In 2019, the staff of Nutrition Industry Executive (NIE) was looking for a way to highlight the most cutting-edge and advanced natural branded nutritional ingredients backed by science. As a result, the NIE New Ingredient Awards were created.

The awards have become an industry standard showcasing the most innovative and significant new branded ingredients for use in supplements and functional foods and beverages.

For the first time since its inception, this year the contest included a new category, “Established Ingredient—New Science.” To be eligible, the “established ingredient” had to be released for use in the United States prior to Oct. 1, 2022, with the “new science” announced after Oct. 1, 2022.

In addition to the new category, the other award categories consist of Healthy Aging, Condition Specific, Personal Care/Cosmetics, Sports Nutrition and Weight Management. A panel of seven expert judges chose a total of 11 winners and one honorable mention.

Criteria is based on:

• Product Research/Evidence/Bioavailability
• Sustainability/Traceability/Certifications (if applicable)
• Consumer Need
• The “Impressiveness Factor”

Congratulations to the winners of the sixth annual NIE New Ingredient Awards!

The judges are:

Cheryl Myers, Chief of Scientific Affairs and Education EuroPharma Green Bay, WI

Gene Bruno, MS, MHS, RH(AHG), The Vitamin Professor Chief Scientific Officer Nutraland USA Irvine, CA

Jeff Hilton, Co-founder of BrandHive Founder and CMO BrandPath USA Salt Lake City, UT

Dr. Nicole Avena, Associate Professor Neuroscience Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY

Jacqueline Jacques, ND, FTOS, Co-founder Nova Aurora Newport Beach, CA

Dr. Yair Steve Henig, Founder of Henig Consulting Chief Scientific Officer Caligenix Los Angeles, CA

Janet Poveromo, Editor-in-Chief Nutrition Industry Executive magazine East Brunswick, NJ

Condition Specific Category

1st Place: Aspurus

Waleria Healthtech, Hyderabad, Telangana, India, +91 9912777322, www.aspurusshatavari.com

Aspurus, standardized to 5 percent shatavarins, is a full spectrum shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) root extract. Research has shown it reduced menopausal symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings. It also improves menopausal quality of life.

Shatavarins are the main phytoactive constituent found in shatavari and have a hormone-balancing effect. They are good for balancing hormones during both the perimenopause (higher estrogen) and postmenopause (lower estrogen) stages, the company said. A small dosage of 500 mg can reduce up to seven menopausal symptoms in four weeks or less.

Aspurus meets a consumer demand by targeting the rapidly growing population of post-menopausal women, projected to reach 1.1 billion worldwide by 2025, according to the United Nations (UN).

“Women’s health is finally seeing innovation across the board, and I think this is an excellent example of new science meeting that need,” Jacques said. “Shatavari has a long history of traditional use in ayurveda, but I believe it’s poised to cross over into more mainstream formulas following in the footsteps of ashwagandha.”

According to the company, research has shown an 85 percent reduction in hot flashes in four weeks, a 90 percent reduction in night sweats in as few as eight weeks and a 60 percent reduction in sleeplessness compared to placebo.

Waleria is also giving back to women in underserved communities by donating Aspurus capsules and providing education about menopause, which is often considered a taboo topic in India.

“Personally, I think menopausal symptoms are not studied enough and this ingredient shows promising evidence of improved overall quality of life,” Avena said. “The research concluded decreased instances of night sweats, hot flashes, and many more common symptoms associated with peri and post menopause and their marketing is for a specific target population.”

2nd Place: Immuse

Kyowa Hakko USA, New York, NY, (800) 596-9252; (212) 319-5353, www.kyowa-usa.com

Immuse is a novel postbiotic using a patented unique strain of Lactococcus lactis that activates pDCs (plasmacytoid dendritic cells), the commander and chief of the immune system. pDC organizes other cells such as NK, killer T, helper T and B cells for a comprehensive approach to immune support.

The activated immune cells circulate throughout the body and support immune health from the inside, in addition to functioning in the intestines. The novel process took decades of scientific innovation to bring to market and has been used successfully in Japan for more than a decade, the company said.

According to the company, today’s consumers face a constant onslaught on their immune systems from the stresses of modern life, work, diet and lifestyle. In the post-pandemic era, consumers are seeking out new and innovative immune health products for daily use.

