New publication demonstrates potential of Naxus® for alleviating IBD through gut microbiota alterations and increased butyrate production in mice
New publication demonstrates potential of Naxus® for alleviating IBD through gut microbiota alterations and increased butyrate production in mice
Press release
In the present study published in Molecules, the leading international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal of chemistry, the authors evaluated the potential positive effects of arabinoxylans (AX) contained in Naxus® on T-cell-dependent colitis. The findings of the study showed that Naxus® was able to induce peripherally induced Treg (pTreg) cells in the colon. This resulted in a reduction of T-cell-dependent chronic colitis due to the increased levels of butyrate-producing bacteria and luminal butyrate levels. These findings implicate that there could be a role for Naxus® in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
Naxus®: a product researched and developed by BioActor
NAXUS®, an arabinoxylan extract obtained from the endosperm of wheat and is known for its beneficial health effects.
Wheat arabinoxylans (AX) are, in turn, a type of non-starch polysaccharide found in the cell walls of wheat grains. AXs are typically composed of a linear β (1-4)-linked xylan backbone with side residues of a-1-arabinofuranose units attached via α-(1-3) and/or α-(1-2) linkage.
Several clinical studies have shown that Naxus® is a powerful and well-tolerated prebiotic which induces a positive effect on the immune system and blood sugar levels by modulating the microbiome composition and Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFA) production.
Effect of Naxus® on the Gut Microbiota Composition and Colonic Regulatory T Cells: in vitro and in vivo study
Introduction
The study was conducted by the group of Seita Chudan and the groups’ aim was to to understand the effect of wheat-derived arabinoxylan on gut microbiota, colonic regulatory T cells (Tregs) which are a specific subset of T cells that suppresses the immune response, and experimental colitis, this way, discussing the importance of a healthy gut microbiota and its connection to immune function and disease.
Many studies have looked at how AXs from wheat affect the bacteria and compounds in our gut, as well as a type of antibody present in the immune system called Immunoglobulin A (IgA).
However, not many studies have shown how AX might be helpful in treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), a condition that is characterized by inflammation of the GI tract. One recent study has looked at how AX might help with a type of IBD called DSS-induced colitis, but it’s still unclear if AX can prevent colitis.
Therefore, it is important to understand how wheat AXs affect the immune system and colitis, particularly in cases caused by the acquired immune system.
Methods
In this study, healthy and chronic colitis model mice were fed with food containing cellulose or Naxus® for 2–6 weeks and subjected to subsequent analysis of the gut microbiota composition and the number of colonic regulatory T cells in both groups.
Results
The results of this study indicate that Naxus® promotes the development of colonic pTregs and helps to reduce T-cell-dependent chronic colitis. The number of colonic regulatory T cells was significantly higher in the Naxus® group compared to the control group. These positive effects may be due to changes in the gut microbiota and increased levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), especially butyrate.
Table 1: Quantification of fecal SCFA in mice fed with food containing CE (cellulose) or AX (n = 8)
Butyrate is produced by certain bacteria in the Lachnospiraceae family, such as Eubacterium and Roseburia spp., Increases in Lachnospiraceae bacteria were linked to an increase in fecal butyrate concentration and a greater number of colonic Tregs in the Naxus®-fed mice.
In a T cell transfer model of chronic colitis, Naxus® was found to improve body weight loss and reduce colonic tissue inflammation, possibly through Treg induction. In addition, in this colitis model, wheat-derived arabinoxylan decreased TNFα production from type 1 helper T cells.
Therefore, Naxus® could be a useful prebiotic for preventing colitis by modifying the gut microbiota and shifting the metabolite production more towards butyrate.
Conclusion
This study shows that Naxus® has positive effects in a mouse model of chronic colitis. These improvements are linked to the alterations in the gut microenvironment by regulating the gut microbiota composition and increasing the number of colonic regulatory T cells, which could have implications for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and other immune-related diseases.
