Natural products company ChromaDex has introduced PURENERGY, a patented co-crystal ingredient comprised of caffeine and ChromaDex's pTeroPure pterostilbene that is said to fors a unique crystalline structure having significant advantages as compared to caffeine alone.
According to the company, PURENERGY demonstrated in animal models a 6-8 times longer half-life as compared to caffeine alone, suggesting that it may provide longer sustained energy and alertness with a more gradual finish, preventing the "crash" typically experienced when ingesting caffeinated products. This patented new ingredient technology should, said ChromaDex, allow formulators of caffeinated products the opportunity to reduce the total amount of caffeine without affecting the consumers' product experience.
"There has been and will continue to be tremendous demand for caffeinated products across many markets including energy, functional beverages, sports nutrition and weight loss,” said Frank Jaksch, co-founder and CEO of ChromaDex. “We believe that PURENERGY offers a responsible, next-generation alternative to heavy doses of caffeine. PURENERGY balances the consumer's desire to feel the effects of caffeine with the pressure consumer product companies are under to reduce caffeine levels in finished products."
The company notes that, recently, highly caffeinated products have been coming under increased regulatory and political scrutiny regarding the possible risks of consuming high amounts caffeine, including a proposal in Chicago to ban energy drinks with at least 180 milligrams of caffeine and a move by Canada's regulatory agency, Health Canada, to cap the amount of caffeine in energy drinks.
In March 2013, a group of 18 doctors, researchers and public health experts jointly urged the FDA to take action on energy drinks to protect adolescents and children from the possible risks of consuming high amounts of caffeine.
Given the co-crystal formulation of caffeine with pTeroPure, PURENERGY is also claimed to have additional functional health benefits that include cognitive function, antioxidant activity, heart health and weight management.
