Kaneka Corporation, the sole global manufacturer of Ubiquinol, is thrilled to announce that Kaneka UbiquinolTM has been awarded Ingredient of the Year: Healthspan Award at the NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2026.
The highly coveted award represents Kaneka Ubiquinol’s third consecutive recognition at the NutraIngredients-Asia Awards, following Healthy Ageing Ingredient of the Year as the Winner in 2024 and the Innovation in Women’s Health Award as a Finalist in 2025 – an outstanding run of recognition spanning healthy ageing, women’s health and now healthspan.
The latest accolade recognises Kaneka UbiquinolTM at a pivotal time in healthcare, as attention increasingly shifts beyond lifespan – the number of years we live – towards healthspan: maintaining health and wellbeing throughout life.
At the heart of this conversation is mitochondrial health. Mitochondria, commonly referred to as the ‘powerhouses of the cell’, are fundamental to cellular energy production, found in almost every cell in the body. The endogenous antioxidant Ubiquinol supports the production of energy in the mitochondria and helps reduce cellular free radical damage. This growing "mitoceutical" category - nutraceuticals purpose-formulated to support mitochondrial function - is central to advancing healthspan science.
Evidence shows that each heart cell contains approximately 5000+ mitochondria, with every cell in the body powered by mitochondria, supporting energy production from preconception to healthy ageing, placing mitochondrial health at the centre of Kaneka’s decades-long research into Ubiquinol.
“To receive our seventh international accolade and our third consecutive recognition from NutraIngredients-Asia is an extraordinary honour,” said Tsuyoshi Takakuwa, Head of Marketing and Sales (APAC), Supplemental Nutrition Business Division, Kaneka Corporation.
“We sincerely thank the judges for this recognition, as well as our customers, research partners, healthcare professionals and our team who continue to advance understanding of Ubiquinol and mitochondrial health worldwide. We also congratulate our fellow finalists and winners.”
“Our vision extends across the lifespan, supporting healthspan from preconception to general health and wellbeing with ageing. As an innovation partner to brands worldwide, we are committed to combining 50+ years of Ubiquinol research with scientific education, ingredient expertise and collaboration to help advance health solutions globally,” said Kazuki Takita, Assistant Manager, Marketing and Sales (APAC), Kaneka UbiquinolTM.
Gary Scattergood, Managing Director Asia, William Reed, Publisher of NutraIngredients Asia, remarked, “the judges were hugely impressed with the wealth of scientific evidence behind the ingredient, as well as the significant evidence of commercial success across the region, with an impressive line-up of advocates across medical and healthcare practitioners.”
The NutraIngredients-Asia Awards celebrate excellence across the dietary supplements and functional food industries, recognising the ingredients, products, research and innovations helping shape the future of nutrition.