About BioActor
BioActor, based in Maastricht, Netherlands, is a product development company that has developed a range of proprietary bioactive ingredients for the nutrition & healthcare industry. The company focuses on the development of innovative activities that address active living and healthy ageing. The goal is to provide the nutrition & healthcare industry with science-based innovations that confer a real health benefit to the consumer.
Feel free to contact via info@bioactor.com for more information on the possibilities Naxus® has to offer.
Further information can also be found on: www.naxus.nl.
New Open Label Study: MicrobiomeX® shows increase in sleep quality and reduces sleep latency and number of awakenings during the night
New Open Label Study: MicrobiomeX® shows increase in sleep quality and reduces sleep latency and number of awakenings during the night
Press release
BioActor recruited 17 healthy men and women to assess their sleep quality and mental wellbeing after 28 days of supplementation of MicrobiomeX®. Self-assessed improvement of overall sleep quality and a lower reported number of awakenings per night were found after only 14 days of supplementation, indicating positive effects of MicrobiomeX® for one’s good night rests.
Sleeping problems and mental health
In the past few decades, an increasing amount of people do not meet the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night, and more people indicate to have sleeping problems. Sleep disturbances and its deprivation can have an impact on both physical and mental health. People with sleeping problems suffer more often from high stress levels and more negative moods.
Different medications to treat sleeping problems can cause dependency and addiction, and could even impair cognitive function. Although melatonin supplementation is effective, a more natural product instead of hormone supplementation may be preferred.
MicrobiomeX® is a natural extract from citrus fruit designed to beneficially modulate the microbiome composition in the gut. Since several studies have shown that the gut microbiome is associated with sleep quality and mental well-being, MicrobiomeX® could offer potential benefits for people with sleeping problems.
The active ingredients responsible for the beneficial effects of MicrobiomeX® are hesperidin (>80%) and naringin (>5%), two citrus flavonoids. These ingredients have already shown to be beneficial in gut health and immunity in several clinical studies.
Open-label Sweet Dreams study
Recently, BioActor has completed an open-label study with 17 healthy men and women from the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Italy, who consumed 500 mg of MicrobiomeX® per day for 28 days.
In this open-label study, we aimed to investigate the short-term (28 days) effects of 500 mg/day MicrobiomeX® supplementation on self-assessed sleep quality and mental well-being. Participants were included in the study if they were healthy and had indicated that their sleep could be improved.
The study results
During the study, participants had to complete an online questionnaire to self-assess their sleep and mental wellbeing, and a one-week sleep diary three times (at baseline and at 14 and 28 days). After they filled in the questionnaire and sleep diary at baseline, MicrobiomeX® supplementation started.
The results have shown that the participants experienced a significant improvement (P≤0.05) after 14 and 28 days of supplementation for sleep quality and awakenings: the overall grade of sleep quality was increased, and the number of awakenings per night were decreased. The time it took people to fall asleep (sleep latency) followed a downwards trend from baseline onwards, and after 28 days the difference compared to baseline was significant. Furthermore, sleepiness during the day and an active mood had not changed, indicating that MicrobiomeX could enhance sleep during the night, but did not affect daytime activeness.
* Sig (P≤0.05) compared to baseline.
It was demonstrated that the short-term supplementation with 500 mg/day MicrobiomeX® could result in significant beneficial effects on sleep related outcomes. A follow-up clinical study with a longer study duration could be meaningful in finding more interesting results that relate to mood and mental wellbeing. However, these first findings illustrate that MicrobiomeX® might play a role in the gut-brain axis and improving sleep.
About BioActor
BioActor, based at the Maastricht Health Campus, Netherlands, is a life science company that has developed a range of proprietary bioactive ingredients for the nutrition & consumer health industries. The company focuses on the development of plant-based health ingredients for active living and healthy ageing. The goal is to provide the nutrition & consumer health industries with clinically tested innovations that confer a real health benefit to the consumer.
Feel free to contact BioActor via info@bioactor.com for more information on the possibilities MicrobiomeX® has to offer.
