Naturex launches brain health botanical
The company says the patent-pending ingredient, called Cereboost, has a “specific and unique profile in ginsenosides” that can improve short term memory and attentiveness.
Cereboost joins Naturex’s NAT life range that includes grape and hop cone extracts and is being marketed for use in foods, beverages and dietary supplements, with the catchline, “sharpen your mind”.
NAT life business manager, Benjamin Voiry, said although the ingredient is derived from American ginseng, the company was keen to downplay this fact as American ginseng was traditionally associated with revitalisation and energy levels, rather than brain health benefits.
Supporting evidence
The clinical trial performed by the Brain Science Institute (BSI) at Swinburne University in Melbourne, Australia, showed benefits in reaction times to certain tasks, working memory speed and working memory capacity when participants were given 200mg of Cereboost daily.
The trial involved 32 people aged between 18 and 40 years who were assessed at one, two and six hour intervals. After seven days dosage levels were changed.
“Further trials are planned with older populations,” he told NutraIngredients-USA.com at the Supply Side West trade show in Las Vegas yesterday. “The ingredient can provide brain support and delay cognitive decline so older people can benefit from it.”
Peer-review
The company said it was in the process of submitting the trial, which was the first conducted on the specific formula, for peer-review and expected this to occur in 2010.
It was also considering submitting a health claim to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in support of its brain health benefits.
The claim being made in the products literature reads: “[Cereboost] enhances cognitive performance by improving working memory and favouring attentiveness.”
Voiry said beverages, cereal bars and breakfast cereals as well as food supplements were being targeted.
