What are the benefits of hormone-free products?
What are the benefits of hormone-free supplements?
What Are Hormone-Free Supplements?
Hormone-free supplements are products that do not contain any synthetic or natural hormones. Unlike some supplements that include hormones like testosterone, estrogen, or HGH (human growth hormone), hormone-free supplements rely on vitamins, minerals, herbal extracts, amino acids, and other natural compounds to support the body’s functions.
Key Benefits
- Reduced Risk of Side Effects. Hormone-based supplements can lead to a range of side effects, including hormonal imbalances, mood swings, and even severe health issues. Hormone-free supplements eliminate these risks, providing a safer alternative for those looking to enhance their health and wellness (1). This is specifically popular among postmenopausal women (2).
- Natural Support for Body Functions. Hormone-free supplements often contain natural ingredients that support the body’s own hormone production and balance. For instance, adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha and rhodiola can help the body manage stress and maintain hormonal equilibrium naturally. This holistic approach ensures that the body’s systems work synergistically without external hormonal interference.
- Enhanced Safety and Regulation. Supplements free from hormones are generally subject to fewer regulatory concerns compared to their hormone-containing counterparts. This often results in higher safety standards and fewer risks associated with their consumption. Consumers can feel more confident in the purity and safety of hormone-free products.
- Broad Accessibility. Hormone-free supplements are suitable for a wider audience, including individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions, pregnant, breastfeeding or menopausal women, and those who prefer to avoid any potential hormonal interference due to personal or medical reasons. This inclusivity ensures that more people can benefit from supplements without adverse effects.
- Support for Long-Term Health Goals. Because hormone-free supplements focus on natural ingredients, they are better suited for long-term use. Whether you’re looking to boost your immune system, improve your cognitive function, or enhance your physical performance, these supplements provide sustainable support without the need for cycling or discontinuation due to side effects.
Conclusion
Hormone-free supplements offer a compelling alternative for anyone looking to improve their health and wellness safely and naturally. By reducing the risk of side effects, supporting the body’s natural functions, adhering to high safety standards, and being accessible to a broad audience, these supplements stand out as a superior choice. As the demand for natural health solutions continues to grow, hormone-free supplements are likely to become even more popular, helping individuals achieve their health goals without compromising their well-being.
Why are immature oranges a sustainable source for citrus extracts?
Why are immature oranges a sustainable source for citrus extracts?
Last updated: May 3rd, 2024
Nature is fascinating and citrus trees are no exception. These fruit-bearing trees, known for their refreshing oranges, have a remarkable way of sustaining themselves through a process of natural selection, which is better known as the fruit drop. In this article, we will explore what immature oranges are, shedding light on their origin, the growth process of orange trees, and the sustainable practices employed by nature itself.
Orange trees grow more oranges than they can sustain
During the summer, an orange tree bursts into a profusion of flowers, each one holding the promise of an orange. However, the tree faces a conundrum. It cannot possibly sustain all the blossoms it produces, as doing so would drain its resources and hinder its overall health. Consequently, the tree must decide on the number of oranges it can support adequately.
This decision is made by looking at which oranges the tree wants to fully grow and dropping the immature oranges that it decides are no longer able to grow.
Why does an orange tree drop immature oranges?
As the oranges begin to develop, the tree undergoes a natural selection process. It assesses its capacity to sustain the growing fruits and makes calculated choices to ensure its long-term well-being.
At this early stage, the tree drops the tiniest, most immature oranges, which are often just a few millimetres in size. This process is called fruit drop [1].
Fruit drop occurs when a fruit tree produces more fruits than it can adequately support to maturity. The tree goes through a natural thinning process in which it sheds a certain number of immature or underdeveloped fruits. This thinning is essential for the tree to allocate its resources efficiently and ensure that the remaining fruits have enough nutrients and energy to reach maturity.
Several factors can contribute to fruit drop. Some of the common reasons include:
1. Limited resources: The tree may not have enough resources, such as water, nutrients, or sunlight, to support the growth of all the fruits it has set.
2. Competition: When there are too many fruits on a tree, they may compete with each other for resources, leading to the shedding of some fruits.
3. Pollination and fertilization issues: If pollination or fertilization processes are incomplete or unsuccessful, the tree may drop the unfertilized or poorly developed fruits.
4. Environmental factors: Adverse weather conditions, such as frost, extreme heat, drought, or strong winds, can also cause fruit drop.
