Finzelberg, a trusted global supplier of active botanical extracts for the pharmaceutical and dietary supplements market, has identified three key trends that will shape product development in the new year.
Says Martin Felkner, senior expert, branded ingredients at Finzelberg, “We know that consumers will continue to look for specific health benefits, moving away from all-in-one solutions to targeted solutions for metabolic health, healthy ageing, and cognitive performance support.
“At Finzelberg, our comprehensive approach aligns with this trend. We provide highly specialised botanical extracts that will enable brands to deliver precise and effective formulations for effective, natural, and personalised health and wellness solutions.
“By offering scientifically validated branded ingredients and effective phytopharmaceutical solutions, we are confident that we can help steer innovation in dietary supplements and OTC medicines, to meet ever-evolving requirements,” he notes.
Mental resilience & cognitive health
The shift to “healthy minds first” continues to create opportunities for targeted formulations that address stress, mood, and cognition. MENTALIFY® is a highly efficient botanical extract from the Lemon Verbena species, designed for children and teenagers displaying behavioural characteristics such as inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity by modulating the neurotransmitters, noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin.
“During a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical trial, MENTALIFY was shown to foster less energised behaviour, positively affecting mood states compared to placebo. It also resulted in a significant improvement in cognitive performance and can support tailored solutions for a diverse range of consumers,” says Dr. Cynthia Suarez-Rizzo, who oversees clinical research as Project Manager New Product Development at Finzelberg.
Gut health as a central driver
The gut’s role as a foundation of overall health is undisputed. From microbiome modulation to the gut/brain and gut/skin axis, new product development is focused on holistic and clinically backed solutions that target the gut. Finzelberg’s 360GUT® exemplifies this approach. The product offers clinically validated benefits for digestive health and works by feeding beneficial gut bacteria and inducing a microbiome-balancing effect for broader wellness outcomes.
“Based on Thymus serpyllum and effective in comparably low doses, 360GUT is highly versatile when used in combination with pre-pro- and postbiotics, and can be seamlessly integrated into supplements and functional foods,” Martin notes.
Healthy ageing & women’s health & menopause
Concepts catering to “from lifespan to health span,” longevity and healthy ageing are solid categories for any product developer and brand as consumers embed this in their daily health routines.
Maintaining mental health and supporting cognitive performance and memory are key essentials to healthy ageing. Although this could include a wide spectrum of conditions, solutions that target menopause, in particular, brain fog and hormonal imbalances, can impact mood, sleep, and cognitive performance.
“CONCENTAL® is a well-researched award-winning brain essential based on the Sideritis species. It works by enhancing cerebral blood flow and fuelling the brain with oxygen for improved mental flexibility and enhanced cognitive health. This is a prerequisite to maintaining proper brain functioning and improving cognitive performance. CONCENTAL is a non-stimulant ingredient backed by proprietary research and can be used in a wide range of applications and formats,” Cynthia points out.
Women’s health is here to stay with many finished products catering to support female health and lifespan, particularly supporting fertility, sexual health and menopause while targeting related health benefits and helping with mood, sleep, mental wellness, anxiety, cognitive performance and hot flushes.
“We will continue to see many products combining innovative ingredients from the entire spectrum: vitamins and micro-nutrients, herbals, botanicals and adaptogens, mushrooms and biotics etc,” Martin adds.
Pairing functional & branded ingredients
“By pairing our foundational products with ingredients including Bacopa, B vitamins, protein, collagen, and magnesium, brands can unlock benefits across a wide range of product applications and formats, including powders, gummies, and tablets in non-stimulant and performance-boosting products,” Martin concludes.
To explore Finzelberg’s ingredient portfolio and discuss new product development opportunities, visit www.finzelberg.com.
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