What are the best substitutes for caffeine?
What are the best substitutes for caffeine?
Last updated: June 28th, 2024
A wide variety of caffeine-containing products are available, ranging from coffee and tea to dietary supplements, sodas and energy drinks. However, consuming too much caffeine often leads to side effects such as stress, anxiety, and even sleeping problems. If you are looking for alternative products to boost energy levels and increase focus, Brainberry®, maca root, ginseng, Rhodiola, and Lion’s Mane are natural ingredients that can help you get through the day without side effects.
Why should you substitute caffeine with another ingredient?
Most people drink coffee regularly. It is consumed because people like the taste or because of the social aspects to drinking coffee. Even though there are many ways to improve your focus, coffee is often consumed because it makes people feel more awake, alert, and energetic.
Of course, coffee is a source of caffeine, which is the ingredient that gives coffee its effects. There are other drinks that contain caffeine, and some people even take dietary supplements containing caffeine to boost their energy levels during the day or for their workout. [1].
Besides positive effects, consumption of caffeine may also have some downsides. These include giving people feelings of stress and anxiety. Besides increasing these feelings, caffeine consumption could also lead to insomnia [2].
Caffeine is unique in its function, but these adverse effects are a reason for people to reduce the intake of caffeine and look for alternative ingredients. Here are some suggestions of natural substitutes that make you feel awake and help you focus, without leaving you feeling stressed.
The best substitutes for caffeine
1. Maca root
Maca is a plant that grows in Peru (also called Peruvian ginseng). It’s a plant that belongs to the brassica (mustard) family. It is traditionally used for nutritional and medicinal purposes. The plant is made into a powder that is often added to smoothies, juices, and shakes.
It has been used for centuries as a fertility enhancer in humans and animals, but now more benefits of consuming maca are being discovered. The benefits of maca root vary, and evidence shows it may help increase energy levels and improve mood.
Additionally, other findings show that maca can help against feelings of anxiety and stress. This makes Maca a good alternative to caffeine, which can have the opposite effect.
2. Ginseng
Like maca, ginseng is a herb made from the root of its plant. It has been one of the most important products for health care in Asia. There, it has been used to make traditional medicine for centuries.
There are different types of ginseng, which vary in the way they are grown and processed. White ginseng is dried naturally, while red ginseng is steamed before it is dried, which increases its efficacy. The most important compounds in ginseng are ginsenosides and gintonin [3].
Ginseng is one of the most popular caffeine substitutes. Various research demonstrated that this plant is able to improve brain functions, boost mood and memory, help against fatigue, and increase energy levels.
3. Brainberry® (Aronia berry extract)
Aronia berries are becoming increasingly popular among consumers because of their many demonstrated health benefits. Aronia plants are native to North America but are also commonly found in the Baltic region of Europe.
Brainberry® is an Aronia berry extract researched and developed by BioActor. It was demonstrated that the daily consumption of Brainberry® is able to boost mental energy and focus without side effects. An ideal alternative if you want to get rid of caffeine!
The main constituent of Brainberry is an anthocyanin called Cyanidin 3-O-galactoside, a powerful antioxidant that can improve brain health and support brain function
If this sparked your interest, you can find out everything you need to know about Brainberry®, brain health and improving your focus here.
4. Rhodiola
Rhodiola is a plant that can be found in Europe and Asia. Like ginseng and maca its root is consumed for health benefits. Rosavin and salidroside are believed to be its most profitable compounds.
Rhodiola has been used for many years and has been mostly recommended to treat headaches, hernias and has also been used as an astringent. Nowadays, rhodiola is often consumed by people during stressful times.
If you’re looking for a natural alternative to caffeine that reduces fatigue, rhodiola is a good option because it has been shown to improve symptoms in participants that suffered from chronic fatigue. The stress-lowering and energizing effects of rhodiola make it a great natural replacement for coffee.
5. Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane is a mushroom that can grow long hair-like strings that resemble a lion’s mane. It is often found in North America, Europe, and Asia. It consists for roughly 20% out of protein.
Lion’s Mane is increasingly studied. It has properties that are believed to be neuroprotective. That is because two novel nerve growth factors have been discovered in this mushroom [4].
Lion’s Mane has thus been said to have positive effects on the brain. It can improve memory and helps to lower feelings of stress and anxiety. This makes it an ingredient that can help consumers cut down on their caffeine consumption.
The bottom line
We all love a good cup of coffee in the morning. However, there are several reasons to reduce caffeine intake and look for a substitute. The aforementioned ingredients are good natural alternatives to caffeine as they can boost energy levels and brain functions, without having any anxiety or stress inducing effects.
