Prinova has launched its clinically supported pre-workout ingredient CitraPeak^® in Europe.

The unique product is the first 100 % soluble form of hesperidin – a flavonoid that occurs naturally in citrus fruits. Its vasodilatory and pump effects make it ideal for pre-work-out applications.

In CitraPeak^®, hesperidin is bonded to tapioca starch, making it 100,000 times more soluble and 347 times more bioavailable than standard hesperidin, allowing rapid activation.

The benefits of CitraPeak^® are supported by a range of published clinical studies. They include:

• Increase in physical output: Research shows that CitraPeak^® helps increase, energy and physical output
• Rapid release: Over 100,000 times more soluble¹ and 347 times more bioavailable than standard hesperidin, CitraPeak^® activates in just 30 minutes.²
• Increase in thermogenic effect: In a cold condition test, surface temperatures were 5.4 °F higher among a CitraPeak^® group than a control, with users reporting increased sweating at room temperature.³
• Nitric oxide pump effect: CitraPeak^® is broken down in the body into hesperetin (of which hesperidin is a glycoside), which has been linked to increased release of nitric oxide⁴ and related pump effects.
• Increase in blood flow: In another clinical study, CitraPeak^® was found to increase blood flow by 18 % compared to a control.⁵

Ongoing research is also exploring the product’s benefits in areas like V̇O2 max, recovery, mood and cognitive performance.

James Street, Global Marketing Director at Prinova, said: “CitraPeak^® is a one-of-a-kind ingredient for pre-workout applications. It offers all the clinically proven benefits of standard hesperidin – like increase in thermogenic effect and release of nitric oxide. However, for the first time it delivers them in a completely soluble form, so that the vasodilatory and pump effects of hesperidin are noticeable extremely rapidly. CitraPeak^® is a game-changing pre-workout ingredient, and we’re delighted that its benefits are now available to active consumers in Europe.”

Sourced from citrus peels, CitraPeak^® is clean, near colourless, near tasteless and odourless.

¹H Mitsuzumi et al. Glucosyl Hesperidin Lowers Serum Triglyceride Level in the Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet through the Reduction of Hepatic Triglyceride and Cholesteryl Ester. Japanese Pharmacology & Therapeutics 39(8): 727-740 (2011)
²M Yamada et al. Bioavailability of Glucosyl Hesperidin in Rats. Bioscience Biotechnology and Biochemistry 70(6): 1386-1394 (2006)
³K. Yoshitani et al. Effect of a-Glucosylhesperidin on Poor Circulation in Women. Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology 61: 233-239 (2008)
⁴L Liu et al. Distinct Effects of Naringenin and Hesperetin on Nitric Oxide Production from Endothelial Cells. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 56: 824-829 (2008)
⁵S. Endo. Dietary Glucosyl Hesperidin Improves Blood Flow, Skin Color and Skin Conditions. The Society for the Study of Hesperidin (2015)

Prinova Europe will showcase its functional nutrition capabilities in great-tasting, ready-to-mix beverage concepts targeting consumer trends at Vitafoods Europe (20th to 22nd May in Barcelona).

New consumer research by the premix and blends specialist has found that 53 % of consumers cite great taste as the primary influence on purchase.¹ Prinova’s Vitafoods concepts combine trending flavours with functional nutrition and branded ingredients to demonstrate how manufacturers can develop innovative products that address key market needs. They include:

• Citrus Blast – a pre-workout beverage packed with ingredients to unlock performance potential. This has been identified by Prinova’s research as a megatrend² and of particular interest to sports and active nutrition consumers.³ The citrus-flavoured drink includes
  L-citrulline, natural caffeine and B vitamins. It also contains 200 mg of CitraPeak^®, the first 100 % soluble form of hesperidin. Currently available in the US, the clinically supported pre-workout ingredient will soon be launched in Europe.
• Good Guts Lemon Ginger Tea – a refreshing drink for digestive health support. Prinova research has identified digestive/gut health as a megatrend² and consumers’ primary health concern.⁴ The concept includes Aquamin^®, a marine mineral complex and prebiotic for which Prinova recently acquired exclusive distribution rights in the DACH region. In human studies, Aquamin^® has shown potential for aiding gastrointestinal tract health.
• Young at heart – In Prinova’s recent market research, healthy ageing emerged as a key concern, with over half (52 %) of consumers saying it significantly affected their choices of food or nutrition products. Specially formulated to meet this need, this red fruit-based beverage concept contains ingredients such as saberry, vitamins A and C, and magnesium.

