Vitafoods Europe 2026, held May 5-7 at Fira Barcelona Gran Via, brought together over 1,600 exhibitors and thousands of industry professionals for one of the most innovation-dense editions in the event’s history. After its relocation from Geneva to Barcelona in 2025, the nutraceutical industry’s flagship trade show continued to expand, adding new exhibition halls, dedicated zones for emerging ingredients and finished products, and a conference programme that reflected the themes shaping the next generation of dietary supplements and functional foods.
The All4Nutra team was on the ground in Barcelona to meet suppliers, attend presentations, and record interviews with leading companies and experts. This article captures our key highlights from the show floor – from trending ingredients such as GLP-1 companion nutrition and postbiotics to the emergence of AI-powered formulation platforms, and from in-depth conversations with industry leaders to a look at the dedicated discovery zones that made this year’s event particularly rich for product developers, formulators, and sourcing professionals.
Content Overview:
- Key Nutraceutical Trends Highlighted by the Vitamin Professor Gene Bruno
- Our Ingredient Highlights at Vitafoods 2026
- GLP-1 Companion Nutrition
- Postbiotics
- Collagen Peptides
- Cognitive Health: Magtein Magnesium L-Threonate and Seppic Sepibright
- Functional Mushrooms
- Future Frontier: AI-Powered Formulation Solutions
- Interviews at Vitafoods Europe 2026
- Mercedes from Aker BioMarine on New Science and Delivery Formats
- Dr. Paul Lohmann on LomaBiome and Advanced Mineral Chelates
- Magnesia on Premium Minerals, Sustainable Collagen, and Vitamin K2
- Nutri&Co on a Highly Bioavailable and Sustainable Vitamin D3 Source
- Sigachi Industries on Advanced Delivery Systems and Hisel S MCC Nutra
- The Tasting Centre at Vitafoods 2026
- The New Ingredients Zone at Vitafoods 2026
- The New Products Zone at Vitafoods 2026
Key Nutraceutical Trends Highlighted by the Vitamin Professor Gene Bruno
Gene Bruno, Chief Scientific Officer at Nutraland and widely known as the “Vitamin Professor,” was among the experts participating at Vitafoods Europe 2026. During our conversation with him on the show floor, he named topics that he saw as relevant through the exhibition.
Longevity stood out as one of the strongest macro-trends shaping ingredient innovation and product development. Exhibitors across multiple halls featured ingredients and formulations targeting healthy aging, cellular health, and age-related decline – from NAD+ precursors and senolytics to advanced collagen peptides and bioavailable mineral chelates designed for long-term health maintenance.
Cognitive health was another area of concentrated activity. New clinical data on ingredients like magnesium L-threonate (Magtein) and novel nootropics such as Seppic’s Sepibright underscored the growing R&D focus on brain health, memory support, and neuroprotection, particularly for aging populations.
The biotics category – spanning probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics – continued to expand significantly. Postbiotics in particular gained momentum at this year’s show, with multiple exhibitors presenting heat-stable, shelf-stable microbial preparations that offer formulators greater flexibility and a more predictable safety profile compared to live bacteria.
Finally, sleep support emerged as a rising category, with phytomelatonin-based ingredients and botanical sleep formulations reflecting growing consumer demand for natural solutions to sleep-related health concerns.
See our interview with Gene Bruno:
Our Ingredient Highlights at Vitafoods 2026
GLP-1 Companion Nutrition
GLP-1 companion nutrition was one of the dominant themes at Vitafoods Europe 2026, with dedicated conference sessions and multiple exhibitors presenting ingredients designed to support users of GLP-1 receptor agonist medications. As the use of these medications continues to grow globally, the nutraceutical industry is responding with targeted formulations that address commonly reported side effects such as loss of lean muscle mass, reduced energy levels, gastrointestinal discomfort, and nutrient depletion. Among the notable launches, HTBA (HealthTech Bio Actives) presented Leanara, a dual-effect ingredient combining citrus bioflavonoids with active vitamin B12 for muscle and energy support in GLP-1 users. Arla Foods Ingredients showcased high-protein, nutrient-dense application concepts specifically formulated for this population. And Rousselot introduced Nextida GC, a specialized collagen peptide composition with clinical data demonstrating a 42% average reduction in glucose spikes and enhanced natural GLP-1 secretion – blurring the line between companion nutrition and metabolic support.
