The Benefits of Natural Antioxidants

by Angela Sabarese | August 2, 2021

Antioxidants provide a range of benefits allowing manufacturers to innovate based on consumer needs.

Natural antioxidants have become popular as food additives and supplements to promote health in a variety of ways—but what do they do for us? According to Medicalnewstoday.com, “Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals, unstable molecules that the body produces as a reaction to environmental and other pressures.” Oxidative stress caused by free radicals, they continued, has been linked to many serious health problems, such as heart disease, cancer, arthritis, stroke, respiratory diseases, immune deficiency, emphysema, Parkinson’s disease and other inflammatory or ischemic conditions. Therefore, antioxidants, often referred to as “free-radical scavengers,” can provide ample benefits to those looking out for their health. This has been especially crucial throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, during which interest in antioxidants has risen due to their immune boosting benefits.

Antioxidants can come from supplements, food sources and even from within our own bodies. Some of the types of antioxidants and their food sources, according to everydayhealth.com, include phytonutrients found in plants; anthocyanins found in blue and purple fruits and veggies, such as berries, eggplant, purple potatoes, carrots and asparagus; resveratrol, which is found in dark chocolate, red wine, peanuts and grapes; isoflavones, which are found in soybeans; lycopene, which is found in tomatoes and tomato products, pink grapefruit, watermelon and red peppers; and lutein, which is found in spinach, brussels sprouts, broccoli, lettuce, kale, artichokes and collard greens.

Vitamin and mineral sources of antioxidants, everydayhealth.com continued, include vitamins E and C, selenium, copper, manganese, zinc and iron. There are also enzymes that act as free-radical fighting antioxidants. Overall, eating a diet rich in antioxidant and supplementing with antioxidants can be a useful preventative measure against disease-causing oxidative stress.

Latest Trends and State of the Market

Health-conscious consumers are generally aware of the role that antioxidants provide in managing our health, immune system and inflammatory response. Jacqueline Rizo, content coordinator at Stratum Nutrition located in Carthage, MO, noted that “According to Market Research Future, ‘the global Natural Antioxidant Market size is projected to reach approximately 1.54 billion by 2027 and is expected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70 percent during the forecast period, 2019-2027.’”

Rizo also noted a growing trend away from synthetic antioxidants in favor of natural ones derived from fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices in order to avoid potentially harmful consequences. “There are several published studies indicating a relationship between the long-term intake of synthetic antioxidants and some health issues, such as skin allergies, gastrointestinal tract problems and in some cases increased risk of cancer. High doses of synthetic antioxidants may cause DNA damage and induce premature senescence … the use of natural antioxidants enables manufacturers to satisfy the demands of consumers for cleaner-label products with exclusive natural ingredients.”

According to Rob Brewster, president of Ingredients by Nature (Montclair, CA), “one function that is gaining more traction is their role in helping the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels. Hyperglycemia is associated with oxidative stress that influences increased insulin resistance and beta cell dysfunction of the pancreas.” In this way, antioxidants can be helpful for those struggling with diseases, such as diabetes.

In addition, Brewster noted that “The market for antioxidant ingredients and supplements has continued to experience higher levels of demand, influenced by the 2019 pandemic. This is because antioxidants are widely recognized for their ability to support balanced immune cell activity and are often turned to when experiencing challenges related to a dysfunctional or weakened immune system.” He continued, “I believe that we will continue to see a strong demand for antioxidants through this year and into the next, especially as the vaccine causes in-person interactions to increase, which will also increase the potential for a variety of health complications during which antioxidants may help to bolster the body’s defense mechanisms.”

Brewster has also noticed increased interest in “finding connections between antioxidant ingredients and the microbiome. There has been research that finds how certain antioxidant ingredients are able to benefit various kinds of microbiota, which of course would have long-lasting effects toward improving overall health.” Indeed, the immune system is directly linked to gut health, so if antioxidants benefit the gut, they will benefit overall health as well.

