Yet another alternative for the health conscious as German milk-alternative specialist Natumi launches its So Well Tri-drink in the UK this month. The new drink is fortified with calcium, is made from soya, rice and oats and its health claims include preventing cardiovascular disease and increases in cholesterol.

The bio-organic certified drink was first unveiled to the public at BioFach 2003 in February in Nuremberg, Germany. Natumi , a German company specialising in vegetable alternatives to milk products, claims that its low fat content, essential amino acids, and secondary vegetable ingredients (isoflavons) make this a tasty 'wellness drink' for the health-conscious.

In addition to helping prevent cardiovascular disease and increase in cholesterol levels, Natumi also claims that it can help prevent osteoporosis, menopausal syndrome, increases in blood sugar levels and hormonal cancers.

All Natumi's drinks are made only from the whole bean or the whole grain and not from isolates (extracts) or starch product, while the calcium in the drink is obtained from the seaweed Lithothamnium. Natumi claims that this natural source of calcium has a high bio-availability and is therefore more efficiently absorbed into the body.

The product does not contain any added sugar or other sweeteners as it obtains all of its natural sweetness from the fermentation of the rice and oats.

The new 'So well' product line, which is also suitable for cooking and baking, supplements the Premium line, consisting of seven different vegetable drinks, already available in health food stores. Natumi says the new design, packaged in one-litre Tetra Pak slim packs, is intended to put the focus on two of the drink's key aspects - pleasure and wellness.

Natumi produces all its products on its own production lines at Eitorf an der Sieg, near Cologne, Germany.