On May 6, industry leaders, competitors, and judges gathered at Agua Barcelona to honor and celebrate the 16 remarkable winners of this year’s awards.
“The year 2026 has truly marked a period of significant advancements for the nutraceutical sector,” stated Ewa Hudson, director of insights at Lumina Intelligence and chair of the judging panel. “The winners this year presented groundbreaking, scalable, and cost-effective nutritional solutions that address diverse consumer needs—from mental health and gut health to women’s health throughout their lives.”
“Judges were particularly impressed with the robust clinical foundations of the submissions, the genuine disruptive potential of the innovations, and clear evidence of their commercial success. Above all, the winners illustrated how innovative thinking can lead to substantial health benefits for consumers globally,” she added.
Nikki Hancocks, Editor of NutraIngredients Europe, highlighted the intense competition this year, mentioning that only those who truly excelled made it to the shortlist. “Our expert judging panel was thorough in their evaluations, ensuring that only the very best were rewarded,” she said. “Congratulations to all our deserving winners.”
The awards are structured to recognize various facets of the nutraceutical community, ranging from research and initiatives to innovative products and commercial achievements.
The 2026 award winners are as follows:
Ingredient of the Year
Beauty from Within – Elissara, Monteloeder by Suannutra.
Elissara is a patented herbal blend aimed at enhancing scalp health, promoting stronger and more attractive hair from within. Clinically validated, it aids in balancing sebum levels, improving hydration, and reinforcing barrier functions to enhance hair appearance and brightness.
Judges appreciated Elissara for its fascinating multi-herbal composition, versatility in formats, and scientifically supported benefits for skin and scalp health.
“Its targeting of aging, acne, inflammation, and irritation resonates with consumer desires for holistic beauty solutions, while its established success underscores its widespread industry influence,” remarked the judges.
Botanical – Vanizem by Nektium
This rapid-acting, non-sedative botanical extract sourced from Aframomum melegueta effectively interrupts the stress-mood-sleep cycle by inhibiting the FAAH enzyme. It is clinically proven to alleviate anxiety, enhance mood, and improve sleep quality at a low daily dosage.
Judges noted Vanizem’s impressive combination of innovative qualities, scientific validity, commercial success, and responsible sourcing practices.
“As a relatively fresh player in the market, it differentiates itself through proprietary extraction methods and pending encapsulation technology that boost its efficacy and reliability,” said the judges. “The ingredient benefits from a strong scientific dossier that includes toxicology assessments, research on modes of action, and clinical trials.”
Healthspan – Levagen by Saanroo
Levagen+, a cold-water-dispersible form of Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), employs LipiSperse technology for optimal absorption, addressing the fundamental causes of cellular aging. With over 18 published clinical studies, it effectively manages systemic inflammation and supports joint comfort, muscle recovery, and cognitive enhancement.
“We chose Levagen+ as the winning Healthspan ingredient because of its robust clinical foundation across various health domains, commercial traction, versatility in applications, and innovative potential,” the judges explained. “Its proven success with established brands makes it a compelling candidate in the Healthspan category.”
Microbiome Modulation – HOWARU GI Complete by IFF Health Sciences
HOWARU GI Complete is a pre-formulated mix of five GRAS-approved probiotic strains (NCFM, Lpc-37, Bl-04, Bi-07, HN019), recognized for its solid scientific backing. This blend is grounded in extensive clinical research that confirms its diverse benefits for digestive health.
“With rapid sales growth across several European markets, combined with strong safety records and proven consumer outcomes, HOWARU GI Complete has established itself as a reliable, evidence-based solution for those seeking comprehensive gut health support,” said the judges.
Sports Nutrition – L. plantarum TWK10 by Synbio Tech
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TWK10 is clinically validated to enhance endurance, recovery, and body composition through interactions along the gut-muscle axis. This ingredient is unique in that it is available in both probiotic and postbiotic forms, providing flexibility for use across dietary supplements and functional foods.
“Backed by robust human data from multiple studies, TWK10 emerged as a standout in a competitive field for its ability to enhance endurance, promote recovery, and improve protein absorption,” judges noted. The panel also highlighted the ingredient’s significant commercial achievement and formulation versatility, contributing to its designation as a deserving winner.
Mind and Mood – Vanizem by Nektium
Recognized for its innovative vanilloid technology, Vanizem is a fast-acting, non-sedative botanical extract from Aframomum melegueta that significantly improves mood and sleep by modulating the body’s endocannabinoid system.
“With its unique mechanism, promising initial clinical results, and strong commercial momentum, Vanizem stands out as a groundbreaking botanical with real disruptive potential and exciting opportunities for future development,” the judges affirmed.
Product of the Year Awards
Beauty from Within – RINGANAbty by RINGANA
RINGANAbty is an innovative beverage designed to provide a fresh boost for skin health through a unique combination of study-supported ingredients. VeCollal offers vegan, fermented amino acids inspired by type I collagen, while vitamin C promotes natural collagen synthesis for enhanced firmness and structure. GreenIuronic hyaluronic acid, derived from the silver ear mushroom, hydrates skin for a plumper, smoother appearance. Additionally, Omegia sea buckthorn seed and berry oil provide beauty omega fatty acids (3, 6, 7, 9), while Miliacin and ceramides enhance skin quality and promote fuller-looking hair.
Judges noted RINGANAbty’s consumer-friendly format, highlighting its innovative emulsion concept that combines aqueous and oily active ingredients in a ready-to-drink solution.