Rajan Shah, president of INID Research Lab, LLC, located in Cypress, TX, noted that the “Typical target markets for antioxidant supplements are those segments of the population who are interested in healthy aging, sports recovery and performance, immune support, alternative medicine and a balanced diet.” He continued, “Due to the current pandemic, interest in immunity boosting supplements has increased significantly. Over the years, antioxidants have been associated with providing immune support with some antioxidants being associated with boosting immunity. Recently published research and case studies have reported that those that have high cellular glutathione and associated high vitamin D levels are able to resist and survive this viral infection.”

In agreement with Brewster, Shah has also noticed that “Consumers are beginning to understand that the primary function of antioxidants is to neutralize free radicals inside cells … There is now a greater level of understanding among consumers that just because an ingredient is a polyphenol or quinone with antioxidant properties does not necessarily make it effective in capturing and neutralizing free radicals inside cells. Consumers are starting to select antioxidants that demonstrate in-vivo performance.” He stated that the ingredients currently faring best are vitamins C and E, glutathione and alpha-lipoic acid.

According to Zev Ziegler, vice president of brand & marketing at Lycored (Branchburg, NJ), a trend that he’s noticed is that “Astaxanthin derived from Haematococcus pluvialis algae is one of the most promising nutrients in the world today thanks to its remarkable antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have suggested natural algae-derived astaxanthin has immune and cardiovascular benefits, but most exciting is its effect on the aging process. Because it can fight off oxidative damage so effectively, it is thought that it supports the body’s natural response to stress and support healthy aging.”

In concurrence with Zeigler, Rizo also stated that “Astaxanthin (ASX) became very popular in 2011 after it was introduced by Dr. Mercola on the Dr. Oz show as the ‘No. 1 supplement you’ve never heard of that you should be taking.’ Since then, ASX has been mainly supplemented by consumers as a powerful antioxidant to help support joint health, athletic endurance, energy, cardiovascular health, brain health, eye health and beauty.”

Ziegler also pointed to using antioxidants for beauty related purposes, which may not be the first idea to come to mind for consumers: “There’s rising interest in the benefits of antioxidants for the link between health and beauty. There is increasing evidence to show carotenoids can be a valuable elements of a healthy skin care routine, with research finding a positive association between antioxidant levels in the skin and perceived attractiveness.” Lastly, Ziegler mentioned that “in addition to their role as powerful antioxidants that can help reduce the effects of inflammation and stress all over the body, we have seen an uptick in positioning carotenoids to support immune function through optimized blood circulation. By promoting healthy blood flow, increased oxygen saturation and the delivery of key nutrients to the tissues when and where they are needed, key carotenoids … can make good nutrition work even harder for us to help keep our bodies ready for whatever internal or external threats they face.”

Morris Zelkha, CEO of New York-based TriNutra has also noticed the health and beauty trend. “As more consumers are becoming vaccinated, there has been a resurgence of interest in beauty and skin health products, and antioxidants can deliver integral support. Because antioxidants help to fight against free radical damage, they can help to decrease the effects of aging on skin as per the free radical theory of aging that states that organisms age because cells accumulate free radical damage over time. Antioxidants also influence a balanced inflammatory response to delay inflammaging. Research has found that consumable supplements can achieve this, but we are beginning to see a rise in the number of cosmetic solutions using nutraceuticals for better skin health.”

Sevanti Mehta, president of Unibar located in Houston, TX, stressed that antioxidants should not be pigeonholed into one specific category. He noted, “certain carotenoids have received more attention lately because of their specific ability to target areas of the eyes for improved vision support. The pandemic didn’t just raise attention for immune health, it also created a situation that greatly increased the number of hours spent using digital screens, especially among people whose occupations or studies did not require much of their use beforehand—and consumers are feeling the effects. Demand for eye health supplements has grown and total market size is expected to exceed $2.5 billion by 2025.” One of the best solutions for this growing issue, he said, is Xanthophyllic carotenoids, which “deliver an efficient solution because the antioxidant activity of macular pigments helps to provide the eyes with blue light filtration and supports natural efforts against ocular damage.”

