Upletic: Naturex fuses natural botanicals in sports nutrition launch

17 Apr 2019 --- Naturex is set to launch a new natural ingredient for sports performance. Based on a patented, synergistic blend of Rhaponticum carthamoides and Rhodiola rosea, Upletic has been designed to enhance muscle protein synthesis, strength and performance and is clinically proven to improve lean mass in sporty as well as athletic people. Its efficacy has been demonstrated in a comprehensive program of in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials, the company claims.

Leslie Lannebere, Global Category Manager Nutrition at Naturex, tells NutritionInsight that Upletic has been confirmed as a non-novel food in the EU for use in food supplements, meaning that no further regulatory clearance is required in the bloc. A novel food approval extension for food & beverage applications will be required, however.

The botanical extracts in Upletic are sourced in a preserved environment to guarantee a safe and completely traceable ingredient. It can be used as a standalone supplement or as part of a mixture of ingredients that enhance sports performance.

Based on a patented, synergistic blend of Rhaponticum carthamoides and Rhodiola rosea, Upletic has been designed to enhance muscle protein synthesis, strength and performance.“The synergistic effect has been demonstrated in both in vitro and in vivo studies for muscle protein synthesis and muscle performance leading us to choose the best combination of both extracts in the final product,” Lannebere adds.

Upletic can fit into any food supplement application that is designed to support muscle performance and increase lean muscle mass for either pre-or post-workout consumption. “Besides food supplements, there are real opportunities for Upletic in food & beverage applications, such as sports protein powder or sports drinks, since they have been growing at double digit rate for the last few years and will keep dynamism for the next coming years. But first, we will need to extend novel food approval extension for food & beverage applications,” she notes.

Market launches utilizing the synergistic blend look imminent. “Since Upletic has been designed as a complete, differentiating and substantiated solution for the sports nutrition market, the time to market is reduced and allows our customers to introduce a new sports non-protein innovation by 2020,” she says.

As well as launching Upletic at Vitafoods Europe 2019 in Geneva (May 7-9, 2019), Naturex will also highlight Ultimine, a unique proprietary range of whole-food minerals derived from koji fermentation.

With health-conscious consumers showing increased interest in fermented foods, there is growing demand for natural, clean label fermented ingredients, the company reports. 

Additionally, with mineral deficiency being a health concern around the world, there is a need for products that can address this.

Ultimine is a unique, proprietary range of whole food ingredients derived primarily from koji fermentation, which uses the capacity of koji culture spores to absorb and store high levels of minerals. Supported by clinical trials that show positive outcomes for several health indicators, Ultimine can be formulated into capsules, tablets, gummies, powders and offers a great way for supplement makers to tap into the market’s desire for natural ways to help prevent deficiencies in minerals, particularly iron.

To highlight Naturex’s natural sports nutrition expertise, the company will be showcasing new product concepts that incorporate its ingredients.

These include:

• WinCAPS, featuring Upletic for muscle growth as a pre-workout solution.
• WinGEL, a sports gel with extracts of Maca, Acerola and Panax Ginseng for lasting energy.
• WinSHAKE, with Sweoat – Naturex high-quality oat flour, Ultimine & Acerola, for post workout recovery.

Naturex sources, manufactures and markets natural specialty ingredients for the food and health industries. Naturex’s portfolio includes natural preservation ingredients, specialty fruits & vegetables, phytoactives and numerous other plant-based natural ingredients.

In March 2018, it emerged that Givaudan, the global leader in the creation of flavors and fragrances, had entered into an agreement to acquire 40.6 percent of the shares of Naturex. In September 2018, Givaudan completed the acquisition. The deal valued the French-headquartered supplier at around €1.3 billion (US$1.61 billion). Global flavor house Givaudan has evolved far beyond its roots to identify itself around the more holistic concept of “taste” rather than mere “flavor” alone.

Last month, our sister website FoodIngredientsFirst reported on how Naturex is spearheading its investment in coloring foodstuffs with the launch of Vegebrite Ultimate Spirulina. A new extraction line, which triples spirulina production capacity, has been introduced at the company’s production site in Avignon, France.

By Robin Wyers