Baltic Brainfuel: Discover the health and sustainability behind the Nero Eggert variety of Aronia berries
Baltic Brainfuel: Discover the health and sustainability behind the Nero Eggert variety of Aronia berries
Discover the world of Aronia berries, where health and sustainability intertwine in the extraordinary Nero Eggert variety. With its exceptional nutritional profile and eco-conscious characteristics, this superfruit is a beacon of wellness for both individuals and the planet. Learn more about the reasons Aronia berries are superfruits and about the ever more special Nero Eggert variety.
Aronia berries: Sustainable health-enhancers
Aronia berries are small dark fruits that are becoming increasingly popular amongst health-conscious consumers as they have excellent content in micronutrients and strong antioxidant properties. Moreover, they have many health benefits.
Apart from providing numerous health benefits, Aronia berries are also interesting from an environmental perspective, thanks to some unique characteristics of this plant.
This is particularly true for the variety called Nero Eggert, selected by BioActor to produce the active ingredient for brain health, namely Brainberry®.
Join us, while we dive into the reasons why Aronia berries are considered superfruit and why the Nero Eggert variety is especially great.
We visited Mr. Eggert, who spent more than 30 years on creating the Nero Eggert variety. Watch the video below:
Aronia Berries: Reason they are excellent for health and sustainability reasons
1. Full of nutrients and anthocyanins:
Aronia berries are more than just berries – they’re nutritional powerhouses. Packed with vital vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibers, these berries contribute significantly to your overall well-being. However, their true power lies in their antioxidant content, particularly the anthocyanins. These antioxidants play a pivotal role in combating oxidative stress and supporting cellular health.
2. Multifaceted health benefits:
Aronia berries have diverse health benefits. From bolstering cardiovascular health to enhancing cognitive function, these berries offer a holistic approach to health.
3. Embracing sustainability:
What truly sets Aronia berries apart is their minimal impact on the environment. Unlike resource-intensive crops, Aronia plants thrive on modest water consumption and natural pest resistance, making them a responsible and sustainable choice for environmentally-conscious consumers.
Nero Eggert variety: What sets it apart from other Aronia berries?
1. Sustainable harvesting methods:
Meet the Nero Eggert Aronia variety – a game-changer in sustainable agriculture. With unique low-reaching branches, this breed helps with harvesting practices. Not only does it yield more fruit per land area, but it also provides reduced land usage, striking a balance between productivity and ecological responsibility.
2. Flourishing amidst harsh climates:
Witness nature’s resilience through the Nero Eggert variety. Flourishing even in freezing temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius, these berries naturally rejuvenate during harsh winters, eliminating the need for chemical interventions. This adaptation showcases the variety’s capacity to coexist harmoniously with the environment.
3. Abundant in anthocyanins:
The Nero Eggert variety’s high anthocyanin content is a testament to its ability to thrive under stress. The challenging climate it thrives in stimulates the production of these antioxidants, making every berry a valuable source of natural health support.
4. Bee-friendly:
Beyond its health and sustainability attributes, the Nero Eggert Aronia berry plays a vital role in the ecosystem. Its extended flowering period provides nourishment for bees during their lifecycle, promoting biodiversity and exemplifying the variety’s contribution to preserving nature’s balance.
Nero Eggert Aronia Berries: A blend of health and sustainability
The Nero Eggert Aronia berry seamlessly intertwines health benefits and sustainable practices. For this reason, we have chosen this unique fruit as the base for our Brainberry® extract, which has been clinically validated to boost your cognitive performance.
Feel free to contact BioActor via info@bioactor.com and visit www.brainberry.eu and www.bioactor.com to learn more about Brainberry® or click here to learn everything you need to know about Brainberry® and brain health.
MEET US - Vitafoods Asia 2023
Visit us at Vitafoods Asia 2023
We are happy to announce that BioActor will participate in Vitafoods Asia 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 C41.
