Top 5 ingredients for men's health
Top 5 ingredients for men’s health
Incorporating health ingredients into daily routines helps to support men’s well-being and health. We will provide you with evidence-based recommendations on five key ingredients supporting men’s health and sexual function, including fenugreek seed extract, zinc, B vitamins, pomegranate extract, and hesperidin.
In today’s fast-paced world, prioritizing our health and well-being is becoming more and more important, also for men. As the increasing expectations and pressures of our lives continue to evolve, it is important for men to develop a proactive approach to maintain their physical, mental, and sexual health.
Health ingredients are designed to meet men’s health needs, ensuring that they stay healthy and full of energy. In this article, we will provide evidence-based recommendations on five key ingredients supporting men’s health and sexual function.
Fenugreek seed extract
As men age, they experience a decrease in testosterone levels. This phenomenon is also known as andropause. Testosterone plays a role in many aspects of health, including sexual function, muscle and bone mass, energy levels, and metabolism. One of the ingredients that may help to combat the problems related to andropause is fenugreek seed extract . Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a very interesting herb with many potential health benefits.
A study performed on 120 healthy men showed that a 12-week supplementation of fenugreek seed extract (600 mg/day) increased testosterone levels and improved sexual function, compared to placebo [1]. Also, supplementation of fenugreek seed extract in healthy male athletes resulted in increased fat-free mass, lean body mass, and elevated testosterone levels compared to placebo [2]. These findings suggest that fenugreek seed extract is a promising ingredient for men’s health, especially in terms of increasing testosterone levels and improving sexual function.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral, which means that it is not produced by the body itself. It plays an important role in many physiological functions, such as supporting the immune system and healing damaged cells. Zinc is a critical mineral for men’s health as even a small deficiency can impact the immune system, cardiovascular health, reproductive function, and fertility [3].
Sufficient intake of zinc contributes to normal fertility and sexual function in males. Low levels of zinc are related to low levels of testosterone. Besides, it is also important for the normal functioning of the immune system, and the maintenance of bone health [4].
Therefore, we can state that zinc is an important mineral that can help men improve their sexual health and energy levels and maintain a healthy immune system.
B Vitamins
B vitamins play a vital role in the human body. They are involved in many important functions. For example, they are crucial for energy production, oxygen support, and bone health.
The vitamin B complex consists of a total of eight B vitamins, with several of them having beneficial effects on men’s health, for example:
– Vitamin B12: Adequate levels of vitamin B12 are important for the production of red blood cells, which are responsible for oxygen transport. Also, studies showed that vitamin B12 is important for bone health [5, 6].
– Vitamin B9: Vitamin B9, also known as folate, is not only an important vitamin for women but also for men. Research has shown that folate contributes to the reduction of fatigue, which is a common complaint nowadays [7].
– Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 plays a vital role in energy and vitality. Intake of this vitamin contributes to normal energy metabolism. Studies also showed that it leads to a decrease in fatigue and tiredness [8].
– Vitamin B5: Pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5 is an essential vitamin, which plays a vital role in various functions in the body. It is mainly known for its important role in the metabolism of food, leading to energy production [9].
All in all, B vitamins are important for energy production. Increased energy levels lead to improved stamina and sexual performance.
Pomegranate extract
Pomegranate (Punicagranatum L.) is a fruit that contains lots of healthy phytochemical compounds, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and nitrates [10]. These phytochemicals have many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities beneficial for men’s health [11].
The polyphenols within pomegranate fruit are the main bioactive compounds responsible for the various health benefits attributed to this extract. The peel of the pomegranate contains the highest amounts of polyphenols. Two of the primary polyphenols in the peel are ellagitannins (punicalagin and punicalin) and ellagic acid [12].
Studies showed that pomegranate extracts are associated with the treatment and prevention of many diseases and disorders in men , such as cardiovascular diseases, infertility, and erectile dysfunction [13, 14, 15]. For example, pomegranate has a positive effect on blood flow, key for erectile function and sexual performance [16].
