What are adult nutrition formulas?
What are adult nutrition formulas? Types and health goals
Maastricht, 26th April, 2024
Adult nutrition formulas represent a category of functional food products that is gaining growing popularity these days. Though such powder products were originally designed as meal replacements for weight management, adult nutrition formulas have found new relevance among adults to reach a broad range of health and nutritional goals due to their convenience, versatility, and nutritional value.
What are adult nutrition formulas?
These products encompass a variety of supplemental foods aimed at providing consumers with a complete and nutritious meal. These formulas typically come in ready-to-drink shakes or plant- or milk-based powders that can easily be solubilised in water or other liquids [1].
While milk-based powders have traditionally dominated the market, plant-based formulas are gaining traction and are expected to gain market share.
Typically, these formulas are fortified with functional ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, fibers, and proteins to address specific consumer health goals, such as weight management, sports performance enhancement, or diabetes control [2]. Due to the popularity of these customisable supplements, new formulas are emerging rapidly.
Even though these products have targeted health aims, many of these formulas offer a comprehensive nutritional profile suitable for any individual seeking a convenient and balanced meal option. The powdered form or the pasteurised shakes grants them an extended shelf life and versatility, making them ideal for on-the-go consumption. A typical example of the latter is breakfast drinks with prebiotic fiber like arabinoxylans which are both healthy and keep you satiated for a couple of hours.
These advantageous properties make adult nutrition formulas suitable for various lifestyles, including those with busy schedules or specific dietary requirements.
Advantageous attributes of adult nutrition formulas
Adult nutrition formulas offer numerous advantages, making them highly appropriate for various lifestyles. Below are additional beneficial attributes of adult nutrition formulas:
- No need for cold storage: powders and pasteurised shakes are very stable and resistant to spoilage, mould, or other factors affecting shelf life. This eliminates the need for cold storage, enhancing convenience for consumers.
- High solubility and dispersibility: the products have strong soluble properties, making them highly suitable for mixing with nutrients such as plant extracts and speciality fibers such as arabinoxylans. Their ability to dissolve and disperse easily in liquids ensures a smooth and uniform texture.
- Low/no sugar content: powders or ready-to-drink shakes often contain little sugar, making them a healthy food choice for the average consumer.
- Low allergen: many adult nutrition formulas are free of allergens such as gluten, dairy, soy, and nuts. This makes them suitable for individuals with food sensitivities or allergies, broadening their accessibility.
- All natural: depending on the brand, adult nutrition formulas are crafted with all-natural ingredients, free from artificial additives or preservatives.
- Nutrient-dense: adult nutrition formulas are packed with essential nutrients per serving, providing a convenient way to meet daily nutritional needs.
- Tailored health attributes: due to their customizable properties, adult nutrition formulas can be adjusted to any health goal.
- Carrier for health claims: given the pack size, there is ample space both in the powder and – literally – on the label to use ingredients with health claims.
- Part of daily ritual: since adult nutrition formulas offer the possibility of a completely nutritious and healthy serving, consumers will be encouraged to include these products in their daily routines and rituals.
Next generation: benefits beyond general nutritional support
The emerging trend of adult nutrition formulas reflects a growing demand for functional nutrition beyond basic dietary needs. While initially designed to address weight management or ‘special medical purposes’ (medical nutrition drinks such as Boost and Ensure), adult nutrition formulas have evolved to incorporate functional ingredients tailored to meet diverse health goals, particularly among middle-aged and older consumers.
Young consumers are also drawn to this part of the functional food market, particularly breakfast drinks, which offer a complete nutrition profile and sustained satiation throughout the morning. The next step in breakfast drinks is to add speciality prebiotic fiber, such as arabinoxylans, which carries a fiber claim, a health claim and contributes to a sense of fullness thanks to its viscous properties. Health-conscious individuals integrate these breakfast drinks into their dietary routines as a mindful choice.
In addition, this on-the-go product can further be enhanced to support workout or endurance sports. For example, breakfast drinks enriched with electrolytes, caffeine, branched-chain amino acids or creatine.