5. Disease or pest infestation: Certain diseases or pest attacks can result in the dropping of fruits as a defence mechanism by the tree [2]
Fruit drop is a natural mechanism that helps the tree optimize its resources and produce healthier fruits. It is a common occurrence in many fruit-bearing trees, and growers often expect some level of fruit drop during the growing season.
Immature oranges: a sustainable source of citrus extract
Though the tree drops the immature oranges to sustain other oranges, this does not mean that the immature oranges are not full of nutrients. On the contrary, these immature oranges have very high levels of the hero-compound hesperidin that Solabia Nutrition’s citrus extracts are standardized for.
To utilize their potential, these immature oranges must undergo a specific drying process. The moisture is carefully removed, transforming them into dried fruits. Once the oranges are fully dried, the extraction process begins, unlocking the hesperidin. This compound is a type of flavonoid that has many beneficial health effects.
The process of getting immature oranges is not only sustainable because the fruit drop is a natural process, but also because of the way pests are controlled via biological control [3].
How biological control preserves the quality of the immature oranges
A sustainable practice employed by orange tree farmers is biological control, which involves the deliberate use of natural enemies to combat pests. Instead of relying on harmful pesticides, farmers harness the power of nature’s allies to protect their citrus trees, including the immature oranges.
Beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, are introduced into the orchards to prey on pests like aphids and caterpillars that can harm the immature oranges. This method, known as biological control, helps maintain a balance in the ecosystem by reducing pest populations naturally and safeguarding the growth of immature oranges.
By embracing this approach, farmers can minimize the use of pesticides, thereby protecting the environment and preserving the health of the citrus trees and their valuable immature oranges.
This sustainable practice not only ensures the quality of the oranges but also fosters a harmonious relationship between agriculture and nature, promoting a healthier and more environmentally friendly farming system.
The most interesting part of immature oranges: Hesperidin
Hesperidin, a bioactive compound found abundantly in citrus fruits like oranges, possesses numerous health benefits. It’s a powerful flavonoid that has been extensively studied by Solabia Nutrition for its effect on gut health and in its micronized form: its effect on sports performance.
By utilizing the immature oranges’ dried form, the extraction process harnesses hesperidin’s potency, providing an eco-friendly and sustainable approach to its production.
During Solabia Nutrition’s visit to the orange fields in Spain that are the source of the immature oranges for our extracts, we had the privilege of learning about the orange trees’ natural fruit drop from our orange farmer.
The dried immature oranges, sourced from these carefully selected fields, serve as the foundation for our citrus extracts. By partnering with nature and respecting its processes, we strive to provide ingredients that are not only of the highest quality but also sustainably produced.
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
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?
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
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
Which ingredients should a pre-workout formula include?
The best ingredients for a pre-workout
Last updated: March 6th, 2024
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 should include to target power, focus and endurance.
Many gym-goers seek pre-workout supplements to enhance performance, but choosing the right ingredients remains a challenge.
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?
These formulations are combinations of ingredients, designed to boost energy and performance. That’s why athletes from all disciplines typically consume them shortly before their workout or training.
The goal of consuming these 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.
Essential aspects of a pre-workout
If you consider consuming a pre-workout to improve your performance, there are a few things to take into account before making a purchase.
Firstly, you want an effective product that delivers three main benefits: power, focus and endurance.
Secondly, choosing a product that provides rapid onset of these effects is important, ideally within 15-30 minutes of intake.
Lastly, it is best to select 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 look for in a pre-workout.
Ingredients for power
These ingredients enhance muscular strength and power, optimizing performance during workouts [2].
Citrulline malate
This ingredient consists of citrulline, a non-essential amino acid, and malic acid, an intermediate in the citric acid cycle.
Citrulline malate may improve 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
Creatine is one of the most well-researched ingredients in sports nutrition. This ingredient increases intramuscular creatine levels. Short-term energy generation in muscle tissue comes virtually 100% from creatine – the phosphorylated isoform, Cr-P.
Daily intake of 3 g promotes anaerobic performance in the gold standard Wingate Test [6]. Furthermore, researchers found beneficial effects on exercise recovery with creatine intake, reducing exercise-induced muscle damage [7].
Ingredients for focus
These ingredients ensure that you can focus on your movements to execute them with high precision [2]. Focus is commonly referred to as the mind-muscle connection.
