In an era where cognitive performance and mental clarity are paramount, the brain health supplement market has evolved far beyond caffeine pills and simple energy drinks. Today’s consumers are increasingly seeking sophisticated nootropic solutions that can seamlessly integrate into their daily routines — especially in ready-to-drink beverages, which have seen explosive growth in the functional beverage space.
However, many nootropic ingredients are notoriously unstable in liquid form, prone to clumping, or simply impossible to keep suspended in solution. This has forced many brands to compromise, either by using inferior ingredients or limiting themselves to powder and capsule formats.
NNB Nutrition: Better Cognitive Ingredients, Greater Beverage Stability
NNB Nutrition is changing this paradigm. The innovative ingredient manufacturer has developed a comprehensive brain health platform that doesn’t just solve stability challenges — it raises the bar for what’s possible in nootropic supplementation. This was recently demonstrated in the successful launch of XPO NRG, a groundbreaking energy drink collaboration that showcases several of NNB’s flagship ingredients. The extremely positive reception alongside NNB’s other showcase successes at SupplySide West 2024 showed that the industry is ready for the next evolution in brain-boosting formulas and beverages.
XPO NRG only scratches the surface of what NNB’s brain health platform can deliver. From their high-yield GeniusPure Alpha-GPC to their sustainably-produced SalidroPure salidroside, NNB has assembled a complete menu of beverage-stable cognitive enhancers that revolutionize how we can approach brain health supplementation. In this article, we’ll explore these innovative ingredients and how they’re enabling the next generation of nootropic products.
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The NNB Brain Health Platform
NNB Nutrition’s brain health platform represents a comprehensive solution to the industry’s most pressing nootropic formulation challenges. Built upon six core technologies — GeniusPure, MitoPrime, SalidroPure, TyroPrime, C8Vantage, and NeuroFlow — this innovative system addresses every major cognitive pathway while maintaining stability in liquid applications.
Each ingredient has been engineered through advanced production methods such as fermentation or specialized processing techniques, resulting in superior yield, enhanced bioavailability, reduced clumping, and unprecedented beverage stability. This is a solid formulation framework that forms the foundation for brands to build next-generation cognitive products:
GeniusPure (High-Yield, Stabilized Alpha-GPC up to 90%)
Alpha-GPC (alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine) has long been revered in the nootropics community for its powerful cognitive-enhancing properties. As a premier source of choline and acetylcholine precursor, it’s become a staple in pre-workout supplements and nootropic formulas.[1] However, traditional alpha-GPC faces a significant challenge: its hygroscopic nature causes it to clump and degrade, particularly in liquid formulations.
Enter GeniusPure, NNB Nutrition’s revolutionary form of alpha-GPC that fundamentally solves these stability issues. Available in unprecedented 70% and 90% yields, GeniusPure maintains its integrity even under challenging storage conditions, making it ideal for beverage applications. This stability breakthrough doesn’t just preserve the ingredient – it opens entirely new formulation possibilities for product developers.
While alpha-GPC is primarily known for cognitive enhancement, recent research has uncovered its impressive effects on physical performance. A groundbreaking study showed that GeniusPure can significantly improve both cognitive processing speed and physical force production after just a single dose.[2] These findings build upon previous research showing alpha-GPC’s ability to enhance peak force production and power output.[3]
The higher yield of GeniusPure – up to 90% compared to the industry standard 50% – means formulators can achieve these benefits with significantly less raw material. This efficiency not only reduces costs but also allows for more potent formulations in space-constrained applications like capsules and gummies. Combined with its superior stability profile, GeniusPure represents the next evolution in alpha-GPC supplementation.
You can learn more in our main article, “GeniusPure Alpha-GPC: Stable Alpha-GPC 70% and 90% from NNB Nutrition“, and our recent article on the new acute data, “NNB Nutrition’s GeniusPure Alpha-GPC Acutely Boosts Cognitive Performance in New Clinical Study“.
MitoPrime (L-Ergothioneine)
Scientists have long searched for compounds that can protect our brain cells from oxidative stress and age-related decline. L-ergothioneine, dubbed the “longevity vitamin” by researchers, may be the most powerful cellular protector we’ve discovered. This fascinating molecule actually predates oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere, suggesting it played a crucial role in helping life adapt to oxidative stress.[4] As NNB Nutrition’s premier form of L-ergothioneine, MitoPrime delivers this ancient protector in its most bioavailable form.