Hesperidin
Hesperidin is a bioflavonoid found in citrus fruits, abundant in sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis). After ingestion, hesperidin is converted to hesperetin by the microbiome. Hesperetin is considered the active metabolite of hesperidin and has been shown to have several beneficial health effects for men.
One of the health effects of hesperidin is that it has antioxidant activity, through neutralizing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) [17]. This may eventually lead to enhanced overall well-being and an increase in energy when you need it most. This antioxidant activity also has a positive effect on fertility in men, since free radicals (ROS) decrease sperm motility and increase DNA damage [18].
Additionally, hesperidin is known for its positive effect on blood flow. The active ingredient achieves this by increasing the availability of nitric oxide [19]. Eventually, this leads to an improved supply of nutrients and oxygen during physical and sexual activity, and to an improved erectile function.
Actiful®: An ingredient containing hesperidin and punicalagin
Actiful® is a natural orange and pomegranate complex and is standardized for highly bioavailable hesperidin and punicalagin: the primary polyphenols present in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and pomegranate peel (Punica granatum).
The health benefits of this ingredient have been scientifically validated and confirmed through multiple randomized double-blind controlled trials. It is clinically proven that Actiful® results in enhanced physical performance in men [20, 21].
Actiful® not only influences physical performance. It also boosts energy levels by targeting the mitochondria within the cells [22]. Additionally, Actiful® has been demonstrated to positively impact mental health [19].
Lastly, it has been shown that Actiful® positively affects blood flow [21], by increasing the availability of nitric oxide. Hereby it promotes improved erectile function in men, leading to longer-lasting erections.
Overall, Actiful® stands as a promising and scientifically backed choice for men aiming to improve their physical performance, sexual function, and overall health.
WEBINAR - Sports Performance
WEBINAR – Sports Performance
Product concepts with WATTS’UP® to improve performancein both endurance and strength
A critical component of athletic performance is nutrition, and there exists a substantial market for supplementation within this domain. Join us while we dive in the clinical evidence supporting the sports performance boosting citrus extract WATTS’UP®, and product formulations with this ingredient. Watch it now on demand!
Sports nutrition is a specialized field that focuses on optimizing the diets of athletes and active individuals to enhance performance and promote recovery. Proper nutrition can help athletes achieve their goals by providing the necessary energy, macronutrients, and micronutrients for their bodies to function at their best.
Supplementation of specific macronutrients is an important way to improve sports performance. It can help boost your energy, increase blood flow and enhance your power output.
Join our webinar and discover the clinical evidence supporting WATTS’UP® and how BioActor’s sweet orange extract can be integrated into effective products targeting sports performance.
Watch now on demand!
Meet the Speakers:
What was discussed during this webinar?
Clinical Research
Presentation by Yala Stevens, PhD – Chief Scientific Officer, who introduced the science behind WATTS’UP® and the clinical trials showing the positive effect of WATTS’UP® on power, peak performance and blood flow.
Duration: 15 minutes
Sports Performance trends & consumer insights
Presentation by Bjarne Maas – Marketing & Account Manager, who discussed the consumer insights and product formulation examples related to sports performance.
Duration: 15 minutes
Q&A session
Duration: 10 minutes
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
MEET US - BioActor showcasing WATTS’UP® at the 19th Annual ISSN Conference
MEET US – BioActor showcasing WATTS’UP® at the 19th Annual ISSN Conference
Press release
The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) is organizing their 19th Annual Conference and Expo. BioActor is an active contributor to this conference and Yala Stevens, our chief scientific officer will present the clinical results on our ingredient WATTS’UP®.
BioActor showcasing WATTS’UP® at the 19th Annual ISSN Conference
The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) is the world’s leader in providing science-based sports nutrition and supplement information. This year they are organizing their 19th Annual Conference and Expo. Anyone interested in sports science/nutrition can attend!