Brainberry®
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 revealed that the consumption of Brainberry® increases focus, psychomotor speed and mental flexibility [8,9].
In particular, a study on 35 professional basketball players, showed important benefits after one week of supplementation. This study highlighted the ability of Brainberry® to significantly enhance cognitive performance and improve basketball-specific skills like shooting, rebounding and dribbling.
Cyanidin-3-O-Galactoside is the active ingredient in Brainberry® and 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
Caffeine is another ingredients that is well-researched in sports nutrition [2]. It is known for its ability to provide acute ergogenic effects.
A daily dose of 3 mg/kg bodyweight is linked to improvements in 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
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
Carbohydrates play a crucial role in providing sustained energy levels during prolonged exercises. However, the amount needed depends on the type of exercise [13]. For typical gym sessions lasting between 45 to 120 minutes, consuming a small amount of rapidly absorbed carbohydrates shortly before exercise can be beneficial.
For longer endurance activities, such as marathon training or extended cardio sessions, a larger intake of carbohydrates is necessary to optimize performance [14]. Slow-release carbohydrates could be a consideration for endurance athletes.
Citrus flavonoids – For power and endurance
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 is 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® can 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. This resulted in 33% higher ATP production – the fuel for our muscles [16].
Therefore, WATTS’UP® would be a great addition to any sports nutrition supplement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, pre-workouts are tailored combinations of ingredients aimed at enhancing energy and performance for athleses across various disciplines. Each ingredient serves a specific function, contributing to distinct aspects of sports performance.
Citrulline malate and creatine are dedicated to increase power, whereas Brainberry® and caffeine improve focus. Furthermore, beta-alanine and carbohydrates are valuable ingredients to enhance endurance performance.
Lastly, citrus flavonoids, such as WATTS’UP®, offer a promising dual benefit for any pre-workout formulation by boosting both power and endurance.
Discover YAMAMOTO’s Success Story
Learn how YAMAMOTO integrated WATTS’UP® into their products, driving remarkable success.
How to stay hydrated and increase physical performance?
How to stay hydrated and increase physical performance?
Hydration is the key to optimal physical activity. Our bodies work constantly to maintain an internal fluids balance. Effectively managing water loss is crucial for sustaining the body’s health and physical performance. In this blog we explore hydration and sports drinks. How can we stay hydrated and enhance performance?
What is water balance?
When engaging in physical activity, body temperature rises due to increased muscle activity. In response, the body produces sweat to cool down. This process helps regulate body temperature as water and mineral salts evaporate from the skin.
Indeed, water loss during physical activity is a desirable natural process. Its rate varies based on factors such as the intensity and duration of the activity, environmental conditions, and individual differences. On average, an hour of moderate physical activity can cause a person to lose around 0.5 to 1 litre of water (1, 2). Maintaining the water balance in the body is essential to avoid dehydration and optimize overall physical performance.
How to maintain a healthy water balance and prevent dehydration?
Dehydration can impact performance of any exercise longer than 15s (3) by affecting endurance, strength, cognitive function, and delaying recovery. Therefore, maintaining a healthy water balance is crucial. Sport drinks are a great choice to solve this issue as they provide plenty of water and supply the electrolytes needed to maintain the body water balance (4).
The role of electrolytes
Electrolytes are essential minerals that play a crucial role in maintaining proper hydration and overall bodily function. When we sweat during physical activity or in hot environments, we lose electrolytes along with water. These electrolytes include sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium. Electrolytes help regulate the balance of fluids within the body. Sodium, for example, helps the body retain water, while potassium works to balance sodium levels and regulate fluid distribution within cells (5).
Sports drinks with electrolytes
Depending on their electrolyte concentration, sport drinks can be classified as isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic. Each of them serves different purposes. The choice of which type of drink to use depends on individual needs and the type and duration of physical activity.
Hypotonic drinks contain a lower concentration of sugars and electrolytes that the one the body has. Hypotonic drinks are ideal for quick hydration for low duration sports (6).
Isotonic drinks have a concentration of sugars and electrolytes that tries to mimic the body’s concentration and are typically used for electrolytes and water replenishment. They are ideal for endurance events longer than 40 minutes (7).
Lastly, hypertonic drinks contain a higher concentration of electrolytes and sugars than the body does (8). This high dose of electrolytes and sugar is particular useful for long duration sports and is ideal for glycogen stores and fluids replenishment (9).
How to improve your standard sports drink beyond electrolytes?
