SupplySide Global 2026 edition was exceptional. I have been to over a 20 of these shows and honestly feel like this was one of if not the best version that I have attended. It was exhausting as I participated in more than 20 meetings during which I had the opportunity to explore an impressive range of premium branded ingredients and innovative technologies.
From novel botanical extracts and advances in cognitive health to ingredient delivery systems and formulation technologies, the conversations offered valuable insights into current trends and where our industry is heading.
Among the many ingredients I encountered, I want to share the seven that caught my attention, each for a different reason.
This isn't a sponsored selection, paid to display, or a ranking of any of these ingredients. It's simply an opportunity to share seven ingredients I found especially interesting and explain what made each one stand out.
Bergacyn® | HP Ingredients
Dosage: 300 mg daily
Botanicals: Citrus bergamia Risso and Cynara cardunculus
Bergacyn® is a patented combination of Italian bergamot polyphenols and artichoke thistle extract standardized to 17% Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction and 10% cynaropicrin. It has been studied for applications involving liver function and metabolic health.
Why It Stood Out: Its liver-first approach to metabolic wellness offers brands a differentiated formulation strategy in a category frequently dominated by glucose management and weight-control ingredients. HP Ingredients has so many other ingredients that could have been swapped out, among them LJ100, IQ200, and several others.
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Brainberry® | Solabia Nutrition
Studied Dosage: 65 mg daily
Botanical: Aronia melanocarpa
Brainberry® is a standardized Aronia berry extract developed for cognitive performance, focus, and psychomotor function. Its anthocyanin-rich composition includes cyanidin-3-O-galactoside.
Why It Stood Out: The opportunity to formulate a stimulant-free cognitive-support product using a clinically studied botanical at just 65 mg daily, with applications extending into gaming, productivity, and mental performance. Additionally, with a “00” capsule fitting 600mg of material, image the space available and how much more can be added to differentiate the product and improve the narrative.
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CognatiQ® | FutureCeuticals
Studied Dosage: 200 mg
Botanical: Coffea arabica — whole coffee fruit
CognatiQ® is a polyphenol-rich whole coffee fruit extract clinically investigated for its effects on cognitive performance and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Its research includes assessments of working memory, attention, and cognitive control.
Why It Stood Out: Research investigating cognitive performance as early as 60 minutes after a single 200 mg dose provides an intriguing opportunity for brands developing non-stimulant, performance-oriented nootropics. OH! This is the new version of the popular NeuroFactor®. If you didn’t know now you know.
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CXR Energy™ | Zeus Hygia Lifesciences
Dosage: Formulation-dependent; standardized to 60% caffeine
Bioactive: Caffeine Anydrous
CXR Energy™ is a microencapsulated caffeine ingredient utilizing multilayer coating technology designed to regulate caffeine release. The delivery system is engineered to provide more gradual caffeine release than conventional caffeine under tested conditions and over an extended period of time.
Why It Stood Out: The innovation isn't caffeine itself but how it's delivered. Controlled-release technology gives formulators another way to differentiate energy and pre-workout products beyond simply increasing stimulant content. I love this ingredient and added it to several sports nutrition formulas. The reasonable kilo price associated with this ingredient make is possible for pre-workout formulas to include it as a full dose.
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FiberSMART® | Anderson Advanced Ingredients
Dosage: Application-dependent; studied at multiple fiber intake levels
Ingredient: Soluble resistant dextrin derived from tapioca or non-GMO corn
FiberSMART® is a soluble dietary fiber available in powder and syrup formats for applications ranging from protein bars and gummies to beverages and functional foods. Its technical properties include low water-activity binding and research-supported gastrointestinal tolerability.
Why It Stood Out: Fiber loading often creates challenges involving texture, moisture, and digestive tolerance. FiberSMART® offers formulators a practical way to increase fiber content while addressing the consumer experience that ultimately determines whether a product succeeds. Anderson Ingredients did a pilot of branded FiberSMART bar that was the best tasting energy/health bar I have ever tasted. This material is so versatile.
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Odilia™ | Bionap
Studied Dosage: 300 mg daily
Botanical: Opuntia ficus-indica
Odilia™ is a prickly pear cactus cladode extract standardized for polysaccharides and piscidic acid. Clinical research has investigated its prebiotic effects and potential applications involving the gut–brain–muscle axis.
Why It Stood Out: LOW DOSE! In this space, the concept of supporting microbiome diversity and interconnected aspects of physical and emotional well-being through a 300 mg botanical prebiotic offers an intriguing alternative to conventional gram-level fiber strategies.
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Shagandha® | Sabinsa Corporation
Studied Dosage: 500 mg daily
Botanical: Withania somnifera
Shagandha® is a standardized ashwagandha root extract containing a minimum of 2.5% withanolides and 0.25% withaferin A. It combines clinical research involving stress and sleep with USP-monograph compliance and independent botanical verification.
Why It Stood Out: Because it’s a Sabinsa Ingredient. It seems like everything they introduce is as premium a material as possible in its category. In a crowded ashwagandha market, independently verified botanical authenticity and defined active-compound standardization provide an important point of differentiation for brands prioritizing ingredient quality, consistency, and traceability.
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Final Thoughts
What made SupplySide Global 2026 particularly valuable was the opportunity to see how ingredient innovation is evolving beyond individual health benefits.
Whether through specialized botanical standardization, lower-dose formulations, advanced delivery technologies, or solutions to longstanding manufacturing challenges, these seven ingredients illustrate different approaches to product differentiation.
For brands and formulators developing their next generation of supplements and functional foods, each deserves a closer look.
Explore these and nearly 1,300 branded ingredients on NXT Ingredients®.