Antioxidants play a major role in various areas of health, from immune support to skin health to healthy aging to eye health. As a result, ingredient innovators have been paying attention to the latest trends, particularly as they have arisen due to COVID-19, and creating antioxidant-rich ingredients for consumers in response.

Beneficial Antioxidant Ingredients

There are a variety of ingredients that consumers can use to increase their antioxidant levels. Tim Hammond, vice president of sales & marketing at Bergstrom Nutrition (Vancouver, WA), shared the benefits of their ingredient OptiMSM, which has been on the market for more than 30 years. It is pure, safe and consistent in applications for “healthy aging, joint support, recovery and hair, skin and nails, all of which benefit from methylsulfonylmethane’s (MSM) antioxidant activity.” He noted that although OptiMSM is well recognized for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, “MSM is not a direct antioxidant. Research shows MSM appears to utilize a different mechanism that operates on an inner cellular level. This differing mechanism makes MSM a synergistic combination ingredient with recognized antioxidants.” In addition, research has shown that MSM reduces oxidative damage to cells and produces inflammatory markers.

According to Sam Michini, vice president of marketing & strategy at Deerland Probiotics, the company has recently launched its latest ingredient, MuniSpore Bacillus clausii CSI08, which is a probiotic with significant antioxidant activity. Michini shared that “More than 20 studies demonstrate and confirm the safety and efficacy of MuniSpore … [furthermore, it] has been shown to have an 877 Trolox equivalent score, which puts the TAC level of the probiotic MuniSpore significantly higher than that of a well-known lactobacillus probiotic strain. Trolox equivalents is a measurement of how much antioxidant activity is present.” The company also created their ingredient Solarplast, “an extract of organic spinach whose proprietary enzymatic process releases the spinach protoplasts, the compounds that provide powerful antioxidant activity. Solarplast provides more than two times the total antioxidant capacity of regular spinach, and the proprietary process enhances the absorption of the antioxidants contained in spinach by 33 percent.”

Ingredients by Nature, according to Brewster, created their Brewster brand citrus flavonoids sourced “directly from a variety of citrus fruits and formulated to total ORAC FN value and are measured against the most influential free radicals found, including hydroxyl, peroxyl, peroxynitrite, singlet oxygen and superoxide anion.” In addition, the company created the ingredient Eriomin, “which is comprised primarily of eriocitrin. [It] showed powerful antioxidant support in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. After 12 weeks, antioxidant capacity increased by 6 percent and lipid peroxidation decreased by 17 percent. The purpose of the study was to discover if eriomin could help support efforts to regulate blood glucose and thereby help manage a prediabetic condition.” He continued, “Improving antioxidant activity within the patients had the extended effect of helping to balance inflammatory biomarkers and improve insulin sensitivity, resulting in a decrease in unhealthy fasting blood glucose levels among all participants that consumed the ingredient.”

Ryan Wories, director of marketing at FutureCeuticals located in Momence, IL, discussed the company’s ingredient Spectra, which was “developed to emphasize the credibility of antioxidant claims.” He elaborated, “In the antioxidant market, fruits and vegetables were traditionally measured by their antioxidant capacity or potential using in-vitro chemical assays such as ORAC values or ‘Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity.’ In over 15 years of clinical research, the data has demonstrated that Spectra targets all five major types of free radicals in the body. [It] has been shown to inhibit free radicals, support efficient cellular energy consumption, optimize cellular metabolism and support a healthy immune response.” The company has also recently launched Phyto-C, a plant-based antioxidant complex that delivers 11 superfoods and immunity protection. [It] helps consumers protect their overall health with antioxidants at an efficacious dose. He continued, “Phyto-C provides an excellent source (20 percent RDI) of vitamin C and is standardized to 15 percent polyphenols, antioxidant compounds from plants that deliver broad-spectrum protection. It also contains clinically researched botanical ingredients shown to neutralize free radicals, protect against cell damage and support cellular efficiency.”