Healthspan – Medox by MedPalett
Medox is a thoroughly researched anthocyanin formulation crafted to enhance vitality and support vascular and cellular functions. Founded on decades of clinical research and consistent real-world application, the product has successfully maintained commercial relevance for over two decades, achieving high brand recognition and significant retail interest with a 30% annual growth rate.
“Medox is a clinically validated product with an exceptionally strong base of human evidence across various meaningful biomarkers,” the judges commented.
Microbiome Modulation – Gabapral by PharmExtracta
Gabapral is a scientifically-backed probiotic aimed at supporting the microbiota-gut-brain axis in children and adolescents suffering from recurrent abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome. It features Bifidobacterium adolescentis PRL2019, a high GABA-producing strain selected for its specific neuroenteric effects.
“Gabapral marks a significant breakthrough in the microbiome field by introducing clinically validated psychobiotic innovations into pediatrics,” judges noted. “This product is built on a solid scientific foundation, supported by compelling early clinical evidence.”
Sports Nutrition – CurraNZ Original New Zealand Blackcurrant by Health Currancy
CurraNZ is a cutting-edge sports supplement containing blackcurrant anthocyanins, featuring the proprietary extract Enzans, which is naturally sourced, Informed-Sport certified, and clinically researched. Its unique profile of anthocyanins enhances muscle metabolism and boosts endurance.
“CurraNZ distinguished itself in a highly competitive category due to strong scientific backing for its efficacy in performance and recovery,” the judges said. “The documented impacts on glycogen storage and muscle metabolism, along with validation from professional athletes, provided CurraNZ with the X-factor to stand out.”
Specialty Awards
Editors Award for Sustainability Initiative of the Year – Ocean Actives H+ by Oceanium
Derived from regenerative seaweed and produced through a low-waste biorefinery, Ocean Actives H+ offers gut health benefits at microdose levels, significantly reducing the use of resources. This model promotes ocean restoration, biodiversity, and supports coastal communities while providing a scalable alternative to prebiotics derived from land.
Judges highlighted its ability to produce zero-waste, high-value ingredients for nutrition, cosmetics, and biomaterials. “Supported by robust commercial interest and engagement from sustainability advocates, Oceanium achieves measurable sustainability impacts while remaining scientifically credible and commercially viable,” they noted.
Innovation in Women’s Health – iNatal by PharmExtracta
iNatal is a probiotic formulation specifically designed to enhance maternal health during pregnancy. It integrates four well-characterized strains: Enterococcus faecium L3, Bifidobacterium BB-12, Lactobacillus casei R0215, and Lactococcus lactis SP38, selected for their focus on vaginal and intestinal microbiota. Clinical evidence supports its effectiveness in mitigating key pregnancy risks, such as premature rupture of membranes (PROM), antibiotic use, and pathogenic colonization.
“With solid clinical backing, clear differentiation, and potential to reduce dependence on antibiotics, the judges commend iNatal as an impactful innovation that is worthy of widespread clinical advocacy,” they said.
Marketing Initiative of the Year – The Unsponsored Supermarket Truth – Tonic Health
Tonic Health, one of Europe’s fastest-growing and most-followed nutrition brands, seeks to shed light on misleading claims, ultraprocessed foods, sugar content, and industry tactics through this educational marketing initiative. Its mission is to empower consumers by providing clear, evidence-based alternatives via short-form social video, producing around 2,000 videos annually for its 1.6 million followers.
“This initiative has accomplished what seemed nearly impossible: maximizing audience engagement within its channel, marking a significant milestone in digital nutrition education. Its exceptional engagement levels compete with those of public health communications, setting a new standard for authentic, impactful wellness resources,” judges stated.
Nutrition Research Project – Magtein Brain Magnesium Research Program
The Magtein research initiative tackles a significant limitation in nutrition: the minimal effects of conventional magnesium on brain health.
Since its inception in 2010, the program has produced over 45 peer-reviewed publications globally, including five clinical human trials, with further studies set to continue until 2030. Conducted across three continents and among diverse populations, these studies have shown notable improvements in cognition, sleep quality, and other physiological resilience markers like heart rate variability.
Judges noted, “This program merges preclinical studies with peer-reviewed human clinical trials, highlighting Threotech’s commitment to robust research infrastructure that distinguishes it from other submissions.”
Startup – Nucaps
NUCAPS is a global biotech firm pioneering proprietary protein-based microencapsulation techniques for probiotics, bioactives, and flavors, thus enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of bioactive natural products.
“With a commendable commercial trajectory, strong clinical validation, and numerous patents across various sectors—including both human and pet markets—NUCAPS represents a genuine innovation for large-scale manufacturers and the future of functional ingredients,” judges stated.
NutraChampion – Dr. Ralf Jager
This year’s NutraChampion is a profoundly influential figure in the industry who has significantly advanced scientific understanding across multiple sectors.
His research encompasses an extensive range of topics including biotics, beta-glucans, omega-3s, botanicals, and much more. He has significantly contributed to the foundational clinical understanding of creatine supplementation and has helped validate its role in strength and performance enhancement.
A pioneer in demonstrating that high-quality plant proteins can equal animal proteins in promoting muscle growth and training, he has also expanded the application of existing ingredients into new dimensions.
He facilitates connections among stakeholders, synthesizing scientific and commercial insights and serving as a source of inspiration for many.
