Naturex has extended its portfolio of healthy ageing ingredients with the launch of ThinkBlue, while Turnipure addresses joint health.

By 2050, notes Naturex, 17% of the world’s population will be 65 or older, compared with just 8.5% in 2016. This means the potential for nutrition products that support healthy ageing will continue to grow at a rapid rate in the coming years, the company believes.

In light of this trend, Naturex has extended its portfolio of healthy ageing ingredients with the launch of ThinkBlue, a wild blueberry extract that delivers documented cognitive health benefits.

ThinkBlue is a new enhanced extract of wild blueberry that is associated with episodic memory improvement. Episodic memory, notes Naturex, is the recollection of personal experiences and specific events – including location, time, and emotions. The association of blueberry with episodic memory is based on a study conducted on healthy people aged 65-80 at a daily dose of 111mg, compared with a placebo.

Not to be confused with conventional highbush or other wild blueberry extracts, ThinkBlue is said to have a distinct fingerprint of active phytochemicals, including anthocyanins, chlorogenic acids, flavanols, proanthocyanidins and flavonols. Naturex claims that the patented technology behind ThinkBlue leverages the intrinsic benefits of wild blueberry by improving the stability and bioavailability of key phytochemicals. Further cognitive research involving ThinkBlue is underway via a three-year research collaboration with the University of Reading (UK). This research will build upon these recent findings to further investigate the positive impact ThinkBlue may have on age-related cognitive decline.

Naturex has also launched Turmipure.

Turmeric or Curcuma Longa – also known as the Golden Spice of Life – has grown to become a superstar botanical ingredient with a number of benefits thanks to the existence of thousands of studies supporting its efficacy, the company says, noting that it is particularly valued for its anti-inflammatory benefits and ability to maintain joint health, making it an ideal ingredient for healthy ageing applications. However, with its popularity rising and demand high (sales are growing at around 20% a year) there is an increased risk of problems in the supply chain, according to Naturex, who claim that potential issues include adulteration and a lack of traceability as unscrupulous players seek to make a quick profit.

Naturex says that its Turmipure organic certified turmeric extract addresses these concerns directly. It is said to be 100% traceable, sustainable and botanically authenticated through the Naturex Pathfinder initiative. Sourced from native Southern India in a carefully nurtured environment, and standardized up to 95% curcuminoids, it is produced in line with global organic standards without the use of pesticides or other chemicals. Turmipure is also available in a conventional grade that is 100% traceable.

Both ThinkBlue and Turmipure are produced in compliance with the Naturex Pathfinder program, a 360° approach that is designed to guarantee traceability, transparency and trust. Naturex has produced ID Packs for both ingredients, which contain full details of the processes in place to ensure only extracts of the highest purity are produced and delivered.

“We have developed a sustainable and traceable supply chain that is unique to us, in which concerns about quality and the risk of adulteration have been eliminated,” said Alexis Manfré, Category Manager for Naturex. “Through the Pathfinder program, Naturex is encouraging the market as a whole to raise its standards to those equivalent to certified organic. And just as importantly, we are also committed to investing in research and clinical studies that demonstrate the efficacy of both ThinkBlue and Turmipure.”