Meet us at Booth C41
If you’re looking for natural ingredients with verified clinical support to elevate your product development according to consumer needs, make sure to visit our booth! Our nutraceutical solutions guarantee success based on three fundamental principles: clinical efficacy, innovation, and high quality.
Vitafoods Asia 2023 offers an incredible opportunity to participate in discussions concerning our recently completed clinical trials, consumer studies, and collaborative endeavors!
New Clinical Data
Pass by our booth to learn about our recent trials on MicrobiomeX® for gut health, Brainberry® for cognitive performance or Actiful® for mitigating risk caused by harmful AGEs linked to chronic diseases.
Other than clinical data, we are happy to discuss the outcomes of our recent consumer research that delved into the effects of Bonolive® on postmenopausal symptoms.
New Collaboration
Vitafoods Asia also offers us a chance to chat about out new collaboration with PIXIENCE to test and validate an innovative skin imaging and testing technology in the context of a clinical study with a nutritional bioactive.
Solabia Nutrition
At Vitafoods Asia, we will be present under the flag of Solabia Nutrition, also showcasing our microalgae offering from our sister company Algatech. This includes their Astaxanthin and whole algae ingredients.
Book a meeting!
The importance of clinical research: An interview with BioActor's in-house scientists
The importance of clinical research: An interview with BioActor’s in-house scientists
Interview
In the world of clinical research and scientific exploration, BioActor stands out as a leading company dedicated to the development of health ingredients. At the forefront of BioActor’s research and development (R&D) efforts are Sanne Ahles and Maria Imperatrice, two certified clinical research scientists who play vital roles in the BioActor’s R&D initiatives. In this interview, Sanne and Maria provide insights into their responsibilities, experiences, and the challenges they face in their pursuit of scientific advancement.
Could you introduce yourself and your role within BioActor?
Sanne: My name is Sanne Ahles and I am a clinical research scientist at BioActor. In addition, I am a PhD candidate at the Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences at Maastricht University. I obtained my master’s degree in biomedical sciences after my internship at BioActor, after which I started working as a researcher.
Within BioActor, I am responsible for the research regarding our product Brainberry®, mainly focused on cognitive performance and vascular function. Over the years, I have designed, performed, analyzed, and reported various clinical studies, as well as written a systematic literature review.
Maria: My name is Maria Imperatrice and I also work as a clinical research scientist at BioActor. My research focus is Healthy Ageing and I’m currently performing two studies, Actiful2 and FEMMED, on two of our ingredients (Actiful® and Bonolive®) to evaluate their effect on exercise performance and postmenopausal symptoms, respectively.
I obtained my Bachelor Degree in Biology and my Master in Human Nutrition at the University “Federico II Di Napoli” in Italy, and my second master’s degree in Human Movement Sciences, with a specialisation in Sport and Nutrition, at Maastricht University.
At BioActor, we highly value clinical research because it plays a crucial role in providing evidence-based ingredients. What does clinical research entail and what do you like about it?
Sanne: Clinical research entails many different processes. This includes idea formation and initial literature searches, finding collaborations, obtaining ethics approval, practical work, data analyses, writing reports and papers, and communicating our results at national and international conferences.
Maria: A very interesting part for us is the ideation of the study. At BioActor we highly value innovation, which is why before starting a new clinical trial, we sit in brainstorming sessions with the R&D, marketing and sales teams to try to find white spaces in the current knowledge that can be of interest for the common public and different health domains. Once we find an interesting and never explored topic, the investigation can start.
Could you briefly take us through the process of a clinical trial?
Sanne: First, we initiate the idea formation process by brainstorming ideas that are relevant to customer questions or explore new areas of interest. Next, we perform literature searches to look for relevant papers, available data, and discover white space; topics that have not yet been researched.
Then we reach out to a collaborator, usually a professor at a University, to work with on developing a protocol for ethics review.