“Immuse is a postbiotic, which means there’s no need to worry about survivability of bacteria like you have to with probiotics,” Myers said. “Immuse is a heat-killed probiotic that is stable, and heat resistant compared to probiotics, which means no refrigeration is needed.”

Immuse is the next generation of immune health and is a step ahead of other immune support ingredients, the company said. Decades of research and more than 30 studies demonstrate its benefits. Nature has already figured out the best and most comprehensive immune response and Immuse is the first food ingredient [lactic acid bacteria] to allow consumers to activate that response.

“This ingredient targets a timely and trending consumer need and offers a unique mechanism of action … successfully vetted for over a decade in Japan,” Hilton added. “Patent protected and the multiple clinical studies are strong. It also offers application to multiple delivery forms and brings credibility and legitimacy to the emerging postbiotic category.”

Personal Care/Cosmetics

1st Place: LactoSporin

Sabinsa Corporation, East Windsor, NJ, (732) 777-1111, www.sabinsa.com

LactoSporin is an extracellular metabolite partially purified from Heyndrickxia coagulans (Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856) LactoSpore fermented broth called Bacillus Ferment Filtrate Extract. It is a postbiotic ingredient which modulates skin aging naturally, helps in acne management and may positively influence the skin microbiome. The ingredient shows excellent antimicrobial activity against skin pathogens and was found to inhibit biofilm formation in vitro.

One clinical study for 21 days showed significant improvement in managing acne lesions and a second trial for 10 weeks suggested LactoSporin could be a safe natural ingredient for wrinkles and fine lines in adults.

According to the company, “postbiotics” is a buzzword in the cosmetic industry. The skin is inhabited by millions of bacteria also termed as the skin microbiome. These microbes are an essential part of the skin and help protect against pollution, photoaging and oxidative stress. Postbiotics have a better shelf life, safety and can be easily adopted into different cosmetic formulations, making them an attractive choice for cosmetic ingredients.

LactoSporin’s production process is well-established to ensure consistency in yield, assay and purity of every manufactured batch. This ensures all specifications are met including description, odor, heavy metals and is packed in sterilized containers to avoid contamination during storage or transit. The product quality also includes testing for microbial parameters such as pathogens, yeast and molds, the company said.

The use of natural cosmetic products has been increasing due to safety, efficacy and consumer interest. Biotic and microbiome-friendly skin care is a recent movement that has been gaining popularity. Scientific research over the last decades has proven the importance of maintaining the skin microbiome in maintaining skin barrier function, immunity and overall health and well-being.

“As a post-biotic ingredient that offers potential for both fine and wrinkle reduction in addition to applications for acne, I like this ingredient. It offers a unique MOA (mechanism of action), and the supporting science is first class,” Hilton said.

Established Ingredients—New Science Category

1st Place: Benicaros

NutriLeads BV, Wageningen, Netherlands, +31 6-12500764, www.nutrileads.com

BeniCaros is a clinically proven, low-dose, precision probiotic and immune-training fiber upcycled from carrot pomace. At a daily serving size of 300 mg, Benicaros overcomes differences in individual gut microbiota composition to consistently increase the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria present in most people.

It significantly increases production of short-chain fatty acids, such as acetate, propionate and butyrate, which are essential to cultivating a resilient gut ecosystem while modulating immune responses, the company said.

According to the company, around eight out of 10 global consumers recognize the link between gut health and overall well-being with 61 percent of consumers in the Americas extremely interested in prebiotics. Benicaros addresses a significant gap in the prebiotic market by ensuring benefit consistency while targeting gut and immune health. The benefits of low specificity prebiotics with simply molecular structures may be limited due to variations in individual gut microbiota composition.

NutriLeads captures the fresh carrot pomace from the juicing process and begins its natural extraction process from the carrot cell wall. NutriLeads knows from which farms and fields the carrots are sourced from to ensure quality and consistency, the company said.

“Targeting this hot topic right now can be beneficial to providing those who want to support their gut health with evidence of effectiveness,” Avena said. “The research also shows an abundance of data related to actual microbiome diversity versus just being considered beneficial because of the symptoms it effects.”

