Rousselot’s Nextida.GC, a new collagen peptide for blood glucose management and more

Image courtesy of Rousselot

As previously announced in Nutritional Outlook in May 2024, Rousselot, a Darling Ingredients brand, launched Nextida, a platform of specific collagen peptide compositions for targeted health benefits. The first composition to be commercialized is Nextida.GC, designed to reduce post meal sugar spikes.

In an interview with Nutritional Outlook, Gaëtan Noiret, global director, Health and Nutrition at Rousselot, provided more information about what motivated the company to go in such a unique direction with collagen peptides. Noiret explains that collagen is already such a multifunctional ingredient.

“From enhancing mobility and post-workout recovery to improving sleep quality and gut comfort, collagen has been shown to support people’s well-being in a host of different ways^1,2,3,” says Noiret to Nutritional Outlook. “With rising demand for natural health products, U.S. consumers are increasingly embracing collagen as a holistic solution, incorporating it into their routines for overall well-being and general health benefits⁴.”

As such, Rousselot decided to explore what else collagen may have to offer consumers. “This incredible versatility suggested the presence of hidden messages in the collagen molecule sequence beyond traditional collagen synthesis – which we were determined to decode,” says Noiret. “We achieved this by testing specific collagen peptide compositions using cellular models, purposely designed to mimic our body’s natural modes of action.”

Through preclinical research, Rousselot was able to pare down and “select the most effective compositions to help restore the body’s balance naturally,” explains Noiret. “Their effectiveness and tolerability were then validated in humans via both clinical and safety trials. This breakthrough approach unlocked unprecedented benefits from collagen, which we have transformed into innovative nutraceutical ingredients tackling targeted health concerns, such as Nextida.GC.”

While the results of scientific research demonstrating the glucose metabolism benefits of the composition will not be unveiled until the upcoming SupplySide West in Las Vegas, NV, taking place October 28-31, 2024, Noiret was able to tell us that its first release in the Nextida line of collagen peptides, Nextida.GC, is able to reduce post-meal sugar spikes naturally, “with GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) playing a major role in this process.”

With growing concern about metabolic health and the rise in use of GLP-1 agonist drugs, the launch of Nextida.GC comes at an opportune time. “It is known that high blood sugar spikes are related to a range of health issues including energy dips, hunger and cravings, as well as weight gain,” says Noiret. “Consistently elevated blood sugar levels can also disrupt metabolic processes, contributing to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. The latter, in particular, poses a significant health challenge globally⁵– it is estimated that approximately one-third of US adults have metabolic syndrome and nearly a quarter of the world’s adult population is affected by this condition.⁶”

According to Rousselot, Nextida.GC is the first collagen-derived peptide to target glucose control, making it a significant breakthrough for the company. “Given collagen’s widespread recognition among consumers as a trusted natural and safe ingredient with multiple health benefits, Nextida.GC presents an exciting opportunity for nutraceutical and dietary supplement brands,” says Noiret. “Manufacturers can now service the growing appetite for natural wellness products, with a specific collagen peptide composition providing new targeted benefits related to glucose control.”

References

1. Clifford, T.; Ventress, M.; Allerton, DM.; Stansfield, S.; Tang, JCY.; Fraser, WD.; Vanhoecke, B.; Prawitt, J.; Stevenson, E. The effects of collagen peptides on muscle damage, inflammation and bone turnover following exercise: a randomized, controlled trial. Amino Acids. 2019. 51(4), DOI: 10.1007/s00726-019-02706-5.
2. Thomas, C.; Kingshott, RN.; Allott, KM.; Tang, JCY.; Dunn, R.; Fraser, WD.; Thorley, J.; Virgilio, N.; Prawitt, J.; Hogervorst, E.; Škarabot, J.; Clifford, T. Collagen peptide supplementation before bedtime reduces sleep fragmentation and improves cognitive function in physically active males with sleep complaints. European Journal of Nutrition, 2024, 63 (1), DOI: 10.1007/s00394-023-03267-w.
3. Taylor, G.; Leonard, A.; Tang, JCY.; Dunn, R.; Fraser, WD.; Virgilio, N.; Prawitt, J.; Stevenson, E.; Clifford, T. The effects of collagen peptides on exercise-induced gastrointestinal stress: a randomized, controlled trial. European Journal of Nutrition, 2023, 62(2). DOI: 10.1007/s00394-022-03051-2.
4. Grand View Research, U.S. Collagen Market Size, Share & Trends Report, 2030. grandviewresearch.com.
5. Saklayen, MG. The Global Epidemic of the Metabolic Syndrome. Curr Hypertens Rep., 2018, 20(2):12. DOI: 10.1007/s11906-018-0812-z.
6. Mohamed, SM.; Shalaby, MA.; El-Shiekh, RA.; El-Banna, HA.; Emam, SR,; Bakr, AF. Metabolic syndrome: risk factors, diagnosis, pathogenesis, and management with natural approaches. Food Chemistry Advances, 2023, 3, DOI: 10.1016/j.focha.2023.100335.