Maria: Once we obtain ethics approval, we dive into the practical phase of the clinical trial. This involves engaging with participants through visits where we collect data. This includes not only traditional data that we can extrapolate by collecting blood samples, but also performing tests to evaluate outcomes like reaction time, exercise capacity and mental flexibility.
It’s an interactive and rewarding experience that brings our research to life and allows us to better understand how our ingredients contribute to improving human health and develop evidence-based solutions. Afterwards, we analyze the data, draw conclusions, and share our findings through peer-reviewed publications. It’s a cool journey from start to finish!
Which of the above do you enjoy the most as a scientist?
Sanne: I enjoy collaborating with other companies or academic institutes! It’s such an incredible opportunity for us to broaden our knowledge and take our research to the next level. The energy and creativity that come from working with diverse teams is truly great.
Maria: The practical side of our work is always interesting! Collecting data means we get to perform visits with participants, and trust me, it’s never boring when you’re involved in a human study. The hands-on experience and the constant interaction with people make it such an exciting and fulfilling part of our job.
What is the biggest challenge in designing a study?
Sanne: In my opinion, the biggest challenge in designing a study is obtaining ethics approval, which is a rigorous and time-consuming process. We meticulously prepare documents explaining our research goals, methodology, and participant recruitment.
The ethical committee thoroughly reviews these documents, granting final approval for each aspect of our research.
Maria: I agree! Obtaining ethics approval is a significant challenge. However, this process is crucial for upholding ethical standards and protecting participant rights.
It also adds credibility to our research, fostering trust and allowing our findings to have a greater impact. Despite the challenges, navigating the ethics approval process is vital for conducting valuable and ethically sound research.
What is the best part of working at BioActor as a scientist?
Sanne & Maria: Being a scientist at BioActor is truly rewarding due to the chance to collaborate with a dynamic and passionate team of international colleagues. Within BioActor, we also see other aspects of the company besides R&D.
Our weekly company meetings allow us to really understand the bigger picture of the company and understand what each department entails. Consequently, we explore different facets of the company and gain valuable insights beyond our specific research and development focus.
BioActor: Using clinical science as the key to innovative ingredients
Sanne Ahles and Maria Imperatrice exemplify the passion and dedication that drive BioActor’s pursuit of finding new health effects of ingredients and advancing scientific innovation. From ideation to practical implementation, data analysis, and knowledge dissemination; they are pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge and embracing the multidisciplinary nature of their work. Sanne and Maria contribute to BioActor’s mission of creating innovative and impactful solutions for a healthier life.
Why should you consider making a gummy supplement?
Why should you consider making a gummy supplement?
Gummy supplements are on the rise as people look for a convenient and tasty way to add essential nutrients to their diet. Gummies are a great alternative to capsules and pills for individuals looking for supplements that are not hard to swallow. In this article, we will discuss the advantages of gummy supplements over traditional supplement formats and the factors to consider when choosing a gummy as a supplement.
Tablets as dietary supplements
Recently, there has been a rise in people’s interest in their well-being by using nutritional supplements. This has resulted in a 12% increase in the production of supplements in 2020.
The most common forms of supplements are tablets and capsules, which are convenient, easy to use, and widely available.
Tablets are a solid form of supplement that is typically round or long in shape and can range in size from small and easy to swallow to larger and more difficult to swallow.
Tablets are made by compressing the active ingredients together with other inactive ingredients such as fillers, binders, and lubricants. These ingredients help to give the tablet its shape, size, and consistency and may also affect how the supplement is absorbed and used by the body.
Capsulated supplements
Capsules are another common form of supplement that is made by enclosing the active ingredients in a gelatin or vegetarian shell. Capsules can be filled with powders, liquids, or oils and come in a variety of sizes and shapes.
Both tablets and capsules have advantages and disadvantages depending on the individual and their needs. Tablets are often preferred by people who prefer a solid form of supplement and are more affordable than capsules.
However, what both forms of supplements have in common is that they are generally not liked for their taste. The demand for supplements that are nice to take is growing, which is why gummy supplements are on the rise.