The conference addresses a diverse audience such as researchers, students, dieticians, sports nutritionists, but also the athletes themselves. Therefore, the conference offers a platform to discuss various hot topics related to sports nutrition, such as sports supplements, elucidation of the physiological mechanisms behind nutraceutical interventions, as well as nutritional effects on performance.
The strength of the annual ISSN conference is that top researchers present on novel paradigms in sports nutrition. Besides, it is also an excellent opportunity to make new contacts and reconnect with colleagues from all over the world.
BioActor is an active contributor to this conference, since Yala Stevens, our chief scientific officer will present the clinical results on our ingredient WATTS’UP®. Title of the study: The effect of citrus flavonoid extract supplementation on anaerobic capacity in moderately trained athletes: a randomized controlled trial.
Original research paper presentation by Yala Stevens (CSO)
Previous studies have demonstrated that supplementation with flavonoids from citrus fruits may be an effective strategy to improve exercise performance in male athletes. Repeated intake of 500 mg of a specific citrus fruit extract improved aerobic exercise performance. Also, an increased absolute power output and a decreased oxygen consumption/power ratio were observed.
Yala will be presenting new insights on the beneficial effects of 400 mg and 500 mg citrus fruit extract (WATTS’UP®) supplementation on short-term high-intensity exercise performance. In this study, we used a WinGate protocol, the gold standard for testing high-intensity performance for 92 male and female participants.
Join us on Friday 17th of June at 10:10am for Yala’s presentation in the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort (Florida).
Business opportunities
BioActor will also be present with a small table top, together with the exclusive distributor for the US market, SEPPIC Inc. Jeremie Feuer (SEPPIC) and Joris Kretzers (BioActor) will be there to represent BioActor’s portfolio, with a specific focus on our sports nutrition ingredients. If you are looking for natural ingredients that benefit athlete’s performance, feel free to pass by at any time on Thursday or Friday for a chat!
We look forward to meeting you in Fort Lauderdale!
The ISSN conference and expo will take place from June, 16-18 2022.
Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, 321 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale Florida USA 33304
About BioActor
BioActor, based in Maastricht, Netherlands, is a product development company that supplies proprietary bioactive formulations to the nutrition & healthcare industry. The company focuses on the development of innovative bioactives 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.
For further information, see www.bioactor.com or visit www.wattsup.eu
How to increase endurance performance during sport
How to increase endurance performance during sport
Do you experience an overall lack of energy during sports activities? Then it’s time to increase your endurance performance during physical activity. In this article, we will explain what endurance is, why is important for you and which nutrients and supplements can support your diet, boost your energy levels, help you recover faster, and enhance your overall performance during your training.
Endurance Performance in different sports
Endurance is the ability to sustain an activity for extended periods of time and usually relates to aerobic or anaerobic exercise [1].
Aerobic endurance applies to sports like long-distance running or swimming where athletes exercise for extended periods of time. In this type of exercise, the body relies on supplying nutrients and oxygen to working muscles.
On the other hand, anaerobic endurance is related to high-intensity exercises that may last minutes such as weightlifting. In these cases, a different type of endurance (strength) is necessary to achieve the maximum number of sets and reps in a workout plan.
Nowadays, many athletes also focus on activities that include resistance with the body (calisthenics) or equipment such as weight machines and barbell exercises. In these cases, a different type of endurance (strength) is necessary to achieve the maximum number of sets and reps in a workout plan.
The conclusion in each case is that high volume of training puts extreme demands on the body from a physical (strength & power), mental (focus) and energy (endurance) retention standpoint.
Why is endurance performance important?
Endurance can benefit your overall wellness by improving heart health, lowering the levels of cholesterol and blood pressure, preventing injuries and controlling your weight.
As it concerns your performance skills, studies have shown that endurance helps athletes develop skills like agility, speed, power, and strength. More specifically, it is an efficient way of maintaining your energy levels before fatigue sets in.