What makes MitoPrime particularly special is its ability to protect the mitochondria – our cells’ power plants. Unlike other antioxidants that actually show harm or are quickly used up or excreted, MitoPrime is actively stored by the body and concentrated in areas of high metabolic activity, including the brain.[5] This selective retention allows it to provide sustained protection against cellular stress while supporting optimal energy production at the mitochondrial level.
MitoPrime’s effectiveness was recently showcased in XPO NRG, where it works synergistically with other nootropics to enhance mental clarity and sustained energy. The ingredient’s success in this groundbreaking beverage demonstrates its stability in liquid applications – a crucial advantage for manufacturers looking to incorporate premium cognitive support into ready-to-drink formats. Moreover, research suggests that ergothioneine can enhance the effectiveness of other antioxidants, making it an ideal “team player” in comprehensive nootropic formulations.[6]
The story on L-Ergothionine is wildly interesting, and we have an extremely thorough long-form article titled “Ergothioneine: The Immunity and Energy Protector“.
SalidroPure (Salidroside)
The adaptogenic herb Rhodiola has long been revered for enhancing mental performance under stress, with much of its power coming from its active compound salidroside. However, sustainability concerns recently led to Rhodiola crenulata being added to the CITES list of endangered species,[7] creating an urgent need for an environmentally conscious alternative. NNB Nutrition’s SalidroPure answers this challenge through modern fermentation technology, providing pure salidroside without putting strain on wild Rhodiola populations.
This is the replacement for RhodioPrime 6X, which PricePlow convinced NNB Nutrition to develop in early 2020, as there were no well-standardized extracts on the market that were high in salidroside, the portion of Rhodiola we’re most interested in.
Research shows that salidroside excels at helping the brain adapt to stressful situations. It works by modulating key neurotransmitter systems and supporting the body’s stress response, leading to improved mental clarity and reduced fatigue.[8] Studies have demonstrated that salidroside can enhance mental performance even during periods of sleep deprivation and high cognitive demand.[9]
By utilizing advanced fermentation processes, NNB Nutrition has created a sustainable and highly pure form of salidroside that matches or exceeds the potency of traditional Rhodiola extracts. This innovative production method not only ensures consistent potency but also delivers superior stability in beverage applications. Distributed through NutriScience, SalidroPure represents the future of adaptogenic supplementation – where traditional wisdom meets modern production technology.
TyroPure (L-Tyrosine)
When it comes to maintaining peak cognitive performance under stress, few amino acids are as crucial as L-tyrosine. As the foundational building block for dopamine and norepinephrine, tyrosine plays a vital role in supporting focus, motivation, and mental clarity – especially during intense physical or mental demands.[10]
NNB Nutrition’s TyroPure represents a significant advancement in tyrosine supplementation through innovative fermentation technology. This production method not only ensures exceptional purity but also delivers superior stability – a critical advantage for manufacturers looking to incorporate meaningful doses of this powerful nootropic.
The importance of tyrosine becomes particularly apparent during stressful conditions, when our neurons are firing rapidly and neurotransmitter demands are high. Research demonstrates that tyrosine supplementation can help prevent the depletion of crucial catecholamines during periods of intense focus or physical stress.[11] Studies have even shown that tyrosine can help maintain cognitive performance during challenging conditions like exercise in high temperatures.[12]
This makes TyroPure an ideal component for pre-workout formulas, nootropics, and other performance-focused applications where maintaining mental acuity is paramount. And now, there’s a fermented version available to the public, thanks to NNB Nutrition.
C8Vantage (C8 MCT)
While the brain typically relies on glucose for energy, there’s another fuel source that can provide enhanced mental clarity and sustained cognitive performance: ketones! C8 (caprylic acid) stands out as the most efficient medium-chain triglyceride for ketone production, converting up to four times faster than standard MCT oil.[13] C8Vantage represents NNB Nutrition’s solution to delivering this premium brain fuel in a stable, powder form.