Several beneficial ingredients can be added to a sports drink to enhance its functionality and provide additional benefits to athletes and individuals engaging in physical activity. Here are some examples:
Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are a primary source of energy for muscles during exercise. Fast absorbed ones like glucose, fructose and maltodextrin are a perfect fit for a sports drink to provide a readily available fuel source (10). On the other hand, adding slow digestible carbohydrates such as isomaltulose or arabinoxylans is also a good strategy to sustain endurance and performance during prolonged activity.
Polyphenols: polyphenols from sources like citrus extracts and Aronia berries can help improve performance by increasing focus, force and endurance.
Caffeine: Caffeine is a stimulant that can enhance mental alertness, focus, and endurance performance. Including caffeine in a sports drink can provide an extra boost of energy and improve exercise performance, particularly during intense workouts or endurance activities.
Vitamins and Minerals: Adding vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin E, B-vitamins, and zinc can support overall health, immune function, and recovery from exercise-induced oxidative stress.
Amino Acids: Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) such as leucine, isoleucine, and valine may aid in muscle recovery, reduce muscle soreness, and support muscle protein synthesis. Other amino acids like glutamine may help maintain immune function and gut health during intense training.
Adaptogens: Adaptogenic herbs like rhodiola, ginseng, or ashwagandha may help improve resilience to stress, enhance endurance, and support recovery from intense exercise.
Conclusion
Preventing dehydration is crucial for physical performance and subsequent recovery. Choosing the right sports drink with the best quality ingredients according to individual needs is the best strategy to keep hydrated and boost performance.
New Approved Health Claim for Watts'Up®
WATTS’UP® receives an additional approved health claim from Health Canada
PRESS RELEASE
Health Canada has issued a new Product Licence for WATTS’UP® and has approved the use of an additional health claim: “Helps to improve average power output during high intensity exercise in moderately trained individuals.”
WATTS’UP®, a customized flavonoid extract from sweet orange, has been tested in 2 double-blind placebo-controlled studies. The latest study was conducted in moderately trained men and women and showed a significant improvement in exercise performance with a significant increase in peak force and average 30 seconds power output.
Health Canada has issued a new Product Licence for WATTS’UP® with an enlarged scope. Pursuant to this Product Licence, WATTS’UP® is recommended to be used as “Athletic support” or “Workout/Exercise supplement.”
The following specific claims have been allowed by Health Canada: “Helps to improve average power output during high intensity exercise in moderately trained individuals” ; “Helps improve physical performance during exercise in trained male athletes”; and “Provides antioxidants that help cells to fight against the oxidative effect of free radicals and that helps protect cells and reduce oxidative damage and cell damage caused by free radicals”
The Journal of the International Scoiety of Sports Nutrition has published the results of the latest clinical study with WATTS’UP®. WATTS’UP® is a patent-protected citrus extract with enhanced bioavailability. It was tested in moderately trained athletes (both men and women) and showed a significant increase in power output during the Wingate anaerobic exercise test.
WATTS’UP® can be found on the market in multiple products in the USA, Europe, and Asia. It can be applied in various finished dosage forms, including powders, effervescent tablets, capsules, RTD sachets and beverages.
Feel free to contact us via info@bioactor.com for more information on the possibilities WATTS’UP® has to offer.
Further information can be found on: www.wattsup.eu
About Solabia – BioActor
BioActor, a Solabia Nutrition company, based in Maastricht, Netherlands, is a product development company that has developed a range of proprietary bioactive formulations with clinical studies. The company focuses on the development of innovative bioactives that address healthy living and 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
The importance of clinical research: An interview with BioActor's in-house scientists
The importance of clinical research: An interview with BioActor’s in-house scientists
Interview
In the world of clinical research and scientific exploration, BioActor stands out as a leading company dedicated to the development of health ingredients. At the forefront of BioActor’s research and development (R&D) efforts are Sanne Ahles and Maria Imperatrice, two certified clinical research scientists who play vital roles in the BioActor’s R&D initiatives. In this interview, Sanne and Maria provide insights into their responsibilities, experiences, and the challenges they face in their pursuit of scientific advancement.
Could you introduce yourself and your role within BioActor?
Sanne: My name is Sanne Ahles and I am a clinical research scientist at BioActor. In addition, I am a PhD candidate at the Department of Nutrition and Movement Sciences at Maastricht University. I obtained my master’s degree in biomedical sciences after my internship at BioActor, after which I started working as a researcher.