2nd Place (Tie): Ahiflower

Natures Crops International, Winston-Salem, NC, (902) 836-3332, www.naturescrops.com

Ahiflower oil is now recognized as a sustainable and fully traceable plant-based alternative to fish oil. Consumers and health care practitioners can gain comparable benefits from Ahiflower as fish oil for joint, immune, gut-brain axis and cardiovascular wellness. The newest science gives insight into Ahiflower’s anti-inflammatory support mechanisms attributable to Ahiflower having the highest combined omega-3 SDA and omega-6 GLA content from a non-GM source.

While omega-3s have long been a popular global nutrition category, consumer demand for such products is rising 4-5 percent per year, according to the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED). Further, the main dietary source of EPA and DHA are fatty fish or fish oil, but many Western populations do not consume the recommended amount. Consumers also do not want the sensory effects associated with traditional fish and algal oils.

“A breakthrough in plant-based omega-3 supplementation with a strong sustainability and traceability story,” Hilton said. “The newest study demonstrating anti-inflammatory activity is impressive. It breathes new life into a mature category and opens up omega-3 supplementation to a whole new segment of consumers. A very forward-facing ingredient with a solid point of difference.”

According to the company, Ahiflower provides the same or similar wellness benefits as from conventional fish oil sources, but Ahiflower does so though a regeneratively farmed, fully traceable supply chain that builds soil health, carbon capture and pollinator biodiversity rather than removing forage fish from marine ecosystems. Wild-harvested fish are not a sustainable source of omega-3 fatty acids and run the risk of contamination, the company stated.

“We know that quality sources of omega 3s are hard to come by if we don’t eat fish and are extremely beneficial to oxidative stress levels and heart health. I think this is a well-studied and quality ingredient that can make a big difference in the industry,” Avena said.

2nd Place (Tie): Eriomin

Ingredients by Nature, Montclair, CA, (818) 378-0694, www.ingredientsbynature.com

Prediabetes is now acknowledged as a critical metabolic condition necessitating prompt intervention to prevent the onset of diabetes and its associated complications. Treatments include diet, physical activity, weight loss and hypoglycemic medications like metformin.

Eriomin is a dietary ingredient derived from lemon flavonoids, which has demonstrated hypoglycemic effects by reducing blood glucose levels and glycated hemoglobin, as well as improving oral glucose tolerance and increasing GLP-1. It has also been shown to modulate the microbiota of individuals with hyperglycemia, mitigating dysbiosis associated with this group, the company said.

According to the company, one in three American adults have intermediate hyperglycemia, and 414 million people worldwide are anticipated to have prediabetes by 2045. So, exploring the potential of Eriomin is crucial to help reduce blood glucose levels and restore them to normal ranges as demonstrated in previous studies. Investigating the efficacy of this product alongside metformin offers a promising new treatment avenue. Researchers hypothesize combing both could enhance microbiota diversity and richness in hyperglycemic individuals.

Based on clinical findings, researchers investigated the potential benefits of combing Eriomin with metformin. They hypothesized the pairing would produce a synergistic impact to improve the effectiveness of hypoglycemic therapy by providing a more comprehensive range of stimuli to influence the intestinal microbiota. Further research is needed, but the project demonstrated valuable insights into preventing sand aiding intermediate hyperglycemia, the company said.

“Pre-diabetes has become a global concern. This citrus flavonoid ingredient offers a diverse impact on health markers including healthy blood glucose levels, potent antioxidant delivery, increased insulin sensitivity and increased GLP-1 levels,” Hilton said.

Honorable Mention: Pycnogenol

Horphag Research, Geneva, Switzerland, +41 227102626, www.pycnogenol.com

Pycnogenol is a proprietary French maritime pine bark extract sourced from the forests of Landes de Gascogne in southwestern France. It is backed by more than 40 years of research, more than 450 scientific studies and is available in more than 1,000 dietary supplements and health products worldwide. It is considered a “Gold Standard Ingredient” in the industry.

It has four basic properties, a powerful antioxidant, acts as a natural anti-inflammatory, selectively binds to collagen and elastin, and aids in the production of endothelial nitric oxide which helps to vasodilate blood vessels. Some of its most common health benefits include cardiovascular health, joint health, skin care, sports nutrition, cognition and menopause.

According to the company, consumers are savvy and especially drawn to established brands and well-researched natural ingredients that can provide a wide range of health benefits. Younger generations are also showing more interest in products that may help prevent health issues later in life.

