From muscle to mind: Active nutrition targets cognition, gut health and recovery

Going beyond the traditional focus of active nutrition, new industry innovations are connecting the mind to the heart for overall wellness. Consumers are seeking holistic health, as they know that fitness is not just physical but also mental. 

To learn more, Nutrition Insight speaks with Balchem, Bioiberica, Cosun Protein, FrieslandCampina Ingredients, Gnosis by Lesaffre, HTBA, Lonza Capsules & Health Ingredients, Sensus, and Sirio Europe.

Cognitive and gut health solutions

Ricky van Beers, Technical Sales manager at Cosun Protein, notes that the active nutrition space is seeing rapid changes with rising areas like cognitive performance and gut health.

“We’re currently exploring how dietary fibers like inulin and oligofructose, from our sister company Sensus, can enhance the nutritional value of our applications. These fibers contribute to better gut health and support nutrient absorption, which is becoming increasingly important for consumers looking for more complete and functional active nutrition solutions.”

“By combining protein and fiber, we address two major nutritional gaps: muscle support and fiber intake, helping consumers achieve more balanced and effective nutrition,” he adds.

Meanwhile, Eszter Heijnen, commercial manager at Sensus observes a shift to wellness, especially digestive health, cognitive function, and weight management, noting that chicory root fiber is emerging as a central player.

“As a plant-based prebiotic, it promotes a healthy gut microbiome, which is increasingly recognized as a foundation for overall well-being. Scientific innovation is now focusing on how gut health influences areas such as immunity, mood, and cognitive performance.”

“Chicory inulin and oligofructose also serve as effective fat and sugar replacers, helping reduce calorie intake while enhancing satiety and nutritional value. We have developed shakes as new concept formulas that contribute to the nutritional needs of this specific consumer group,” she comments.

Heijnen adds that Sensus is following emerging research on the gut-brain axis, where chicory root is proving to hold potential to support mental health.

Meeting wellness consumer demand

According to Lorena Carboni, senior product manager and scientific communications expert at Gnosis by Lesaffre, active consumers are increasingly seeking products that provide a holistic approach to health.

Cognitive and gut health are becoming central pillars of active nutrition, alongside traditional muscle and performance support.She points out that Landkind Pure Salidroside, a sports performance supplement, can meet these new demands, as emerging research suggests it may offer benefits for wellness goals that extend beyond physical performance.

“Studies indicate that salidroside may provide neuroprotective properties, helping to shield the brain from the damaging effects of oxidative stress and inflammation, which protects cognitive function,” she explains. 

“By modulating the body’s stress response, salidroside supplementation could have opportunities to fit with emerging wellness goals.”

Dominik Mattern, VP of Science, Business Development, and Marketing at Balchem Human Nutrition and Health, highlights that ingredients like choline are gaining more popularity as people realize that optimal performance requires a mix of mental and physical well-being support.

“Choline is an essential nutrient that helps the body make acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that contributes to facilitating cognitive functions such as memory, mood, and muscle control. This powerful ingredient has become a key area driving our innovation pipeline.”

“Besides partnering with the New York Jets to elevate choline’s profile in sports nutrition, we developed our first-of-its-kind microencapsulated ingredient, VitaCholine Pro-Flo,” he adds. “Through the patented particle science from our partners at IPS, we have coated VitaCholine in a membrane for maximum protection.” 

Mattern explains that VitaCholine Pro-Flo overcomes common formulation complexities as it “flows smoothly and compresses efficiently,” enabling brands to add it to convenient formats.

Ingredient combination for multiple effect

One of the most exciting prospects, according to Vanessa Villareal, strategic marketing and product manager at Bioiberica, is “combination” products, which blend ingredients to address multiple aspects of active nutrition in a single solution. 

Ingredient suppliers are developing multi-benefit formulations that target physical, mental, and metabolic wellness simultaneously.“Some manufacturers are already exploring ingredient combinations in the space — and in some cases, blending native type II collagen and hyaluronic acid matrix to develop more powerful formulations.”