Health benefits of adult nutrition formulas
The formulas are designed to serve various health goals, with formulations tailored to meet specific nutrition needs. The powders were originally designed to replace complete meals. However, these formulas have evolved to incorporate targeted health benefits, particularly for middle-aged and older consumers. Below, common health benefits including corresponding ingredients are listed:
- Weight Management: high protein and prebiotic speciality fiber (such as arabinoxylans), variety of vitamins and minerals, and low carbohydrate and sugar content. Weight management formulas have evolved from complete meal replacement products to targeted nutrition for reducing calorie intake or satiation.
- Immune Support: rich protein content, variety of vitamins and minerals, and speciality fibres (such as beta-glucans and arabinoxylans [3]). Examples of immune-supporting formulas are Ensure Nutrivigor, and the new Actimel Plus in larger multi-serving bottles.
- General Well-being: various vegetable and fruit extracts, fibres, protein and omega-3 fatty acids. These formulas are ideal for breakfast drinks, such as Weetabix on the go, UP&GO Breakfast Shake, and Naked Juice Core.
- Sports Enhancement: classical formulas are high in protein and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA). More recent launches combine macronutrients with functional micronutrients such as citrus flavonoids, creatine, or beta-alanine. Examples of such products are ESN Perfect Pre and Shape Code Protein Shake.
- Diabetes Control: high in soy and whey proteins, fibre (such as arabinoxylans [4]), and MCTs. Product examples are BOOST Glucose Control and FontActiv DiaBest.
- Bone Health; high calcium, protein, collagen, magnesium, vitamin D, C and zinc. Popular product examples are ANLENE Gold 5X and Nature’s Way BoneHealth.
- Digestive Health; prebiotic fibres (such as arabinoxylans [5]), probiotics, and omega-3 fatty acids. Examples of consumer products include MegaMucosa or Upfront Prebiotica.
The regulation of adult nutrition formulas
The regulatory status of adult nutrition formulas can vary depending on their intended use and formulation. In general, these products are classified as either foods, dietary supplements, or food for special medical purposes (FSMP), each subject to different regulatory frameworks.
Regulated as foods or supplements?
If the adult nutrition formula is intended to be consumed as a regular part of the diet, and does not make specific claims about treating or preventing diseases, it is typically regulated as a conventional food. In this case, it must comply with food labelling and safety regulations set by the relevant authorities, such as the FDA in the United States, or the EFSA in the European Union.
In the EU, supplements are regulated as foods and must therefore adhere to the food directives set by the EU. In the United States, however, dietary supplements must adhere to regulations set by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA).
Many Asian countries will consider adult nutrition formulas as food products, which often means that no prior registration is required, but also that no health claims are allowed. This is notably the case in Malaysia, China and Korea.
Regulated as medical foods
Foods for special medical purposes (FSMP) include oral nutritional supplements and enteral tube feeding. The definition of this varies across regions of the world.
In the EU, these foods should adhere to specific legislation and are intended for consumers whose nutritional requirements cannot be met by normal foods. These products require pre-market authorizations before they can be placed on the market. There must be scientific evidence supporting the safety, quality, and efficacy of the product. Interestingly, if such scientific evidence is available, medical claims are allowed, without having to go through the EFSA health claim route.
In the US, medical foods are regulated under the Orphan Drug Act which provides incentives for the development of products for rare diseases or conditions. These products must adhere to specific criteria, requiring that the medical food provides a medically essential nutritional component that cannot be obtained through a normal diet. Moreover, medical foods need to be taken under the supervision of a medical practitioner.
Growing popularity of adult nutrition formulas
The growing popularity of adult nutrition formulas is evidenced by the significant market growth. Initially developed for infants to ensure adequate intake of essential nutrients, these formulas attracted older populations seeking convenient, nutritionally complete meal options [6].
To illustrate, the global adult milk powder market size was $7150.54 million in 2022 and the market is projected to double by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.09% during the forecast period [7].
Particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, demand is on the rise, attributed to factors such as ageing populations and concerns for bone and muscle health. This is, for example, shown in China, where a declining birth rate has led to increased interest in adult nutrition formulas [8,9].
