Women’s health trends: Mood-boosting postbiotics, menopause solutions and botanical nutricosmetics

From gut health to glow-ups, new product development in women’s health supplements blossoms with skin-loving botanical blends and science-backed ingredients offering support across all life stages. In step with Women’s Health Month, Nutrition Insight speaks to ADM, Gnosis by Lesaffre, Sirio Pharma, and Finzelberg to explore the latest in cycle-smoothing chocolates, menopause-soothing rhubarb, dissolvable mood-lifting films, and effective forms of folate for fertility.

Convenience and taste remain critical factors influencing new product development tailored to women’s health. Vaughn DuBow, senior director of product portfolio marketing, Health and Wellness at ADM, shares: “While tablets and capsules are still the top two most popular dosage formats within dietary supplements, gummies are moving into the spotlight (41% of US consumers prefer gummies) due to their palatability and ease of use. Plus, nearly 50% of US women prefer gummies as their format of choice.”

“Along with gummies, formats like functional chocolate squares, snack bites, and sparkling waters or carbonated soft drinks are also garnering traction. Women can easily add these formats to their daily routines, whether that be as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up or as a sweet treat in the evening.”

One of ADM’s newest concepts targeting taste and convenience is its “Harmony Cycle Chocolate Square” featuring the L. gasseri CP2305 postbiotic. “The concept was purposefully crafted with L. gasseri CP2305 postbiotic, Fibersol prebiotic dietary fiber, our green rooibos, acerola powder (which contains vitamin C), and Novatol (plant-derived vitamin E) to support women throughout their cycle,” details DeBow.

On the topic of trending formats, Martin Felkner, senior expert, Branded Ingredients at Finzelberg, shares: “One of the most interesting and innovative, ultra-convenient formats is oral dissolvable films or beadlets that melt directly on the tongue, requiring no water. These products are ideal for consumers seeking immediate action or discreet use, particularly for mood and hormonal support.”

“The overall mild botanical taste profile and specifically developed water-soluble extracts and branded ingredients are highly suitable for these quick-dissolving formats. This adaptability enables formulators to offer fast-acting, portable support for mood, stress, and recovery — key concerns in women’s wellness.”

Postbiotics for menopause

ADM is researching the ways gut microbiome-supporting solutions support aspects of women’s health. “We recently introduced a postbiotic through an exclusive distribution agreement with Japan-based Asahi Group. This postbiotic, Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305, targets stress management, mood support, and sleep quality, along with factors relevant to women’s health,” says DuBow.

Specifically, L. gasseri CP2305 postbiotic has demonstrated it may support positive changes in physiological and emotional parameters in women experiencing menopause, and may reduce stress or anxiety, support positive moods, improve vaginal discharge, enhance skin appearance, and reduce occasional constipation appearance in healthy young women experiencing premenstrual symptoms.

ADM’s menopause solutions library includes postbiotics to boost mood, improve vaginal discharge, and enhance skin appearance.ADM’s menopause solutions library also includes phytoestrogens such as soy isoflavones, which are considered selective estrogen receptor modulators and may also support memory and mental flexibility. “Our Novasoy soy isoflavones may reduce the number and frequency of hot flashes and may help maintain healthy bones following the transition into menopause,” highlights DuBow.

For gut microbiome-supporting weight management, ADM offers its DE111(Bacillus subtilis) spore-forming probiotic, which decreased body fat percentage in a study of female collegiate athletes compared to a control group.

Fertility and pregnancy

Gnosis by Lesaffre highlights two of its primary women’s health ingredients, Quatrefolic and Quatreflora, designed to support folate levels and neutralize yeast infections, respectively.

The health benefits associated with folate (vitamin B9) include its support of fertility and pregnancy, alongside cardiovascular health and aging parameters such as menopause and cognitive function. Gnosis’ Quatrefolic is the glucosamine salt of (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), which is the preferred form of folate over folic acid as it does not need to be metabolized for utilization.

“This is crucial: research shows the body must convert folic acid to 5-MTHF to be effective,” says Silvia Pisoni, global operational marketing director at Gnosis by Lesaffre. “Genetically, many women — approximately 40% of the global population — express a specific polymorphism that prevents proper conversion, rendering supplemental folic acid ineffective.”

The company recently received a patent for Quatrefolic Fine Powder, which expands its product applications, as 49% of consumers prefer dietary supplement forms that are easy to swallow. Applications include liquid suspensions, oral sprays, and complex softgels. Quatrefolic Fine Powder is suitable to be dispersed or emulsified in lipophilic matrices, stable over time without the risk of sedimentation.

Meanwhile, Gnosis’ specialized probiotic yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S.cerevisiae) CNCM I-3856 (as Quatreflora), has been clinically shown to benefit women who experience a yeast infection caused by Candida albicans and offers distinctive benefits over probiotic supplements to mitigate yeast infection.

“And while probiotic strains are subject to neutralization, probiotic yeast has been shown to migrate from the intestine, surviving the stomach, and into the vagina where it can go to work against Candida species, inhibiting its overgrowth,” explains Pisoni.

