Unique Combination of Ingredients Provides Proven Benefits

MitoHeal® extract is a combination of redcurrant and blackcurrant, which makes it a unique ingredient on the market. Both redcurrant (Ribes rubrum) and blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) are deciduous shrubs in the family Grossulariaceae and are grown for their edible berries. Blackcurrants are well known in the industry with many supporting studies. Specnova’s MitoHeal® combines the many benefits of blackcurrants with the additional benefits of redcurrants. The combination of the two provides an extensive range of valuable compounds. In particular, the additional antioxidant protection offered by redcurrant has been noted in the literature.1

In some studies, anthocyanins have been highlighted as the active compounds in blackcurrants and redcurrants—and they certainly have a positive impact on some areas of human health such as visual performance.2 However, aside from the anthocyanins, there are a significant number of other valuable compounds present in these plants. This diversity of compounds is important since, as noted in human clinical research, compounds other than anthocyanins appear to be responsible for some of the health benefits offered by these currants.3,4

Research has demonstrated that the primary focus of MitoHeal®’s redcurrants and blackcurrants, including the compounds they naturally provide, is that they are capable of improving skin, hair, and nail quality.5 Additional research has also shown that supplementation with these currants provides, cognitive benefits6, visual benefits (dark adaptation and visual fatigue)7, and benefits for exercise-induced oxidative stress8, and oxidative stress and vascular health.9

The Market

The benefits provided by MitoHeal have practical applications. Each of the supplement categories above represents a very lucrative market. Consider the following:

✳ While U.S. sales of beauty and personal care products exceeded $85 billion in 202110, Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ) data indicated that sales in the beauty from within category of supplements reached $1.2 billion with a projection of growth to $1.6 billion by 202311.

✳ The global brain/cognitive supplement market was $7.21 billion in 202012, with the U.S. comprising 42% of supplement sales.13

✳ Global eye health supplement sales were valued at $1.48 billion in 2020.14

✳ Global sports nutrition supplement sales were valued at $19.96 billion in 2020.15

✳ Global antioxidant supplement sales were valued at $3.72 billion in 2020.16

Studies

There have been many important studies done on redcurrant and blackcurrant. Below is a brief summary of a few of those studies.

  • Cognitive Benefit – A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study17 was conducted. Results showed a cognitive benefit of acute blackcurrant supplementation in healthy young humans, including an increase in the speed of mental response and a reduction in feelings of fatigue, as well as a clinically significant inhibition of monoamine oxidase-B and monoamine oxidase-A using blackcurrants. These data also illustrate that compounds other than anthocyanins may be responsible for the observed in-vivo MAO inhibition and that the degree of processing and the cultivar of blackcurrant fruit used substantially alter the neuroendocrinological and cognitive benefits conveyed.
  • Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress – Researchers using human exercise and cellular models18 found that the consumption of blackcurrant anthocyanins alleviates oxidative stress, and may, if given at the appropriate amount and time, complement the ability of exercise to enhance immune responsiveness.
  • Oxidative Stress and Vascular Health Study – Inadequate intake of the recommended five-a-day fruit and vegetable portions might contribute to increased cardiovascular disease risk. Consequently, researchers conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study19 on healthy adults who habitually consume <2 portions of fruit and vegetables per day. This study was designed to assess the effects of dietary intake of a blackcurrant juice drink, rich in vitamin C and polyphenols, on oxidative stress and vascular function. Results showed that consumption of blackcurrant juice drink high in vitamin C and polyphenols can decrease oxidative stress and improve vascular health in individuals with habitually low dietary fruit and vegetable intake.
  • Dark Adaptation and Visual Fatigue Study – The effects of oral intake of a black currant anthocyanoside (BCA) concentrate on dark adaptation (i.e. the ability of your eyes to adjust from seeing in the light to seeing in the dark), video display terminal (VDT) work-induced transient refractive alteration, and subjective asthenopia symptoms (i.e. visual fatigue) were examined in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study20 with healthy human subjects. Results showed that intake of BCA at three dose levels appeared to bring about dose-dependent lowering of the dark adaptation threshold. In the assessment of subjective asthenopia symptoms by questionnaire, significant improvement was recognized based on the statements regarding the eye after BCA intake.

For more detailed information about these studies, or to see a whitepaper on MitoHeal®, please email us at contactus@specnova.com.