The rise of gummy supplements
Gummies are a type of food supplement that provides essential nutrients that might be lacking in one’s regular diet. They are becoming increasingly popular in the food supplement industry due to their combination of health benefits and sweetness. Gummies are also a great option for individuals looking for vegan, gluten-free, or lactose-free products.
Manufacturers of functional gummies use natural and organic raw materials in their production, making them more appealing to quality-conscious consumers. These gummies typically contain gelatin, corn starch, water, sugar, and added colorings.
Gummies contain active ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, probiotics, antioxidants, and amino acids that can have positive effects on various aspects of health, including digestion, immune system function, cardiovascular health, and mental well-being.
Why choose gummies over pills?
– Gummies are a versatile form of supplement that can be used for many different purposes. They can help prevent digestive, sleep, and skin problems, treat vitamin deficiencies, and boost the immune system.
– Studies have shown that gummies are more effective than pills or tablets at delivering nutrients to the body. This is because the nutrients in gummies are dissolved in a liquid gelatin base, which makes them more easily absorbed by the body. As a result, gummies can be a more efficient way of supplying essential nutrients and provide a significant advantage over traditional supplement formats (1).
– Gummies are a convenient and tasty way to add vitamins and minerals to your diet. They’re becoming increasingly popular as a simple and easy way to supplement your diet with micronutrients, offering an enjoyable alternative to traditional supplements.
– The soft and chewy textures of gummies make them a great option for people who struggle with swallowing pills or capsules.
– Unlike traditional tablets or pills, gummies come in a variety of delicious flavors that can make taking supplements a more enjoyable experience. By taking vitamin gummies formulated with essential nutrients, individuals can avoid vitamin deficiencies and supplement their diet.
– Incorporating gummies into your brand can help you stand out from traditional supplement companies and offer consumers a unique and enjoyable option for improving their health.
Factors to consider when creating a gummy supplement
Creating high-quality gummy supplements requires careful consideration of the ingredients used. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
– Look for ingredient suppliers that provide options with minimal sugar content or natural sweeteners as alternatives. This ensures that the final gummy product aligns with consumer preferences for reduced sugar intake.
– Prioritize sourcing pure and natural ingredients for your gummy supplements. Consider using natural sources for colors and flavors to enhance the appeal and marketability of the product.
– Incorporate ingredients that offer a significant amount of dietary fiber per serving. Fiber not only adds nutritional value but also promotes digestive health and supports a strong immune system, making your gummies more appealing to health-conscious consumers.
In conclusion, it is important to look for gummies with natural and pure ingredients, as well as sweeteners or with a minimal amount of sugar. Having these factors in mind, consumers can find gummies that not only taste good but also provide essential nutrients and health benefits.
Creating a gummy supplement for focus and brain health
BioActor’s Brainberry® is a great example of an ingredient that can be used in a gummy. It has a low daily dose of only 65mg and has been clinically validated for cognitive performance, focus and hand-eye coordination.
It’s an extract from Aronia berries and if you want to find out more: Here’s everything you need to know about Brainberry® and brain health.
Discover YAMAMOTO’s Success Story
Learn how YAMAMOTO integrated WATTS’UP® into their products, driving remarkable success.
Ways to increase focus in students
Ways to increase focus in students
Studying can become an overwhelming task due to focus loss. However, the good news is that there are plenty of productive ways to improve your focus. Planning tasks beforehand, practicing meditation, exercising and also changing your eating habits are just a few things you could do as a student to gain that extra kick of focus.
Focus loss in students
The process of studying can become a quite challenging task for students these days. A lot of effort is needed to concentrate on study materials for various reasons such as information load, distractions, lack of focus and other external factors.
Students however tend to overlook the obstacles they face and therefore get used to bad studying habits. These lead to physical and mental fatigue making studying an unattainable goal.
Why do students lose their focus?
Even if the end of the pandemic has alleviated students from isolation, online courses, and reinstated interaction with their peers; it has also distorted their focus when following courses on academic grounds.