This emerging trend in adult nutrition formulas holds great promise for the future development of these functional food products. The high demand for nutritious food, that is customisable to consumer needs offers great potential and promising plans for the future. For instance, breakfast beverages fortified with arabinoxylan fibres exemplify this potential.
6 reasons to use WATTS’UP® in your sports nutrition supplement
6 reasons to use WATTS’UP® in your sports nutrition supplement
Last updated: April 19th, 2024
July 14th, 2023
Over the past years, the consumption of dietary supplements has become more widespread amongst both athletes and non-athletes. Athletes, in particular, have taken to these supplements to boost their athletic performance, speed up recovery, and prevent injuries. For product developers, it can be hard to decide which ingredients to include in their sports nutrition supplements. In this article, you will get to know more about the health benefits of our citrus extract WATTS’UP® and 6 reasons to include it in your sports nutrition supplement.
Beneficial effects of antioxidants for sports nutrition
Polyphenols are molecules present in many fruits. They have attracted attention for their ability to act as antioxidants and reduce inflammation [1]. Studies have shown that polyphenols from citrus, pomegranates, and blueberries can alleviate muscle pain after exercise and enhance muscle strength [2].
Additionally, flavonoid supplementation has been found to enhance endurance exercise performance in humans.
Therefore, Solabia Nutrition, previously known as BioActor, researched and developed a unique sports nutrition ingredient called WATTS’UP®. This is a natural ingredient, extracted from Citrus sinensis and standardized for highly bioavailable hesperidin.
WATTS’UP® has been designed to improve performance in both endurance and strength disciplines, making it a high-quality ingredient for supplements in the sports nutrition market. For this reason, we would like to delve into 6 reasons to use it in your sports nutrition supplement.
1. WATTS’UP® increases production of nitric oxide for optimal blood flow
Hesperidin, the main component in WATTS’UP® can boost the cells that form the lining of our blood vessels by promoting the production of nitric oxide [3]. This substance induces the muscles in our blood vessels to relax and expand, facilitating blood flow.
As a result, blood circulation increases leading to a decrease in blood pressure, as well as an increase in the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles during physical activity, thereby reducing fatigue.
2. WATTS’UP® directly affects the mitochondria
The mitochondria play a vital role in providing energy obtained from food into ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate), which is the energy source that the muscles need for physical activity [4].
Inside the muscle cells, WATTS’UP® increases the efficiency of mitochondria, allowing these organelles to produce much-needed energy in a more efficient way [3]. Simply put, WATTS’UP® makes sure that the mitochondria do not lose any of their potential to create energy, meaning that less energy is lost without the production of ATP.
3. WATTS’UP® increases sports performance in trained athletes and recreational gym-goers
Performance booster for trained athletes
A placebo-controlled double-blind study investigated the long-term effect of a daily dose of 500mg of WATTS’UP® supplementation on highly trained athletes.
After 4 weeks of supplementation with 500mg of WATTS’UP®, a strong increase in anaerobic power (p=0.03) was observed, as well as a sustained superior aerobic-derived power throughout the whole exercise. The tested individuals spent 10 hours per week biking, meaning that even in highly trained individuals, WATTS’UP® can give you the power to go that extra mile.
Performance booster for moderately trained individuals
Furthermore, a placebo-controlled and double-blind study investigated the effect of a daily dose of 400mg of WATTS’UP® on peak power in moderately trained subjects.
The results showed an increase in average peak power (p<0.001) as well as a significant increase in peak power within the first five seconds (p=0.020) after 4 weeks of supplementation. This means that WATTS’UP® is not only able to help highly trained individuals, but also gym-goers.
Read more about these studies in our white paper for WATTS’UP®.
4. Higher bioavailable
WATTS’UP® was specifically developed and has been micronized for improved bioavailability and rapid uptake [5].
To illustrate, a bioavailability study in humans showed that metabolites of WATTS’UP® reached the bloodstream after only 15 minutes of consumption to boost performance right from the start, enhancing the power during the exercise.
This makes WATTS’UP® a great ingredient to include in your sports nutrition supplement.