Further information can be found on: www.microbiomex.com and www.bioactor.com
MEET US - Vitafoods Europe 2023
Visit us at Vitafoods Europe 2023
We are happy to announce that BioActor will participate in Vitafoods 2023, the trade show that offers the opportunity to find out the latest trends in the field of dietary supplements, raw materials, and food and to network with other professionals from around the world. Visit us at Booth F140.
Meet us at Booth F140
Our team can’t wait to meet you online from May 1st to May 12th, and in Geneva from May 9th to 11th.
You are welcome to come over for a coffee at our booth F140 to discuss new business opportunities and get an idea of how our science-based ingredient can help you achieve your product development goals.
Amongst the most exciting news, our team will be happy to present the recently concluded randomized clinical trials on our gut health and brain fitness solutions, MicrobiomeX® and Brainberry®.
Don’t miss it, we are looking forward to seeing you there!
Book a meeting!
Solabia acquires majority stake in BioActor
Solabia acquires majority stake in BioActor
Press release
Solabia strengthens its position in the nutrition market with the acquisition of a majority stake in BioActor, a leader in the development and commercialisation of clinically proven natural active ingredients used by leading food supplement brands.
Founded in 2011 and located on the Maastricht Health Campus, BioActor is an innovation leader in the development and commercialisation of clinically evaluated polyphenols extracted from edible plants and fruits and used by leading food supplement brands worldwide.
Thanks to an in-house clinical research team with direct access to a state-of-the-art clinical research facility and a genuine passion for innovation, BioActor’s health ingredients are all first-in-class, offering supplement brands the opportunity to develop unique solutions to consumers worldwide. BioActor currently exports to more than 20 countries worldwide, serving leading brands across the nutrition and supplement industries.
Solabia is already present in the nutrition segment through original ingredients recognized for their health benefits, including Algatech’s microalgae-derived active ingredients. This strategic investment will allow Solabia to benefit from a wider range of ingredients and from BioActor’s expertise, strengthening its nutrition division positioning on this fast-growing market, as customers increasingly look for high quality active ingredients that combine naturality with proof of efficacy.
This new partnership will also support BioActor’s continued focus on R&D and product development, as well as the expansion of its production capabilities, enabling the company to serve the increasing global demand for its products. BioActor will become a centre of excellence for innovation and clinical research within Solabia’s nutrition division and the combination will allow both companies to benefit from the combined network and expertise, as well as to access new marketing channels and an expanded customer base.
Hans van der Saag, BioActor’s founder and CEO, retains a minority share and his role as CEO of BioActor.
Commenting on the acquisition, Jean-Baptiste Dellon, Chief Executive Officer of Solabia, said:
“We are very impressed by BioActor’s dynamic team and innovation engine, and we are very pleased to welcome them to Solabia. BioActor’s pioneering R&D, impressive clinical research capabilities, market leading product portfolio and established customer base will allow us to further strengthen our position in the nutrition and food supplement markets. We are looking forward to working with BioActor to enhance growth for current product portfolio and accelerate the development of new ingredients.”
Hans van der Saag, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of BioActor, commented:
“We are excited to announce BioActor’s acquisition by Solabia. It marks a significant milestone for the company and the people behind its success, and it is an important step towards realising our mission to bring unique and clinically evaluated health ingredients to consumers worldwide. I am also thankful for the hard work and dedication of our employees. Together with Solabia, we are poised to extend the BioActor growth story as part of a larger organisation with an extensive global footprint, a shared commitment to innovation, research and development, and an unwavering focus on utilising the benefits of nutrition to elevate the health of all of us.”
About Solabia
Solabia is a vertically integrated manufacturer of natural active ingredients for the cosmetics, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and microbiology industries. With eight production facilities and multiple R&D centres, Solabia is a major player in the global cosmetics and nutraceutical ingredient markets with presence in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa. Solabia also produces culture media, supplements, detection kits for the food testing and pharmaceutical industries and for microbiology laboratories.
