NutraIngredients’ Sports Nutrition Ingredients and Product of the Year Awards are each marketed with sports nutrition applications in mind, from premium blends for elite athletes to convenient solutions for everyday active consumers. It aims to celebrate the raw materials and the final product.
The finalists for the Ingredient of the Year award are AstaReal Astaxanthin, TetraSOD, and PeptEndure, and the finalists for the Product of the Year category are Testosterone Elite, Ringana Sport Protein, and ESN Daily.
Asterial Astaxanthin
Backed by over 35 years of research and over 150 published studies, AstaReal Astaxanthin from Swedish supplier AstaReal AB brings this microalgae-derived carotenoid to innovators looking to develop sports powders, RTDs, edibles, and gummies. To do.
Proving that the team is not resting on its laurels, four new human clinical trials using AstaReal astaxanthin have been announced in the past two years.
This ingredient protects mitochondria-rich muscles from oxidation, supports muscle recovery in elite soccer players, improves athletic performance in elite cyclists, improves functional training in emergency personnel, and improves daily mental and physical Scientifically backed ability to reduce fatigue levels.
The company believes that rising environmental concerns and stricter EU regulations are encouraging more formulators to replace animal-derived ingredients and high-carbon impacts with more sustainable plant-based ingredients, such as algae-derived astaxanthin. He pointed out that
TetraSOD, Fitplankton Marino
Developed by Spanish microalgae production experts from Phytoplankton Marino, South Carolina, TetraSOD is backed by numerous studies showing benefits in improving performance and resilience.
The ingredient has been available on the European market since 2017, but the company takes a step forward in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying its physical benefits with a new double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial using OpenArray technology. Moved forward.
Researchers analyzed the expression of more than 100 genes in muscle biopsies taken from participants after two weeks of supplementation with either placebo or TetraSOD. The research team identified upregulation of Nrf2, a key transcription factor known to play a central role in the cellular response to oxidative stress, regulating the expression of more than 200 genes.
Pepto Endure
Gerita, the German manufacturer of gelatin and collagen peptides, will launch PeptEndure in late 2023, the first collagen product on the market proven to increase the effectiveness and long-term performance of endurance training through adaptive muscle changes. declared to be a protein. This ingredient therefore offers a radical and sustainable change strategy, rather than just a quick fix.
In a clinical study of 59 active young women supplementing with 15 grams of PeptEndure daily for 12 weeks while simultaneously doing resistance and endurance training, they statistically improved their performance during a 60-minute time trial. It showed a significant mileage increase and a significant increase. with lean body mass.
A comparable setup with 32 young, active men improved time trial distance by more than 700 m, and also significantly improved lactate threshold.
A third clinical trial in 55 young men focused on recovery-related biomechanical properties, and found that the supplement significantly reduced changes in maximal voluntary contraction, rate of force development, and recoil jump height. It was concluded that this resulted in significant improvements.
ESN Daily
Launched to the market last year by ESN, this powder product combines patented collagen peptides (Tendo Forte 21g and Fortigel 21g) to support joints, tendons, ligaments and cartilage, along with 21g L-Glutamine and L-Leucine. Contains 7.6g and 13g of creatine. Promotes muscle growth, energy metabolism and performance.
The range includes energizing and refreshing flavors such as Sour Power, Raspberry Iced Tea, Pineapple Coconut, Apple Cranberry, and Green Apple.
Total sales in 2023 are expected to exceed €1 million in less than five months, with total sales exceeding €245,000 in January 2024 and expected to exceed €3 million next year. The company continues to expand, supported by a team of athletes who use the product, led by two-time third-place finisher Olipia Urs Kalechinsky.
Lingana Sports Protein
Launched in 2019, Ringana’s Sports Protein Powder combines pea and rice protein fermented with shiitake mushroom mycelium, WATTS’UP orange extract, vitamins and minerals.
Compared to non-fermented pea and rice protein mixtures, this product has faster absorption and better bioavailability of the amino acids present, while at the same time reducing the possibility of allergies and inhibiting iron absorption. It claims to reduce levels of anti-nutritional compounds such as phytate, which can cause cancer. and other minerals.
Each unflavored portion contains 26 g of protein with all the amino acids that support muscle maintenance and building. It also provides riboflavin, biotin, and vitamins B6 and B12 from buckwheat germ powder, which play an important role in energy metabolism. Magnesium for optimal muscle function and protein synthesis. Replenishes iron to reduce fatigue and fatigue. Vitamin C from acerola cherry powder promotes absorption of plant-based iron. WATTS’UP orange extract to improve performance.
In 2023, the brand’s total sales amounted to EUR 200 million, with sports protein products accounting for 36.6% of total sales in the sports category. Revenue growth rate is + 35.5% and in the development of RINGANA products he is one of the best products.
testosterone elite
Testosterone Elite, launched two years ago by Life Extension, a US-based vitamin and supplement brand, contains a clinically studied dose of Tesner (a proprietary blend of pomegranate peel and cacao seed extract), which also contains testosterone It combines the flavone luteolin, which has been scientifically studied to support and promote the production of. Free Testosterone Levels.
Starting around age 30, men’s testosterone levels decline by about 1% each year, leading to loss of muscle mass and strength, as well as mood, weight, and sexual health concerns.
Preclinical studies have concluded that luteolin may help increase expression of an enzyme called steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), a key enzyme required for steroid hormone production. StAR initiates testosterone production by transporting cholesterol to the mitochondria to produce pregnenolone.
Tesnor has been clinically studied to support both free and total testosterone levels in men by up to 48% and 25%, respectively, compared to baseline after 8 weeks of use.
Announcement of winners
The award will be presented at a VIP party hosted by NutraIngredients on May 15 in Geneva, Switzerland, to recognize forward-thinking initiatives and products across industry categories and celebrate the award’s 10th anniversary.
Nicky Hancox, editor of NutraIngredients.com, said: “We have a fantastic field of players in this year’s finals and the team is delighted to celebrate a huge milestone for the brand as well as celebrating the deserving finalists and winners. I’m excited.”