Postbiotics
Postbiotics continued their rapid ascent at Vitafoods 2026, moving beyond gut health into cognitive, skin, and immune applications. The category’s key advantage – inherent heat stability and shelf stability without the need for refrigeration – is making postbiotics increasingly attractive for functional food and beverage formats that are incompatible with live probiotics. ADM showcased its Esflorin postbiotic in formats including instant coffee powder and a protein-and-biotics breakfast shake, while its Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 postbiotic was recognized in the Cognitive and Emotional Health category. AB-Biotics presented a new water-free delivery stick format for its skin health postbiotic L. sakei proBio 65, clinically shown to reduce irritation and inflammation. Dr. Paul Lohmann also entered the space with LomaBiome, a postbiotic ingredient platform based on short-chain fatty acids such as butyrates and propionates, described as a “shortcut to gut health” by directly supplying compounds the body would otherwise need to produce through complex metabolic pathways.
Collagen Peptides
Collagen peptides at Vitafoods 2026 demonstrated the category’s evolution well beyond beauty-from-within into a multi-benefit platform spanning skin, joints, mobility, sports recovery, women’s health, and metabolic support. GELITA launched CURADERM, a new Bioactive Collagen Peptide targeting skin barrier and gum health. DolCas Biotech unveiled a melt-in-mouth, 100% water-soluble powder format of its Morikol marine collagen tripeptide in single-serving sachets designed to be taken directly without mixing into liquid. Rousselot extended collagen into metabolic health with Nextida GC for blood glucose control. The broader trend was clear: collagen peptides are moving into functional beverages, fortified waters, and solid food formats alongside traditional supplement capsules and powders, with innovation focused on delivery convenience, bioavailability, and novel health targets.
Cognitive Health: Magtein Magnesium L-Threonate and Seppic Sepibright
Cognitive health was one of the most dynamic categories at the show, with two ingredients standing out for their clinical depth and innovation angle.
Magtein, a patented magnesium L-threonate from ThreoTech, is specifically designed to cross the blood-brain barrier and raise magnesium levels directly in the brain. At Vitafoods 2026, ThreoTech presented new data from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 100 healthy adults taking 2 g daily for six weeks. Key findings included improved working and episodic memory, faster reaction times, a 7.5-year reduction in estimated “brain cognitive age,” and improved sleep quality. The ingredient received EU novel food approval in November 2024, granting five years of market exclusivity in Europe.
Sepibright from Seppic was launched at Vitafoods 2026 as the company’s first patent-pending nootropic active ingredient. Derived from upcycled strawberry leaves sourced from Plougastel, Brittany, through a five-year collaboration with local farmers, Sepibright is standardized in polyphenols and ellagitannins with demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. A clinical trial with 98 healthy seniors showed that 300 mg/day delivered an 18% reduction in visual memory errors and 11% improvement in visual memory scores after six weeks, alongside significant stress reduction.
Functional Mushrooms
Functional mushrooms were prominently represented at Vitafoods 2026. Functional mushroom ingredients are among the fastest-growing categories in the global nutraceutical supply chain, driven by accumulating clinical evidence, a maturing supplier base, and rising B2B demand for transparent quality standards. At Vitafoods Europe 2026, mushroom extract suppliers from Europe and Asia presented standardised ingredients targeting cognitive support, immune modulation, athletic performance, and stress adaptation. Companies including Mishkay Biotech, Biosan, Musheez, MycoMedica, and VNI exhibited a range of organic powders, liquid extracts, and finished-dose ingredients built on species such as Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Chaga, Reishi, Turkey Tail, and Maitake.
