ADM and Kyowa Hakko spotlight natural cognition, mood, stress, and sleep solutions

Brain-boosting and mental well-being innovations are key in the nutrition industry as consumers seek solutions to support their stressful lives. We catch up with experts from ADM and Kyowa Hakko to examine their ingredients for cognition and brain health, how to target the gut-brain axis, and how to support mood and sleep.

Innova Market Insights data indicates a 14% year-over-year growth in product launches with brain-mood claims from October 2022 to September 2024. 

“The gut-brain axis is an exciting new field within the microbiome, and it relates to stress, sleep, and mood,” June Lin, ADM’s VP of Global Innovation Marketing, tells Nutrition Insight. 

The company recently partnered with the Asahi Group Foods Corporation to exclusively market and distribute the Japanese company’s postbiotic L. gasseri CP2305 to support stress, mood, and sleep.  

“A lot of consumers are stressed today,” continues Lin. “Stress is linked to sleep, and how we sleep relates to stress. Through our research, we saw that over 70% of consumers have trouble falling asleep. And about 60% of them relate stress and anxiety to issues they’re having with sleep.”

Registered dietitian Katie Emerson, senior manager of scientific affairs at Kyowa Hakko, highlights the company’s citicoline ingredient, Cognizin, for long-term brain health. Last year, the company shared research demonstrating Cognizin’s neuroprotective effects and potential to enhance cognitive function and support healthy brain aging. 

Emerson says that, unlike some other ingredients on the market, Kyowa Hakko tests Cognizin in healthy subjects, as consumers taking supplements tend to be healthy. 

“When we test it in that population, we get better claims because we have better efficaciousness, and we have clinical dosages that we can use, and then we work with our final goods products that will make sure that that dose is accurately reflected on the label and in the formulation.” 

“We stand out because we know that it’s going to work for almost everybody who uses it, in different age groups, males or females.”

Showcasing partnerships

At the recent Natural Products Expo West (NPEW) trade show, Kyowa Hakko showcased its partnership with Mosh. This protein bar brand added Cognizin to product reformulations in the summer of 2024. 

At NPEW, Emerson discussed Kyowa Hakko’s partnership with Mosh.Emerson says that the Mosh team started with a suitable formulation. “They have amazing ingredients in the product, but what they needed is a hero ingredient with the science and the substantiation. Making these claims, especially around memory, is a high-risk category. People taking it are expecting to see solid improvements.” 

She adds that Cognizin is supported by eight human clinical studies on memory, including working and long-term memory. 

“When we paired up with Mosh, it was a no-brainer. We fit so well with what they were doing and their mission and vision of helping people with memory deficits related to cognitive decline as you age.” 

In addition, Emerson says that the partnership with Mosh helped expand Cognizin’s consumer recognition, as the company added the ingredient logo to its protein bars and website. 

“I think customers have a sense of trust with it,” she adds. “When you showcase that, people feel like they’re getting a high-quality, premium ingredient they can trust and rely on to deliver those claims.” 

Science-backed naturals

Lin adds that ADM’s partnership with the Asahi Group was also a great fit. “It aligns with meeting a consumer need, evolving innovation, and bringing together the science and the formulation capabilities.” 

“It fits nicely into health and wellness,” she continues. “This market is one of the fastest-growing markets. It’s grown over 30% over the last few years and continues to grow.”

Lin says that L. gasseri CP2305 is supported by eight human clinical trials. “It’s been shown to improve sleep quality and efficiency, which also helps impact stress and anxiety.”

“The other great thing about this is it works naturally in your body. Over time, the longer you take the product, you start to see the effect,” she continues. “Consumers want those natural solutions today that fit into their lifestyles.” 

Lin presented several product examples with ADM’s new postbiotic at NPEW 2025.Emerson teases several upcoming research projects with Cognizin, looking at mood and sports nutrition applications. 

“We know that it works on the neurotransmitters acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and dopamine, and we have an idea, through previous research and consumer feedback, that it gives a mood-enhancing effect. But we don’t like to make claims until we can back it up with the science, so we are studying there,” she details.  

“I have a sports nutrition background, so I’m excited to see Cognizin in a sports aspect for performance, around reaction time, processing speed, and motor function,” Emerson continues. 

She says her daughter’s hand-eye coordination and reaction time benefit from taking energy drinks with Cognizin. “I’m taking what I’ve watched with her and putting it in a clinical application, and hopefully, in the next year, we’ll have data to talk about.”

Product applications

Lin details that postbiotics are very flexible in formulation; manufacturers can add them to various foods, beverages, and dietary supplements. At the recent NPEW trade show, ADM featured different finished products with L. gasseri CP2305. 

“If you’re a consumer, you could take it as a fast melt, a powder that you can take right before bed or during the day, and it’s a great combination. It features the postbiotic and other ingredients like lemon balm and chamomile to help soothe you and help you sleep at night.” 

“We’ve got a great chocolate as well,” she adds. “Some consumers like taking supplements, but sometimes you want something during the day or as a treat. It fits in with that indulgence but also provides those functional benefits.” 

Moreover, Lin says that ADM developed a brownie brittle, showcasing the company’s capabilities to develop formulas that consumers want to taste with scientifically backed ingredients. 

“The final one I’m most excited about is our new gummy. This is a great option for people who want something that’s on-the-go and tastes great. They don’t necessarily want to take a pill or capsule. So again, it’s great tasting and delivers that functionality in the way they’re looking for.”