NutraIngredients-USA Awards 2023: Meet the Ingredients of the Year!

Independent expert judges recruited by NutraIngredients-USA scored the entries on five parameters: demand, application and design, scientific merit, commercial success, and innovation and differentiation.

Here are the winners:

Beauty from within​

ZeroPollution​, Monteloeder​           

Zeropollution is an all-natural patented ingredient, with a combined formula of botanical extracts such as rosemary, olive leaves, Sophora japonica​, and Lippia citriodora​. Zeropollution offers complete skin protection from the inside, against damage caused by air pollution

Our judges said: “This category is one of the most competitive we’ve seen yet! We thought this ingredient stood out because it offers both anti-pollution and anti-aging claims. ZeroPollution is backed by good science as well as several commercial applications which is strong evidence this ingredient is an attractive active for manufacturers and consumers alike.”

Cognitive Function​

CognatiQ​, FutureCeuticals​

Sustainably sourced coffee fruit that combines the best of nature and science, CognatiQ supports brain health and improves daily, cognitive performance. The ingredient has been shown to work with our brain’s own natural pathways to increase BDNF levels, a key neuroprotein vital to our overall brain health.

Multiple clinical studies also show that CognatiQ improves measures of cognitive performance in human participants within hours and over time with daily use.

Our judges said: “CognatiQ has proven itself in a range of formats in the marketplace with established brands. In addition to its strong commercial success, the ingredient is supported by a broad research base encompassing structural changes in neurophysiological pathways, as well as outcomes like memory, errors and reaction times.”

A spokesperson for FutureCeuticals told us: “We are thrilled to be selected as a NutraIngredients-USA 2023 award winner and want to thank the judges and NutraIngredients-USA for this honor! The FutureCeuticals team has put much passion and effort into making CognatiQ a unique, substantiated cognitive health solution for the market. Winning this award is a recognition of the hard work and research that went into developing CognatiQ, and we are humbled to be the award recipient.

“We are looking forward to sharing the award news with the industry and seeing CognatiQ in more cognitive health support products in the future!”

Healthy Aging​

AlvioLife​, PLT Health Solutions​       

A patented composition of Boswellia serrata​ resin and quince fruit extracts, AlvioLife is designed to support a healthy respiratory system. It is reported to help maintain clear airways, soothe respiratory tissues and manage environmental irritants. AlvioLife has been clinically shown to support lower respiratory tract health. It has been shown, in two double-blind clinical trials, to improve lung function

Our judges said the ingredient, “speaks to an interesting story around air quality and climate, and has very high X-factor potential. The ingredient brings innovation to the respiratory health category at a low dose with novel mechanisms of action.”

Microbiome Modulation​

IMMUSE Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma​, Kyowa Hakko USA​ 

IMMUSE Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma (LC Plasma), is a unique strain of lactic acid bacterium, a postbiotic discovered and patented by parent company, Kirin. The ingredient is supported by over 30 clinical studies with support on immune health. Kirin's research found this to be the only strain to activate pDC’s (Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells) which is the pivotal leader of the Immune System and provides comprehensive immune support.

Our judges said: “In a very competitive category with lots of established ingredients, Kyowa/Kirin’s IMMUSE stood out as an interesting postbiotic product with a novel approach to supporting immune health. The ingredient is backed up by good science, including a clinical trial with school children. Despite only being on the US market for two years, IMMUSE is already formulated into a strong number of consumer products.”

In response, Karen Todd, VP of Global Brand Marketing, Kyowa Hakko USA, Inc., said: “We are so honored that NutraIngredients-USA values the rigorous clinical testing we’ve conducted to ensure IMMUSE’s efficacy. This is yet another testament to how critical it is that branded ingredients are clinically researched – that’s how we can prove that these products do what they say they do and earn consumers’ trust.”

Sports Nutrition​

EverPro​, Evergrain by AB InBev​      

Made from upcycled barley, EverPro is a soluble barley protein that offers a host of benefits including quality nutrition, a low carbon footprint, and fast absorption and digestibility.

The ingredient is ideal for sports and nutrition drinks as well as plant-based milks. Evergrain sees the ingredient as redefining the protein beverage, hydration, and energy drink space.

Our judges said that using spent barley for a high-quality protein supplement really delivered the ‘WOW’ factor.

“Not only is it a fully soluble barley protein made in the USA, but we were also impressed that Everpro has superior organoleptic features, 2x higher protein inclusion, a lower carbon footprint, as well as faster absorption and digestibility,” they added. “We also appreciated that EverGrain is running future clinicals on new functionalities.”

As one judge put it: “This is a potential game changer in the world of sustainable plant proteins, with the ‘green’ value, protein content and solubility setting it apart.”

Weight Management​

MOROSIL Sicilian blood orange, Moro variety​, Bionap USA​      

A standardized extract derived from a highly pigmented Sicilian blood orange, Moro variety. The collective pool of biophenols found in MOROSIL in particular work synergistically in counteracting fat accumulation in adipocyte tissue. The ingredient is supported by two clinical studies both exhibiting weight loss and reducing BMI along with waist and hip circumference. Both clinical studies were randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies.

Our judges noted: “The phytocomplex with high anthocyanins stood out as an important activity against fat accumulation. Overall, Morosil checked lots of boxes for the judges, including sourcing, sustainability, upcycling, as well as research commitment to both mechanism and outcomes.”

Tyler Ris, Vice President of Sales, North America, Bionap USA, commented: "Bionap is thrilled to receive the award for Ingredient of the Year: Weight Management for MOROSIL Sicilian Blood Orange. Bionap is focused on clinically-validated, sustainably produced ingredients from botanicals grown in Sicily in the areas surrounding Mt. Etna volcano. The nutritional profile of these ingredients is robust and unique, providing specific health benefits. MOROSIL Blood Orange has published clinical studies for weight management and been successfully utilized in leading nutrition brands in the U.S. and internationally. We're honored to receive this prestigious award.""