Within BioActor, I am responsible for the research regarding our product Brainberry®, mainly focused on cognitive performance and vascular function. Over the years, I have designed, performed, analyzed, and reported various clinical studies, as well as written a systematic literature review.
Maria: My name is Maria Imperatrice and I also work as a clinical research scientist at BioActor. My research focus is Healthy Ageing and I’m currently performing two studies, Actiful2 and FEMMED, on two of our ingredients (Actiful® and Bonolive®) to evaluate their effect on exercise performance and postmenopausal symptoms, respectively.
I obtained my Bachelor Degree in Biology and my Master in Human Nutrition at the University “Federico II Di Napoli” in Italy, and my second master’s degree in Human Movement Sciences, with a specialisation in Sport and Nutrition, at Maastricht University.
At BioActor, we highly value clinical research because it plays a crucial role in providing evidence-based ingredients. What does clinical research entail and what do you like about it?
Sanne: Clinical research entails many different processes. This includes idea formation and initial literature searches, finding collaborations, obtaining ethics approval, practical work, data analyses, writing reports and papers, and communicating our results at national and international conferences.
Maria: A very interesting part for us is the ideation of the study. At BioActor we highly value innovation, which is why before starting a new clinical trial, we sit in brainstorming sessions with the R&D, marketing and sales teams to try to find white spaces in the current knowledge that can be of interest for the common public and different health domains. Once we find an interesting and never explored topic, the investigation can start.
Could you briefly take us through the process of a clinical trial?
Sanne: First, we initiate the idea formation process by brainstorming ideas that are relevant to customer questions or explore new areas of interest. Next, we perform literature searches to look for relevant papers, available data, and discover white space; topics that have not yet been researched.
Then we reach out to a collaborator, usually a professor at a University, to work with on developing a protocol for ethics review.
Maria: Once we obtain ethics approval, we dive into the practical phase of the clinical trial. This involves engaging with participants through visits where we collect data. This includes not only traditional data that we can extrapolate by collecting blood samples, but also performing tests to evaluate outcomes like reaction time, exercise capacity and mental flexibility.
It’s an interactive and rewarding experience that brings our research to life and allows us to better understand how our ingredients contribute to improving human health and develop evidence-based solutions. Afterwards, we analyze the data, draw conclusions, and share our findings through peer-reviewed publications. It’s a cool journey from start to finish!
Which of the above do you enjoy the most as a scientist?
Sanne: I enjoy collaborating with other companies or academic institutes! It’s such an incredible opportunity for us to broaden our knowledge and take our research to the next level. The energy and creativity that come from working with diverse teams is truly great.
Maria: The practical side of our work is always interesting! Collecting data means we get to perform visits with participants, and trust me, it’s never boring when you’re involved in a human study. The hands-on experience and the constant interaction with people make it such an exciting and fulfilling part of our job.
What is the biggest challenge in designing a study?
Sanne: In my opinion, the biggest challenge in designing a study is obtaining ethics approval, which is a rigorous and time-consuming process. We meticulously prepare documents explaining our research goals, methodology, and participant recruitment.
The ethical committee thoroughly reviews these documents, granting final approval for each aspect of our research.
Maria: I agree! Obtaining ethics approval is a significant challenge. However, this process is crucial for upholding ethical standards and protecting participant rights.
It also adds credibility to our research, fostering trust and allowing our findings to have a greater impact. Despite the challenges, navigating the ethics approval process is vital for conducting valuable and ethically sound research.
What is the best part of working at BioActor as a scientist?
Sanne & Maria: Being a scientist at BioActor is truly rewarding due to the chance to collaborate with a dynamic and passionate team of international colleagues. Within BioActor, we also see other aspects of the company besides R&D.
Our weekly company meetings allow us to really understand the bigger picture of the company and understand what each department entails. Consequently, we explore different facets of the company and gain valuable insights beyond our specific research and development focus.
BioActor: Using clinical science as the key to innovative ingredients
Sanne Ahles and Maria Imperatrice exemplify the passion and dedication that drive BioActor’s pursuit of finding new health effects of ingredients and advancing scientific innovation. From ideation to practical implementation, data analysis, and knowledge dissemination; they are pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge and embracing the multidisciplinary nature of their work. Sanne and Maria contribute to BioActor’s mission of creating innovative and impactful solutions for a healthier life.
