Botanical Boom: How RedLeaf Biologics meets demand for natural health solutions

06 Sep 2023 --- Demand for natural and sustainably sourced botanical supplements and nutraceuticals is on the rise. Red sorghum polyphenols producer, RedLeaf Biologics is highlighting the efficacy of its bioactive botanical extract across diverse applications, including supplements, cosmeceuticals and food and beverages (F&B).

Jordan Wood, CEO of RedLeaf, discusses with us how botanicals can offer a unique advantage by simplifying both the number and complexity of ingredients in use, while also offering consumers a clear source of traceability for their products.

“Consumer demand for understanding the source of their products has never been higher,” he tells Nutrition Insight. “As a result, the back of the label is increasingly receiving the much deserved attention that has typically been reserved for the front.”

“These transparency demands, along with elements of sustainability behind the sourcing of the botanicals, are becoming table stakes in the relationship between consumers and supplement producers.”

A blossoming botanical future
Innova Market Insights data suggest that botanical and herbal product launches are growing, with a 5% increase from 2018 to 2022 and a focus on mood, brain health and immunity.

According to Wood, botanicals are expected to maintain their strong growth trajectory, particularly in segments like cognition. He further highlights that these domains have traditionally relied on highly purified synthetic compounds containing artificial additives and flavors, making botanicals a more attractive option for consumers.

RedLeaf highlights that consumers increasingly seek sustainably sourced botanical products.“As consumers continue to get in touch better with their own bodies and performance, I think there will be more focus on using natural, botanical ingredients in the exercise space,” he underscores. “There’s also still obviously a big focus on immunity and healthy aging coming out of the pandemic, and polyphenol-rich botanicals are very well positioned in those areas.”

“We’d like to think that our flagship ingredient, ReDaxin, will be coming to the fore in a big way this year and we’re very excited to launch a range of products with our customers in the coming months and to share our upcoming clinical results. Sorghum is an incredible plant with a long history of supporting health, and we’re fortunate to have discovered the most incredible version of it.”

Transparency in focus
Sourcing transparency and sustainability practices for bioactive botanicals has increasingly come under scrutiny. Botanicals such as all Rhodiola species – recently added the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) list – must now be shown to be sustainably harvested.

“RedLeaf Biologics has a large advantage in authenticating the origin of our botanicals because we were the ones who discovered our novel, non-GMO sorghum variety, RedNatural, and we are the only ones who have this incredible plant,” reveals Wood. “We’re lucky to be able to work directly with US farmers to grow our sorghum crop, which we then harvest and extract ourselves at our facility in Kentucky.

“Our entire supply chain, from seed to final product, is entirely based in the US and we have complete visibility on every step of the process. We know every farmer who plants our seeds, every field they go into and where every leaf is until it is extracted and reaches the consumer.”

Continuing consumer acceptance
Wood notes that botanicals have historically enjoyed widespread acceptance due to the prevailing belief that “natural is superior.” However, he adds that the longstanding challenges have typically revolved around maintaining consistency and managing costs.

“Botanicals are often complex in their natural form,” Wood explains. “Obtaining consistent sources of raw plant biomass – let alone a product extracted from that biomass – has proven challenging and expensive.” 

“But there have been some wonderful recent advancements in science and manufacturing, both in the field and the laboratory, that have allowed botanical supplement producers to deliver scalable and efficacious products. As a result, the goal of RedLeaf has been more focused on fulfilling an unmet consumer need, rather than one of acceptability.”

By William Bradford Nichols with additional reporting by Marc Cervera