Givaudan has announced the results of a clinical study demonstrating the benefits of Zensera, the firm's patent-pending lemon balm extract.
Published in the peer‑reviewed journal Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, the study offers robust evidence of the ingredient's ability to support cognitive wellbeing under stress.
The study
In a randomised, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled study involving 106 healthy young adults with moderate stress, researchers evaluated the acute effects of Zensera on mood and cognitive performance.
Participants were assessed at multiple points during the day following periods of high cognitive demand.
The results showed the following improvements:
- at five hours post‑consumption, subjects demonstrated better performance on the most demanding cognitive challenges compared with placebo
- same-day support for cognitive performance lasting at least five hours after consumption
- further analysis confirmed that performance gains correlated with increased calmness and contentment, indicating a link between emotional steadiness and cognitive efficiency.
The overall findings suggest that Zensera may benefit stressed adults, promoting calmness on stressful days and supporting cognitive performance.
Why this matters
Globally, consumer concern about mental health remains high, with stress, anxiety and sleep dominating the category.
Yet relaxation alone no longer meets the needs of today's fast‑paced lifestyles: people also seek solutions that help them stay focused, composed and mentally sharp under pressure.
The newly published study reinforces how Givaudan's Zensera can help support calmness to improve cognitive performance for a stressful day, offering an evidence‑based approach to mental well-being.
"The publication of this study in Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology validates our scientific research and underlines the efficacy of the ingredient," said Dr Romain le Cozannet, Mind & Energy Category Technical Leader at Givaudan.
We’re pleased to offer customers a benefit combination that’s particularly relevant for today's fast-paced lifestyles, now backed by peer-reviewed science.