Winner of the Sports Nutrition Product of the Year NutraIngredients Award 2025, ESN (Elite Sports Nutrition) has a constant and impressive innovation pipeline.
Speaking to NutraIngredients as entries open for the 2026 awards, Mike O’Leary, head of product at the firm, said the award win was “an enormous sense of pride across departments and boosted morale, reinforcing their commitment to innovation.”
ESN has since expanded its innovation pipeline significantly.
A few highlights include ESN Sleep (with ZMA complex, plant extracts, L‑glycine, Myo‑inositol), Crank Pump Pro 2.0 (an upgraded stimulant-free, pre-workout formula incorporating the active ingredient CitraPeak, a highly soluble and bioavailable form of hesperidin), Perfect NRGY Gels (an effective dual-carb matrix with 20 grams of carbs and a hydration complex) and new flavor extensions of the ESN Designer Bars.
O’Leary noted that the company continue to closely follow key consumer trends, including demand for plant-based, hydration and cognitive health products, as well as clean and transparent ingredient lists. While ESN uses these surface-level trends as foundation, it takes a deeper diver to inform its innovation strategy.
“When we talk about plant-forward performance nutrition we’re not purely discussing plant-based formulas, but hybrid solutions that balance amino acid completeness with sustainability,” he said.
When it comes to electrolyte and hydration science, again the brand is looking beyond sodium and potassium, and exploring trace minerals and adaptogens for “real-world performance enhancement”
“Our goal is to optimize how the body absorbs and retains fluids under real-life training conditions,” O’Leary said. “We’re working with precise electrolyte ratios, osmolality profiling, and functional carbohydrate combinations to enhance fluid transport and reduce fatigue, especially during long or high-intensity sessions.”
As with hydration, the R&D team is looking beyond traditional expectations when it comes to Energy NPD.
“We are going beyond the quick-hit stimulation that floods the market,” he said.
“Our innovation is aimed at creating real, usable energy formulations that support cellular energy production, nutrient utilization and sustained alertness without overloading the central nervous system. We’re developing products that harness metabolic efficiency, not just dependency on heavy stimulants.”
The impact of an NI Awards win
ESN took home the NI Award for its Perfect Base endurance line of products, which contain collagen peptides, amino acids, plant extracts and creatine.
The panel of expert judges noted the line’s “interesting and impressive” combination of ingredients and that its rapid market success during its first year on the market reinforced its performance credibility.
Discussing the award win, announced during a ceremony in Barcelona in May, O’Leary said that winning was a validation not just of one product but of the company’s entire philosophy—“science-driven, transparent and made for real athletes.”
“Externally, it strengthened our brand credibility in both B2B and consumer channels,” he added.
“We’ve since highlighted the award across our digital platforms, partnerships with elite European athletes, retail partnerships and trade communications as a symbol of trust and innovation excellence. We see these awards as more than just recognition; they’re a benchmark for innovation and quality within our industry.”
Describing how the team worked to develop a strong case for a win, he said:
“The application process was a true team effort. Our R&D, product, marketing and communications departments collaborated closely to present ESN’s story with Perfect Base in a way that truly reflected the science, innovation and passion behind it.
“The process itself was meticulous, ensuring every claim was backed by data, lab validation and consumer insights, but it was also incredibly rewarding.”
NutraIngredients Awards 2026
The NI Awards 2026 are now open for entries and the Early Bird Discount ends on Dec. 5. There are 17 categories available to enter with the final deadline for entries on Jan. 26.
Finalists will be announced on Mar. 25 and winners will be announced and awarded their trophies at an awards evening in Barcelona on May. 6.