The French maritime pine is grown over a cycle of 50 years. As soon as mature trees are cut down, they are replaced by seeds of young twigs grown in nurseries which are cultivated and maintained for years. The replanting keeps the forest and available volume of wood completely stable. Pycnogenol is an ideal botanical source because it is not subject to seasonal variations like other plants, the company said.

Bruno said he was impressed by the new research on the benefits of hair density and skin hyperpigmentation.

“Pycnogenol intake significantly increased hair density by 30 percent and 23 percent after two and six months of treatment, respectively in post-menopausal women,” Jacques said. “[It] also improved cosmetic results of sclerotherapy by preventing discoloration.”

Healthy Aging Category

1st Place: Muvz

ENovate Biolife, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, +91 2242172300, www.enovatebiolife.com

Muvz is a first in class, clean, natural pleiotropic ingredient clinically tested to provide same day relief from knee pain due to physical activity and lower back support starting at seven days, which improve over time in a dose-dependent manner. Muvz is clinically proven at daily doses of 200 mg once and twice daily. It is made from a proprietary blend of Chinese chaste tree leaf extract and a ginger fraction.

Aches and discomfort caused by lifestyle and aging are increasingly common amongst healthy adults. Lower back, neck and knee pain and stiffness are the most frequent, according to the company. These issues are exacerbated by sedentary lifestyles from increased time on televisions, computers and smartphones. Muvz combines ayurvedic wisdom and modern science in offering a safe, natural and sustainable solution.

According to the company, traditional joint health supplements used for healthy aging have well-known concerns such as fewer vegetarian ingredients, slow acting ingredients, clinical studies lacking research on healthy adults, high serving sizes and nothing natural for lower back support. Muvz is designed to address all the above concerns.

A single dose of 200 mg of Muvz has been shown to provide clinically meaningful knee pain relief in a few hours with 95 percent of study participants experiencing pain relief in two hours. A dose of 200 mg twice daily showed five times improvement in lower back functional activity compared to placebo, the company said.

“Around 70 percent of adults will have some of these issues by age 55,” Jacques said. “Many of our go-to ingredients for joint health require hefty doses that can be challenging to formulate with and perhaps even more challenging for compliance.”

2nd Place: CollaBZen

CK Nutraceuticals, Oakville, ON, Canada, (905) 842-8300, www.ckingredients.com

CollaBZen is a unique plant-based collagen builder containing enriched extracts of green tea (Camellia sinensis), green coffee (Coffea arabica) and Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica). It is a natural, science-based, clinically studied botanical composition showed to support hydration, elasticity and firmness through collagen building protection.

According to the company, the beauty-from-within category needs innovation. Collagen from bovine and marine sources has done well in the market, but the category is crowded and does not address all consumers. CollaBZen is dosed at 500 mg daily (compared to 2.5-5 g daily for marine and bovine collagen), making it suitable for a range of finished dosage formats.

Study participants also reported reductions in fine lines and wrinkles, as well as improved facial skin tone evenness. It also protects against ROS-induced oxidative stress and UV(a) radiation-induced collagen damage, the company said. The clinically studies showed significant improvements in eight weeks.

Bruno said he was impressed with CollaBZen as a novel nutraceutical blend for improving skin hydration, elasticity and firmness.

“Multiple studies show how the ingredients in the product can promote collagen production which in turn may benefit skin health and aging,” Avena said. “We know that as we age our bodies produce less collagen for skin elasticity—which can lead to wrinkling and dryness. This product can be beneficial for those looking to improve their appearance with aging.”

Sports Nutrition Category

1st Place: Landkind

Gnosis by Lesaffre, Marcq-en-Baroeul, France, +33 681199717, www.gnosisbylesaffre.com

Landkind Pure Salidroside is supported by a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study conducted on healthy, active young adults. The study evaluated the short-term effects of biosynthetic salidroside supplementation on exercise performance, mood state, markers of inflammation and muscle damage.

“Landkind is an interesting ingredient, a fermentation product that provides salidroside, an ingredient that fights fatigue and enhances oxygen uptake,” Henig said.

Positive results show Landkind may enhance oxygen uptake during exercise, mitigate mood disturbances and help inhibit performance deficits due to fatigue. Salidroside is the considered to be the primary bioactive component of rhodiola.