James Street, Global Marketing Director at Prinova, said: “We’re looking forward to demonstrating our unrivalled functional nutrition capabilities with our great-tasting, ready-to-mix beverage concepts at Vitafoods Europe. At Prinova, we specialise in developing innovative product concepts that reflect market trends. Our expertise in research and analysis of supplements, health, wellness, sports and lifestyle trends and consumer preferences uncovers untapped potential that drives category and overall market growth. As an industry leader in ready-to-mix powder contract manufacturing, we also offer huge flexibility in formats, including convenient stick packs for precise dosing and easy portability.”

¹Research conducted online between May and June 2024
²Prinova, 2024 and 2025 Trends (2023)
³Prinova White Paper, State of play: new insights into the changing sports nutrition market: https://www.prinovaglobal.com/eu/en/resources/white-paper/new-insights-into-the-changing-sports-nutrition-market
⁴Prinova White Paper, Getting personal: nutrition in the digital age: https://www.prinovaglobal.com/eu/en/resources/white-paper/getting-personal–nutrition-in-the-digital-age

New Prinova concepts at FiEurope 2024 will demonstrate how manufacturers can tap into the latest food and nutrition mega-trends.

Over the past year, Prinova’s bespoke market research has identified the major consumer trends shaping the future of food and nutrition. At FiEurope, the premix expert will showcase a range of concepts that demonstrate how manufacturers can tap into them with innovative new products.

They have been created to provide an example of a possible “good for you” range:

• Good Guts: In Prinova’s most recent research, gut health emerged as the concern most likely to affect consumers’ purchase decisions. This light and refreshing lemon ginger tea for immune support and digestive health is designed as the perfect addition to their daily routines. It includes two powerful prebiotics, Aquamin® and inulin, as well as L-Glutamine – a primary fuel source for immune cells in the gut. They are combined with an expertly formulated blend of vitamins and minerals to help support the digestive tract, immunity and energy levels.
• Good Mind: Prinova identified demand for cognitive wellbeing as one of nine mega-trends for 2024. Flavoured with cherry and grapefruit, this tasty drink offers consumers clean and sustained alertness without the jitters. It contains a blend of well researched ingredients associated with improved concentration and cognitive function, including vitamins, minerals and natural caffeine from green coffee beans.
• Good Game: With consumers turning to healthier beverages as they reduce their alcohol intake, this refreshing kiwi lime beverage offers a convenient way to replenish and energise. Natural electrolytes from Aquamin® aid hydration, which is combined with amino acids for recovery, and B-vitamins and minerals for energy.
• Workout Cookies: Botanicals are one of the ingredients consumers most look for in sports nutrition products. These cookies contain a blend of pomegranate, panax ginseng root and lychee extracts for recovery, oxidative stress reduction and endurance capacity.
• Gaming Gummies: As gaming continues to grow in popularity, players are increasingly recognising the impact that intense sessions can have on their physical and mental performance, as well as the importance of enhanced reaction times. This has increased demand for products with functional ingredients such as nootropics. Containing L-Tyrosine, taurine and natural caffeine, these gummies are designed to address focus, memory and attention.

James Street, Global Marketing Director at Prinova, said: “Prinova’s in-house expertise and research insights have helped us to identify the key trends shaping the future of food and nutrition. At FiEurope, it’s all about inspiring manufacturers to tap into them. Whether it’s the rising demand for cognitive wellbeing, the ‘sober-curious’ trend in beverages, or innovative new sports nutrition solutions, we’re continually tracking the many ways that consumers’ needs are changing. And as these new concepts demonstrate, we have the portfolio of ingredients and the expertise to help you meet them.”

FiEurope will take place between the 19th and 21st of November 2024 at Messe Frankfurt. Prinova will exhibit at Stand 3.1K70, where visitors will also be offered a sneak preview of pre-workout ingredient CitraPeak^TM . Set to launch in Europe in 2025, the clinically supported product is the first 100 % soluble form of hesperidin – a flavonoid that occurs naturally in citrus fruits.

Health claims influence the food and beverage purchasing decisions of most consumers, and are particularly likely to resonate with the youngest, research has shown.