As an example, you can consider a basketball player who wants to jump for rebounds in the final minutes of an intense game or even a marathon athlete that needs to run the last kilometers of a demanding race.
Thus, endurance can keep your circulatory system healthy and make the difference between winning or losing in different sports.
Ways to boost your endurance during sport
As Paul Krebs, MD, of Premier Orthopedics, part of Premier Physician Network asserted, “body has the ability to get oxygen to the body and to the muscles that are using it during exercise.” A workout program focused on endurance training can lower the level of work-related fatigue [2]. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends all adults get 150 minutes of aerobic exercise each week.
However, nutrition is also an essential factor that influences the endurance of athletes. More specifically, it has been proved that nutritional supplements in performance endurance and enhancement are essential for athletes, even though there is a lack of knowledge of their use. Thus, athletes need reliable information regarding supplements they can trust and use in their daily demanding life [3]. In the next section, we will focus on the ingredients that a supplement should include for increasing endurance performance.
Ingredients for endurance
L-Glutamine
Even if the body can synthesize glutamine, its levels might not be sufficient for athletes. The body can become depleted of glutamine in case of high intensity training [4] and as a result, athletes seek to increase the dosage intake by supplementation.
L-Glutamine accelerates muscle recovery while it helps athletes to exercise harder. The increased sodium uptake reduces muscle fatigue and breakdown while maintaining muscle growth.
The recommended dosage for L-Glutamine is between 3 to 6 grams [5].
Carbohydrates
As it was mentioned previously, athletes need endurance for different types of training. For example, marathon runners exercise for extended periods of time and require a lot of carbohydrates to sustain their performance.
Any athlete who exercises for more than 60 to 90 minutes requires carbohydrate intake during their performance to sustain sufficient energy levels for fueling muscles since their glycogen stores may only last a limited time.
A combination of carbohydrates with a small amount of protein has been shown to efficiently prevent the amount of muscle damage that occurs during an endurance exercise [6].
The daily recommended dosage for Carbohydrates depends on the type of exercise. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), and Dietitians of Canada (DC) recommend:
• Moderate endurance exercise (1 hour per day): 5-7 g/kg of body weight per day.
• Moderate to high-intensity endurance exercise (1-3 hours per day): 6-10 g/kg of body weight per day.
• Moderate to high-intensity endurance exercise (4-5 hours per day). 10-12 g/kg of body weight per day.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant that athletes can use to temporarily boost their energy [8]. More specifically, it can increase the heart rates when athletes feel fatigued, and it has been proven to improve endurance performance [6].
Even if caffeine reduces athletes’ perception of effort, it is important to be aware of the side effects it might have in higher intakes [9]. Some of the side effects of too much caffeine are anxiety, insomnia, muscle breakdown, rapid heart rate and high blood pressure.
It is also possible that caffeine has the opposite result where the consumption of many caffeinated beverages is followed by fatigue [10].
The recommended clinical dose of caffeine is between 3 and 6 mg/kg.
Citrus flavonoids (hesperidin) – Power and endurance in one ingredient
If you want to increase your endurance, strength, and power during a high intense training, you should bear in mind an extra ingredient with the name of citrus flavonoids (hesperidin). BioActor has developed a proprietary ingredient that is optimized for bioavailability and performance, backed up by two clinical studies: WATTS’UP®.
WATTS’UP® was studied for its beneficial effects on endurance performance and high-intensity performance at a daily dose of 400-500 mg.
The first clinical trial was conducted at the Dutch Olympic training facility. It confirmed that WATTS’UP® is capable of significantly improving aerobic power in endurance athletes in comparison to placebo.
A second clinical trial was tested during the Wingate Anaerobic Test. It confirmed that WATTS’UP® can be very efficient for Peak Force, Anaerobic Power, and Endurance compared to placebo.
In conclusion, proper nutrition in addition to a well-designed training plan, can enhance sporting performance and reduce recovery time.
