Brain boosters: Biohacking culture and advancing AI health analytics drive new cognitive ingredients

Nutritional interventions to enhance cognitive performance along with mental and emotional resilience are at the leading edge of new product development and increasingly cross into new categories like women’s health and sports nutrition. Nutrition Insight explores the latest market trends in brain-boosting ingredients, with special attention to applications for astaxanthin and chicory root fiber, speaking to suppliers AstaReal and Sensus.

The future of brain health is largely shaped by aging populations, competitive environments, and the rise of the “biohacking” culture, Dr. Behnaz Shakersain, scientific affairs manager at AstaReal, tells us. And with rising neurodegenerative disorders and the increase in life expectancy, the category of neuroprotection crosses with healthy aging solutions more often.

Popular cognitive-enhancing products include nootropics and neuroplasticity boosters, which are growingly supported by advances in genomics, AI-driven health analytics, and wearable neurotech that support personalized brain health and precision neuroscience systems.

“In addition, growing evidence of gut microbiota’s role in mental health and neurodegenerative diseases has made gut-brain axis optimization stay under the radar for many nutraceutical formulators,” notes Dr. Shakersain.

However, she elaborates that the concept of organ-brain axes is expanding significantly beyond the well-known gut-brain or muscle-brain axes, with growing research highlighting how oxidative stress acts as a key mediator in the communication between various organs and the brain.

“For instance, recent scientific studies suggest that UV-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the skin can affect systemic cytokine release, modulating brain inflammation and stress pathways,” she details.

“This emerging area of research highlights the potential of the skin-brain axis, for instance, as a target for healthy brain aging. These new findings could potentially reshape women’s health and beauty-from-within categories as well.”

Astaxanthin can cross the blood-brain barrier to provide neuroprotective effects while offering formulations a crossover positioning in vision health.Moreover, she notes a better understanding of the role of neuroimmune interactions and neuroinflammation in mental and cognitive disorders is inspiring nutraceutical product developments for brain and mental support.

“Oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in many age-related complications, including cognitive impairment and brain diseases. Novel ingredients with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, like natural astaxanthin from algae, are among emerging potent players in the mental health space.”

Other robust trends in this space include solutions to improve sleep-related cognitive disorders and circadian rhythm alignment.

Spotlight on astaxanthin

Non-drug approaches to prevent oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, while promoting brain and cognitive health have traditionally included higher intakes of dietary compounds like omega-3s or polyphenols. The most effective approach may vary depending on the individual and the specific health condition, highlights Dr. Shakersain.

“Natural astaxanthin is considered more potent as an antioxidant compared to many other antioxidant compounds due to its unique molecular structure, which allows it to span cell and mitochondria membranes more effectively,” she highlights.

Astaxanthin can cross the blood-brain barrier and is more bioavailable in lipid-based forms, notes Dr. Shakersain. Combining some of the known and emerging natural compounds with a solid scientific background, like astaxanthin, can provide synergistic neuroprotective effects, targeting different pathways involved in oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial health.”

AstaReal has been working on several potent formulations that crossover cognitive health with other target wellness outcomes. For instance, the company has developed a new vegan-friendly formulation for vision and cognitive support in form of softgels that contains AstaReal astaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamins B12, B5, A, E, and iodide. 

“The company has also established several strategic partnerships for more concept product developments that further push forward innovation and novel applications of natural astaxanthin in the Mental Health category,” says Dr. Shakersain.

Several concept products have successfully passed quality and stability tests, including vegan softgels containing AstaReal astaxanthin, Polaris algal oil (EPA and DHA), and vitamins D3, C, and E; softgels with AstaReal astaxanthin, Kaneka ubiquinol, and krill oil; and an anti-stress, water-dispersible powder with AstaReal Astaxanthin, FrieslandCampina GOS fiber, vitamins D3, B12, C, and magnesium.

Chicory root fiber is a leading prebiotic in research on the gut-brain axis.Prebiotic potential

Chicory root fiber is the most well-researched plant-based prebiotic on the market and is unique in being already a leading prebiotic in terms of research on the gut-microbiota-brain axis. “A substantial body of scientific evidence has shown they stimulate beneficial intestinal bacteria, producing organic acids and other metabolites, which can cross the blood-brain barrier and may exert neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects important for brain health,” Dr. Elaine Vaughan, leading Health Science & Regulatory Affairs at Sensus, tells Nutrition Insight.

“Human studies with chicory inulin and oligofructose are increasingly showing their potential in supporting mental health, such as alleviating stress-induced mood states and cognition, through their prebiotic effects. Our diversified portfolio of Frutafit and Frutalose product types offers various nutritional and functional claim opportunities for value-added brand owners.”

On the topic of top supplement trends for 2025, she highlights plant-based options, personalized nutrition, and female-focused products. “The opportunity of personalized nutrition, with genetic biomarkers and gut microbiota profiling, is an active field of research that is expected to become more prevalent in future years to create tailored nutrition/supplements for a group of individuals or even specific individuals in time.”

“However, scientific backing is essential for all this to become reality and Sensus is supporting pioneering research with ‘fermentation chambers’ to measure prebiotic fiber impact on humans and their microbiome with Maastricht University Medical Center+ in the Netherlands.”

Functional foods and beverages are a space ripe for development. “Combining chicory root fibers with proteins works perfectly for active nutrition. Moreover, it can be applied for synergistic ingredient blends for example, probiotic and prebiotic formulations, or with vitamins and minerals, in shots or other formats for ‘prepro’ or synbiotic health benefits, such as digestion and immunity,” Eszter Heijnen, commercial manager at Sensus, tells us.

Exploring more of the brain health space, a recent Nutrition Insight Special Report featured a host of new product innovation insights from key suppliers Gencor, Nektium, Lubrizol Life Science, Prinova, SuanNutra, Trinutra, and Karallief. The experts reiterate there is mounting interest in multifunctional formulations that combine sleep and relaxation aids with other wellness benefits, such as immune support and hormonal balance.