Bearing unit with rolling bodies for use in the food and beverage industry

A bearing unit, comprising:

• a radially outer ring stationary with respect to an axis of rotation (X);
• a radially inner ring rotatable with respect to the axis of rotation (X);
• a row of rolling bodies interposed between the radially outer ring and the radially inner ring;
• a gap between the radially outer ring and the radially inner ring;
• a sealing and protection device mounted on the radially inner ring and mounted on opposite sides of the radially outer ring, wherein the sealing and protection device is configured to both protect the radially outer ring from the action of external contaminants and to prevent any such external contaminants from getting into the gap between the radially outer ring and the radially inner ring;
• and
• a protective layer arranged in contact with the radially inner ring, and made of composite polymeric material, wherein the protective layer is configured to isolate and protect the radially inner ring from external contaminants.