Discover YAMAMOTO’s Success Story
Learn how YAMAMOTO integrated WATTS’UP® into their products, driving remarkable success.
Which ingredients should a pre-workout formula include?
Which ingredients should a pre-workout formula include?
If you are looking for the ideal pre-workout formula, you came to the right place. In this article, we explore the most relevant ingredients that your pre-workout formula should include to target power, focus and endurance.
Tingles and rashes, this is what the average gym visitor is looking for in a pre-workout formula. However, sometimes it can be difficult to choose the right product due to the endless lists of ingredients.
You may find yourself asking questions like: “Do I really need all these things?”, “What is it that really matters?”. If this is the case, in this article, we explore a few effective ingredients to target the 3 main benefits a high-quality pre-workout should provide: power, focus and endurance.
What is a pre-workout?
Pre-workouts are known to most as cocktails of rash- and tingle-causing formulations. However, these days, formulations are more sophisticated than they used to be. They 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 [1]. You can find pre-workouts in different forms, like drinks, gels or capsules, yet ready-to-drink powders are by far the most common format.
Getting the most out of your workout
If you are considering consuming a pre-workout for improving your performance, you can pay attention to a few things before buying.
First, you would like to have an effective product that addresses three main benefits: power, focus and endurance.
Further, you would like this product to have a rapid onset of these effects, ideally within 15-30 minutes of intake.
Finally, you can consider choosing a formula that contains natural ingredients and avoid consuming high amounts of stimulants like caffeine.
In the next section, we look at the ingredients that you should be looking for in a pre-workout.
Ingredients for power
These ingredients provide fuel to maximize high-intensity movements within your training or workout [2].
Citrulline malate. Clinical dose: 6 g
This ingredient consists of citrulline, a non-essential amino acid, and malic acid, an intermediate in the citric acid cycle.
Citrulline malate is linked to improved blood flow during exercise by augmenting nitric oxide (NO) levels, as citrulline is a NO precursor [3].
Currently, it is unclear whether the performance improvement is linked to this mechanism, but several studies support an improvement in peak power output after citrulline malate consumption [4,5].
Creatine. Clinical dose: 3 g
Creatine is one of the most well-researched ingredients in sports nutrition. Creatine supplementation increases intramuscular creatine levels. Short-term energy generation in muscle tissue comes virtually 100% from creatine – the phosphorylated isoform, Cr-P.
Daily intake has been demonstrated to promote anaerobic performance in the gold standard Wingate Test [6]. Researchers also found beneficial effects on exercise recovery with creatine intake, reducing exercise-induced muscle damage [7].
Ingredients for focus
These ingredients make sure that you can focus on your movements to execute them with high precision [2]. Focus is more famously referred to as mind-muscle connection.
Brainberry®. Clinical dose: 65 mg
If you are looking for an alternative to caffeine to boost your focus, you might want to learn more about Brainberry®.
Brainberry® is a natural Aronia berry extract developed by BioActor to enhance cognitive performance. Research conducted on Brainberry® revealed that the consumption of Brainberry® can increase focus, psychomotor speed and mental flexibility [8,9].
In particular, a study which was performed on 35 professional basketball players, showed important benefits after one week of supplementation, highlighting the ability of Brainberry® to significantly enhance cognitive performance and improve basketball-specific skills like shooting, rebounding and dribbling.
Brainberry®’s benefits are attributed to the high levels of Cyanidin-3-O-Galactoside contained in the extract, a compound which plays an important role in improving brain health and cognitive functions.
Want to know more about Cy3Gal and how it is involved in brain health? Read this article!
Caffeine. Clinical dose: 200 mg
Similar to creatine, caffeine is one of the most well-researched ingredients in sports nutrition [2], often referred to as the primary ingredient responsible for acute ergogenic effects.
Low doses (3 mg/kg body weight) have been linked to improved alertness, vigilance, mood and cognitive processes during exercise [10].