Distractions caused by social media are an important reason for focus loss. This is because the use of mobile phones and the internet is an integral part of their daily life, especially since it has become the primary communication tool these days.
Bad eating habits and unstable sleeping patterns can also lead to the loss of focus. Most students tend to “make their lives easier” by avoiding nutritious meal preparations and thus consuming unhealthy snacks and food options.
Also, studies have shown that students have an overall poor sleep quality consisting of disrupted and short sleep patterns (1). These factors can all affect mental health and the ability to concentrate leading to nonproductive behaviors (2).
How to increase your focus as a student
The good news is that there are plenty of productive ways to improve your focus as a student.
First of all, a planner might narrow the overwhelming feeling and help reach achievement when starting a new task by maintaining effective schedules. This will also reduce anxiety and stress and will eventually improve concentration and productivity.
Practicing mindfulness and meditation can also help with building focus. Taking short breaks in between study sessions will aid with clearing your mind. This is vital to mental health and concentration.
Another way to enhance focus is brain training. The brain benefits from regular exercise and there are ways to specifically train your brain. Memory games, sudoku and word searchers are a successful way to stay off your phone while activating different parts of the brain and boost your concentration.
These are all exciting tips, but did you know nutrition and eating patterns also have an influence on your ability to focus?
Foods that can improve your focus
Nutrition affects your brain performance. There are foods known for improving attentiveness when incorporated in one’s daily diet. Berries, fatty fish, nuts, and eggs are just some options which have shown to have great effects on brain health (3).
While diet is key to a healthier lifestyle, students often find it difficult to retain a nutritious diet due to preparation time and costs. While keeping in mind that healthy balanced diet is essential, adding supplements is a way to boost your nutrient intake!
Essential vitamins and minerals
Supplements are an effective way to get the vitamins and minerals you need. Omega-3, vitamin D, C & B12 and magnesium are good options for memory and concentration and have been found to contribute to overall enhanced concentration and focus.
In fact, studies have shown that people with a low Vitamin B12 and D intake show a poor learning ability (4).
Anthocyanins
Fruits containing antioxidants are highly necessary to be included in your diet, especially when willing to boost your focus. More specifically, a category of antioxidants shown to have beneficial effects related to focus are anthocyanins. These anthocyanins have been associated with increasing cognitive performance in several studies.
Anthocyanins are antioxidants better known for giving fruits and vegetables a distinctive blue, purple or red color. (5)
Examples of antocyanin-containing fruits are blueberries, cherries, red grapes, and black plums. However, one of the highest concentrations of anthocyanins has been found in Aronia Melanocarpa, also known as the black chokeberry.
Aronia Melanocarpa contains high levels of the anthocyanin Cyanidin-3-0-Galactoside which has been shown to have effects on brain health and cognition. (6)
Curious to know more about the anthocyanin Cyanidin-3-O-galactoside? Click here!
Boost your focus with these tips
Studying properly is a skill that is learnt over time. Being able to concentrate on studying is an integral part of this skill. However, by integrating the above-mentioned techniques in your daily lives, you can certainly get an extra boost of focus and allow yourself to come close to your ideal studying practice.
Everything you need to know about Brainberry® and brain health
Everything you need to know about Brainberry® and brain health
We constantly use the brain to make decisions, to coordinate our movements, to focus and to memorize thousands of things. For this reason it is of utmost importance to make sure our brain is healthy. Every day we learn more about the brain and about how important it is to support our brain’s health. In this article, we will discuss what brain health is, why it is important, and how an ingredient like Brainberry® can help you support it.
What is brain health and why is it important?
The brain is a massive network of neurons, that accounts for 2% of our body weight. It is a very active organ that makes a ton of decisions on a daily basis, and despite its weight, it uses up to 20% of our total oxygen per day!