More information about Solabia can be found at: https://www.solabia.com/en
About BioActor
BioActor is an innovation leader in the development, and commercialisation of clinically evaluated polyphenols extracted from edible plants and fruits. Based at the Maastricht Health Campus at walking distance from the largest nutrition & health faculty of The Netherlands and the Maastricht University Medical Center, the Company has an in-house clinical research team with direct access a state-of-the-art clinical research facility. Since its inception in 2011, BioActor has developed 8 branded health ingredients, supported by more than 20 clinical studies. The company currently exports its products to leading brands in more than 20 countries worldwide across the nutrition, food and beverages industries.
More information about BioActor can be found at: https://bioactor.com/
For more information, please contact:
Solabia
Françoise Pestretzoff
Email: francoise.pestretzoff@solabia.fr
BioActor
Hans van der Saag
Email: hans.vandersaag@bioactor.com
Aronia Extract Brainberry® gains US patent for cognitive performance support
Aronia Extract Brainberry® gains US patent for cognitive performance support
Press release
BioActor’s Aronia Extract, Brainberry®, has been granted a US patent for supporting cognitive function. The patent protects the composition and dosage of the ingredient and serves as official recognition of its ability to boost brain fitness and performance, which was demonstrated in two clinical trials.
US Patent for Aronia Extract Brainberry®
BioActor’s Aronia Extract, Brainberry®, has been granted a US patent for supporting cognitive function and, specifically, for improving reaction time and attention.
The patent protects the composition and dosage of the ingredient and serves as official recognition of its ability to boost brain fitness and performance.
Brainberry® is an all-natural ingredient derived from Aronia Melanocarpa berries from the Baltics and standardized for 15% Cyanidin-3-O-galactoside content: a powerful bioactive able to cross the blood-brain barrier and exerts multiple brain fitness benefits.
The supporting research
The ingredient is supported by two randomized, double-blind clinical trials carried out by BioActor, one in mid-age and one in younger subjects.
The two studies demonstrated Brainberry®’s beneficial effect on cognitive functioning after low-dose long-term (6 weeks and 12 weeks) and short-term acute (7 days) consumption.
Researchers found that Brainberry® increases attention/concentration, reaction time, psychomotor function, and visual-motor coordination.
Moreover, it was demonstrated that a beneficial effect in maintaining optimal levels of BDNF, an essential protein for brain health that is involved in neuronal plasticity and neuroprotection mechanisms.
The clinical research so far conducted, revealed that both middle-aged individuals, young students and professionals can benefit from the daily consumption of a low dose of Brainberry®.
Two additional studies to further investigate the benefits and elucidate the mode of action of Brainberry® are ongoing, thanks to the Public Private Partnership established between BioActor and Maastricht University.
About BioActor
BioActor is a life science company based on the Maastricht Health Campus and dedicated to researching, developing and commercialising health ingredients addressing healthy ageing and active living. BioActor has a targeted portfolio of patented and branded health ingredients that are all based on food crops, clinically researched and produced in Europe.
For more info: www.bioactor.com or www.brainberry.eu
New Open Label Study: Bonolive® shows increase in skin quality and menopause-related quality of life in postmenopausal women
New Open Label Study: Bonolive® shows increase in skin quality and menopause-related quality of life in postmenopausal women
Press release
BioActor recruited 23 Dutch and Italian postmenopausal women to assess their postmenopausal symptoms after 28 days of supplementation of Bonolive®. Self-assessed improvement of symptoms and skin quality were recorded after 14 days of supplementation. Symptoms such as feeling bloated, feeling anxious or nervous, mood swings and nail strength improved significantly, highlighting the effects of Bonolive® to benefit women’s health.
Postmenopausal symptoms and quality of life
During each woman’s life, many hormonal fluctuations occur, and they have an important impact on their quality of life. During and after menopause, these fluctuations can result in symptoms that can severely influence day-to-day tasks.
