Ingredient Idol rewards the most innovative, top-shelf dietary ingredients recently introduced into the nutrition and supplements market today. Consummated at SupplySide West in Las Vegas on Oct. 26, this year’s juried competition featured three health conditions with three finalists in each category—active nutrition, microbiome, nootropics. Live at the show, a panel of sharp, smart and informed industry judges heard elevator pitches from ingredient supplier brands, peppered them with follow-up questions, and decided the winner.

For the active nutrition category, the three finalists were:

The winner was Monteloeder’s Metabolaid. Here are the three categories upon which the ingredient was judged. Watch the video, above, to see an exclusive interview with the winner.

Innovation

Metabolaid exerts its effect in the adipose tissue, muscles and liver by activating AMPK—the metabolic switch in the cells. Once activated, it signals the body to burn the fat that is stored in the adipose tissue and increase energy consumption as well as glucose and insulin sensitivity. Clinical studies proved the combination of hibiscus and lemon verbena extracts as having a synergistic effect on AMPK activation.

Market potential

Metabolaid’s target audience is any adult who wants to achieve a healthier and more active lifestyle. Thanks to the combination of hibiscus and lemon verbena leaf extracts, it helps to regulate total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure levels. It promotes gut health and helps with weight management, reducing energy gaps.

Scientific merit

Metabolaid has been clinically shown to modulate energy homeostasis, total daily energy expenditure and lipid management, which could be used for weight management via modulating appetite biomarkers. Another study confirmed appetite suppression.

It’s also been shown to manage blood pressure with one study showing a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure in 84 days.

It seems to work via prebiotic effects by promoting increases in short-chain fatty acid production, particularly butyric acid.