Other than oxygen, the brain needs a lot of nutrients to keep processes running, even when we are not awake. These nutrients are important to keep the brain healthy, meaning that it can function across cognitive, sensory, social, and motor domains. A healthy brain allows a person to live life to its fullest potential, which is why it’s important to keep your brain healthy.
How can you support brain health?
There are plenty of ways to keep your brain healthy. It has been shown that regular exercise is beneficial, but also that enough sleep is good to keep a healthy brain. Both staying socially involved and staying mentally active are also good for brain health and have been shown to ward off depression and stress.
Another way to support your brain health is by improving your gut health. The bidirectional communication system between your gut and brain is called the gut-brain axis and research has shown that gut bacteria and their metabolites affect brain health.
Moreover, your diet plays an enormous role in brain health. The Mediterranean diet is seen as supportive to a well-functioning brain because it includes a wide variation of nutrient-providing foods. Examples of these are seafood, fruits, vegetables, and olives.
Also supplementing with specific compounds can be a useful approach to support brain health. Berry anthocyanins are an example of specific compounds that can exhibit a beneficial effect on brain health and function.
More specifically, Aronia Melanocarpa berries, rich in anthocyanins, have been shown to provide health benefits on immune health, cardiovascular function, and brain health due to their antioxidant properties.
What are Aronia Melanocarpa berries?
Aronia berries are little dark fruits that belong to the Rosaceae Family. They are native to north America but are mostly grown in the Baltic region of Europe, where it was introduced in the first half of the 20th century.
As the locations where the plant is cultivated suggests, the Aronia plant is a low-demanding plant and thrives in harsher and colder regions.
What are the health benefits of Aronia berries?
Aronia berries have a lot of health benefits. They contain high levels of vitamin C, but the main reason they are healthy is due their high level of polyphenols, anthocyanins and proanthocyanins, which are all types of antioxidants. In fact, they contain one of the highest levels of antioxidants among all berries.
The main reason antioxidants are considered to be healthy, is because they can help to prevent free radicals from damaging the body’s cells. The health benefits of Aronia berries include strengthening the immune system, improving cardiovascular health, and improving brain health. For this function, they are considered a superfruit (1, 2).
Among the anthocyanins in Aronia berries is the phytocompound cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, which is a key molecule for brain health.
What is Cyanidin-3-O-Galactoside?
Several health benefits of Cy3Gal, also known as Idaein, in humans have been researched due to its excellent antioxidant capacity as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties (3). However, the brain health benefits might be the most interesting aspect of Cy3Gal.
Cy3Gal is a water-soluble molecule, which can cross the blood-brain barrier. Consequently, it can exert a health benefit on several brain regions, including the cortex, cerebellum, and hippocampus.
What brain health benefits are associated with Cyanidin-3-O-galatoside?
Cy3Gal can cross the blood-brain barrier, which allows it to impact brain health in multiple regions of the brain. Firstly, in the hippocampus, Cy3Gal can lower the activity of acetylcholine esterase. As a result, acetylcholine is broken down at a slower rate, resulting in higher levels of this neurotransmitter. This leads to improved neuronal signaling.
In mice, Cy3Gal has been shown to relieve neuronal damage in the hippocampus and cortex and there is evidence that Cy3Gal may improve cognitive function (3, 4).
One of the most interesting effects of Cy3Gal is that it can increase the activity of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which has many beneficial effects.
What is brain-derived neurotrophic factor?
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a protein highly expressed in the central nervous system and especially in the brain. It promotes the growth of neurons, more specifically the dendrites and dendritic spines. This supports the hippocampus, a brain region good for learning and long-term memory. BDNF is also involved in repairing brain damage.
An ideal ingredient to target brain health is the Aronia Melanocarpa extract Brainberry®.
What is Brainberry®?
Brainberry® is an Aronia Melanocarpa extract that is standardized for high levels of Cy3Gal. It is designed to enhance cognitive performance and brain fitness and it has been clinically tested in multiple studies.