For many women, menopause-related symptoms include irregular periods, hot flashes, sweating, trouble sleeping, mood swings, irritability, skin dryness, and more. A lot of solutions are available, but an increasing number of women prefers a natural option to treat these postmenopausal symptoms.
Bonolive® is an olive leaf extract standardized for high oleuropein content, a powerful phytonutrient unique to the olive tree that offers a natural way in the management of menopause in its different phases.
The benefits of Bonolive® have been assessed in several clinical studies, which demonstrated its positive effect on bone, joint and cardiovascular health, as well as its strong antioxidant properties.
Open-label study in Post menopause women
Recently, BioActor has completed an open-label study on 23 postmenopausal women in the Netherlands and Italy, who consumed 250 mg of Bonolive® per day for 28 days.
In this open-label study, we aimed to investigate the short-term (28 days) effects of 250 mg/day Bonolive® supplementation on self-assessed postmenopausal symptoms in healthy post menopausal women (45 – 65 years). Participants were included in the study if they were healthy postmenopausal (i.e. no menstruation for at least 1 year) women with age between 45 and 65 years.
The study results
Three times during the study (at baseline and at 14 and 28 days), participants had to complete an online questionnaire to self-assess their postmenopausal symptoms. After they filled in the questionnaire at baseline, they began their Bonolive® supplementation.
The results show that the participants experienced a significant improvement (P≤0.05) after 28 days of supplementation for specific postmenopausal symptoms: feeling bloated, feeling anxious or nervous, mood swings and night sweats. Furthermore, they indicated to notice and improvement in skin elasticity, skin hydration, nail strength and in energy and vitality.
* Sig (P≤0.05) compared to baseline.
Our consumer study demonstrates that short-term supplementation with 250 mg/day of Bonolive® results in significant beneficial effects on a wide range of post-menopausal symptoms. Therefore, we think that Bonolive® could be a meaningful addition to any nutritional supplement that aims to improve women’s quality of life during and after menopause.
After finishing her participation in the study one participant said:
“After Bonolive® supplementation, my skin is luminous and plumped too. My hair has fallen out less during this period. I would recommend Bonolive® to all my family and friends “
The participants reported that one of the advantages of Bonolive® is that it improved their skin quality and decreased their bloated feeling.
About BioActor
BioActor, based at the Maastricht Health Campus, Netherlands, is a life science company that has developed a range of proprietary bioactive ingredients for the nutrition & consumer health industries. The company focuses on the development of plant-based health ingredients for active living and healthy ageing. The goal is to provide the nutrition & consumer health industries with clinically tested innovations that confer a real health benefit to the consumer.
Feel free to contact BioActor via info@bioactor.com for more information on the possibilities Brainberry® has to offer.
Further information can be found on: www.bonolive.com and www.bioactor.com
MEET US - SupplySide West 2022
Visit us at SupplySide West 2022
We are happy to announce that BioActor will participate in SupplySide West 2022, the premier gathering of health & nutrition professionals bringing together buyers and suppliers from throughout the industry. Visit us at Booth #2450!
Meet us at Booth #2450
Our team can’t wait to meet you in Las Vegas on November 2nd and 3rd.
You are welcome to come over for a coffee at our booth #2450 to discuss new business opportunities and get an idea of how our science-based ingredient can help you achieve your product development goals.
We are excited to discuss our nootropic ingredient for focus, Brainberry® or our recent studies on our innovative gut health ingredient MicrobiomeX®.
Don’t miss it, we are looking forward to seeing you there!
Book a meeting!
Actiful® - New Publication Reveals Physical and Mental Health Benefits in Elderly
Actiful® – New Publication Reveals Physical and Mental Health Benefits in Elderly
Press release
A new randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with Actiful® was recently published in the Journal of Nutrition, Health & Ageing. The study investigated whether Actiful® improves physical fitness and mental well-being in healthy elderly. Additionally, blood biomarkers for oxidative stress and endothelial function were measured. Key findings of the study were an improvement in handgrip strength, a measure of physical fitness, and psychological functioning facets, such as thinking, memory, learning, and concentration.