References

  1. Puganen A, Kallio HP, Schaich KM, et al. Red/Green Currant and Sea Buckthorn Berry Press Residues as Potential Sources of Antioxidants for Food Use. J Agric Food Chem. 2018 Apr 4;66(13):3426-3434.
  2. Nakaishi H, Matsumoto H, Tominaga S, Hirayama M. Effects of Black Currant Anthocyanoside Intake on Dark Adaptation and VDT Work-induced Transient Refractive Alteration in Healthy Humans. Altern Med Rev 2000;5(6):553-562.
  3. Watson AW, Haskel-Ramsay CR, Kennedy DO, et al. Acute supplementation with blackcurrant extracts modulates cognitive functioning and inhibits monoamine oxidase-B in healthy young adults. J Funct Foods. 2015; 17: 524-539.
  4. Khan F, Ray S, Craigie AM, et al. Lowering of oxidative stress improves endothelial function in healthy subjects with habitually low intake of fruit and vegetables: a randomized controlled trial of antioxidant- and polyphenol-rich blackcurrant juice. Free Radic Biol Med. 2014 Jul;72:232-7.
  5. Hausenblas HA, Winters C, Hooper S. Efficacy of MitoHeal® Supplementation on Adults’ Skin, Hair, and Nail Quality: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study. Submitted to: The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology as a Brief Report. 2021.
  6. Watson AW, Haskel-Ramsay CR, Kennedy DO, et al. Acute supplementation with blackcurrant extracts modulates cognitive functioning and inhibits monoamine oxidase-B in healthy young adults. J Funct Foods. 2015; 17: 524-539.
  7. Nakaishi H, Matsumoto H, Tominaga S, Hirayama M. Effects of Black Currant Anthocyanoside Intake on Dark Adaptation and VDT Work-induced Transient Refractive Alteration in Healthy Humans. Altern Med Rev 2000;5(6):553-562.
  8. Lyall KA, Hurst SM, Conney J, et al. Short-term blackcurrant extract consumption modulates exercise-induced oxidative stress and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammatory responses. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2009 Jul;297(1):R70-81.
  9. Khan F, Ray S, Craigie AM, et al. Lowering of oxidative stress improves endothelial function in healthy subjects with habitually low intake of fruit and vegetables: a randomized controlled trial of antioxidant- and polyphenol-rich blackcurrant juice. Free Radic Biol Med. 2014 Jul;72:232-7.
  10. Roberts R. 2021 Beauty Industry Trends & Cosmetics Marketing: Statistics and Strategies for Your Ecommerce Growth. Common Thread Collective. Sep. 28, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021, from https://commonthreadco.com/blogs/coachs-corner/beauty-industry-cosmetics-marketing-eCommerce
  11. Schultz H. Nutrition 21 says science backing of new beauty-from-within ingredients will help it capitalize on a growing market. NutraIngredients-USA.com. 01-Mar-2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021, from https://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Article/2021/03/01/Nutrition-21-says-science-backing-of-new-beauty-from-within-ingredient-will-help-it-capitalize-on-growing-market.
  12. Brain Health Supplements Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Natural Molecules, Herbal Extract), By Application (Memory Enhancement, Depression & Mood), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 – 2028. Grand View Research. Jan. 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021, from https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/brain-health-supplements-market.
  13. Oster M. Cognitive Performance Remains Top of Mind for Consumers. Euromonitor International. 10/16/2020. Retrieved December 21, 2021, from https://www.euromonitor.com/article/cognitive-performance-remains-top-of-mind-for-consumers.
  14. Global Eye Health Supplements Market Size By Ingredient (Lutein and Zeaxanthin, Antioxidants, Omega-3 fatty acids, Coenzyme Q10), By Indication (Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Cataract, Dry Eye Syndrome), By Form (Tablet, Capsule, Drops), By Geographic Scope And Forecast. Verified Market Research. Aug 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021, from https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/product/eye-health-supplements-market/.
  15. SPORTS NUTRITION MARKET – GROWTH, TRENDS, COVID-19 IMPACT, AND FORECASTS (2021 – 2026). Mordor Intelligence. Retrieved December 21, 2021, from https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/sports-nutrition-market.
  16. Antioxidant Market Size And Forecast. Verified Market Research. Feb 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2021, from https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/product/antioxidant-market/.
  17. Watson AW, Haskel-Ramsay CR, Kennedy DO, et al. Acute supplementation with blackcurrant extracts modulates cognitive functioning and inhibits monoamine oxidase-B in healthy young adults. J Funct Foods. 2015; 17: 524-539.
  18. Lyall KA, Hurst SM, Conney J, et al. Short-term blackcurrant extract consumption modulates exercise-induced oxidative stress and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammatory responses. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2009 Jul;297(1):R70-81.
  19. Khan F, Ray S, Craigie AM, et al. Lowering of oxidative stress improves endothelial function in healthy subjects with habitually low intake of fruit and vegetables: a randomized controlled trial of antioxidant- and polyphenol-rich blackcurrant juice. Free Radic Biol Med. 2014 Jul;72:232-7.
  20. Nakaishi H, Matsumoto H, Tominaga S, Hirayama M. Effects of Black Currant Anthocyanoside Intake on Dark Adaptation and VDT Work-induced Transient Refractive Alteration in Healthy Humans. Altern Med Rev 2000;5(6):553-562.