The 2025 NutraIngredients Awards winners announced!
In May, the NutraIngredients Awards recognized standout contributions across the nutrition and health industry in its 11th annual competition.
In ingredient categories, judges awarded Activ’Inside’s Belight3 for its solution for hyperpigmentation, while Akay Bioactives’ FenuSmart impressed with its clinical support for hormonal balance.
AB-BIOTICS won two awards, one for its cardiovascular focused probiotic AB-LIFE, and another for Gyntima Menopause, its estrogen-supporting probiotic. Novonesis took home the Mind and Mood award for its clinically proven psychobiotic, ProbioBrain, while Wecare Probiotics’ BC99 claimed victory in Sports Nutrition.
On the product side, HECH Europe’s NADH & Saffron Elixir stood out in beauty-from-within, PharmExtracta’s Meloff won for its sleep-enhancing botanical formula, and The Akkermansia Company earned recognition for its microbiome-based weight management solution.
ESN’s Perfect Base was also selected for sports product of the year, and Bluestone Pharma’s Bactoblis impressed with its immune support for children.
Nexira’s Inavea won the sustainability award for its impact in Africa, and Valerie’s Peri-Paradox campaign was honored for reshaping menopause conversations. Probi received the Innovation in Women’s Health award for its iron-enhancing probiotic, while the Kerry with the University of North Texas was selected for advancing nutrition research using mRNA biomarker tracking.
Finally, the judges named Professor Francesco Di Pierro this year’s NutraChampion for his lifelong contribution to nutraceutical science.
Companion product opportunities: 5 charts explaining the GLP-1 consumer
Recent exclusive data from Lumina Intelligence identified key GLP-1 drug users, how they’re driving demand for personalized health solutions, and where nutrition brands can lead with innovative offerings.
The data showed that about 6% of consumers across nine countries (including the US, UK, and major EU and Asian markets) currently use GLP-1 drugs, opening clear opportunities for companion products. An additional 10% have used them in the past two years and now focus on maintaining weight loss, often seeking alternatives and supportive products to stay on track.
The data identified two key user segments: Current users who often deal with side effects such as gastrointestinal issues; and past users who are now focused on weight maintenance.
The research also found that most users are aged 25 to 44 and hold high-income or management positions. Their main health concerns were found to be sleep, mental health, and stress management.
Synbiotic shows promise for chronic fatigue syndrome
New research found that a daily synbiotic blend may ease symptoms of post-COVID-19 chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).The study published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that participants who took the synbiotic reported less post-exercise malaise and showed increased levels of brain metabolites like creatine and choline.
Lead researcher Sergej Ostojic from the University of Novi Sad explained that the synbiotic which was made up of four probiotic strains, fructo-oligosaccharides, and zinc, appeared to support people with CFS, especially those with gut-related symptoms. The research team linked the observed benefits to improved gut microbiota balance, enhanced brain energy metabolism and reduced inflammation.
The trial involved 26 post-COVID-19 CFS patients who received either the synbiotic or a placebo for three months. Although both groups reported reduced general, physical, and mental fatigue, the synbiotic group experienced a greater drop in post-exercise malaise, as well as showing trends toward better concentration and significant increases in brain creatine and choline levels.
From muscle to mind: How creatine could benefit women’s health
Creatine’s wide-ranging benefits beyond athletic performance and muscle recovery gained attention following Dr. Darren Candow’s presentation at the 2024 Creatine Conference in Munich, as he emphasized its role in improving bone health, cognition, sleep and mental health in women across multiple life stages.
Candow emphasized that when creatine is combined with exercise, it enhances lean body mass, strength, endurance andbone strength, as well as reducing fat and improving cognitive function. However, women remain significantly underrepresented among creatine users, many avoiding it due to lingering myths about weight gain and “bulking.” However as Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan clarified during the conference, women typically do not gain weight from creatine, especially at normal dosages, attributing the fear to outdated, male-centric marketing.
Experts shared how creatine offers significant benefits across various life stages for women. During perimenopause and menopause, it may help alleviate common symptoms like fatigue, poor sleep, muscle and bone loss, and brain fog; It has been found to improve mood, cognition, and bone structure, particularly when paired with resistance training, and may enhance quality of life by boosting energy and exercise motivation; and in pregnancy, preclinical studies have found that creatine could support fetal development.
‘Next-gen’ nutrition: AG1 launches reformulated daily greens powder
Global nutrition company AG1 launched an upgraded version of its daily health drink in what Kat Cole, AG1’s CEO, described as the brand’s “most significant innovation yet.”
The new formula features an enhanced methylated B complex, added vitamins and minerals, and five clinically studied probiotic strains: Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus casei, and Lactobacillus plantarum. The current product now includes over 75 ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, herbs, antioxidants, superfoods, mushrooms, adaptogens, and pre-and probiotics.
Cole emphasized the importance of clinical validation, stating that AG1 is raising the standard for scientific rigor in supplements. Originally launched as Athletic Greens in 2010, AG1 has been continuously reformulating its daily powder to align with emerging scientific evidence, having conducted four randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials. The company reportedly plans to invest more than $20 million in research over the next three years.
