Kyowa Hakko Europe, a leading international health ingredient manufacturer, has announced the prestigious NutraIngredients Award has been given to its flagship product Cognizin Citicoline for its true innovation, long-term market success, and cutting-edge research. It honored the best and brightest in ingredients, finished products, companies, people, and initiatives in the nutrition and dietary supplements industry.
"It's the first time Kyowa Hakko Europe has won this highly regarded NutraIngredients Award,” commented Oksana Ritchie, Head of Marketing, Kyowa Hakko Europe. "We submitted Cognizin to the ingredient of the year category in 2016 and were happy to become finalists but disappointed not to be the winners. This time it’s a big boost for the European team and our European customers, as interest in the category continues to grow due to increased consumer demand."
The rigorous selection process for “Ingredient of The Year: Cognitive Function” required that all ingredients were specifically designed for and marketed with brain health applications aimed at aging populations through solutions for office workers looking for a little extra help with the day job. Not only did the ingredients need to meet the specific demands of the cognitive health category, but they were also required to be in a finished product that was commercially available in Europe.
In announcing the winner, the judges recognized the fast-rising demand for well-documented nootropics to help gain a competitive mental edge as well as navigate mental stress and burnout. They were impressed by the strength of clinical evidence for Cognizin®, which demonstrated nutritional benefits to the brain in both younger and older populations. The overall category noted the booming interest in solutions to support mood, memory alertness, and cognitive performance.
Cognizin® Citicoline is a brain health nutrient that supports focus, attention, memory, and brain energy. Cognizin® also facilitates membrane fluidity and plasticity, fortifies cell membrane structures, and enhances neuron communication. The product is approved as a novel food ingredient in the EU and can be added to food supplements.