The New Jersey-based botanical ingredient supplier showcased its update at Vitafoods Barcelona last week (May 5-7).
Speaking to NutraIngredients at the show, the team revealed it partnered Twin Arbor Labs to independently validate the analytical methodology developed by Laila Nutra, the India-based supplier partner of Xeya.
The method quantifies total shatavarins by isolating and measuring four distinct shatavarin compounds.
“Herbal regulators are more strict, customers are being careful what they put in their bodies, and brands are rightly careful about the ingredients they use,” Eric Withee, director of brand and business advancement, told NutraIngredients.
“NXT USA has come up with a validated method that any lab can use to ensure our customers feel comfortable in what they are putting in their products.”
Eric Anderson, the firm’s managing director, said this level of third-party verification is missing from the market, yet is increasingly essential as demand grows for transparent, science-backed botanical ingredients in women’s health.
Rising demand for the queen of herbs
Known as the ‘queen of herbs’, shatavari, from the asparagus family, is a renowned Ayurvedic herb primarily used to support women’s reproductive health, balance hormones, and improve fertility.
Withee explained the ingredient is both “very old and very new at the same time” as it is a traditional herbal ingredient that has “blown up on the market”.
This is a result of the wider trend for women’s health supplements. UK-based retailer Holland & Barrett recently reported a 22% year-on-year uplift in sales for products that support pregnancy, fertility, menopause and hormones.
He noted the importance of evidence for safety and purity has become clear in light of growing questions related to ashwagandha in the European market.
“When an ingredient is blowing up quickly it is important to ensure it does so scientifically and transparenctly in order to stay ahead and ensure no safety concerns arise,” he said.
NXT USA’s research into Xeya Modern Shatavari back the extract’s propensity to support perimenopausal women with a range of common hormone driven symptoms.
“Clinical results are only as meaningful as the material behind them,” Anderson said. “Partnering with Twin Arbor Labs allows us to independently confirm that every batch of Xeya Modern Shatavari meets the same standards used in our clinical research. This is how we uphold our commitment to delivering ingredients that are not only effective, but also verifiable, reproducible, and trusted by our partners.”
Research backs Digexin’s microbiome MoA
The firm further spotlighted the completion of an independent microbiome study into Digexin, its proprietary botanical ingredient designed to support digestive comfort and stress-sensitive gut function.
The yet to be published study was conducted by ProDigest, a global leader in gastrointestinal research, using advanced ex-vivo human colon simulation models to investigate how Digexin interacts with the gut microbiome.
The team said results demonstrated Digexin drives beneficial fermentation patterns associated with digestive health without promoting undesirable metabolic byproducts.
The study utilized ProDigest’s validated SHIME upper gastrointestinal model followed by the Kinetic Colon-on-a-Plate system, an advanced human colon simulation designed to replicate microbial fermentation dynamics under physiologically relevant conditions.
Rather than simply stimulating fermentation, results suggest Digexin is selectively utilized by gut microorganisms, driving beneficial microbial metabolism rather than nonspecific or proteolytic fermentation.
“We already know Digexin delivers real relief for people dealing with irregular bowel movements, bloating, gas and especially constipation,” said Anderson. “This study helps explain why—showing that Digexin engages the gut microbiome in a way that promotes butyrate-forward fermentation and balanced microbial metabolism. It reinforces Digexin’s multi-pathway approach to digestive health, without relying on fibers or live bacteria.”
