5 Must-have ingredients for your sports supplement product line

Photo © AdobeStock.com/ JackF

The global sports nutrition market was valued at USD $15.6 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9% from 2020 to 2027.¹ At the same time, the global sports medicine market is projected to reach $15.2 billion by 2027, expanding at a CAGR of 8.2%.² The increasing demand for sports medicine, owing to the shift towards a healthy lifestyle adopted by the young population, and rising incidences of injuries among athletes and fitness enthusiasts, are some of the major factors driving the market.² Consequently, the ingredient recommendations provided in this article will heavily skew toward recovery-related ingredients for sports supplements.

Ashwagandha Extract

My first and foremost recommendation is ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), an adaptogenic herb that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine³ for over 3000 years. It was described by Dioscorides (78 AD) in his book Kitab-ul-Hashaish as a “Rasayana”—a rejuvenator “that promotes a youthful state of physical and mental health and expands happiness.”⁴

Various studies have demonstrated that ashwagandha extract is capable of increasing testosterone levels in men by about 15%-17%^5,6,7—and testosterone’s importance to building and maintaining muscle is well established. Furthermore, in other research, ashwagandha extract was found to increase muscle size and strength more than exercise alone⁷ and helped double the reduction in body fat percentage compared to exercise alone.⁷ In addition, ashwagandha extract has been shown to enhance cardiorespiratory endurance (measured as VO₂max) and improved self-assessed quality of life in healthy athletic adults.⁸ These clinically validated benefits make a powerful argument for including a quality ashwagandha extract in your sports supplement product line.

Besides, you don’t want to be left out. According to Data Bridge Market Research⁹, the global ashwagandha extract market is expected to reach $102.72 million by 2029, growing at CAGR of 11.4%.

Quercetin Phytosome

Quercetin, which naturally occurs in a variety of plant-based foods and herbs, including onions, apples, berries, teas, tomatoes, broccoli, lettuce, and red wine^10,11, is a particularly good recovery ingredient.

Clinical research has shown that supplementation with quercetin significantly reduced muscle weakness associated with eccentric exercise-induced severe muscle damage when compared with placebo and also increased performance, measured as isometric strength, compared to baseline.¹²

More impressive, though, is research on quercetin phytosome, a form believed to be better absorbed.¹³ A study on triathlon athletes demonstrated that quercetin phytosome significantly improved time to complete the run. In addition, post-run muscular pain, cramps, localized pain, and post-exercise recovery time were all considered better with the supplementation.

According to SpendEdge¹⁴, the global quercetin extract market is expected to reach $110.08 million by 2024, growing at CAGR of 6.53%.

Tart Cherry Extract

Another good recovery ingredient is tart cherry extract. According to the journal Current Sports Medicine Reports, tart cherry extract (TC) “has many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory polyphenol compounds. TC lessens pain and accelerates strength recovery after exercise, and decreases blood markers of inflammation/oxidative stress. These improvements occur in both strength and endurance exercise.”¹⁵

Clinical research¹⁶ has demonstrated that supplementation with tart cherry extract improved recovery of muscle strength, reduced muscle damage, enhanced exercise recovery, promoted faster recovery from workouts, and provided powerful antioxidant support against oxidative stress in subjects performing upper- and lower-body resistance training.

While specific market data on the tart cherry extract market isn’t available, ReportLinker¹⁷ reports that the global dried tart cherry market is expected to reach $313 million by 2027, growing at CAGR of 4.5%.

Beta-caryophyllene

Beta-caryophyllene (β-caryophyllene) is a phytocannabinoid terpene derived from pepper oil. It has been shown to be particularly effective in relieving pain and inflammation. Unlike its CBD cousin, β-caryophyllene may lawfully be used in dietary supplements, and there is no regulatory challenge in doing so as there is with CBD.

Published research¹⁸ on β-caryophyllene supplementation examined its effects on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), which relates to swelling of muscles, tenderness, rigidity, pain, disruption of muscle fiber, alteration in the kinematics of joint, acute tissue damage, and reduction in power and strength. β-caryophyllene was shown to significantly reduce pain and effectively reduce DOMS, with improved recovery and without any side effects.

Currently, market data on β-caryophyllene is not readily available

Bacillus subtilis

Anyone reading this article is no doubt aware of the popularity and trending of probiotics as a category in the natural products industry. While sports nutrition isn’t typically the first application that comes to mind for probiotics, it is indeed an important application.

This is true, at least, for Bacillus subtilis, a spore-forming probiotic that provides its own protection against destruction by stomach acids and that survives transit through the stomach intact.^19,20 Besides the usual benefits for immunity, digestion, and gut health^21,22,23, in combination with strength training Bacillus subtilis has also been shown to help optimize body composition, improve physical performance, decrease inflammation associated with exercise, and promote a leaner body and improved strength with strength training.^24,25

According to Kingpin Market Research²⁶, the global Bacillus subtilis market is expected to reach $104.8 million by 2026, growing at CAGR of 8.7%.

Conclusion

While there are many good ingredients I can recommend for your sports supplement line, ashwagandha extract, quercetin phytosome, tart cherry extract, beta-caryophyllene, and Bacillus subtilis are five of the very best. Include these among the trending, must-have ingredients for your sports supplement products.

