Independent expert judges recruited by NutraIngredients-USA scored the entries on five parameters: demand, application and design, scientific merit, commercial success, and innovation and differentiation.
Here are the winners:
Product of the Year: Botanical
David Winston's Hawthorn Solid Extract, Herbalist & Alchemist
Herbalist & Alchemist takes home the trophy in this category for the second time in five years, having won in 2019 for David Winston’s Adaptogens line.
This year, the winning product was David Winston's Hawthorn Solid Extract, which provides the cardiac benefits of Hawthorn berries in a delicious functional food. This unique solid Hawthorn extract also supports mood.
Our judges praised the solid dosage form of this year’s winner, which is poised to benefit from a rising recent tide of research into the benefits of polyphenols and flavonoids in cardiovascular health, neurodegenerative support and other indications.
Commenting on the award, Beth Lambert, CEO, Herbalist & Alchemist, told NutraIngredients-USA: "We know how significant it is to have David Winston’s Hawthorn Solid Extract chosen as the 2022 NutraIngredients-USA Best Botanical of the Year by the well-qualified team of independent awards judges. We are all thrilled and honored, and especially pleased that this happened in our 40th anniversary year. This award throws a spotlight on the solid extract delivery form, which is not easy for manufacturers to produce, but is amazing when it is done well."
Product of the Year: Immune Support
Daily Immunity Supplement, Stem & Root
Stem & Root, a relatively young brand from Bayer, is formulated with a proprietary carrot fiber (BeniCaros) and zinc.
The NutraIngredients-USA Awards judges said: “Built around the BeniCaros carrot-derived rhamnogalacturonan-I, which is supported by specific and impressive research, Stem & Root’s Daily Immunity product stood out in a crowded category. Coupled with the product’s clear consumer positioning and the upcycled carrot story, this product has a genuine x-factor.”
Kyle Garner, VP/General Manager, Naturals and Consumer Health Accelerator, Bayer Consumer Health, commented: “We’re honored to be recognized by our industry for a key product in our portfolio.
“Immunity has risen to the top for many consumers as they prioritize choices about their health, and to have our new product and ingredient combination receive this award is a meaningful milestone.”
Product of the Year: Omega-3
Mindset, Struct Nutrition
Described as a “game changer” by our judges, the winner of the Omega-3 product of the year is Mindset, a product specifically designed to protect athletic brains. Described as a proprietary Omega-3 emulsion derived from ultra-refined deep-sea fish oil, with no fish burps or fishy taste, the formulation uses a patent-pending dispersion technology that leads to 3x faster absorption than standard fish oil soft-gels.
Our judges said: “Brain injury is a big topic for contact sport athletes, which could make this year’s winner a game changer for the manufacturer. It’s supported by published science, has a clear target market, and has NSF Certified for Sport as an important differentiator.”
Product of the Year: Probiotic
DS-01 Daily Synbiotic, Seed Health
The probiotic product category is always highly competitive, and this year was no exception. But we did have a standout winner with Seed’s DS-01 Daily Synbiotic, a broad-spectrum multi-strain, multi-species probiotic + prebiotic formulated with 24 select strains that have been clinically and scientifically studied to provide whole-body benefits for gastrointestinal function, skin health, heart health, gut immune function, gut barrier integrity, and micronutrient synthesis.
“Combining 24 strains and prebiotics, Seed Health’s DS-01 Daily Synbiotic is not only a great product that combines unique delivery and packaging systems with quality science but is also a product with a great story,” said our judges. “A standout formulation in a competitive field.”
Product of the Year: Sports Nutrition
Beet IT Sport Nitrate 400 Shot, Beet IT USA
Walking away with the Sports Nutrition Product Award was Beet It Sport Nitrate 400 shot, which delivers 400mg of dietary nitrate in a pocket-sized 2.4 fl. oz. shot, derived solely from concentrated beet juice.
The Beet It Sport Nitrate 400 shot has been scientifically shown to be the only concentrated beet juice product on the market to consistently contain an adequate dose of dietary nitrate per serving (400mg per 70ml).
Our judges were impressed by the human performance research, which really set Beet It Sport Nitrate 400 Shot apart as a category leader. The judges also praised its commercial achievements, delivery system, quality control, and efficacious doses.
In a post on their website, the company said it was “ecstatic to accept yet another award for our Beet It product.
“Our Beet It Sport Nitrate 400 shot is the only concentrated beetroot juice product on the market that consistently contains an optimum dose of dietary nitrate per serving, according to scientific evidence (400mg per 70ml). This is one of the many reasons why our product has been awarded this prestigious prize.”