“For example, products that feature protein (muscle), hyaluronic acid, and native type II collagen (joints and cartilage), plus vitamins K2 and D3 (bones), could appeal to a growing cohort of consumers that want more comprehensive support,” she points out. 

Villareal believes that ingredient combinations could pave the way for future active nutrition solutions. 

Meanwhile, Floor van der Horst, marketing director, Performance and Active Nutrition, FrieslandCampina Ingredients, comments: “Wellness today is about more than strength and stamina in the gym — it’s about the marginal gains from better focus, stronger joints, quality sleep, and faster recovery.” 

“Cognitive performance in particular can make a big difference to day-to-day life, helping consumers get into the right headspace to stick to exercise routines or react faster during training. Proteins and prebiotics are our core expertise — but we also pioneer complementary solutions that amplify their impact.” 

She mentions that FrieslandCampina Ingredients has expanded its Biotis portfolio with DHA, which is known to support brain health and can be formulated with several ingredients, from proteins to pre-, syn-, pro-, and postbiotics, vitamins, and minerals.

According to Sara Lesina, general manager of Sirio Europe, hydration is emerging as a key to wellness in active nutrition and everyday life. To help brands in meeting this demand, Sirio has developed a hydration platform with ready-to-launch solutions.

“From skin health to sports nutrition, our ready-to-launch concepts keep consumers hydrated before, during, and after activity. Highlights include our HydraPearls Vital — a first-to-market softgel, combining Superba krill oil, collagen, and hyaluronic acid, and FizzyBits, our innovative instant fizzy tablets that combine hydration with energy or recovery support, all without water.”

Mind to heart

In agreement with other experts, Tom D’hoore, chief commercial officer at HTBA also says active nutrition is about mental performance. 

Consumers increasingly associate active nutrition with focus, recovery, and long-term health, not just gym performance.He points out the company’s latest MecobalActive study, which showed its methylcobalamin vitamin B12 supports physical power and sharpens cognition and reaction times. This was seen as vital for peak performance in sporting events and general day-to-day life.

D’hoore highlights that cardiovascular health is fast emerging as a key pillar of active nutrition. HTBA offers a solution to the growing demand for products that improve circulation and heart health while also increasing endurance and energy.

“Cardiose is HTBA’s 100% natural sweet orange polyphenol extract, offering benefits for active performance and cardiovascular health at a dose of 500 mg/day,” he explains. “This highly bioavailable citrus flavonoid has been shown to increase aerobic energy and enhance anaerobic power and endurance. What’s more, Cardiose has also been found to promote fat burning when combined with physical exercise.”

“A healthy vascular system is also important for heart health and active aging,” D’hoore adds. “DiosVein is HTBA’s diosmin ingredient and naturally occurring citrus flavonoid that improves vein wall elasticity and tone, while delivering anti-inflammatory and antioxidant support. As a venotonic, it helps strengthen capillaries, promote blood circulation, and ease vascular discomfort.” 

Lifespan to healthspan 

Shelby Linville, associate director, Global Product Marketing, Lonza Capsules & Health Ingredients, notes consumers are increasingly focused on extending their lifespan and maximizing their healthspan. “This is fueled, in part, by an increased focus on maintaining optimal well-being — physical and mental — throughout life.”

“With mobility at the heart of healthspan, joint health has emerged as a key area of innovation, allowing people to maintain mobility, flexibility, and strength so they can keep doing the things they love most. Our consumer insights reveal that joint health supplement users are not only seeking mobility support, but also additional benefits such as energy, immunity, and even sleep and well-being.”

She highlights that UC-II undenatured type II collagen can meet these demands. It also has a low dose of 40 mg/day, enabling formulation flexibility. She suggests the collagen can be easily combined for multi-benefit formulations across various delivery formats, including F&B.

Previously, as part of our active nutrition series, Nutrition Insight spoke with experts about innovations in convenient formats, plant-based and sustainable ingredients, and active nutrition for all.