The functional mushroom category has moved beyond niche wellness circles into mainstream supplement formulation. Three converging factors explain this shift for product developers and procurement teams. First, consumer demand for adaptogenic and nootropic ingredients has accelerated, driven by interest in cognitive performance, immune resilience, and stress management. Second, the supplier base has matured: European-grown, certified organic mushroom extract producers now offer standardised ingredients with documented bioactive profiles, reducing the supply chain risk that historically deterred large brands. Third, clinical research has reached a tipping point. Multiple randomised controlled trials (RCTs) now support structure/function claims for Lion’s Mane (cognitive function), Cordyceps (exercise performance), and Reishi (immune modulation), giving regulatory and marketing teams substantiable positioning.
Read our article on Functional Mushrooms at Vitafoods 2026:
Future Frontier: AI-Powered Formulation Solutions
Vitafoods Europe 2026 marked a visible turning point for artificial intelligence in nutraceutical product development, with a new wave of technology companies presenting solutions that span the full formulation lifecycle – from ingredient discovery to manufacturer-ready output.
See our overview:
- MeNow AI, which partnered with Vitafoods itself to run a dedicated Sustainability Hub, uses its database of over 1.2 million natural compounds to identify bioactive ingredients and predict synergistic combinations.
- Enbiosis launched its 2.0 platform featuring the first digital-twin-based formulation engine, which simulates gut microbiome interactions to design condition-specific supplements backed by clinical data.
- Formulaite takes a different approach, allowing brands to describe a product concept in plain language and receive a fully dosed, regulation-screened formula generated through pharmacokinetic modeling and neural networks.
- Centric Software exhibited its PLM platform with embedded AI that automates compliance checks and impact analysis across ingredients, formulations, and global regulations.
- And finally, Swiss firm Siftlink combines generative AI with molecular modeling and genomics data through its AI agent Sensi, supporting evidence-based R&D decisions across food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical innovation. Together, these companies illustrate that AI in nutraceuticals has moved from concept to commercially available toolkit – covering everything from molecular discovery and microbiome simulation to regulatory screening and product lifecycle management.
Read our article on AI Formulation Tools Reshaping the Nutraceutical Industry in 2026:
All4Nutra Interviews at Vitafoods Europe 2026
Aker BioMarine on New Science and Delivery Formats
New scientific developments and innovative delivery concepts were key topics discussed with Mercedes from Aker BioMarine during Vitafoods Europe 2026.
A central focus was the company’s Superba Krill oil, now backed by additional scientific research and updated data. Mercedes also presented several new formulations targeting categories such as beauty, cognition, and pregnancy support, alongside the development of new delivery formats designed to meet evolving consumer preferences.
The conversation also touched on Revervia, Aker BioMarine’s new algae oil solution, highlighting the increasing market focus on sustainable omega ingredients and alternative lipid sources.
Get to know the Aker Biomarine solutions during their Vitality Month event series designed to bring together experts, brands, and innovators from across the health and wellness industry.
Dr. Paul Lohmann on LomaBiome and Advanced Mineral Chelates
Gut health, postbiotics, and mineral bioavailability were among the major themes presented by Dr. Paul Lohmann at Vitafoods Europe 2026.
One of the company’s key launches was LomaBiome, a postbiotic ingredient platform based on short-chain fatty acids such as butyrates and propionates. The concept was described as a “shortcut to gut health,” directly supplying compounds that are otherwise produced through complex biochemical pathways within the body. The launch reflects the growing demand for scientifically supported microbiome and gut-health solutions.
The company also showcased its portfolio of fully reacted bisglycinates, including magnesium, iron, and zinc bisglycinates. A strong emphasis was placed on the importance of true chelation, particularly in contrast to lower-quality market products that consist only of simple mineral-glycine blends.
To demonstrate the difference, the team presented analytical comparisons between authentic and non-authentic iron bisglycinates, underlining the importance of ingredient quality, bioavailability, and scientific validation for longevity-focused formulations.
MAGNESIA on Premium Minerals, Sustainable Collagen, and Vitamin K2
Premium mineral solutions and sustainably sourced nutraceutical ingredients were key highlights presented by Sascha from MAGNESIA during Vitafoods Europe 2026.