5. Natural powder and easy to formulate
WATTS’UP® is a clean and natural ergogenic sports performance ingredient, which is why it is a great addition to boost any sports nutrition formula. It has a neutral taste and is easily combined with electrolytes, BCAAs, creatine or caffeine in powder blends, capsules, effervescent tablets, beverages, and gummies.
Curious about which ingredients a pre-workout formula should include? Find out more!
6. WATTS’UP® is sustainably sourced
Moreover, WATTS’UP® is made from immature oranges that are sustainably sourced. During the growth of an orange tree, the tree has to decide which fruits are the most promising ones. To sustain these high-quality oranges, the tree has to allocate its resources to them. This means that the less promising oranges are dropped from the tree in a process that’s called ‘Fruit drop’.
That these immature oranges are dropped, does not mean that they are not full of valuable nutrients! For this reason, we collect this byproduct of orange trees to create our citrus extracts.
WATTS’UP®, the key ingredient for your sports nutrition supplement
In summary, WATTS’UP® increases aerobic and anaerobic power through a direct effect on the mitochondria showing positive effects on peak force, anaerobic power, and endurance performance. Therefore, this ingredient is the ideal sports supplement for both trained athletes and active people who want to get nutritional support for their physical exercise.
Because it is an innovative and science-based ingredient, it will add differentiation and help your supplement of getting a defined and solid positioning on the market. This makes WATTS’UP® an important ingredient in creating a successful sports supplement product.
Discover YAMAMOTO’s Success Story
Learn how YAMAMOTO integrated WATTS’UP® into their products, driving remarkable success.
How can we support mitochondrial function?
How can we support mitochondrial function?
Maastricht, 14th April, 2024
Supporting mitochondrial function is essential for maintaining overall health. Mitochondria serve as the cell’s powerhouses, responsible for energy production. Thus, maintaining mitochondrial health is key to cellular vitality and well-being.
The Key to Enhanced Mitochondrial Function
Hesperidin, a flavonoid abundant in citrus fruits (1), exerts multiple positive effects within cells. It acts as an effective scavenger of free radicals, safeguarding cells from oxidative damage. Specifically, hesperidin impacts mitochondrial function through several pathways:
Enhanced Efficiency: Research suggests hesperidin can boost mitochondrial efficiency, leading to improved cellular energy production (2).
Mitochondrial Protection: Hesperidin’s antioxidant properties are pivotal in shielding mitochondria from oxidative damage. It scavenges harmful radicals and helps preserve mitochondrial integrity, preventing dysfunction induced by oxidative stress (3).
Improved Resilience: Studies suggest hesperidin enhances mitochondrial resilience against various stressors, including environmental toxins and metabolic challenges (3). By reinforcing mitochondria’s adaptive capabilities, hesperidin supports overall cellular health and longevity.
Reduced Inflammation: Chronic inflammation can compromise mitochondrial function and induce cellular damage. Hesperidin’s anti-inflammatory properties help mitigate inflammation, indirectly supporting mitochondrial health (4).
Cardiovascular Benefits: Some research indicates hesperidin may support cardiovascular health by enhancing mitochondrial function in cardiac muscle cells (5), potentially improving heart function and overall cardiovascular wellness.
Incorporating hesperidin-rich foods or supplements into your diet may provide a natural means to support mitochondrial health and enhance overall well-being.
How to Support Mitochondrial Health?
Various lifestyle choices can elevate hesperidin levels in the body, promoting overall health:
- Dietary Choices: Consuming a diet abundant in citrus fruits is the primary strategy to boost hesperidin intake (6). Oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are excellent sources of this flavonoid. Incorporating these fruits into daily meals or snacks can significantly elevate hesperidin levels.
- Fresh and Whole Foods: Opt for fresh and minimally processed foods to maximize hesperidin content (7). Freshly squeezed citrus juices and whole citrus fruits contain higher hesperidin levels than packaged or processed alternatives.
- Cooking Methods: Choose cooking methods that preserve hesperidin content. Lightly steaming or stir-frying vegetables retains more hesperidin compared to boiling, which can leach out the flavonoid.
- Supplementation: Hesperidin supplements, available as capsules or tablets, offer a concentrated source for those not getting enough through diet alone (8).
