New formulation of award-winning ingredient expands applications into sports and cognition products including RTDs and shots
Nektium has developed a new water-soluble formulation of its award-winning nootropic Zynamite® for cognitive and sports nutrition drinks.
Used to support mental and physical energy, Zynamite® is a Mangifera indica extract created from sustainably harvested mango leaves. The natural caffeine alternative has been the subject of 10 clinical studies and multiple industry awards since its launch in 2018, earning global recognition for its fast-acting, experiential benefits.
Nektium’s scientists have now created Zynamite® S to meet the growing demand for innovative energy, sports, and hydration drinks. It is designed for use in applications such as RTDs and shots where solubility, heat stability, and transparency in solution are key.
Zynamite® S also has a neutral taste and is formulated to enable improved absorption of its bioactive component, mangiferin, which allows for reduced dosages.
Nektium Commercial & Partnership Director Bruno Berheide said: “Excessive caffeine intake is becoming a hot topic, and there is high demand for alternatives that deliver instant power and energy that consumers can really feel. Zynamite® stands out as a non-stim energy alternative, naturally enhancing mental and physical energy in a smarter way – and without the side effects of caffeine. Our new Zynamite® S allows manufacturers the opportunity to formulate innovative beverages that can help consumers ‘get in the zone’ and perform at their best without suffering jitters and anxiety.”
Hybrid drinks
Zynamite® S can be used alone or in combination with caffeine to provide mental energy and focus, as well as support physical energy, improved performance, and recovery.
It is, therefore, ideally positioned to tap into the trend for hybrid beverages that blur the lines between energy and sports drinks. Innova Market Insights research shows that of the 56% of consumers worldwide who regularly use hydration products in conjunction with their exercise routines, more than a third use energy drinks.[1]
Bruno Berheide added: “In today’s dynamic functional beverage market, many brands are innovating with hybrid products that offer both mental and physical energy. Zynamite® S is the perfect option for these products as it delivers clinically backed benefits for mental energy and sports performance within just one hour.”
Clinical benefits
Zynamite® is supported by a portfolio of safety data, and its efficacy has been demonstrated in clinical studies in recognized journals.
Research has shown that, within one hour, a single dose of Zynamite® enhances mental energy and improves performance under fatigued conditions. In addition, it does not increase heart rate or blood pressure, avoiding the side effects associated with caffeine.[2]
In 2020, Nutrients published a clinical study examining its impact on cognitive performance in adults. It provided evidence that a single dose of Zynamite® significantly improved cognitive function and performance across a battery of cognitive tasks, including improved focus, improved memory, and reduced mental fatigue.[3]
An independent study in Nutrients in 2024, meanwhile, examined the effects of a single dose of Zynamite® combined with quercetin on top basketball players in Greece during a basketball exercise stimulation test. Participants in the supplement group were faster, showing a statistically significant improvement in mean circuit lap time compared to those in the placebo group.[4]
[1] https://www.innovamarketinsights.com/trends/sports-and-energy-drink-trends/
[2] López-Ríos, L. et al. ‘Central nervous system activities of extract Mangifera indica L.’ Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2020)
[3] Wightman, E.L. et al. ‘Acute Effects of a Polyphenol-Rich Leaf Extract of Mangifera indica L. (Zynamite) on Cognitive Function in Healthy Adults: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study’ Nutrients (2020)
[4] Bourdas, D.I. et al. ‘Effects of a Singular Dose of Mangiferin–Quercetin Supplementation on Basketball Performance: A Double-Blind Crossover Study of High-Level Male Players’ Nutrients (2024)
About Nektium
Based on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain, Nektium specialises in the supply of branded and generic botanical ingredients of the highest quality. The business was born out of two friends’ shared passion for the phytochemistry and pharmacology of botanicals and their applications in health and wellness. When it was first established in 1997, little was known about many of these botanical extracts, but the team at Nektium made it their mission to explore and unleash their potential health benefits. Today, the company is still defined by this solid foundation of dedicated relationships and its love for nature and research. Nektium’s flagship products are Zynamite®, a proprietary mango leaf extract (Mangifera indica), Rhodiolife®, a rhodiola plant extract (Rhodiola rosea) as well as Xanthigen®, a proprietary botanical blend for weight management.
