In an era where the pursuit of optimal health and mental performance is paramount, nootropics and nutraceuticals stand out as pivotal support elements in the health and wellness industry. People are becoming more knowledgeable about the benefits of nutraceuticals, driving companies to formulate with high-quality and safe ingredients to meet demand. Consumers want supplements, functional foods, and RTDs that cater to their personal wellness goals and fill potential nutrient gaps that may be missing from their diet. As a result, the global nutraceuticals market is projected to witness a remarkable CAGR of 5.8% annually, skyrocketing from a value of US$418 billion in 2023 to US$620.3 billion by the end of 2030.
What are Nutraceuticals?
Nutraceuticals are fortified food products that provide health benefits. Ingredients may be synthesized or sourced from food and botanicals or natural substances. They go beyond mere nutritional value and are consumed for their potential health benefits. Unlike pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals are regulated by the FDA as as dietary supplements. The benefits of nutraceuticals may include increased mental alertness, reduced feelings of fatigue, and more, based on the ingredients they contain and the science to support their benefits. Nutraceutical products comprise dietary supplements and genetically engineered foods.
What are Nootropics?
Within nutraceuticals is the exciting niche category of nootropics, which had a global valuation of $2.5 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to $4.4 billion by 2032 (CAGR of 6.3%). The health and wellness industry is seeing a dynamic landscape spurred by interest in supporting or enhancing cognitive performance. Nootropics, also known as cognitive enhancers, are substances that may improve cognitive function. For example, nootropics may increase and sustain feelings of alertness and overall positive mood for individuals. Other possible benefits include increased attention, focus and a reduction in feelings of fatigue. In response, the industry has introduced a wider array of convenient and enjoyable options, including beverages, shots, gummies, and infused foods.
The global reach of the nootropics industry is furthering due to e-commerce and an expansion in international trading and shipping, providing consumers with a wide selection of products from around the world. This globalization, mixed with R&D advancements and the rise in personalized nutrition, fosters competition, diversifies product options and enhances understanding and appreciation of nootropic supplements across cultures. Also, the nootropics market is being alchemized by more stringent regulations and higher quality standards, which promotes transparency and builds consumer trust.
Diving into Nootropics and Nutraceutical Ingredients
Most naturally sourced nootropics are provided by the plant kingdom. While OmniActives utilizes many plant-based ingredients, two popular nootropics are caffeine and Alpinia galanga.
Caffeine
Today, the most widely used and clinically studied nootropic is natural or synthetic caffeine. For finished product manufacturers looking for nootropic benefits of caffeine from a natural, clinically studied source, OmniActive offers Xtenergy. Sourced from the Coffea robusta plant, Xtenergy delivers caffeine in a more sustained release pattern, to limit the caffeine-crash/slump effect, typically associated with regular caffeine.
Since the nature of the caffeine formulation can directly influence the rate and extent of absorption of caffeine and its subsequent nootropic effects, OmniActive has formulated Xtenergy such that it releases caffeine in an extended, sustained format over a period of 6-8 hrs. The advantage of this innovative technological approach is two-fold: a] limits the “caffeine-crash” slump, which may include fatigue and tiredness b] avoids rapid increases in blood caffeine levels, possibly resulting in jitteriness and restlessness.
So essentially, Xtenergy can still deliver the benefits of a caffeine-based nootropic. Mechanistically, it still works as caffeine concerning alertness but without some of the limitations associated with caffeine.
Extract of Alpinia galanga
Interestingly, there is also a growing trend for plant-based nootropics that can deliver similar mental energy benefits of caffeine but are not caffeine. For these consumers, enXtra, our caffeine-free product, is ideally positioned as a plant-derived nootropic based on how it works and its supporting clinical evidence. enXtra comes from Alpinia galanga, a plant that is a routine part of ethnomedical practices of several tribal communities of Northeast India as well as Thailand and other parts of Asia and is still widely used today as a culinary spice.
Alpinia galanga has been studied for its nootropic benefits based on its ability to modulate neurotransmitter levels, oxidative stress, and neuronal cell integrity. Specifically in the context of enXtra, our mechanism of action points to its role in modulating levels of monoamine oxidase, dopamine, and acetylcholine (through acetylcholinesterase) to influence cognitive outcomes, such as alertness, focus, and attention.
3 Experiential Benefits of Nootropics and Nutraceuticals
Increases Overall Positive Mood
Our clinical data supports the relevance of Xtenergy as a nootropic, given its ability to increase and sustain feelings of alertness and overall positive mood, which coincides with the sustained release profile of Xtenergy.
Increases Mental Alertness
Similarly, we have several clinical studies supporting the nootropic benefits of enXtra, including a quick increase in mental alertness as soon as 60 minutes after supplementation, which is sustained up to 5 hours.
Increases Mental Energy
enXtra has been clinically shown to benefit other aspects of mental energy, e.g., it helps support focus, attention, and reduces feelings of fatigue when consumed acutely as a single dose and with daily supplementation.
The Evolution of Nootropics and Nutraceuticals
Our capabilities at OmniActive have allowed us to keep pace with consumer demands and trends for innovative plant-based nootropic ingredients and nutraceuticals that are safe to use and supported by clinical evidence.
OmniActive’s clinical studies are rigorously designed with the consumer’s needs in mind and carefully translated to ensure the data can adequately support claims that meet regulatory requirements. From a formulation perspective, Xtenergy can be easily incorporated into tablets, capsules, powders, and stick packs. Similarly, enXtra can be incorporated into multiple delivery formats, including tablets, capsules, powders, stick packs, gummies, chocolates, and RTDs. If you’d like to learn more about our innovative nootropics and how they can enhance your products, contact our team today!