Study shows Kemin’s polyphenol botanical blend can improve sleep amid lockdown disturbances

16 Apr 2021 --- Kemin Human Nutrition and Health’s DailyZz ingredient may improve sleep quality and daytime functioning in healthy individuals with occasional sleep complaints. This is according to a study commissioned by the company, which sheds light on a topic that has emerged as a primary area of concern for consumers.

“The frantic rhythm of modern life is not slowing down and little time is left for a good night’s sleep,” Kim Edwards, Kemin’s global product marketing manager, tells NutritionInsight.

She adds that uncertainty associated with the current pandemic situation has exacerbated concerns about sleep disturbances.

DailyZz, which was launched in January, is a proprietary dry botanical blend of patented aqueous spearmint extract and aqueous green tea extract. 

Edwards says that the formula provides an optimal ratio of polyphenols, including rosmarinic acid and epigallocatechin gallate.

“Science shows that these polyphenols can reduce oxidative stress, be neuroprotective and modulate brain chemicals including gamma-Aminobutyric acid and acetylcholine, which are involved in the sleep process,” she details. DailyZz is a dry botanical blend of spearmint and green tea extracts.

“Unique” results
The 30-day, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study assessed 89 individuals. 

At the end of the study, participants who received 485 mg of DailyZz 30 minutes before bed every night reported improved sleep quality and reduced insomnia severity index scores compared with the control group.

Additionally, DailyZz did not impair the ability to think and reason. After 30 days, participants who received supplementation with the polyphenol blend also showed statistical improvements in neurocognitive functioning. 

More specifically, they demonstrated improved concentration, executive function and risk assessment.

The study was led by Dr. Michael Grandner, director of the Sleep and Health Research Program at the University of Arizona Health Sciences, US. 

“The study on DailyZz is so unique, not only because of the exciting, statistically significant sleep quality and cognitive results without side effects, but also because the study population was optimally targeted to the supplement market: healthy people with minor sleep disturbances but not major sleep disorders,” Grandner explains. 

The study has now been published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.Demand for nightly sleep solutions has grown, according to Edwards.

Demand for sleep solutions grows
DailyZz is currently available in the US and Europe, with Edwards noting expansion on the horizon for other regions. 

“Demand for nightly sleep solutions has grown, particularly for those with clinically studied, safe, natural and non-habit-forming ingredients. DailyZz fulfills the need for next-generation sleep-support ingredients in formulations, including beverages and more traditional supplement formats,” Edwards continues.

She points to a 2020 survey finding that 54 percent of US consumers are aware of their sleep quality and are trying to improve it after lockdown.

Other companies have also taken notice of rising consumer demand for holistic and mental well-being. According to Innova Market Insights, there was a 21 percent average annual growth of supplements launched with a brain-mood health claim between 2015 and 2019.

Earlier this week, Natrol released Natrol Sleep+, a line of sleep aid gummies with melatonin for children and adults. 

Meanwhile, Unilever and FrieslandCampina both emphasized the link between rest and the microbiome on World Sleep Day.

By Katherine Durrell