Givaudan showcases well-being innovations at Vitafoods Europe 2026

As consumers seek natural solutions to boost brain health and mood, Givaudan is spotlighting its solutions for cognitive well-being at the ongoing Vitafoods Europe 2026 trade show in Barcelona, Spain (May 5–7). The company’s proprietary research also indicates that consumers increasingly link cognition and active lifestyles. 

Live from the showroom floor, Nutrition Insight discusses Givaudan’s cognitive health solutions with Elena Sava, global marketing manager for Health Solutions at the company. 

“We’re seeing daily life place stronger cognitive demands on consumers: constant connectivity, multitasking, and stress. People are looking for ways to stay calm and focused and perform at their best, mentally and physically.”

“At Givaudan, that translates into developing ingredients backed by solid science, such as Zensera for cognitive support under stress and Cereboost for sustained cognitive performance.”

Sava says this focus defines Givaudan’s pipeline and its message at Vitafoods Europe 2026: “Enhancing cognition in ways that fit real, fast‑paced lifestyles.”

A standout ingredient at the company’s booth is Cereboost, which was a finalist for the Vitafoods Europe Innovation Awards 2026 in the Sports Nutrition and Active Lifestyle Ingredient category.

The ingredient is based on an American ginseng extract, standardized to a profile of ginsenosides, and proven to enhance focus, reaction time, and mental energy.

Evolving cognitive health

According to Givaudan research, 71% of consumers find that mental focus improves their physical performance. This indicates that integrating the two “opens an exciting frontier,” says Sava.

“It takes cognition out of abstract territory and into something consumers can feel: reaction time, mental acuity, and physical endurance,” she continues. “It encourages formats and formulations that address mind and body performance, whether that’s in active nutrition products, functional beverages, or daily supplements.”

Givaudan is highlighting Cereboost at the show, as 71% of consumers find that mental focus improves their physical performance.In the future, she expects cognitive health to move to personalization, which is already shaping the next wave of innovation. Sava highlights recent peer-reviewed research on Zensera, which evidences how cognitive support can be beneficial in specific moments of stress.

“We have also conducted consumer research on cognitive health, which led to the development of distinct cognitive personas. This work has given us a clearer understanding of how needs differ across lifestyles, age groups, and use cases, allowing us to better tailor solutions that resonate with consumers.”

“As we combine clinically backed botanicals with deeper lifestyle insights, we see cognitive health becoming mainstream, highly individualized, and seamlessly integrated into daily routines: from work to sport to recovery.”

Racing driver study

Givaudan is highlighting its new Cereboost research involving race car drivers at Vitafoods Europe 2026, complete with an interactive driving simulator used in the study. Visitors can try the simulator to understand how Cereboost supports cognitive performance, attention, and mood.

The study was conducted with Michigan State University, US, and PitFit, a training facility for professional racecar drivers in the US.

“The PitFit study is unique because it demonstrates the benefits of the ingredient in real-life conditions,” says Sava. “While the ingredient has built a strong body of scientific evidence over the past 10 years, we wanted to go a step further: thinking outside the box to show how those benefits translate into real-world performance.”

She says that this makes the results more tangible and relevant for consumers to understand the solution’s impact. Sava notes that the research brought Cereboost into the dynamic, high‑stress environment of professional racecar driving, where focus, reaction speed, and decision‑making are critical.

Vitafoods visitors can try the simulator to understand how Cereboost supports cognitive performance, attention, and mood (Image credit: Givaudan).“Seeing measurable benefits in this demanding environment makes the science relatable and exciting for consumers. It illustrates how cognitive support translates directly in environments where performance counts.”

The study revealed notable improvements in driving performance among drivers who took Cereboost for two weeks, such as reducing the fastest lap time by three seconds and significantly faster throttle application on corners.

Demonstrations like the driving simulator at Vitafoods Europe 2026 bring the science to life, she continues. “They let visitors experience the difference cognitive support can make, bridging the gap between research data and felt benefit. Taking the science out of the lab allows us to show its real‑world impact in a memorable way.”

R&D focus

Givaudan aims to meet consumer demand for natural solutions with scientific substantiation. Sava tells us the company places strong emphasis on consumer insights, seeking to understand their needs and pain points through ongoing research that informs strategies to address these requirements.

She says that while ingredients like Cereboost, Lifenol, and Pacran have longstanding clinical validation, the company keeps uncovering new facets through new research.

“Alongside discovering new botanicals, we invest in new science to reaffirm and communicate the relevance of our existing portfolio.”

“As consumers increasingly value natural and responsibly sourced ingredients, sustainability is no longer optional; it’s expected,” Sava continues.

She points to Zensera as an example; this patent-pending lemon balm extract acts on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. “The ingredient is shown to work the same day in people with mild to moderate stress, supporting calmness during stressful days to improve cognitive performance.”

Meanwhile, she says Lifenol offers a similarly natural but well‑documented approach to menopausal well-being and bone health.

“Science and naturality are inseparable in our development philosophy,” Sava concludes.