According to the company, more than 700 scientific papers support salidroside’s use as a standalone ingredient. Several studies on rhodiola and salidroside have documented mechanisms of action such as modulation of energy substrate stores and use, fatigue and muscle damage reduction, and antioxidant status increase.

Landkind responds to consumers’ needs for sustainable and safe energy alternatives amidst a market saturated with conventional products. Recognizing concerns regarding the limitations of caffeine and sugar-heavy supplements, Gnosis focuses on a clinically proven ingredient created by fermentation.

According to the company, Landkind is produced via a sophisticated fermentation process, eliminating the need the harvest the endangered rhodiola species. This process is crucial to conserving the delicate ecosystems where rhodiola naturally grows. The fermentation process used a biotechnological approach, ensuring a high level of control over the production conditions, resulting in a consistent and high-quality product. Every batch of Landkind is meticulously tracked from the initial biotransformation to the final product.

“Salidroside has been shown to improve physical activity performance in a double-blind placebo-controlled study, which is able to prove its natural effectiveness,” Avena said. “The product competes with other non-natural supplements and is a great option for those seeking a higher performance in exercise or sports.”

2nd Place: PeptEndure

Gelita, Sergeant Bluff, IA, (800) 223-9244; (712) 943-5516, www.gelita.com

PeptEndure improves endurance exercise performance by positively influencing metabolic adaptation and running economy, not seen in any other protein source. Athletes experience benefits as they perform at higher speeds for longer times. For brand owners, PeptEndure creates opportunity for product differentiation in the sports nutrition market as it is the first-of-its-kind protein for endurance performance.

According to the company, sports nutrition brands focusing on endurance sports are limited to carbohydrates and energy supplements, which are consumed immediately before, during and after training or races. Sports nutrition brands lack a solution to help athletes prepare for a race: a daily supplement that enhances the effects of training to achieve best performance during the race. PeptEndure enhances the effects of endurance training and long-term performance.

Gelita produces PeptEndure from collagen proteins that are byproducts of the meat industry. The ingredients are pure, natural, carry a clean label and serve as the basis for high-quality nutritional supplements, the company said. It also contributes to Gelita’s core business model which follows a circular economy.

PeptEndure is the first performance-enhancing protein ingredient, empowering active individuals to improve their long-term endurance significantly. It is supported by gold-standard clinical studies conducted in both men and women. Its efficacy is underscored by compelling results from clinical trials where male participants experienced the ability to cover an additional distance equivalent to six football fields within a one-hour time trial, the company said.

Bruno said the research was impressive and agrees PeptEndure is a novel product for improving running performance and endurance capacity.

“It does a good job of separating itself from the protein masses, and it does have some engaging science demonstrating sustained energy and endurance during prolonged activity. It can help brands introduce endurance products to a new and emerging active consumer segment,” Hilton said.

Weight Management Category

1st Place: Actiz!ng

Nutraland USA, Irvine, CA, (949) 988-7615, www.nutralandusa.com

Actiz!ng is an extract of black ginger (Kaempferia parviflora), a traditional herbal medicine from Thailand. The naturally occurring black ginger polymethoxyflavones (BGP) are the active components related to fat loss. Human clinical research demonstrated BGP increased energy expenditure (i.e. fat burning) via brown adipose tissue activation. Two additional randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical trials demonstrated that 12 mg BGP daily significantly reduced abdominal fat.

There is a huge consumer demand for weight loss products. According to Yahoo! Finance, the global weight-loss supplement market is expected to reach a valuation of $101.83 billion by 2033. Furthermore, visceral fat is belly fat found deep with the abdominal cavity, which surrounds important organs such as the stomach, liver and intestines. It is visceral fat that causes the stomach to protrude and take on the “apple shape,” the company said.

According to the company, the Actiz!ng black ginger is planted by the Thai government in partnership with farmers. The farmers fertilize the soil to prevent diseases and pests in the traditional way (without chemical pesticides) to keep the black ginger pure and natural. The farmers also pack and ship it directly.

“Uniquely sourced in Thailand, and two clinical studies supporting the ingredient’s effect on adipose tissue and abdominal fat, in addition to ramping up the body’s fat burning capacity,” Hilton said. “In the weight-loss category, solid science is the foremost differentiator, and I think this ingredient has scientific credibility.”