The study
The new research, published in the Journal of Nutrition Health & Ageing, was conducted by researchers at Maastricht University led by Dr Freddy Troost in collaboration with BioActor, the developer and manufacturer of the branded ingredient, Actiful®.
Actiful® is a citrus flavonoid and pomegranate complex designed to boost vitality and support energy levels for an active lifestyle. The ingredient is standardised for its content in highly bioavailable 2S-hesperidin, an important citrus flavonoid which already showed in previous BioActor studies the efficacy in improving blood flow and sports performances in both highly trained and recreational athletes.
The new study investigated whether daily supplementation with 700mg of Actiful® would affect physical fitness and psychological functioning in a healthy elderly population.
As life expectancy increases rapidly, the elderly population is growing in numbers. Ageing is one of the main risk factors for a wide variety of diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline and reduced physical function. Therefore, strategies to support vitality in senior subjects are becoming increasingly relevant.
The methods
The study included 36 active seniors aged between 60-75 years old. The design of the clinical trial was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. All participants received both treatments and placebo: four weeks of supplementation with Actiful® and four weeks of supplementation with the placebo, separated by a washout period of 4 to 8 weeks.
During the intervention, participants completed the WHOQOL-100 questionnaire, a list of 100 questions created by the World Health Organisation and validated to assess the quality of life. In addition, a senior fitness test and handgrip measurements were performed, which are validated measures of physical performance.
Furthermore, nitrate levels were measured as a marker of endothelial function. Nitrate is considered an important signalling molecule involved in endothelial function by inducing vasodilation, leading to improved blood flow.
Oxidative stress was also evaluated by determining malondialdehyde (MDA) plasma levels. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in your body and can damage cells, proteins and DNA, contributing to ageing.
The results
The study results indicate that four weeks of daily Actiful® supplementation significantly improved handgrip strength in healthy elderly. Handgrip strength is an important measure of physical fitness associated with reduced all-cause mortality, as well as increased cognitive function, mobility, and functional status.
According to the researchers, a potential mechanism that might be associated with improving handgrip strength is improved mitochondrial function. In fact, the role of hesperetin – the main metabolite of Actiful®, in mitochondrial functioning, increased intracellular ATP production, and mitochondrial spare capacity was already observed in vitro.
“With age, the number and functionality of mitochondria decreases. Dysfunctional mitochondria have reduced the capacity for producing ATP – our muscles’ principal energy source. Therefore, the next step is to confirm the effect of Actiful® on mitochondrial biogenesis and functionality in humans in vivo”, the researchers commented.
In addition to the handgrip strength, also psychological function improved after the 4 weeks of supplementation with Actiful®.
Specifically, the researchers found a significantly higher score for the treatment group than the placebo in the thinking, memory, learning, and concentration facet. As the quality of life is an important factor in successful ageing, improved psychological functioning is deemed increasingly relevant.
MDA and NO3 were also analysed as a measure of oxidative stress and endothelial functions. After supplementation, plasma MDA decreased compared to the placebo, a sign of improved oxidative stress status.
Finally, higher production of NO3 was observed. NO3 is an important signalling molecule involved in endothelial function by causing vasodilation in smooth muscle cells and can contribute to improving blood flow and exercise capacity, as demonstrated in previous studies.
Overall, the study results suggest that Actiful® consumption results in improved physical performance and better quality of life, which are two crucial factors in successful ageing.
“We are pleased with the results of this clinical trial, which includes improvements both in physical fitness and mental well-being, as well as improved oxidative stress markers. These results have piqued our interest regarding potential underlying mechanisms of action, which are currently being investigated in our new clinical trial.” Commented Sanne Ahles – clinical researcher at BioActor.