Gene Bruno, MS, MHS, RH (AHG), is a certified nutritionist and registered herbalist with 42 years of dietary supplement industry experience. With a master’s degree in nutrition and a second master’s degree in herbal medicine, he has a proven track record of formulating innovative, evidence-based dietary supplements. Mr. Bruno currently serves as both the vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs at NutraScience Labs and professor of nutraceutical science at Huntington University of Health Sciences.

References

1. ReportLinker report. “Sports Nutrition Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Drinks, Supplements, Foods), By Distribution Channel (Ecommerce, Bricks & Mortar), By Region, and Segment Forecasts, 2020 – 2027.” Published February 2020.
2. Grand View Research report. “Sports Medicine Market Size Worth $15.2 Billion by 2027 | CAGR: 8.2%.” Published February 2020.
3. Anonymous. “Monograph. Withania somnifera.” Alternative Medicine Review, vol. 9, no. 2 (June 2004): 211-214
4. Uddin Q et al. “Phytochemical and pharmacological profile of Withania somnifera Dunal: A review.” Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, vol. 2, no. 1 (2012): 170-175
5. Lopresti AL et al. “A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study examining the hormonal and vitality effects of ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera) in aging, overweight males.” American Journal of Men’s Health, vol. 13, no. 2 (March-April 2019): 1557988319835985
6. Ambiye VR et al. “Clinical evaluation of the spermatogenic activity of the root extract of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in oligospermic males: A pilot study.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Published online November 28, 2013.
7. Wankhede S et al. “Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: A randomized controlled trial.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. Published online November 25, 2015.
8. Choudhary B et al. “Efficacy of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera [L.] Dunal) in improving cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy athletic adults.” Ayu, vol. 36, no. 1 (January-March 2015): 63–68
9. Data Bridge Market Research report. “Global Ashwagandha Market – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2029.” Published December 2021.
10. Duan KM et al. “Effect of quercetin on CYP3A activity in Chinese healthy participants.” Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, vol. 52, no. 6 (June 2012): 940-946
11. Rothwell JA et al. “Phenol-Explorer 3.0: A major update of the Phenol-Explorer database to incorporate data on the effects of food processing on polyphenol content.” The Journal of Biological Databases and Curation. Published October 7, 2013.
12. Bazzucchi I et al. “The effects of quercetin supplementation on eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage.” Nutrients, vol. 11, no. 1 (January 21, 2019): 205
13. Riva A et al. “Improved oral absorption of quercetin from quercetin Phytosome®, a new delivery system based on food grade lecithin.” European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, vol. 44, no. 2 (April 2019): 169-177
14. SpendEdge report. “Quercetin Sourcing and Procurement Report by Top Spending Regions and Market Price Trends – Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024.” Published December 2020.
15. Vitale KC et al. “Tart cherry juice in athletes: A literature review and commentary.” Current Sports Medicine Reports, vol. 16, no. 4 (July/August 2017): 230-239
16. Hooper DR et al. “Broad spectrum polyphenol supplementation from tart cherry extract on markers of recovery from intense resistance exercise.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, vol. 18, no. 1 (June 14, 2021): 47
17. ReportLinker report. “Dried Tart Cherry Market to 2027 – Global Analysis and Forecasts by Product Type; Nature; End Use; Distribution Channel.” Published October 2019.
18. Amalraj A et al. “Preparation and characterization of liposomal β-caryophyllene (Rephyll) by nanofiber weaving technology and its effects on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) in humans: A randomized, double-blinded, crossover-designed, and placebo-controlled study.” ACS Omega, vol. 5, no. 37 (September 8, 2020): 24045-24056
19. Hong HA et al. “Bacillus subtilis isolated from the human gastrointestinal tract.” Research in Microbiology, vol. 160, no. 2 (March 2009): 134-143
20. DE111® pH Survivability. Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes. May 26, 2017. Not published.
21. Labellarte GM et al. “Tolerance and efficacy of a probiotic supplement delivered in capsule form.” The FASEB Journal, vol. 29, no. S1 (April 2015)
22. Cuentas AM et al. “The effect of Bacillus subtilis DE111 on the daily bowel movement profile for people with occasional gastrointestinal irregularity.” Journal of Probiotics & Health. Published online November 10, 2017.
23. Freedman KE et al. “Examining the gastrointestinal and immunomodulatory effects of the novel probiotic Bacillus subtilis DE111.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 22, no. 5 (February 28, 2021): 2453
24. Toohey JC et al. “Effects of probiotic (Bacillus subtilis) supplementation during offseason resistance training in female Division I athletes.” Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, vol. 34, no. 11 (November 2020): 3173-3181 
25. Townsend JR et al. “Effects of probiotic ( Bacillus subtilis DE111) supplementation on immune function, hormonal status, and physical performance in Division I baseball players.” Sports (Basel, Switzerland), vol. 6, no. 3 (July 26, 2018): 70
26. Kingpin Market Research. “Global Bacillus subtilis Market Report, History and Forecast 2015-2026, Breakdown Data by Manufacturers, Key Regions, Types and Application.” Published August 3, 2020.