While the sports nutrition market was once mainly targeted at bodybuilders and professional athletes seeking to improve performance or stamina, it has evolved in recent years. Today, a broader consumer group is becoming aware of the potential benefits of sports nutrition supplements, driven by the continued popularity of active lifestyles and fitness culture worldwide. As a result, sports nutrition products are increasingly incorporated into daily routines, rather than being used solely in performance or athletic focused settings. 

At the same time, consumer expectations for products have shifted. Products are no longer evaluated primarily on performance and building muscle mass alone, but also on safety and scientific evidence. Increasingly, consumers are seeking products with clean, plant-based ingredients that have been validated in clinical studies with transparent, published data. This shift reflects a broader focus on long-term health, where consumers seek not only performance benefits but also support for overall physiological balance and wellbeing.

Driven by an interest in preventative health and fitness, dietary supplements currently dominate the sports nutrition ingredients market, accounting for 42.7% market share¹. Convenient and pleasant-tasting formats that can easily be incorporated into daily life are most appealing to consumers. 

The energy segment makes up the largest portion of the sports nutrition markets, with athletes wanting to boost performance, increase energy and alertness, or to prevent fatigue². Well-established energizers, such as vitamins, amino acids or caffeine, play a key role in many sports nutrition supplements². Botanical ingredients make up the fastest growing sports nutrition supplement market segment and are expected to maintain growth². While caffeine remains widely used, caffeine-free botanical alternatives that provide a more balanced and sustained form of energy without dependency, jitters and sleep disruption, are gaining popularity³. Within this context, demand is rising for alternatives to traditional synthetic stimulants or high caffeine content, which opens opportunities for plant-derived ingredients with unique bioactive profiles and additional functional benefits. 

SantEnergy™ Nu, derived from Santa Herba (Eriodictyon californicum), is a caffeine-free, natural supplement ingredient specially sourced for its unique flavonoid profile and potential to support natural energy. Santa Herba is rich in specific flavonoids, such as homoeriodictyol, eriodictyol and sterubin⁴. These flavonoids have been associated with mechanisms related to weight management and metabolic health. 

Unlike traditional energizers, such as caffeine, which in high doses can lead to jitters, energy crashes or sleep disruption, SantEnergy™ Nu offers a natural and well-tolerated alternative. Beyond energizing effects, which have been demonstrated in a nematode model showing increased locomotion comparable to caffeine, a clinical study has been conducted to evaluate its effects on weight and fat loss⁵.

 A placebo-controlled clinical study with overweight or obese participants aged 25-60 evaluated daily supplementation of 400 mg SantEnergy™ Nu. After 12 weeks, daily supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in body weight and body fat in the SantEnergy™ Nu group compared to placebo (Figure 1)⁵, achieved without changes in diet or physical activity throughout the study period. In addition, levels of the appetite-regulating hormone leptin were reduced⁵, which is known to influence hunger and satiety. As mode of action, SantEnergy™ Nu inhibits the for metabolic health important ADORA2A receptor, as demonstrated in an in vitro binding assay, and reduces as well oxidative stress⁵. Additionally, it helps support mitochondrial function and ATP production.

Science-backed ingredients, like SantEnergy™ Nu, offer a unique approach within the sports nutrition supplement market. In addition to providing natural energy support, the ingredient offers benefits related to mitochondrial function as well as weight and fat management^5,6. SantEnergy™ Nu is available as a standardized, water-dispersible powder extract and a recommended daily dosage of 400 mg. 

Due to its versatility, it can be incorporated into a wide range of product formats, including powder blends, sachets, tablets, and capsules, making it suitable for weight management, sports nutrition, and caffeine-free pre-workout formulations.

Learn more about SantEnergy™ Nu here.

This content is sponsored by Mibelle Biochemistry Group.