Earlier studies have suggested that supplementation with S. cerevisiae CNCM I-3856 provides other vaginal health benefits, such as protection of the vaginal epithelium through barrier formation, reduction of inflammation caused by Candida infection, reduction of the vaginal load of C. albicans by 57% versus 33% in the placebo group, and inhibit recurrence of vaginal infections by 54%, and providing an anti-bacterial effect versus Gardnerella vaginalis.

Gummies and softgels

Contract development and manufacturing organization Sirio Pharma recently launched a women’s health platform of market-ready concepts for use across a woman’s life, from pre-puberty right through to post-menopause. Highlights include a mood-boosting herbal gummy that offers premenstrual support and a softgel for improved iron absorption, which is critical during menstruation.

“Looking toward fertility and pregnancy, our offering includes a vegan softgel containing Quatrefolic, a metabolized form of folic acid from Gnosis by Lesaffre, and iron — two of the most important nutrients for women of childbearing age,” says Sara Lesina, general manager at Sirio Pharma Europe.

“And we tackled both morning sickness and the need for omega-3 fatty acids in our ‘DHA Morning Bliss Gummy,’ which leverages ginger to support nausea symptoms and reduce any fishy smells often associated with fish oil.”

At Vitafoods Europe 2025, Sirio Pharma launched a women’s health platform of market-ready concepts for use across a woman’s life. For postpartum mental wellness, Sirio’s “Sharp Mind” gummy taps into the growing interest in functional mushrooms and ashwagandha root extract to overcome the “brain fog” experience that many millions of women typically encounter postpartum.

“Later in life, ADM’s Novasoy soy isoflavone is the central pillar of our MenoBalance gummy – and the first time this popular ingredient has been available in this format,” Lesina continues. “Extensive studies have shown that soy isoflavones can reduce the incidence of hot flashes as well as help maintain healthy bones. These are just some of the many advances we’ve made in women’s health recently.”

Meanwhile, skin hydration is emerging as a key crossover category in women’s health, especially as hormonal fluctuations throughout life stages — like the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause — directly impact skin moisture, elasticity, and barrier function.

“Estrogen, in particular, plays a vital role in collagen production and skin hydration, which is why many women notice increased dryness or dullness during perimenopause and beyond,” highlights Lesina.

To address this, Sirio Pharma’s latest skin hydration platform includes HydraPearls Vital, which has been specifically designed for women experiencing menopause or perimenopause and contains Aker BioMarine’s Superba Boost krill oil, hyaluronic acid, and collagen, all combined in a single softgel.

Botanical nutricosmetics

At Vitafoods Europe 2025 in Barcelona, Spain, Finzelberg introduced Agilirose Beauty, which is built on a “strong, synergistic” pairing of collagen with its proprietary patented rosehip extract to create a beauty-from-within nutricosmetic tailored to women. 

Developed to complement collagen-based supplements, it supports the firmness, structure, barrier function, and elasticity of the skin. “Menofelis, our non-hormonal menopause solution based on rhapontic rhubarb, addresses some of the most challenging menopause symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, fatigue, and mental exhaustion,” elaborates Cynthia Suarez-Rizzo, project manager of new product development at Finzelberg.

“What sets Menofelis apart is its key active compound — hydroxystilbenes (a form of resveratrol). This compound mimics estrogen by selectively binding to beta receptors, without triggering the unwanted side effects associated with hormonal therapies. With an effective dose as low as four mg, it offers simplicity and convenience without compromising results.”

Finzelberg highlights that hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can affect brain chemistry, creating susceptibility to mood disturbances and cognitive fatigue. “Recognizing this, we developed Concental, a branded ingredient extracted from Sideritis species, commonly known as Greek Mountain Tea,” says Suarez-Rizzo.

Finzelberg introduced Agilirose Beauty, which pairs collagen with its proprietary patented rosehip extract to create a beauty-from-within nutricosmetic for women.Addressing sexual health impacted by hormonal changes, stress, and lifestyle factors, Finzelberg offers Aphrodana, which is supported by five in vitro studies, two clinical trials, and eight patents across Europe, and North and South America, and is based on well-described damiana leaf extract, which helps enhance sexual desire and fosters emotional intimacy. 

“Backed by traditional use and bolstered with modern scientific validation, this well-established and researched botanical can address a growing category that couples a sensitive topic with science-backed innovation and gives women more control over their sexual well-being and health,” says Suarez-Rizzo.

What’s next in women’s health?

Thanks to AI and technology innovations, companies are tapping into data sourced from wearables, health apps, and hormone and microbiome testing. 

“When this data is analyzed, it can assist brands and formulators to create products that speak to the unique physiology and health goals of women, whether dealing with PMS, navigating perimenopause, trying to boost fertility, or just needing an energy boost to get through the day,” elaborates Felkner at Finzelberg.

He explains how AI is also helping brands behind the scenes: “It’s being used to develop smarter product formulas by analyzing massive amounts of data — from clinical trials to consumer feedback to predict what ingredient combinations can result in more effective blends. Additionally, we are seeing growth in ‘test-and-treat’ models. This pairs at-home diagnostics with personalised AI-backed supplement plans. These are especially popular in areas like fertility, menopause, gut health, and mood support.”

“Some companies are even creating supplements that adapt over time based on an individual’s tracked health data. Imagine a menopause supplement that tweaks itself to assist with sleep or hot flashes, depending on what your body needs at the time, and all tracked through a smart app.”