Among the featured innovations was MagChel®, a stable and fully reacted magnesium bisglycinate positioned as a premium magnesium source for advanced nutraceutical applications.
Another important ingredient was NT-II™, a natural undenatured collagen type II sustainably sourced from salmon. The product reflects the increasing industry interest in marine-based and sustainability-focused collagen solutions.
MAGNESIA also highlighted its vitamin K2 ingredient, which continues to remain a strong trend within the nutraceutical market, alongside the company’s broader portfolio of mineral raw materials including magnesium, calcium, and zinc.
NutriEarth on a Highly Bioavailable and Sustainable Vitamin D3 Source
Enhanced bioavailability and sustainability were at the center of the discussion with the team from NutriEarth at Vitafoods Europe 2026.
The company introduced a novel vitamin D3 source designed to deliver significantly improved absorption compared to many standard products currently available on the market. According to NutriEarth, the ingredient achieves up to three times higher absorption while also offering sustainability and natural sourcing advantages.
Manufactured in France, the ingredient reflects the growing market expectation that nutraceutical solutions should combine efficacy, clean sourcing, and sustainability.
Sigachi Industries on Advanced Delivery Systems and HiCel SMCC Nutra
The growing importance of excipients in nutraceutical product performance was a major focus of our discussion with Sigachi Industries at Vitafoods Europe 2026.
The company emphasized that effective delivery systems depend not only on active ingredients, but also on highly functional excipients capable of improving manufacturability and product consistency.
One of the featured innovations was HiCel SMCC Nutra, a multifunctional excipient combining microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) with magnesium alumino metasilicate. According to Sigachi, the ingredient provides enhanced tablet strength even at lower compression forces, alongside improved lubrication sensitivity, reduced adhesion, and superior powder flow properties.
These formulation benefits contribute to better manufacturing consistency and improved content uniformity across tablet batches. The company also highlighted the ingredient’s regulatory suitability for nutraceutical applications, positioning it as an alternative to traditional silicified MCC solutions that may face limitations in certain markets.
The New Ingredients Zone at Vitafoods 2026
The New Ingredients Zone brought together over 50 companies showcasing novel nutritional ingredients and formulations across categories including sports nutrition, cognitive health, sleep, skin health, joint and bone health, digestive health, weight management, and GLP-1 companion support. Featured ingredient categories spanned collagen peptides, plant-based proteins, bioactive peptides, botanicals, and specialized probiotic strains. The zone also hosted the New Ingredients Theatre, a micro-event stage where exhibitors presented their innovations in short, focused sessions. For buyers and formulators looking to discover the latest science-backed ingredients before they reach the mainstream market, this zone was one of the most efficient starting points at the show.
The New Products Zone at Vitafoods 2026
Complementing the ingredient-focused areas, the New Products Zone within the Finished Products Expo showcased retail-ready finished supplements, functional foods, and dietary supplement products. While the New Ingredients Zone targets formulators and raw material buyers, the New Products Zone is designed for brand owners, distributors, and retailers seeking a curated view of what is new in finished product innovation. Key product categories on display included plant-based supplements, functional beverages, beauty-from-within formulations, cognitive health products, and GLP-1 companion products. Together with the Tasting Centre and New Ingredients Zone, it formed a trio of discovery spaces that helped attendees navigate the 1,600+ exhibitor show floor efficiently.
The Tasting Centre at Vitafoods 2026
The Tasting Centre returned as one of the most popular experiential features on the Vitafoods show floor, offering visitors the opportunity to sample retail-ready functional foods and beverages that demonstrate how innovative ingredients translate into real consumer products. This year’s edition featured a range of formats – from Seppic’s 3-in-1 oral sun preparation powder sticks combining botanical actives for UV skin resilience, to Essentia Proteins’ collagen-infused beverages and iron-enriched cold brew coffee, to Valio’s protein-fortified instant soups and oatmeal. The Centre serves as a practical bridge between raw ingredient innovation and finished product development, allowing formulators and brand owners to experience first-hand how functional ingredients perform in terms of taste, texture, and consumer appeal.