Global ingredient supplier Prinova surveyed over 1500 adult consumers in Europe and the US.^* Seventy-two per cent said they were more likely to buy a food or beverage product if the packaging mentioned a health benefit. However, this rose to 87 % among those aged 18 to 24, and to 80 % among those aged 25 to 34.

Overall, the claims most likely to influence purchasing decisions were low-sugar or sugar-free, weight management and energy support. The ingredients most likely to influence purchasing decisions were probiotics, vitamins and minerals and fibre, while the concerns most likely to affect food and beverage purchases were gut health, healthy ageing and fatigue.

James Street, Global Marketing Director at Prinova, said: “There’s a long-term trend towards more proactive approaches to wellbeing, with dietary changes a key element of consumers’ strategies for living better. As a result, they’re increasingly seeking out food and beverage products with health benefits. Our research demonstrates the value of well communicated health claims, especially in key areas like gut health and energy support. While they resonate powerfully across all demographics, our research provides new evidence that zoomers and millennials are particularly likely to focus on wellness when choosing between products.”

The research also reveals high levels of interest in personalised approaches to nutrition. Seventy-nine per cent of respondents believed that their particular genetic make-up affected their nutritional needs either slightly or significantly, with millennials and women particularly likely to agree.

Forty-one per cent were keen to try a test that monitored how particular foods affected their bodies, while 32 % were interested in tracking their diet and nutrition through an app or questionnaire. Thirty per cent of respondents overall, and 37 % of those aged 25-34, were interested in wearable devices to monitor their blood sugar levels.

Sixty-six per cent of the consumers surveyed played video games at least once a week, and 61 % of these said they used food or nutrition products to improve their gaming performance. The ingredients most associated with superior performance were caffeine, B vitamins and ginseng.

Prinova is a leader in categories like amino acids, plant proteins, sweeteners and vitamins. Its branded ingredients include enduracarb® trehalose, a slow-release carbohydrate designed to provide sustained energy, and LactoSpore®, a clinically validated shelf-stable probiotic.

Download the full report at: https://tinyurl.com/yyksms7p

*Survey of 1,582 consumers in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK and the US. Conducted online in June 2024.

Consumers are turning to tea, coffee and energy drinks as they reduce their alcohol intake, Prinova research has shown. The report also suggests that even more drinkers – younger ones in particular – would cut back if a wider range of healthy non-alcoholic beverages were available.

To explore current trends in the beverage space, Prinova, the leading provider of bespoke premixes and blends, surveyed 1277 physically active European consumers.^* More than four in ten (42.5 %) said they had reduced their alcohol intake over the past three years, compared to just 15 % who reported drinking more. Consumers aged 25-34 were the most likely to say they were consuming less alcohol.

Among those who had cut down on alcohol, most were turning to healthier beverage options including coffee, tea, still water and juices/smoothies, with preferences varying by age, gender, and location. Consumers over the age of 65 were five times more likely than average to have increased their consumption of dairy beverages, while alcohol-free beer was significantly more popular with older age groups than Gen Z.

Over a third (35 %) of men who had cut down on alcohol were drinking more energy drinks as a result. Energy also emerged as the top wellness benefit sought in healthy beverages, ahead of hydration and post-exercise recovery.

In the cohort who had not reduced their alcohol intake, over half said they would be likely to do so if a wider range of healthy beverages were available. This was particularly true of millennials (64 %).

When asked which ingredients they most looked for in healthy drinks, 65 % of respondents picked vitamins and 48 % chose minerals. Plant protein also scored highly as a desirable beverage ingredient, ahead of both fruit and whey protein. Other purchase drivers for healthy beverages included affordability, natural ingredients, trusted brand, and scientifically proven ingredients.

James Street, Global Marketing Director at Prinova, said: “Consumers are increasingly re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol, whether that means embracing the ‘sober-curious’ trend, or simply moderating their intake. However, our research also suggests that many more would be persuaded do so if they could replace booze with appealing healthy alternatives. Given the scale of this market need, and the increasingly wide range of on-trend functional ingredients available, it’s clear that there are still huge opportunities for innovation in the functional beverage space.”

With the world’s largest inventory of food-grade single vitamins, and as the leading supplier of vitamins B and C, Prinova can help manufacturers create beverages with premium micronutrients. Its other solutions include enduracarb®, a slow-release “double sugar” which is ideal for energy drinks and sports nutrition beverages, and AlphaTeaTM, a 100 % natural solution for functional beverages derived from green tea extract.