However, a comparison between non-caffeine and caffeine-containing pre-workout formulas concluded that the caffeine-containing pre-workout reduces calmness. If you are training in the evening, this might be a reason to pass on caffeine [11].
Ingredients for endurance
These ingredients are important to provide nutrients to feel energized until the end of your workout [2].
Beta-alanine. Clinical dose 4-6 g
Beta-alanine is a carnosine precursor, a compound that buffers lactate build-up in the muscle tissue, prolonging the feeling of soreness.
It has been shown that 4-6 g of beta-alanine consumption per day for two weeks improves high-intensity exercise performance. Regular consumption maintains a certain level of intramuscular carnosine levels, as beta-alanine is the limiting factor in carnosine production [12].
Carbohydrates. Dose depending on exercise type [13]
This ingredient depends a lot on the exercise type you are performing. Typical gym sessions last between 45-120 minutes, for which a small amount of rapidly absorbed carbohydrates shortly before exercise can be beneficial.
Carbohydrates are the main energy source during resistance exercise and are mobilized from glycogen stores. A small amount of carbohydrates is able to support glycogen store replenishment [14].
Endurance exercise is typical of a longer duration and would require a larger pre-workout carbohydrate amount to optimize glycogen stores. Slow-release carbohydrates could be a consideration for this type of athlete, as they deliver energy over a longer period of time.
Citrus flavonoids (hesperidin) – Power and endurance in one ingredient
If you want to take your pre-workout to the next level, an additional ingredient you may want to include in your pre-workout formula, are citrus flavonoids (hesperidin).
WATTS’UP® is a natural Citrus sinensis extract researched and developed by BioActor. The recommended daily dose (clinical dose) for this ingredient is 400-500 mg.
Two randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials conducted by BioActor confirmed that WATTS’UP® is able to significantly improve peak force, endurance capacity and anaerobic power in trained subjects.
Further research revealed that WATTS’UP® works by stimulating nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in blood vessels, thus stimulating vasodilation and better blood flow. [15]
Moreover, it was demonstrated that WATTS’UP® boosts mitochondria efficiency and respiration capacity, resulting in 33% higher ATP production – the fuel for our muscle [16].
Discover YAMAMOTO’s Success Story
Learn how YAMAMOTO integrated WATTS’UP® into their products, driving remarkable success.
Brainberry® – A promising ingredient for gaming supplements
Brainberry® – A promising ingredient for gaming supplements
Brainberry® is an Aronia melanocarpa extract that provides an innovative and natural way to boost gaming performance in a safe and effective way. If you plan to get rid of typical sugar- and stimulant-loaded supplements and energy drinks, Brainberry® may be the healthier alternative you are looking for. Thanks to its high content in functional anthocyanins, it promises to enhance gamers’ experience by providing sustained crash-free energy, as well as clinically proven brain benefits.
Why are supplements relevant for gaming?
Gaming has grown exponentially over the last few years, not only in amateur gamers but also in professional ones– eSports.
If you are a gamer yourself, you may have already noticed that gaming requires an incredible number of mental skills. Indeed, gaming is continuous and with very few breaks. Therefore, you need to manage a high cognitive workload, especially if your session will last for an extended period of time.
Visual-spatial skills are essential. These skills allow you to analyse, recognize and rapidly respond to changes on the screen. In addition, as gaming sessions can last for hours, enhanced attention and focus are crucial too. You need to have the skills to stay focused and alert, without getting sleepy and distracted.
Lastly, when gaming, it is important that you manage emotions, such as anger, anxiety and stress, as these can negatively impact your performance.
Even though nutrition has been often overlooked by most gamers, the supplement industry for this segment is growing exponentially, showing that more and more attention is being paid to this important aspect.
Over the last year, in fact, several brands have launched gaming formulas on the market and supplement use is continuously increasing amongst gamers looking to up their gaming performance. There is a wide range of products tailored to gamers, ranging from powders to capsules, functional drinks and even gummies.