How to promote longevity via cellular health?
How to promote longevity via cellular health?
Longevity refers to living a longer and healthier life. While aging is a natural process, it is possible to minimize the physical and cognitive decline that comes with it and reduce the risk of certain diseases. The question is: how to achieve this?
The body is a complex network of cells and tissues that communicate with each other to perform all its functions. This article will how longevity can be promoted at three levels:
- Cellular health, notably by combatting oxidative stress and making the mitochondria work better
- Organ health, notably by preventing arterial stiffness and by gut microbiota
- Whole body health by enhancing mobility, brain fitness and mental wellness.
What is oxidative stress?
Oxidative stress occurs when there is a physiological imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the cell’s ability to neutralize them.
Mitochondria, the organelles that produce energy for cellular functions, are also a production site of ROS. That is because cellular respiration, the metabolic pathway in mitochondria that produces energy, also generates ROS (1).
ROS are oxidants that can cause damage to cellular components like proteins and DNA, leading to the formation of toxic compounds. One such compound is 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), which amplifies oxidative stress by damaging cell membranes (2).
Although our bodies have endogenous defense systems to combat oxidative stress, their efficiency decreases with age. Therefore, it is crucial to support mitochondria for longevity and overall cell health by including antioxidant-rich foods in our diet.
For instance, vitamin C contributes to mitochondrial well-being (3). Therefore, consuming vitamin C-rich foods, such as citrus fruits, help maintain mitochondrial health and cellular homeostasis. Another example is Haematococcus pluvialis, a type of microalga, naturally produces one of the strongest antioxidants: astaxanthin. Astaxanthin protects cell membrane by scavenging ROS in both the inner and outer layers (4).
What is the effect of aging on tissue health?
The tissues in our body are composed of groups of cells that share similar features and functions. Tissues are prone to deterioration with age. For example, aging is a major risk factor for vascular dysfunction and the development of vascular diseases.
Elastin and collagen are proteins that provide mechanical properties to blood vessels, with elastin contributing to their elasticity and collagen to their rigidity. As blood vessels age, they tend to become stiffer due to a decrease in elastin fibers and an increase in collagen fibrils.
A metabolic reaction that can amplify vessel stiffness is glycation. This reaction occurs between sugars and amino groups from proteins, lipids or nucleic acids, resulting in the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). While the formation of AGEs is a normal part of metabolism, high levels of AGEs in tissues and circulation can be harmful (5).
How to prevent cognitive and physical decline with age?
Changes at cellular and tissue levels are perceptible in the physical and mental state of the body. As we age, the loss of muscle mass leads to general mobility issues and reduced strength. By the age of 80, 30% of muscle mass is lost, and this percentage can be higher if physical inactivity is combined with poor nutrition (6). This decline in muscle capacity is partly due to a decrease in both the number and functionality of mitochondria, resulting in less energy being produced for muscle tissues.
Additionally, aging makes problem-solving and memorization more challenging. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a protein crucial for neuronal cell survival and plasticity. It plays a key role in the generation of neurons in the central nervous system.
A balanced diet rich in red fruits is beneficial for cognitive health because of their high anthocyanins content, molecules known for their positive and protective effects on the nervous tissues (7). Studies have shown that a one-week supplementation of 180mg anthocyanin per day increased BDNF levels in healthy young adults (8).
Conclusion
Therefore, to promote longevity, it is important to include antioxidant-rich foods, stay mentally active, consume enough protein to support muscle mass, stay well-hydrated, and get sufficient sleep. Moreover, specific supplementation with nutrients that stimulate mitochondrial efficiency, protect arteries, promote brain fitness, mobility and mental wellness will further boost cellular health and overall longevity.
Top 6 Reasons to Include Actiful® in Your Energy Supplement
Top 6 Reasons to Include Actiful® in Your Energy Supplement
Last updated: June 14th, 2024
As energy-boosting dietary supplements are gaining popularity among consumers, the need for clinically proven health ingredients is growing accordingly. If you are a formulator looking to craft an effective product targeting energy & vitality, you may be overwhelmed by the many ingredients available out there. Can’t make your mind up? In this article, we explore the top 6 reasons to include Actiful® in your product.
The growing interest in energy-boosting supplements.
In today’s hectic world, more than ever, people suffer from tiredness and lack of energy. Many consumers indeed tackle physical and mental stress with the help of dietary energy-boosting supplements, which help them avoid fatigue, do more sports and be more socially active.