For the full results of the research, download the White Paper from: https://tinyurl.com/8u2knyb6

^*Online survey of consumers in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.

Prinova has identified growing demand for ingredients for the mind as one of nine emerging food, beverage and nutrition “mega-trends”. In a new report on functional health trends, it also spotlights the increasing prominence of branded ingredients, and growing demand for “real foods”.

The leading provider of ingredients and premixes commissioned expert researchers to analyse patterns in retail and food service and to conduct social media listening. This allowed it to build a framework of nine macro-trends that will shape the industry in 2024 and beyond.

The report highlights the growing number of products containing adaptogens and nootropics, which it attributes to factors such as enduring concerns around performance, focus and “brain fog” in the wake of the pandemic. It also notes growing demand for natural sources of caffeine, such as yerba and matcha, as consumers seek “an antidote to boom and bust caffeination”. Meanwhile, ongoing talk about the stress of modern life, coupled with research on the importance of sleep and rest, has led to “an array of adaptogenic ingredients” being included in everyday food and beverage products.

The Prinova report also notes that “branded ingredients are emerging from the depths of the ingredient list, with logos making their way to the front of product packaging, “particularly in categories like plant-based and performance nutrition. Prinova’s range of branded ingredients includes enduracarb^® , a science-backed, slow-release ‘double sugar’ for endurance, and Bacopin^®, a bacopa monniera ingredient which, studies show, may help improve memory and attention.

Other mega-trends identified in the report include:

• ‘Real Food Rules’: A shift away from complicated ingredient lists as consumers embrace ingredients in their most natural, unprocessed form. This includes recognising the benefit of animal-based products again, including previously maligned elements such as full fat.
• ‘Hack my Health’: With growing interest in the way products interact with our genotypes, phenotypes and lifestyles, companies are increasingly offering personalised services to cater for unique needs.
• ‘Targeted Nutrition’: Consumers are increasingly aware of the nutritional interventions they can make to improve their wellbeing at different life stages. More knowledgeable than ever, they are looking for products with detailed claims.

James Street, Marketing Director, EMEA & APAC at Prinova, said: “Consumers are looking to food, beverage and nutrition products to meet a growing number of needs. To identify where the opportunities are, and to help our customers create innovative, new products, we’ve created a future-facing framework that identifies the most important emerging trends. We’ve seen how consumers are looking for nutritional ‘hacks’ in areas like cognitive performance and emotional wellbeing, while also yearning for a return to products with ‘real food’ or ‘natural’ credentials. And our research also shows that manufacturers are recognising branded ingredients as one of the best ways to communicate science-backed benefits and bolster credibility.”

Discover the emerging trends in the full report: https://www.prinovaglobal.com/eu/en/resources/news/2024-and-2025-trends

Vitamins, minerals and plant protein have emerged as superstar sports nutrition ingredients in new consumer research.

Prinova, a leading provider of bespoke premixes and blends, surveyed 1277 physically active European consumers. It presented them with a list of 20 common ingredients and asked them to pick the five that they most looked for in sports nutrition products.

By far the highest scoring ingredients were vitamins, picked by nearly two thirds (64 %) of consumers, followed by plant protein and minerals. Meanwhile, many ingredients not traditionally associated with sports nutrition also scored highly. Sixteen per cent of consumers looked for products containing fibre, shortly followed by omega-3 (14 %), botanicals (13 %), probiotics (9 %), and oats (9 %).

Prinova believes the findings reflect the growing body of research on non-traditional ingredients for sports nutrition, and the new diversity of the sports nutrition consumer base.

Tony Gay, Technical Sales Director, Nutrition, at Prinova Europe, said: “Not so long ago, sports nutrition was seen as synonymous with protein, but the landscape is already looking very different. The market has exploded as scientific research has revealed the value of a far wider range of ingredients for athletic performance, and that has cut through to consumers. For example, there’s growing awareness that a deficiency of B-vitamins can reduce athletes’ ability to perform high-intensity exercise, while Vitamin C offers benefits for recovery as well as immune health, and minerals can offer benefits in areas like hydration.”

The research also suggests that the plant-based trend has had a major impact on the sports nutrition space. More than four in ten (42 %) consumers named plant proteins as one of the ingredients they most looked for, compared to 26 % who looked for whey or dairy protein, 15 % who looked for egg protein and 8 % who looked for meat protein.