Whether you are a competitive gamer or not, taking care of your body and mind through proper nutrition, supplements, and rest can yield the best results.
What is the main problem with most gaming supplements and energy drinks?
Supplements have the potential to enhance your cognitive performance when gaming. As mentioned, together with the increased number of gamers, gaming supplement and energy drink interest and consumption has significantly grown in the last years.
However, as you may have experienced, many of these products contain high amounts of caffeine and sugars. High intakes of these two compounds are generally associated with negative health effects.
After a high caffeine intake, you may experience tachycardia, jitters, headaches or disrupted sleep [1, 2, 3]. In fact, excessive caffeine consumption can have a negative impact on your brain performance. On top of this, a high caffeine consumption during the teenage years is associated with an increased risk of suffering from anxiety disorders in adulthood [4].
On the other hand, a high sugar intake may lead you to unhealthy weight gain and dental caries, both undesired health effects. Moreover, high sugar spikes in the blood are often followed by an energy crash, which is not ideal when you need to be focused.
If you plan to get rid of typical sugar- and stimulant-loaded supplements and energy drinks, Brainberry® may be the healthier alternative you are looking for.
What is Brainberry®?
Brainberry® is an Aronia melanocarpa extract, standardized for high levels of the anthocyanin cyanidin-3-O-galactoside. This ingredient is clinically validated to improve focus and psychomotor control.
The consumption of anthocyanins has been associated with an improvement in cognition skills, such as memory, attention and psychomotor speed [5, 6, 7].
The active cyanidins present in Aronia berry extract in the form of cyaniding-3-O-galactoside are able to cross the blood-brain barrier and contribute to brain perfusion.
In the hippocampus, cyanidin-3-O-galactoside lowers the activity of acetylcholine esterase, triggering an increase in acetylcholine, which results in improved neuronal signalling. This leads to faster and more accurate reactions due to improved visual processing speed and psychomotor control.
Brainberry® is water-soluble, easy to formulate and has a pleasant taste. Its possible applications include liquid forms (e.g. ready-to-drink formulas), chewable tablets, gummies, effervescent tablets, stick packs and capsules.
What makes Brainberry® an ideal ingredient for gaming supplements?
Brainberry® is the ideal ingredient for gaming supplements for several reasons:
• 100% natural. Extracted from high-quality Aronia berries from the Baltics, it is a completely natural ingredient.
• Clinically proven. It has been validated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
• Increased visual processing speed. Its hero compound, cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, significantly improves psychomotor control, resulting in better eye-hand coordination.
• Tested in gamers. It has been successfully tested in a consumer study with active gamers.
• Low dosage and stimulant-free. The recommended daily dose is 65 mg. It does not contain stimulants, which are usually accompanied by undesired side effects. This makes it a healthier option compared to other solutions high stimulants.
• High bioavailability. The bioavailability of the active compound present in Brainberry®, cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, has been evaluated and it has demonstrated a rapid absorption.
• Easy to formulate. Thanks to its excellent solubility and pleasant taste, it is possible to include it in a wide range of forms (e.g. drinks, gummies, capsules…).
What type of research has been conducted with Brainberry®?
Double-blind placebo-controlled trial
Brainberry® has been investigated in the first-ever study to link Aronia berry extract to improved cognitive performance. A 12-week double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study that included 101 subjects linked Aronia berry extract (Brainberry®) to a significant increase in psychomotor speed, eye-hand coordination, and focus.
After only 6 weeks of supplementation with 65 mg of Brainberry® daily, a significant improvement in psychomotor speed was observed, with even a further increase for the rest of the trial (12 weeks).
After 12 weeks, concentration was increased by 43% in the group supplemented with 65 mg of Brainberry®. [8]
Consumer study with active gamers
More recently, a consumer study was conducted in active gamers using Brainberry®. Twenty-one healthy young recreational active gamers consumed 65 mg of Brainberry® daily for 7 days.