Opportunity for innovation
Actiful® has been developed to support vitality and energy levels contributing to healthy ageing. The active ingredient can already be found in various products on the market worldwide. Actiful® is easy to formulate, and it can be added to a wide variety of dietary supplements in several convenient formats, including gummies, effervescent tablets, capsules, ready-to-use sachets and drinks.
About BioActor
BioActor, based at the Maastricht Health Campus, Netherlands, is a life science company that has developed a range of proprietary bioactive ingredients for the nutrition & consumer health industries. The company focuses on the development of plant-based health ingredients for active living and healthy ageing. The goal is to provide the nutrition & consumer health industries with clinically tested innovations that confer a real health benefit to the consumer.
Feel free to contact BioActor via info@bioactor.com for more information on the possibilities that Actiful® has to offer.
Further information can be found on: www.actiful.eu and www.bioactor.com
The effects of Hesperidin on exercise performance - New publication from BioActor in collaboration with Maastricht University
The effects of Hesperidin on exercise performance – New publication from BioActor in collaboration with Maastricht University
Press release
The review recently published in Nutrients was conducted by BioActor in collaboration with Maastricht University and examined the potential mechanisms through which hesperidin can improve exercise performance.
A review on hesperidin and exercise performance
Nutrients, a leading peer-reviewed scientific journal of human nutrition, has recently published a review about hesperidin’s effect on exercise performance. The research was conducted by M. Imperatrice, a clinical researcher at BioActor, in collaboration with the Maastricht University’s Department of Human Biology.
This review collects the results of randomized controlled trials (RTCs), animal studies, and in vitro studies providing more evidence on how hesperidin, a flavanone abundantly present in citrus fruits, could lead to enhancement in exercise performance.
According to the review’s results, hesperidin is able to improve endothelial function (via increased NO availability), inhibit ROS production, decrease production and plasma levels of pro-inflammatory markers, and improve anaerobic exercise outcomes (e.g. power, speed, energy).
“We are really proud to share the results collected in our review about the potential mechanisms linking hesperidin to enhanced anaerobic performance, namely improved endothelial function, reduced exercise-induced oxidative stress, and inflammation. For elite and recreational athletes, hesperidin could be a promising food supplement to optimize the oxygen and nutrient supplies of the muscles, stimulate muscle contraction, and enhance muscle recovery between training sessions. The ergogenic effects that hesperidin can bring to the spectrum of improved exercise performance are promising and should be investigated further. With our “Actiful 2” ongoing Clinical Study, we are going to deepen this knowledge by investigating both the effects of hesperidin supplementation on endurance exercise and on changes in intramuscular markers via skeletal muscle biopsies.” said M. Imperatrice.
BioActor’s interest in hesperidin has resulted in the development of two active ingredients. The first ingredient branded under the name WATTS’UP® and targeting sports performance has already been tested in two randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials, one with highly trained athletes and one with moderately trained subjects. The second ingredient goes under the name Actiful® and targets energy and vitality. This ingredient has already been tested in randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials, in elderly subjects, showing physical and mental benefits.
About BioActor
BioActor, based at the Maastricht Health Campus, Netherlands, is a life science company that has developed a range of proprietary bioactive ingredients for the nutrition & consumer health industries. The company focuses on the development of plant-based health ingredients for active living and healthy ageing. The goal is to provide the nutrition & consumer health industries with clinically tested innovations that confer a real health benefit to the consumer.
Feel free to contact BioActor via info@bioactor.com for more information on the possibilities WATTS’UP® and Actiful® have to offer.
Further information can be found on: www.wattsup.eu, www.actiful.eu and www.bioactor.com
New Open Label Study: Brainberry® shows cognitive and performance benefits in professional basketball players.
New open-label study: Brainberry® shows cognitive and performance benefits in professional basketball players.
Press release
BioActor recruited 35 professional Greek male and female basketball players to assess their cognitive and basketball-specific skills after an acute and one-week intake of Brainberry®. Notably, cognitive performance linked to focus, reaction time and hand-eye coordination improved acutely and following a one-week intake. Also, basketball-specific skills like shooting, rebounding and dribbling improved significantly, underlining the ability of Brainberry® to benefit sports performance.
