the British life science firm Phynova, this extract is claimed to reduce glucose levels.

The Oolong tea is part of Nestlé China's "no sugar botanical tea series" and promises zero fat, zero energy, and no flavorings. Nestlé emphasizes that glucose management is closely linked with diet and lifestyle. As a result, the company offers various glucose management product formats suitable for different occasions, such as milk powder for in-home breakfast and ready-to-drink (RTD) options for meals outside the home.

Figure 2: Nestlé China's Oolong Tea

Tea products in China are often consumed during or after meals for refreshment, aligning perfectly with the intended consumption timing of Nestlé's RTD products containing Reducose. In Mar-24, Nestlé China introduced a milk powder containing Reducose, tryptophan, vitamin B, and minerals aimed at improving sleep and supporting glucose management. The inclusion of mulberry leaf extract in this product is designed to reduce glycemic variation at night, potentially improving sleep quality.

Besides the Oolong tea and milk powder, Nestlé China has launched two other products for managing blood glucose levels: a powdered stick sprinkle to be taken 30 minutes before or during meals, and a low-glycemic index (low-GI) powdered milk designed for healthy aging.

Beyond China, Nestlé launched Nutren GlucoSmart, a product containing Reducose for post-meal blood glucose control, in Malaysia about two years ago. To date, 15 studies have been concluded, including clinical and animal studies, published on Reducose. One of the latest studies, conducted by Korean researchers and published in Heliyon on Feb-24, found that Reducose increases the expression of proteins involved in the insulin signaling pathway and insulin sensitivity (IRS-2, PPAR-γ, and PDX-1) in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. In vivo studies in mice revealed that Reducose significantly reduces fasting blood glucose levels.

Conclusion

Nestlé China's expansion of its glucose management product line, particularly through the introduction of the no-sugar Oolong tea with white mulberry leaf extract, demonstrates the company's commitment to addressing health concerns related to blood sugar management. By leveraging the clinically proven benefits of Reducose, Nestlé continues to provide innovative solutions to meet the dietary and lifestyle needs of health-conscious consumers in China and beyond.