The interest in nutritional solutions for an extra energy kick is increasingly gaining popularity. In fact, according to the recent CRN consumer survey on dietary supplements, improving energy levels is among the top 5 reasons for consuming such products (28%, a 7% increase yearly), showing how people rely on supplements to get through the day.
What is Actiful®?
Actiful® is a patent-protected orange and pomegranate complex, specifically designed to enhance energy and vitality, affecting short-term and long-term energy systems and improving mood.
This all-natural ingredient is standardized for highly bioavailable hesperidin, an important polyphenol found in sweet oranges (Citrus Sinensis). Hesperidin-containing foods are part of the type of foods that are good to support your daily energy.
Solabia Nutrition, previously known as BioActor, developed Actiful® and, together with Maastricht University, researched the ingredient and confirmed its health benefits in multiple randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials.
Including Actiful® in your formulation: top 6 reasons
If you are thinking of including Actiful® in your formulation, you must know the following:
1. It has been clinically tested in both young and senior subjects.
When the common goal is being more active, Actiful® is the ideal ingredient for both young and senior subjects.
The efficacy of Actiful® was first demonstrated in a 4-week randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical study conducted with young subjects. The results show that immediate and sustained energy improved significantly for the supplementation group compared to placebo [1].
In another clinical trial, the objective was to measure the effect of Actiful® on energy and mental wellness in seniors. As expected, anaerobic power significantly improved in the supplementation group [2].
Interestingly, the WHO Quality of Life scores on mental wellness significantly increased in the Actiful® group, compared to the placebo.
2. It boosts the NO levels, thereby improving the blood flow.
The active flavonoids in sweet orange, the major component of Actiful®, were found to activate the phosphorylation of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS). eNOS is the key enzyme for Nitric Oxide (NO) synthesis [3]. Consequently, NO increases, which positively affects the endothelium by promoting vasodilation and increasing blood flow.
As a direct consequence of the improved blood flow, oxygen and nutrients are more efficiently transported to the body districts where required.
Pomegranate further augments the production of NO as it is an excellent donor of highly bioavailable nitrate.
3. It works directly at the mitochondrial level.
Experiments in myotubes showed that hesperitin, the active flavanone derived from the metabolization of Actiful®, enhances ATP production at the mitochondrial level [4].
By quenching the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reducing proton leakage between the intermembrane space and the mitochondrial matrix, Hesperitin can improve the proton gradient required for the ADP-ATP phosphorylation cycle.
This process results in a better respiration capacity of the mitochondria, leading to more ATP production, the fuel for our muscles.
4. It acts on the body as well as on the mind.
Mood is a crucial aspect of every individual’s well-being. Stress, anxiety, focus and happiness are all factors that affect our psychophysical wellness.
It was demonstrated that the supplementation with Actiful® not only positively affects the energy level, but it may also affect the mood.
As it is clear that body and mind work in tandem, Actiful® can be considered the perfect vitality enhancer!
5. High bioavailability is proven.
Bioavailability is an important aspect to consider in nutraceuticals, as it is a key indicator of absorption and directly influences the bio-activity of specific molecules.
Actiful® was developed with this concept in mind, and a human and in vitro study demonstrated that the active ingredient starts to be taken up by the body within minutes [5].
Furthermore, the active metabolites remain available for several hours after consumption. Hence, Actiful® offers excellent potential for a significant immediate energy boost, maintained over time after consumption.
6. It is patent-protected.
Actiful® is an innovative and patent-protected ingredient. Solabia Nutrition is a pioneer in researching the positive effect of citrus flavonoids on energy metabolism.
This further adds value and makes Actiful® even more unique. Why? Because you won’t find imitations in the marketplace.
If you are interested in learning more about Energy & Vitality – Trends, Clinical Research and Innovation, you should check out our webinar on this topic. Click here to view!
Dermaphenolics Project Collaboration with RUMC
Solabia Nutrition announces the start of the Dermaphenolics Project Collaboration with Radboud University Medical Center
Press Release
About the Dermaphenolics Project
Solabia Nutrition announces the start of a collaboration around the Dermaphenolics project with Radboud University Medical Center (RUMC), whereby RUMC’s deep understanding of cellular signaling and skin health is combined with Solabia Nutrition’s pipeline of clinical leads.
Solabia Nutrition has expertise and experience in the clinical development of innovative active ingredients, extracted from plants (botanicals) with great potential for women’s health, cognitive function, healthy aging and gut-skin axis.