INID Research Lab, LLC’s ingredient Glyteine, according to Shah, has been gaining increasing consumer acceptance since its release in 2019. “The published clinical study demonstrating its unique ability to rapidly raise cellular glutathione above homostasis in a single dose is the obvious reason for its growing popularity,” he said. “Glyteine is a very versatile ingredient and has potential applications in a wide range of areas such as healthy aging, sports nutrition, sports recovery and immune support.” The company is currently developing more Glyteine-based delivery forms such as capsules and an expanded range of powder formulations for specific market segments, as well as cosmeceutical skin care products.

Carotenoids, according to Zeigler, have been at the heart of Lycored’s work since the company’s inception in 1995. “Our first ever product was Lycomato, which immediately established us as a leader in the research and development of carotenoid-based products,” he stated. “Lycomato contains carotenoids including lycopene as well as tocopherols and phytosterols, which are all naturally abundant in tomatoes. Lycopene is a carotenoid that has been found to offer a wide range of benefits including cardiovascular health, vision health and bone health.” Lycored has recently increased their range of natural astaxanthin products with the launch of an oleoresin as well as a microencapsulated starch beadlet, which means that they can now offer soft gels, beverages and dry mixes in addition to tablets, hard-shell capsules, chewable tablets, gummies, nutritional bars and more.

Lycored has also been focused on the skin care segment. “We began 2020 by publishing a landmark study on ingestible skin care showing that our hero tomato-based ingredient, lycopene, builds up a ‘reservoir of goodness’ to help protect skin and nourish radiance from the inside out.” In tandem, they launched a new wellness app called “littleglow,” which “encourages users along their personal wellness journeys by delivering weekly Mind, Body or Spirit activities—or ‘pops’—that help build a holistic balance of healthy habits to feed the way we look and feel.”

The company also offers Cardiomato, “a proprietary mix that includes our carotenoid-rich tomato extract and a blend of phytosterols that work together synergistically to deliver a wealth of benefits, such as helping to keep blood pressure within the normal range and supporting a healthy circulatory system,” as well as “Lycoderm, which contains the antioxidants lycopene, phytoene, phytofluene and carnosic acid, which correlate to a significant increase in carotenoid levels in the skin and improves the skin’s resilience to environmental challenges.”

Stratum Nutrition, according to Rizo, offers VitaSperse, a microemulsion technology. She noted that “The benefits of antioxidant supplements can often be limited by several factors. These ingredients are often prone to degradation, and they are poorly absorbed through the intestinal wall which limits their bioavailability. To help overcome these obstacles, the company’s VitaSperse technology enables even dispersion of fat-soluble ingredients, such as CoQ10 or astaxanthin, into water-based liquids.”

Rizo continued, “VitaSperse combines two techniques proven to enhance absorption in the body: emulsification and micro-sized particles, yielding a microemulsion, [which] helps improve stability of the antioxidant as well as enhance absorption through the intestinal wall.” The company also offers their branded astaxanthin ingredient, NatAxtin ASX, which is produced via supercritical CO2 extraction by Atacama Bio Natural Products S.A. located in the Atacama Desert.

TriNutra launched their ThymoQuin ingredient, consisting of their Nigella sativa (black seed oil) standardized to 3 percent thymoquinone. Black seed oil, according to Zelkha, “has been used for thousands of years and has strong antioxidant capacity to help support the body’s efforts to maintain a strong immune system and healthier, more vibrant skin.” Their most recent published research studied the effects of ThymoQuin when combined with omega-3 oil. “The combination displayed synergistic mechanisms that helped to improve the inflammatory response, mitochondrial function and metabolic health biomarkers of obese mice. Unique to this combination, measured benefits far exceeded the capabilities of either ingredient when consumed alone.” Furthermore, due to the ingredient’s ability to support skin health, the company also launched their B’utyQuin black seed oil for cosmeceutical applications at the beginning of 2021.

