NutraIngredients-USA Awards 2023: Meet the Products of the Year!

Independent expert judges recruited by NutraIngredients-USA scored the entries on five parameters: demand, application and design, scientific merit, commercial success, and innovation and differentiation.

Here are the winners:

Botanical​

Eye Moisturize with MaquiBright​, NOW​

As consumers spend more time staring at screens all day, the issue of dry eyes is only going to become more prevalent. While eye drops may be a temporary solution, Eye Moisturize with MaquiBright provides an easy solution by promoting the healthy production of tears.

Maqui, a native berry grown wild in the forests of Southern Chile, possess unique amounts of cyanidins and delphinidins which neutralize free radicals in the eye’s tear-producing cells.

Our judges commented: “All three finalists were supported by solid scientific evidence, but NOW’s Eye Moisturize with MaquiBright had that X-Factor! With so much time now spent in front of a screen, irritated eyes due to dryness is a growing problem. NOW’s Eye Moisturize with MaquiBright marks the beginning of a new product category!”

Commenting on the win, a spokesperson for NOW said: "We nominated this product to highlight the enormous impact that botanicals and botanical research can have on human health and well-being. Something as seemingly simple as having one’s eyes be more comfortable as you work and play online actually enhances quality of life, and it’s gratifying to achieve that.

“Thank you to the judges and the NutraIngredients-USA staff for this validation of our passion for bringing health supporting botanical ingredients to the marketplace."

Immune Support​

Microbiome Rejuvenate​, Big Bold Health​

Microbiome Rejuvenate’s health benefits include stronger immune performance, better immune balance, support for gut immunity, and support for gut and microbiome health. Using the whole Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat plant from hull to seed, Big Bold Health has crafted a potent blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and phytonutrients that is non-GMO, vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

Commenting on their decision, our judges said: "This product is an innovative addition to the market that combines prebiotics (BetaVia Complete Beta Glucans) and a solid probiotic strain (L. rhamnosus​ CRL 1505) at the doses shown to enhance immune resilience in human trials. Combining these ingredient with polyphenols offers consumers with a multi-benefit product for immune support and digestive health.”

In a post on LinkedIn, Dr Jeffrey Bland, President of Big Bold Health, said: “I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for this extraordinary recognition. The NutraIngredients USA Awards focus on true innovation, long-term market success, and cutting-edge research. They honor the best and the brightest in ingredients, finished products, companies, people, and initiatives in the nutrition and dietary supplements industry.”

Microbiome Modulation​

Total Gut Probiotic​, BIOHM​              

BIOHM Total Gut Probiotic combines good bacteria and good fungi with a powerful enzyme to help break down digestive plaque and support total gut balance. Testing over multiple clinical trials has demonstrated its efficacy and has been shown to break down digestive biofilms and reduce bloating, mild constipation, abdominal discomfort, flatulence and improve gut function ratings (GSRS).

Our judges noted: “The combination of probiotic bacteria and yeast to break down digestive biofilms gave BIOHM Total Gut Probiotic the X-factor to stand out from a very competitive field of entries. A relatively new entrant to the market, the product has already enjoyed significant success with consumers, and make this a worthy winner.”

In response, a spokesperson for BIOHM told NutraIngredients-USA: “We consider this award to be one of BIOHM’s biggest milestones. As one of the world’s leading microbiome brands, this recognition means we can further our mission to make quality nutrition more accessible.

“Our founder, Dr. Mahmoud Ghannoum, was the first to discover and name the community of fungus in the gut – the mycobiome - and the impact it plays in overall microbiome health. After 40 years of researching the microbiome, Dr. Ghannoum, his son Afif, and our incredible team introduced a patented, proprietary blend of good bacteria, fungi and digestive enzymes that are clinically proven to improve overall gut health. In addition, BIOHM has amassed the world's largest database combining bacteria and fungi and will continue to utilize this data to enhance and accelerate innovation in the supplement industry.

“We’re excited to celebrate within our team of dedicated employees as well as our investor network."

Omega-3​

Omega-3 1300 Vegan​, OceanBlue​  

Formulated using Alga3, an entirely algal source of omega-3, the Vegan 1300 product delivers meaningful doses of the key omega-3s, offering 950mg EPA and 350mg DHA per serving. The product is an innovative and sustainable way to get the daily recommended amount of omega-3s in a purely plant-based form.

Our judges said: “Algae-derived omega-3 products have been in the market for a while, but this product really stood out for its high concentration of both EPA and DHA, with dosages you usually only see in fish oil-based products. The interest from large retailers speaks to the excitement around the product.”

A spokesperson for the company told us: “Winning the 2023 NutraIngredients-USA Product of the Year Award is truly a remarkable honor for OceanBlue. It signifies the recognition and appreciation we have garnered from the supplement industry, demonstrating our unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of new product development.

“We are grateful for the acknowledgment from NutraIngredients-USA, as it reinforces our belief in the value and impact of our work.”

Sports Nutrition​

Collagen Synthesis​, SaltWrap​

Combining two patented sources of Bioactive Collagen Peptides, Collagen Synthesis delivers the raw materials users need for optimal collagen production and formation: Fortigel – to help stimulate chondrocyte production – and Tendoforte – for fibroblast production.

This combination reportedly doubles the rate of collagen synthesis in joints (buffered vitamin C), improves joint strength and synovial fluid effusion while reducing discomfort (hyaluronic acid), and enhances the collagen-producing and connective tissue-repairing effects of collagen peptides (orthosilicic acid).

“Collagen Synthesis is addressing a niche market within sports nutrition,” said our judges. “This manufacturer is doing all the right things: Research data in multiple populations that demonstrate mechanism of action, ability to heal, recover and ‘stay in the game. We also liked Saltwrap’s commitment to improving its formulation and the fact that it is drug-free certified.”

A spokesperson for SaltWrap said: “​Winning the Sports Nutrition Product of the Year Award for Collagen Synthesis is super energizing to our team. We know how respected the NutraIngredients Awards are, and how many top-notch products are coming out each year — so to be named Product of the Year tells us we are on the right track. And fulfilling our mission of being the “cutting edge” of therapeutic sports nutrition. This is fuel for us to keep innovating and listening to our customers!”