The advantages of C8 for cognitive function go beyond simple energy provision. Research shows that ketones generated from C8 can cross the blood-brain barrier efficiently, providing an alternative energy source that many users report leads to enhanced mental clarity and focus. This is particularly valuable during periods of intense mental demand or when following a low-carb dietary protocol.
However, traditional MCT powders have been plagued by taste and stability issues, often requiring significant amounts of carrier material that affects its properties. C8Vantage solves this through innovative processing technology that maintains stability while delivering industry-leading C8 concentration, and none of the longer chain MCTs that can cause GI issues. This breakthrough enables formulators to incorporate meaningful doses of C8 into powdered supplements and functional beverages without compromising on texture or shelf stability.
If developing a nootropic coffee or any kind of coffee creamer, C8Vantage is the ingredient to use. You can read more in our articles, “C8Vantage: C8 MCT Powder for Maximum Energy, Clarity, and Performance“ and “MCT Oil: The Dietary Fat Source Built for Efficient Energy“.
NeuroFlow (Phosphatidylserine)
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is more than just another phospholipid – it’s a crucial constituent of the myelin sheath that electrically insulates nerves, making it fundamentally important for cognitive function.[14] Without proper myelin insulation, neural signals can get crossed or disrupted, similar to what happens with a frayed electrical wire. This makes phosphatidylserine supplementation particularly interesting for maintaining cognitive health as we age.
Multiple studies have established an inverse relationship between phosphatidylserine intake and cognitive decline, suggesting that higher PS levels may help support memory and cognitive performance.[15] Beyond its cognitive benefits, research shows that PS supplementation can enhance stress resilience and decrease anxiety-like symptoms.[16]
However, like many phospholipids, traditional PS has been notoriously difficult to work with in supplement manufacturing. NeuroFlow represents NNB Nutrition’s solution to these stability challenges, utilizing their advanced FlowTech technology to create a form of phosphatidylserine that maintains its integrity during processing and storage. This innovation finally enables manufacturers to include effective doses of PS in various delivery formats, including beverages and powdered supplements, without compromising on stability or bioavailability.
This list just scratches the surface of what NNB Nutrition can do, but it represents the majority of their cognitive platform — for now!
Formulation Opportunities
The stability innovations behind NNB Nutrition’s brain health platform open up exciting possibilities across multiple delivery formats. In the rapidly growing functional beverage space, formulators can now confidently incorporate previously challenging ingredients like alpha-GPC and phosphatidylserine with far fewer concerns about clumping or degradation. This enables the creation of premium nootropic supplements and beverages that deliver meaningful doses of active ingredients while maintaining shelf stability.
For powder supplements, the enhanced stability of these ingredients allows for more concentrated formulas with less reliance on flow agents and carriers. This means cleaner labels and more efficient manufacturing processes, while still ensuring that products maintain their free-flowing properties throughout their shelf life. The higher yields of ingredients like GeniusPure also enable more compact serving sizes without sacrificing efficacy.
The gummy format represents another frontier where these stability innovations shine. Traditional nootropic ingredients often pose significant challenges in gummy manufacturing, but NNB’s stabilized ingredients better maintain their integrity through the production process. This opens up new possibilities for delivering brain health benefits in this increasingly popular format.
Don’t forget: NNB manufactures ketones, too!
It’s worth noting that NNB Nutrition’s expertise in stable ingredient technology extends beyond this brain health platform. The company also manufactures goBHB for Ketone Labs, demonstrating their broader capability in developing stable, efficacious ingredients for various applications. You can read the background in our article, “Innovating BHB: NNB Nutrition and the Brains Behind Ketone Supplements“, and we also recently covered how well BHB can support individuals with respect to traumatic brain injuries.
Conclusion: Brain Health is the Future, and NNB Leads the Way
NNB Nutrition’s brain health platform represents a significant leap forward in nootropic ingredient technology, solving long-standing stability challenges while raising the bar for quality and efficacy. As the functional beverage market continues to expand, manufacturers equipped with these innovative ingredients are uniquely positioned to meet growing consumer demand for sophisticated cognitive support products.
For supplement brands and manufacturers interested in learning more about these breakthrough ingredients or requesting samples, please contact us or NNB Nutrition directly — their technical team can provide detailed specifications and formulation guidance to help bring your next brain health innovation to market.
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