After just one dose of Brainberry®, participants successfully reported a significant improvement in the most relevant measures for gaming performance, such as eye-hand coordination, focus, reaction time and energy.
As gamers need fast-acting noticeable effects, the significant improvements in eye-hand coordination, focus, energy and reaction after a single dose, confirmed the effectiveness of Brainberry®.
What’s perhaps even more important, is that these improvements were sustained after one week of supplementation.
As mentioned before, mood is also key during a gaming session. In fact, not being able to deal with difficult emotions (i.e. anger, stress, anxiety) that are likely to arise while competing, negatively impact performance. Interestingly, the participants in the study reported an improvement in mood parameters after one week of supplementation with Brainberry®.
It is important to point out that supplementation with Brainberry® after the seven days, did not have any negative effects on fatigue, sleep quality and anxiety levels. It is well-known that these types of complaints are frequently reported by subjects (often gamers) who consume large quantities of sugar- and stimulant-loaded energy drinks.
The bottom line
Brainberry® is an Aronia melanocarpa extract that provides an innovative and healthy solution to boost gaming performance in a natural and safe way. Thanks to its high content in functional anthocyanins, it promises to enhance gamers’ experience by providing sustained, crash-free energy and clinically proven brain benefits.
Brainberry® is the perfect alternative to supplements and energy drinks that are high in sugar and caffeine. It allows limiting these compounds in your diet while offering sustained crash-free energy, as well as clinically proven brain benefits.
New Open Label Study: Brainberry® improves cognitive parameters in young, healthy e-gamers
New Open Label Study: Brainberry® improves cognitive parameters in young, healthy e-gamers
Press release
Brainberry® was tested in amateur female and male gamers showing a significant improvement in relevant measures for gaming performance such as eye-hand coordination, focus, reaction time and energy.
Open-label study in active gamers
According to Statista, there are currently over 2.4 billion gamers in the world, about one-third of the world’s entire population. Online gaming has definitively changed as it moved from being viewed as just a recreational activity to a proper industry. The annual revenue for gaming in 2017 has been estimated to cross over $100 billion and will climb to expected total revenue of $132 billion by 2021, even surpassing the movie industry revenue.
BioActor was the first to perform a clinical study that linked an Aronia Berry Extract (BrainBerry®) to cognitive performance (Ahles et al. Nutrients, 2020). This study showed a significant increase in eye-hand coordination for the group that consumed 65mg of BrainBerry®. Moreover, a significant post-hoc improvement was found for focus in the BrainBerry® group.
Recently, BioActor completed an open-label study in active gamers that consumed BrainBerry® for seven days. Acute (one time intake) and seven-day improvements in several cognitive performance measures were assessed via an online questionnaire. Twenty-one amateur female and male gamers participated in the trial (mean age 25.6 years of age). The participants were active gamers with an average of 2,5 hours of gaming per day. They were allowed to choose their own action-related game, provided they played the same game on all test days.
The study results
After acute intake, participants reported a significant improvement in relevant measures for gaming performance: eye-hand coordination, focus, reaction time and energy. Importantly, these improvements were sustained even after a seven-day intake. Moreover, we did not see any negative effect on sleep quality for the participants after seven-days intake.
In conclusion, BrainBerry® results in a significant improvement in eye-hand coordination, focus, reaction time and energy in amateur female and male gamers. BrainBerry® is a healthy, natural and effective ingredient to include in gamer (nootropic) supplements to aid performance. It also serves new consumer demands by providing similar benefits to caffeine, without the negative side effects like jitters, anxiety feelings or sleep deprivation. The current open-label study adds to previous positive effects of BrainBerry® on cognitive performance found in the placebo-controlled clinical study conducted by BioActor.
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 aging. 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 us via info@bioactor.com for more information on the possibilities BrainBerry® has to offer.
Further information can be found on: www.brainberry.eu
