With the global population aging and a growing number of over-50s worldwide, the demand for nutritional solutions that support aging well is accelerating. This award celebrates the most innovative ingredients designed to extend healthspan—the years lived in good health—by addressing the biological and functional challenges of aging. From cutting-edge ingredients that support cellular health, including mitochondrial function, senescence, and oxidative stress, to those targeting inflammaging, metabolic resilience, muscle preservation, cognitive function, and gut microbiome balance, this category recognises science-backed solutions that help maintain physical and mental vitality. We welcome entries that demonstrate:

• Strong scientific substantiation and safety 
• Mechanisms of action aligned with the hallmarks of aging
• Potential to reduce the risk of frailty, chronic inflammation, or age-related decline
• Relevance to consumer demand for proactive, personalised, and preventive approaches to aging

This award honours ingredients that empower consumers to take control of their healthspan—living longer, healthier, and more active lives.

Our Judges will look at how your ingredient meets specific needs and will base their scores on your evidence to demonstrate:

• A genuine consumer demand or requirement based upon a common issue or risk factor
• Solid scientific evidence to demonstrate a unique nutritional solution to this need or problem – including peer reviewed data to back up any performance or health claims made
• Commercial success and engagement from your core target market(s). Give numbers and examples of sales and applications that are available in the market
  
• What gives your ingredient the ‘X factor’ – something that makes it stand out from the crowd and edge out the competition (including evidence to back up claims)

To view the requirements for this category, click to download

Entries for The NutraIngredients Europe Awards, Ingredient of the Year categories are required to have the ingredient in a finished product that is commercially available in Europe.

JUDGING PROCESS: 

• Entries will be received and reviewed by the NutraIngredients Europe Awards Judging Panel made up of independent judges from the industry.
• Our 2026 finalists will be confirmed and notified in end of March 2026.
• Our 2026 winners will be announced during an awards' presentation in Barcelona on Wednesday May 6, 2026.