“We had a completely wonderful night celebrating another brilliant year of awards, in a beautiful location, with some of the brightest stars in our industry,” said Olivia Haslam, deputy editor of NutraIngredients.com.
“Whether it’s a commercial success, pioneering research, an innovative product, or a compelling initiative, winning an NI Award sets a company apart from the competition.
“The judging process is strict and thorough, so a massive congratulations to all our finalists and winners, this is a huge triumph in an extremely competitive space.”
The 16 awards were announced during a party hosted at the beach club and restaurant Agua Barcelona following a busy second day at the Vitafoods trade show.
And the winners and finalists are:
Ingredient of the Year: Beauty from Within
- WINNER: Belight3™, Activ’Inside
- Cerebiome® For Skin, Lallemand Health Solutions
- Beaulixir®, ROELMI HPC
The judges said: “Belight3 stood out for its thoughtful use of a natural, upcycled ingredient, supported by strong scientific validation. The judges appreciated how it effectively responds to the increasing consumer demand for solutions targeting hyperpigmentation. This innovation reflects a commendable alignment of sustainability, science and market relevance.”
Ingredient of the Year: Botanical
- WINNER: FenuSmart®, Akay Bioactives
- ElderCraft European Black Elderberry Extract, Iprona Lana
- Reducose®, Phynova
The judges said: “Fenusmart was chosen as a winner due to its strong research foundation and focus on an important area of need: supporting hormonal balance through the stages of menopause. The solution is highly appealing to the target population, addressing a large audience facing a significant burden with limited effective options. Additionally, Fenusmart aligns with current trends and has demonstrated impressive effects across three clinical trials, further highlighting its potential.”
Ingredient of the Year: Healthy Aging
- WINNER: AB-LIFE, AB-BIOTICS
- Lute-gen® [Lutein & Zeaxanthin], Bio-gen Extracts
- Ubiqsome® (Coenzime Q10 Indena Phytosome®), Indena
The judges said: “AB-LIFE was chosen as a winner due to its substantial clinical evidence over the past decade, demonstrating cardiovascular benefits, standing out as a probiotic. The research holds global potential, addressing an important focus in the cardiovascular field with a unique probiotic application.”
Ingredient of the Year: Microbiome Modulation
- WINNER: Gyntima Menopause, AB-BIOTICS
- IPROBia™ Totipro Postbiotics PE0301, Glac Biotech
- BIOintestil®, Targeting Gut Disease
The judges said: “AB-Biotics presented impressive research on Gyntima Menopause, the first probiotic blend shown to maintain estrogen levels by modulating the estrobolome. With estrogen essential for various bodily functions, including cardiovascular health, cognitive function, skin elasticity and mood regulation, Gyntima Menopause offers women a truly innovative natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), supporting hormonal balance during the menopausal transition.”
Ingredient of the Year: Mind and Mood
- WINNER: ProbioBrain™, Novonesis
- Safr’Inside™, Activ’Inside
- Cerebiome®, Lallemand Health Solutions
The judges said: “Novonesis’ ProbioBrain combines cutting-edge gut-brain research with strong market adoption. Backed by robust clinical evidence and advanced neuroimaging techniques, ProbioBrain enhances sleep, stress resilience and cognitive function. As a leading psychobiotic, it addresses key consumer health goals in Europe. This recognition solidifies ProbioBrain’s position as a reference point in psychobiotic research.”
Ingredient of the Year: Sports Nutrition
- WINNER: Weizmannia coagulans BC99, Wecare Probiotics
- Metabolaid, Monteloeder by Suannutra
- NUTRALYS® S85 Plus pea protein isolate, Roquette
The judges said: “Supported by eight clinical trials showing enhanced protein absorption and muscle quality, and improvements for stress and anxiety, and backed up by impressive commercial success over the past three years, Weizmannia coagulans BC99 stood out in a competitive category as a strong ingredient with benefits for sports nutrition beyond.”
Product of the Year: Beauty from Within
- WINNER: HECH NADH & Saffron Bioactives Emerald Elixier, HECH Europe
- The Solution, NutraQ
- MORE Skin Structure Formula, MORE Nutrition (Quality First)
The judges said: “HECH® NADH & Saffron Bioactives Emerald Green Elixier was recognized for striking a compelling balance between innovation and its potential to disrupt the market, particularly in the rapidly growing category of longevity-focused products. This entry reflects a keen understanding of evolving consumer interests, underpinned by a strong scientific foundation."
Product of the Year: Botanical
- WINNER: Meloff™, PharmExtracta
- Calocurb, Calocurb
The judges said: “Meloff, a product based on lemon balm, is supported by several studies, including two randomized controlled trials. Despite having been on the market for less than a year, Meloff stood out from the other entries for having clinical data on the actual product and documented benefits for sleep and mental health, both of which are increasingly important categories for consumers.”