Unibar, which has been combining ayurvedic tradition and knowledge with modern science for more than 20 years, began developing branded antioxidant ingredients with their two patents on Garcinia cambogia. In addition, “many of our ingredients have strong antioxidant capacity, including curcumin and various plants rich in polyphenols such as guava leaves, holy basil and Amla-Indian gooseberry. We also have two distinct carotenoid ingredients that deliver exceptional eye health support.” One of the company’s most popular ingredients for ocular health is CapsiClear, the first-ever eye health ingredient to be standardized to 50 percent capsanthin, which was proven to improve intraocular pressure (IOP) in subjects after only 10 days—and after 28 days, IOP returned to normal levels compared to the control group. “This research is so important because CapsiClear, like some other carotenoids, provides strong antioxidant support to the retina to protect against blue light exposure and improves macular pigment optical density.”

Clearly, the natural ingredients industry has been reacting to consumer trends with their most recent innovations. Taking supplements containing these antioxidant ingredients can significantly improve health and help to prevent serious illnesses.

Advice for Manufacturers

There are a few key pieces of advice that manufacturers should keep in mind when selecting antioxidant ingredients for their products. Brewster said, “I think that good supporting research and promoting multi-faceted benefits from antioxidant activity is key to standing out in a crowded space. While consumers are beginning to learn that there is more to antioxidants than immune health, there is a need to better educate the effects of antioxidants to protect health and improve wellbeing.” Furthermore, “While any supporting research is good and valuable, it’s most important to provide human clinical data and, if possible, to make sure some of the research is collected by establishing gold-standard trials. This means that they are randomized and provides a control group to compare results against. Also, the less bias you can bring into the trial, the more credible it will be.”

Shah explained, “Manufacturers need to select antioxidants that have the proven ability to enter cells and react with free radicals … [they] may need to more closely study the science backing such antioxidant ingredients.” In addition, he noted that “A major challenge is that the communication space is limited and crowded with antioxidant ingredients, including plant extracts containing antioxidants. The presumption is that the market will just accept that any antioxidant must be good for them … [this] can result in consumers losing confidence in antioxidants if they do not experience the anticipated benefits or become confused with mixed messaging. We have chosen not to go down that path, but rather rely on an education-based marketing strategy to inform the public about the science backing Glyteine.”

Likewise, Ziegler noted that “To achieve widespread appeal, it’s essential that antioxidants have scientific backing, but many consumers today also want all ingredients to be natural, sustainable and plant-based,” and in the beauty category, “the due diligence process from suppliers and manufacturers is equally rallying around the quality story of the product.” The past year, Lycored has focused on spreading positive connections through inviting the global community to write anonymous short notes of encouragement and distributing them to those who needed it most. In addition, they “kicked off the new year by teaming up with Wanderlust for their 10-day virtual yoga challenge, inviting their global audience to write a heartfelt note to a stranger. We also hosted virtual wellness retreats for those in our industry and gathered words of wisdom and encouragement on a virtual message board for graduating students who couldn’t enjoy their normal celebratory milestones.”

Rizo mentioned that “Consumers don’t fully recognize the differences between antioxidants and their mechanisms of action. There is an understanding that antioxidants are good for them, but branded companies need to continue educating consumers regarding the different properties and uses of various antioxidants and carotenoids.”

Stressing that innovation is key, Mehta posed the question: “How is your research presenting new data that hasn’t been seen before? Antioxidants are recognized for helping to protect the body against free radicals, so the research should show the ingredient’s efficacy in being able to do so.”

Wories explained, “Plant-based antioxidants that demonstrate antioxidant action via clinical research are the most likely to gain consumer trust. Antioxidant products lose credibility when they market benefits that go beyond what clinical research can support. Lately, consumers are overwhelmed by claims in the antioxidant market and are looking for transparency. Products that can demonstrate clinical credibility and efficacy stand out.”

All in all, manufacturers should keep in mind that although consumers have become more aware of antioxidant benefits, further education is still needed. Using all-natural, plant-based ingredients will gain manufacturers favor in the industry over unnatural products, and human clinical studies are necessary to prove safety and efficacy. NIE