Prinova offers the world’s largest inventory of food-grade single vitamins and is the leading supplier of Vitamins B and C. Its Aquamin range of marine multimineral-complex products is supported by more than 40 peer-reviewed scientific publications.

It is also a leading distributor of natural high-quality plant proteins from sources such as rice, pea, lentil, and fava bean, and with Europe’s largest inventory of food-grade amino acids, offers a range of BCAAs, EAAs and NEAAs, from single ingredients to bespoke blends.

The full research is available in a new Prinova White Paper, ‘State of Play: New insights into the changing sports nutrition market’. It can be downloaded at: www.prinovaglobal.com/eu/en/

Latest addition to PlantGuard™ portfolio to debut at FiE 2022

Prinova Europe is launching a potent new plant-based antimicrobial that inhibits the growth of yeasts, moulds and bacteria, addressing the increasing demand for natural preservatives.

PlantGuard™ AM is the latest addition to the company’s botanical-derived range of preservatives, which enable manufacturers to use natural clean-label solutions to minimise food waste. The portfolio will make its first live show appearance at Food ingredients Europe (6-8 December) in Paris.

PlantGuard™ is a proprietary blend of natural extracts from plants that have been used in nutritional supplements for many years due to their antioxidant properties. It is highly effective for extending freshness and shelf life, delaying the onset of rancidity and hindering microbial growth, as well as conserving flavour and colour.

The heat-stable, neutral-tasting preservatives perform well against synthetic alternatives in a range of foods and beverages. PlantGuard™ AM, which can be used in applications including dairy, fish, meat, fruit, vegetables, cereals and juices, will be showcased at FiE alongside the antioxidant PlantGuard™ FS (fat-soluble for high-fat applications such as pastries, fried foods and mayonnaise) and WS (water-soluble for lower-fat products including breads, reduced-fat spreads and sauces).

Because PlantGuard™ can be used in such a broad range of applications, it can replace artificial preservatives across a number of product lines. Prinova’s technical team works with customers to help them select the optimal solution for their brands. The low dose rate and cost-in-use that compares well with alternatives enable further economies of scale.

Expanding its global distribution presence, Prinova Group LLC, a NAGASE Group Company, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire industry expert The Ingredient House, LLC (“TIH”). TIH has a significant presence in the sweetener, polyol and specialty ingredient sectors both in the U.S. and internationally. This purchase represents another stride forward in Prinova’s long history of growth in the ingredient distribution space.

Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina, The Ingredient House is a quality-focused supplier of ingredients to the global food and beverage industry. TIH has experienced substantial growth since its inception through strategic partnerships with global branded customers and offshore manufacturers. Key to TIH’s success is its implementation of and adherence to improved quality standards to consistently deliver the global supply chain needs of its food and beverage customers.

Headquartered Carol Stream, IL and privately owned for 40 years, Prinova was acquired by Nagase & Co., Ltd., based in Tokyo, in 2019. Since then, Prinova has experienced substantial growth in flavour manufacturing, premix manufacturing, and its flagship ingredient distribution offering. This acquisition is an opportunity for Prinova to further leverage industry relationships and integrate The Ingredient House’s unique supply chain advantages into its existing business.

About The Ingredient House, LLC
Founded in 2006, The Ingredient House, LLC is a global supplier of high-quality polyols, high intensity sweeteners, and other specialty ingredients for the food & beverage industry. Utilizing a unique, solutions-oriented business model, TIH is a trusted strategic sales, marketing, and quality partner to its global ingredient manufacturing relationships and world-class customer base. TIH has earned a reputation for its ability to deliver creative solutions to supply chain challenges while offering best-in-class quality and customer service.

About Prinova Group LLC and Nagase & Co. Ltd.
Headquartered Carol Stream, IL, Prinova has been providing high-quality ingredients, flavors, nutrient premixes, and value-added solutions to the food, beverage and nutrition industries for over 40 years. As a world-leading distributor of functional ingredients, Prinova utilizes a global network to help its customers gain the strategic advantage they need to drive their business forward. Prinova was acquired by Nagase & Co., Ltd. (“Nagase”) in 2019. Founded in 1832, Nagase offers global trading services of chemicals, plastics, electronics materials, cosmetics, and food ingredients. With more than 100 Group companies in 30 countries and regions, Nagase offers unique values to customers by combining group functions of manufacturing, processing, and R&D.