Finally, after 2 years of formulating and other science-y stuff, the team behind Jaspers and Huckabees is proud to introduce our new for 2023 dog and cat food recipes, adding the latest and greatest special ingredients to the family:
Purple Yam & New Zealand Green-Lipped Mussel
Now you may be wondering, what’s so special about these two? Well, you’re about to find out…
Purple Yam
The Purple yam (Dioscorea alata), also known as Ube in the Philippines, is a thick-skinned root vegetable of the Yam family that originates from the idyllic tropics of Asia. Its appearance is very similar to that of a Sweet Potato, with the most obvious difference being its colour. The deep purple colouring of the purple yam is its most valuable property, as it’s colouring is an indicator that it contains valuable antioxidants called Anthocyanins.
What are Anthocyanins you ask? Well, they’re basically these wonderful natural colours we find in all matters of plant life, such as flowers, fruits and vegetables. The best ones out there for health and nutrition are red, blue and purple anthocyanins; as they provide the best cellular protections in humans and pets, such as guarding against Cardiovascular disease, Diabetes and even Cancer.
New Zealand Green-Lipped Mussel
Mussels? In pet food? A strange sounding combination granted but hear us out. These small shellfish might seem inconsequential from their appearance, but boy do they pack a punch when it comes to health benefits!
New Zealand Green-Lipped Mussels (Perna canaliculus) are molluscs found specifically to New Zealand (we know, obvious right), and are related quite closely to the Asian Green-Lipped Mussel (Perna Viridis). The difference between these to their relative is that the New Zealand variant is a richer source of enzymes and nutrients in comparison to its Asian cousin, all thanks to its increased exposure to the glorious New Zealand sun in its natural habitat.
All in all, there are loads of goodies packed into these humble sea-dwellers, such as:
- Omega 3 fatty acids such as Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) – titans amongst Anti-inflammatories that are found in other fish
- Glycosaminoglycans
- Chondroitin Sulfate
- Vitamins C & E
- Zinc
- Magnesium
- Copper
- Selenium
And finally, an Omega 3 fatty acid unique acting as an active ingredient in the New Zealand Green-Lipped Mussel, Eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA). A leading UK veterinarian writes that ETA “has been shown to block pain signals in the body in a similar way to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, but it does not result in the same side effects.” They go on to add that New Zealand Green-lipped mussel seems to have a stronger anti-inflammatory effect when compared to other omega 3 fatty acids.
How amazing is all that? We hope that you are as excited as we are for our forthcoming additions, we cannot wait for you to try them! Let us know what you think of our latest additions and don’t hesitate to email us at info@simplyjaspers.co.uk for more information on our products.
Here’s to improving our pet’s health!