Brainberry® contains high levels of Cy3Gal, which makes it an interesting ingredient for brain health formulations to target benefits mentioned before. Even more so, because Brainberry® has been clinically tested in several studies that are further described in its White Paper.
It has been shown that Brainberry® has beneficial effects on cognitive performance, such as attention and psychomotor speed, executive function, and memory. Moreover, effects on vascular function and cardiometabolic risk markers were investigated.
Provided its health benefits, Brainberry® is an interesting ingredient for a wide variety of consumers, such as athletes, gamers and students.
How can Brainberry® support athletes?
Power, endurance and focus are important during sports. Increasing psychomotor speed and hand-eye coordination is an important goal for many athletes. For this reason, there is a diverse collection of products focused on increasing these parameters.
Pre-workout formulas are an example of this. These products are consumed by athletes from all disciplines briefly prior to their workout or training. The goal of consuming these types of formulas is to enhance acute exercise performance (5). Brainberry® can increase focus, psychomotor speed and mental flexibility, which is why it is a good ingredient for a pre-workout formula.
Additionally, Brainberry® has been demonstrated to significantly enhance cognitive performance in 35 professional basketball players. It also improved basketball-specific skills like shooting, rebounding, and dribbling.
How can Brainberry® help gamers?
Gaming requires many skills, such as visual-spatial skills that allow you to analyze, recognize, and rapidly respond to changes on the screen. Besides, gaming sessions can last for hours, which means enhanced attention and focus are crucial.
Brainberry®’s high levels of Cy3Gal, which improves focus and psychomotor control, make it a relevant ingredient for gaming supplements.
This is further supported by a consumer study done with Brainberry® in young, healthy e-gamers. In this study, Brainberry® significantly improved relevant measures for gaming performance, such as hand-eye coordination, focus, reaction time and energy.
How could students benefit from Brainberry®?
There is a lot of pressure on students to perform well during their studies while also being involved in a social environment. They study for entire days, especially during exam periods.
Coffee seems to be a common good for students in these periods, but did you know there are quite some substitutes for coffee that don’t have the downsides of causing stress, anxiety and sometimes sleeping problems?
Brainberry® could be an interesting solution for students that want to stay focused on their studies, but don’t want the well-known caffeine-rush later followed by a crash in energy levels.
That’s because Cy3Gal, the hero-component of Brainberry®, is a powerful antioxidant that supports brain function and focus, without the sometimes-troublesome side-effects of caffeine.
Other benefits of Brainberry®
Except for being clinically proven to enhance psychomotor speed, focus and attention, Brainberry® has other benefits as well. It is 100% natural as it is extracted from high-quality Aronia berries from the Baltics.
The dosage of Brainberry® is very low at 65 mg and it does not contain any stimulants that are usually associated with undesired side effects. This makes Brainberry® a healthier option compared to many stimulants.
The bioavailability of Cy3Gal is very high, which means it is rapidly absorbed by the body. Also, Brainberry® is easy to formulate thanks to its excellent solubility and pleasant taste.
Lastly, there are many environmental benefits of Aronia Melanocarpa. The Aronia plant helps keeping bees healthy and happy, consumes little water and it is naturally organic.
Learn more about Brainberry®
If you are curious to know more about Brainberry®, you can check out the product page of Brainberry® or its website.
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
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!
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
What are the best substitutes for caffeine?
What are the best substitutes for caffeine?
A wide variety of caffeine-containing products are available, ranging from coffee and tea to dietary supplements, sodas and energy drinks. However, consuming too much caffeine often leads to side effects such as stress, anxiety, and even sleeping problems. If you are looking for alternative products to boost energy levels and increase focus, Brainberry®, maca root, ginseng, Rhodiola, and Lion’s Mane are natural ingredients that can help you get through the day without side effects.
Why should you substitute caffeine with another ingredient?
Most people drink coffee regularly. It is consumed because people like the taste or because of the social aspects to drinking coffee. Even though there are many ways to improve your focus, coffee is often consumed because it makes people feel more awake, alert, and energetic.