Open-label study in professional basketball players
According to the F.I.B.A. (Fédération Internationale de Basketball), more than 450 million people play basketball worldwide, and about 70.000 of them are professionals. In the US, basketball is one of the most followed sports, and according to Statista, the National Basketball Association (NBA) generates about $6 to $8 billion in revenue per season.
Especially at the top level, nutritional strategies to improve cognition are key to succeeding in this sport. A professional basketball player needs to combine cognitive and physical skills and react to different situations during the game. Moreover, since players need to communicate with each other and their coach while performing, the cognitive load involved in this sport is massive.
Brainberry® is a nootropic ingredient developed by BioActor to help consumers improve their brain fitness in a natural and safe way. More specifically, Brainberry® is an Aronia berry extract from the Baltics, standardized for high levels of cyanidin-3-O-galactoside.
BioActor already conducted 2 double-blind placebo-controlled clinical studies which demonstrated cognitive benefits in middle-aged healthy individuals and in young healthy individuals.
Moreover, in a previous open-label study, Brainberry® improved cognitive performance of amateur gamers. The study revealed that gamers can benefit from the consumption of Brainberry® and improve their gaming skills such as eye-hand coordination and focus.
In follow up to these studies, BioActor now completed another open-label study on 35 professional basketball players in Greece, who consumed 65 mg of Brainberry® for seven days. Basketball is characterized by highly intermittent actions with changes in movement type every 1-2 seconds. Particularly at the highest level, the combination of gross and fine motor skills along with cognitive functions and psychomotor control is key to success. Female and male professional basketball players were selected from teams that participate in the first Greek basketball league.
The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of a daily intake of a capsule containing 65mg of Brainberry® on overall cognitive and basketball-specific skills.
The study results
During the three time points, Baseline (Time 0), Acute (Time 1) and 7 days (Time 2), the participants had to fill out a questionnaire with specific questions aiming at assessing cognitive skills, basketball-specific skills, mood, and sleep quality. At Time 0, the participants did not consume Brainberry®, in order to generate a baseline measurement for their self-reported skills during a basketball session.
The results show that the basketball players who participated in the study experienced a significant improvement (P < 0.05) from day one, in terms of cognitive: focus, reaction time and eye-hand coordination; and basketball-specific skills: shooting, rebounding, and dribbling. At the same time, no significant differences were found in their speed and quality of sleep was not affected.
*Sig (P < 0.05) baseline vs acute; **Sig (P < 0.05) baseline vs after 7 days and ***Sig (P < 0.05) acute vs 7 days
With this additional study, which highlights the ability to enhance cognitive and basketball-specific skills, Brainberry® taps into the sports nutrition segment, where already some sports nutrition brands have adopted the ingredient and formulated products targeting brain fitness for athletes.
Vasiliki Louka, a professional basketball player that belongs to the women’s national Greek team stated:
“Brainberry® surprised me in a good way. This month was really tiring and stressful, especially for the athletes competing for the national team. I felt more focused during my training and considering that Brainberry® contains only natural ingredients, it makes it an interesting choice.”
Furthermore, the participants reported that one of the advantages of Brainberry®, compared to the most common caffeine-based supplements that they have been using, is that Brainberry® did not affect their quality of sleep and, at the same time, helped them decrease their stress level.
About BioActor
BioActor, based at the Maastricht Health Campus, Netherlands, is a life science company that has developed a range of proprietary bioactive ingredients for the nutrition & consumer health industries. The company focuses on the development of plant-based health ingredients for active living and healthy ageing. The goal is to provide the nutrition & consumer health industries with clinically tested innovations that confer a real health benefit to the consumer.
Feel free to contact BioActor via info@bioactor.com for more information on the possibilities Brainberry® has to offer.
Further information can be found on: www.brainberry.eu and www.bioactor.com