RUMC is affiliated with Radboud University in the Netherlands, and is a leading institution in dermatology, both for patient care and mechanistic research in the field of skin biology.
The objective of this project is to study the effect of phenolics on in-vitro cultures of skin cells. The project will focus on keratinocyte cellular signaling and skin homeostasis. These phenolic compounds are currently being studied by Solabia Nutrition in exploratory clinical studies for multiple endpoints, including endpoints related to skin physiology.
Solabia Nutrition’s head of R&D Yala Stevens takes the lead in this collaboration together with Prof. Ellen van den Bogaard, the head of the Laboratory for Experimental Dermatology.
Yala Stevens, head of R&D at Solabia Nutrition, comments:
“This is a great first step in understanding the impact that our phenolic lead compounds could have on skin cells and skin homeostasis. The Dermophenolics Project will allow us to get mechanistic insights in the area of skin biology and be the basis for further clinical validation.”
About Solabia Nutrition
Solabia Nutrition, based in Maastricht, Netherlands, develops and supplies proprietary bioactive formulations to the health and sports nutrition industry. All Solabia Nutrition’s products are clinically tested and from natural origin. The main focus areas are gut microbiome, brain health, energy & vitality and skin health.
Feel free to contact via contact@solabia.com for more information on the possibilities our ingredients have to offer.
Top 3 reasons to add astaxanthin to your product formula
Top 3 reasons to add astaxanthin to your product formula
Top 3 benefits of astaxanthin
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Astaxanthin decreases oxidative stress
Astaxanthin helps to significantly reduce oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (1). Its unique molecular structure, which allows it to span across cell membranes, enhances its ability to protect cells from lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. Astaxanthin also boosts the body’s natural antioxidant defenses by upregulating the activity of enzymes, thus providing a comprehensive shield against oxidative damage and supporting overall cellular health (2).
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Astaxanthin for Skin Health
Astaxanthin promotes skin health by protecting skin cells from damage and supporting a youthful appearance (3). The skin is exposed to numerous internal and external factors that cause damage, such as sun exposure, pollution, and toxins, which lead to the production of ROS. These ROS can degrade collagen and damage DNA, resulting in sunburn, wrinkles, and age spots. Clinical studies have shown that astaxanthin improves skin appearance by reducing hyperpigmentation, decreasing skin water loss, increasing elasticity, and protecting against UV radiation (4).
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Astaxanthin for Eye Health
The eyes are particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress due to their exposure to light, high content of mitochondria, and the metabolic rate of photoreceptors (5) . Oxidative stress is linked to various eye diseases and retinal disorders. Fortunately, astaxanthin crosses the blood-retinal barrier, helping to protect the eyes from oxidative stress and inflammation. Clinical studies have shown that astaxanthin improves blood flow in the eye’s small vessels and reduces eye fatigue and strain from prolonged screen exposure (6).
Conclusion
Astaxanthin’s strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties make it a valuable addition to any product aimed at cellular, skin, and eye health.
Solabia Nutrition sponsors the International Probiotic Conference
Solabia Nutrition sponsors the 17th International Scientific Conference on Probiotics, Prebiotics, Gut Microbiota and Health
Prague, here we come! Solabia Nutrition proudly sponsors IPC 2024 for the 3rd year in a row!
Solabia Nutrition Sponsors IPC Gut Health Conference 2024 for Third Consecutive Year
Solabia Nutrition announces its continued sponsorship of the IPC Gut Health Conference for the third consecutive year. This scientific conference brings together leading experts, researchers, and business professionals in the field of gut health to share the latest advancements and innovations.
As a global leader in nutritional solutions, Solabia Nutrition is dedicated to advancing gut health research and providing cutting-edge ingredients that support microbiome health, gut barrier integrity, SCFA production and IBS symptoms reduction. Our ongoing partnership with the IPC Gut Health Conference underscores our commitment to fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange within the scientific community.
This year’s conference promises to be an exceptional platform for discussing the latest research in the area, emerging trends, and practical applications in gut health. Attendees can look forward to insightful presentations and networking opportunities that will drive the future of gut health science.
About Solabia Nutrition
Solabia Nutrition, based in Maastricht, Netherlands is part of the Solabia Group and has developed a range of proprietary bioactive ingredients for the nutrition and healthcare industry. We focus on the development of innovative ingredients from plants and microalgae that address active living and healthy ageing. Our goal is to provide the nutrition and healthcare industry with science-based innovations that confer a real health benefit to consumers.
Feel free to contact via contact@solabia.com for more information on the possibilities our ingredients have to offer.
