An independent clinical trial of iNdream3 night milk powder, conducted at Otago University's WellSleep Centre, "proved its efficacy as a sleep promoting ingredient," said New Zealand-based Synlait in a statement today.
The clinical trial, funded by Synlait, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and Ingredia, found iNdream3 "reduces the time to onset of sleeping, increases stage N3 sleep time (the deepest phase of sleep) and reduces daytime dysfunction," said Synlait.
"We've been developing this product for several years and this clinical trial is a major milestone in proving the ability of iNdream3 to improve sleep," said Dr Simon Causer, R&D manager, Synlait.
iNdream3 is rich in melatonin - a hormone produced by mammals to help regulate sleep.
Milk collected from cows in the hours of darkness, when cows produce milk containing higher concentrations of melatonin, is used to make iNdream3.
"iNdream3 leverages melatonin in its natural form," said Causer. "Melatonin in almost all other products are synthetically produced or extracted from source materials with lower levels of melatonin."
"High value product"
iNdream3 has been on sale in South Korea since January 2015, where it is marketed by a Synlait customer as Sleepiz.
The powder is sold in sachets, which consumers simply add water to.
Dr John Penno, managing director, Synlait, branded iNdream3 "an exciting opportunity."
"This is a high value product," he said. "Both Synlait and our milk suppliers who provide night milk will benefit, with suppliers receiving a payment above the market price."
"We are looking forward to continuing to develop opportunities with our business to business (B2B) customers for the use of iNdream3 as an ingredient in their products," Penno added.