Of course, coffee is a source of caffeine, which is the ingredient that gives coffee its effects. There are other drinks that contain caffeine, and some people even take dietary supplements containing caffeine to boost their energy levels during the day or for their workout. [1].
Besides positive effects, consumption of caffeine may also have some downsides. These include giving people feelings of stress and anxiety. Besides increasing these feelings, caffeine consumption could also lead to insomnia [2].
Caffeine is unique in its function, but these adverse effects are a reason for people to reduce the intake of caffeine and look for alternative ingredients. Here are some suggestions of natural substitutes that make you feel awake and help you focus, without leaving you feeling stressed.
The best substitutes for caffeine
1. Maca root
Maca is a plant that grows in Peru (also called Peruvian ginseng). It’s a plant that belongs to the brassica (mustard) family. It is traditionally used for nutritional and medicinal purposes. The plant is made into a powder that is often added to smoothies, juices, and shakes.
It has been used for centuries as a fertility enhancer in humans and animals, but now more benefits of consuming maca are being discovered. The benefits of maca root vary, and evidence shows it may help increase energy levels and improve mood.
Additionally, other findings show that maca can help against feelings of anxiety and stress. This makes Maca a good alternative to caffeine, which can have the opposite effect.
2. Ginseng
Like maca, ginseng is a herb made from the root of its plant. It has been one of the most important products for health care in Asia. There, it has been used to make traditional medicine for centuries.
There are different types of ginseng, which vary in the way they are grown and processed. White ginseng is dried naturally, while red ginseng is steamed before it is dried, which increases its efficacy. The most important compounds in ginseng are ginsenosides and gintonin [3].
Ginseng is one of the most popular caffeine substitutes. Various research demonstrated that this plant is able to improve brain functions, boost mood and memory, help against fatigue, and increase energy levels.
3. Brainberry® (Aronia berry extract)
Aronia berries are becoming increasingly popular among consumers because of their many demonstrated health benefits. Aronia plants are native to North America but are also commonly found in the Baltic region of Europe.
Brainberry® is an Aronia berry extract researched and developed by BioActor. It was demonstrated that the daily consumption of Brainberry® is able to boost mental energy and focus without side effects. An ideal alternative if you want to get rid of caffeine!
The main constituent of Brainberry is an anthocyanin called Cyanidin 3-O-galactoside, a powerful antioxidant that can improve brain health and support brain function.
If this sparked your interest, you can find out everything you need to know about Brainberry®, brain health and improving your focus here.
4. Rhodiola
Rhodiola is a plant that can be found in Europe and Asia. Like ginseng and maca its root is consumed for health benefits. Rosavin and salidroside are believed to be its most profitable compounds.
Rhodiola has been used for many years and has been mostly recommended to treat headaches, hernias and has also been used as an astringent. Nowadays, rhodiola is often consumed by people during stressful times.
If you’re looking for a natural alternative to caffeine that reduces fatigue, rhodiola is a good option because it has been shown to improve symptoms in participants that suffered from chronic fatigue. The stress-lowering and energizing effects of rhodiola make it a great natural replacement for coffee.
5. Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane is a mushroom that can grow long hair-like strings that resemble a lion’s mane. It is often found in North America, Europe, and Asia. It consists for roughly 20% out of protein.
Lion’s Mane is increasingly studied. It has properties that are believed to be neuroprotective. That is because two novel nerve growth factors have been discovered in this mushroom [4].
Lion’s Mane has thus been said to have positive effects on the brain. It can improve memory and helps to lower feelings of stress and anxiety. This makes it an ingredient that can help consumers cut down on their caffeine consumption.
The bottom line
We all love a good cup of coffee in the morning. However, there are several reasons to reduce caffeine intake and look for a substitute. The aforementioned ingredients are good natural alternatives to caffeine as they can boost energy levels and brain functions, without having any anxiety or stress inducing effects.