- Physical Activity: Regular exercise can increase the bioavailability of flavonoids like hesperidin. Exercise improves blood circulation and metabolism, potentially enhancing hesperidin absorption and utilization.
Conclusion
Overall, hesperidin emerges as a valuable natural compound with the potential to support mitochondrial health and counteract oxidative stress-related disorders. Incorporating hesperidin supplementation or making dietary changes to increase hesperidin intake can further amplify these positive effects.
How to increase endurance performance during sport
How to increase endurance performance during sport
Last updated: April 5th, 2024
April 14th, 2022
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 and why it is important for you. Additionally, you will discover 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. 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.
During anaerobic exercise, many athletes also focus on activities that include resistance with the body (calisthenics) or equipment such as weight machines and barbell exercises.
The conclusion in each case is that a 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 cholesterol levels and blood pressure, preventing injuries and controlling weight [2].
As it concerns your performance skills, studies have shown that endurance helps athletes develop skills like agility, speed, power, and strength [3]. More specifically, it is an efficient way to maintain 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 who needs to run the last kilometres 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
Boosting endurance during sports involves focusing on two primary aspects: enhancing training capacities and taking the right nutrition.
To improve training capacities, it is crucial to gradually extend exercise durations [3]. This can be achieved by progressively increasing the duration or distance covered during training sessions over weeks, months, or even years. Additionally, for anaerobic exercises, endurance performance can be enhanced by increasing the number of repetitions with lighter weights.
However, nutrition is also an essential factor that influences the endurance of athletes. More specifically, it has been proven that nutritional supplements play a vital role in enhancing athletic performance and endurance, even though there is a lack of knowledge of their use [4]. Thus, athletes need reliable information regarding supplements they can trust and use in their daily demanding lives.
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 the case of high-intensity training [5] 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.
Carbohydrates
As 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 prevent muscle damage during endurance exercise efficiently [6].
The daily recommended dosage for carbohydrates depends on the type of exercise. Overall, the following is advised:
- Moderate endurance exercise (1 hour per day): 5-7 g/kg of body weight daily.
- Moderate to high-intensity endurance exercise (1-3 hours per day): 6-10 g/kg of body weight daily.
- Moderate to high-intensity endurance exercise (4-5 hours per day). 10-12 g/kg of body weight daily.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant that athletes can use to boost their energy temporarily [7]. More specifically, it can increase heart rates when athletes feel fatigued and has been proven to improve endurance performance [6].
Even if caffeine improves athletes’ perception of effort, it is important to be aware of the side effects it might have in higher intakes [8]. 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 consuming many caffeinated beverages is followed by fatigue [9].
The recommended clinical dose of caffeine is between 3 and 6 mg/kg.
Citrus flavonoids (hesperidin) – Power and endurance in one ingredient
To increase your endurance, strength, and power during highly intense training, you should consider 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 compared 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 sport performance and reduce recovery time.
Discover YAMAMOTO’s Success Story
Learn how YAMAMOTO integrated WATTS’UP® into their products, driving remarkable success.
WEBINAR: Hydration++ with WATTS'UP® - Watch on demand
WEBINAR: Hydration++
With WATTS’UP®
Are you interested in hydration formulas backed-up by science? At this webinar, we will present WATTS’UP® and the benefits of adding it to your formulation. Find out more about the science behind WATTS’UP® and its formulation possibilities.
Why watch?
The market for hydration products is steadily growing and consumer demands shape the market outlook. Due to raising customer awareness regarding health and wellbeing, they are looking for products that contain high-quality and scientifically-backed ingredients to health provide benefits beyond hydration.
Hydration products offering additional benefits are an upcoming trend. Find out how WATTS’UP can be the perfect addition to your hydration formula and add health benefits beyond hydration!
Presentation by Marit
10 minutes
EU Hydration Market Insights: expected growth, consumer preferences, product examples
Presentation by Yala
10 minutes
The Science behind WATTS’UP®: Discover the clinical data behind WATTS’UP® and understand the advantages it has to offer for sports performance.
Presentation by Valeria
10 minutes
Sales and Formulation possibilities of WATTS’UP®: all you need to know about dose, delivery formats, specifications and more