Product of the Year: Immune Support
- WINNER: Bactoblis®, Bluestone Pharma
- ABB C1 Defense, DR Healthcare
- ImmunBalance, Velife
The judges said: “This product had strong scientific foundation and focuses on an important demographic: children and teenagers. It features a probiotic with a unique mucoadhesive delivery system that colonizes the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract, helping prevent and reduce respiratory infections. The product’s 11-year market presence with over 250 million doses sold underscores its credibility and impact.”
Product of the Year: Microbiome Modulation
- WINNER: Healthy Weight with Glucose Control, The Akkermansia Company
- Dentoblis®, Bluestone Pharma
- iNatal®, PharmExtracta
The judges said: “The Akkermansia Company had research into Akkermansia muciniphila that is able to advance our understanding of gut microbiota and metabolic health. As 5% of Europe’s population regularly uses GLP-1 drugs, pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila MucT offers a transformative solution by enhancing weight loss alongside GLP-1 drugs, reducing required dosages and mitigating side effects. It also addresses the critical issue of weight regain post-dieting. This heat-inactivated probiotic strain helps maintain normal blood glucose levels and supports healthy mucous membranes."
Product of the Year: Sports Nutrition
- WINNER: Perfect Base, ESN
- Greens & Protein, Vitalized BV
- Cardio Peak™, Life Extension
The judges said: “A supplement for endurance athletes is a welcome addition to the market. Perfect Base is an interesting formulation, combining collagen, creatine, amino acids and plant extracts. Its rapid market success during its first year on the market reinforces its performance credibility.”
Editors Award for Sustainability Initiative of the Year
- WINNER: Inavea caring by nature, Nexira
- Upcycle your whey to value, Arla Foods Ingredients
- GUARABEST - Guarana Agronomy Project, Givaudan
The judges said: “Inavea Caring by Nature, developed by Nexira, represents a gold standard in sustainability, combining environmental protection, social equity and proven health benefits. Aligned with four UN SDGs: Climate Action (13), Life on Land (15), Partnership for the Goals (17), and Gender Equality (5), Inavea Caring by Nature contributes to the Great Green Wall, restoring Africa’s degraded landscapes and transforming millions of lives in the Sahel. As the world’s first carbon-neutral acacia fiber, Inavea combines sustainable acacia sourcing with measurable outcomes. Having empowered 28,000 producers, 30% of whom were women, Inavea’s ambitious commitment to double these targets by 2030 proves that creating long-standing value at the source is within our reach.”
Marketing Initiative of the Year
WINNER: Peri-Paradox, Valerie
The judges said: “Raising awareness about perimenopause and menopause is crucial for women’s well-being. We commend Valerie for its innovative marketing initiative, Peri-Paradox, which creatively challenges societal norms, breaks taboos and encourages more open discussions about menopause. Campaigns like Peri-Paradox are essential in helping women thrive at any age.”
Innovation in Women’s Health Award
- WINNER: Probi® Female – a combination of LP299V® and Iron, Probi
- Lifenol™ is a branded ingredient for women’s healthy aging category in the global dietary supplement market. Lifenol™ is a hops extract, Givaudan
- GENANTE, S&R Farmaceutici
The judges said: “Probi Female takes a unique probiotic approach to reducing iron deficiency. This novel solution combines L. plantarum 299V with iron, enhancing absorption and reducing side effects, as scientifically proven in extensive clinical trials. With over 30% of women affected by iron deficiency, Probi Female addresses a critical unmet need, offering a more effective and tolerable iron supplement that empowers women to feel their best."
Nutrition Research Project
WINNER: Optimized Dry Blood Spot Methodology to Evaluate the Efficacy of Wellmune® a 1,3/1,6 Postbiotic Beta-Glucan for Innate Immune Training, The University of North Texas
- Formulated Palmitoylethanolamide Supplementation Improves Parameters of Cognitive Function and BDNF Levels in Young, Healthy Adults: A Randomised Cross-Over Trial, Gencor & University of Westminster
- Advancing Safety and Efficacy in High-Risk Botanicals: A Comprehensive Research Portfolio, SGS Nutrasource
The judges said: “This research project outlines a new minimally invasive methodology, developed and validated one step at a time with clear potential and applicability for a wide range of nutritional interventions. While dry blood spot methods are not entirely new, this particular project’s use of mRNA-based immune biomarker tracking in nutrition research is novel and adds a unique angle to the study.”
NutraChamp: Professor Francesco Di Pierro, Scientific Director, PharmExtracta S.p.A.
The judges said: “Professor Di Pierro has contributed substantially to the advancement of nutraceutical and microbiome science, evidenced by award-winning precision probiotic formulations, over 250 peer-reviewed papers and 400 scientific articles. He’s trained thousands of professionals and raised public awareness, contributing significantly to improved gut health and reduced antibiotic reliance. His innovative approach bridges science, industry, and public well-being, making him a true NutraChampion.”
Want to be involved in the next round? The NutraIngredients-Asia Awards are now open for entries - with an application deadline of June 16.