A clinical trial has validated the fast-acting cognitive and mood benefits of Nektium’s water-soluble Zynamite® mango leaf extract.
In the functional beverage and supplement markets, consumer demand is shifting away from high-stimulant, high-caffeine formulas toward more balanced options that combine sustained energy with cognitive support.[1]
Zynamite® is an award-winning non-stimulant caffeine alternative that does not produce side effects such as jitters, crashes or sleeplessness.
Clinical tests carried out in 2025 showed that a single 100mg dose delivers sustained mental focus and emotional balance.[2]
A new study, published in Pharmaceuticals, was created to replicate and validate those findings.[3] The results reproduced the acute benefits in a healthy young adult population, including a rapid onset of effects and a sustained improvement in cognitive performance and mood over a five-hour window.
Ana Beltrán, PhD, Project Manager – Research, Development & Innovation at Nektium, said: “In nutritional science, showing an ingredient delivers consistent results across multiple gold standard clinical trials is critical. This confirmatory study reinforces our earlier findings, strengthening Zynamite®’s scientific foundation and credibility with regulators, brand managers, and consumers. It firmly positions Zynamite® as an evidence-backed, caffeine-free solution for fast-acting, non-stim energy and cognitive support.”
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover replication study evaluated 88 healthy university students aged 18-25 years under exam-time stress. Participants received a single 100mg dose of water-soluble Zynamite® (Zynamite® S) or placebo.
Using gold-standard neuropsychological assessments – including the Trail Making Test (TMT), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), and Stroop Color Word Test – the study again demonstrated statistically significant acute improvements compared to baseline and placebo across multiple areas.
These results showed that:
- Psychomotor speed significantly improved at all time points from baseline, including by 30% at three hours and 25% at five hours. Compared to placebo, Zynamite® also demonstrated significant improvements at all time points
- Executive function and cognitive flexibility significantly improved from baseline, by 24% at three hours and 21% at five hours. Results were also significant relative to placebo at these time points
- Processing speed significantly improved from baseline by 14% at three hours and by 17% at five hours, with significant improvements also found compared to placebo at all time points
- Selective attention significantly improved from baseline by 5% at five hours
The researchers also observed a positive, acute impact on emotional balance using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) scales. This was characterized by a 24% improvement in overall mood state at three hours and 24% at five hours from baseline, with a significant advantage over placebo at all time points.
From baseline, tension reduced by 31% at three hours and 25% at five hours, while depression reduced by 24% at three hours and 23% at five hours. Compared to placebo, Zynamite® also maintained a significant advantage at 30 minutes and three hours for tension reduction and at three and five hours for depression reduction.
A marked and significant reduction in fatigue was seen at all assessed time points from baseline – including by 26% at three hours and 26% at five hours – and also compared to placebo.
These positive effects on mood were observed from the first assessment at 30 minutes.
David Fuentes, PhD, Nektium’s Project Manager – Research, Development & Innovation, said: “We are delighted with the outcome of this replication trial. Zynamite® is a versatile, experiential ingredient capable of powering next-generation mind and mood products, including caffeine-free and hybrid caffeine-reduction formulations. Its neutral taste profile and instant water solubility make it an ideal active ingredient for functional beverages, energy shot alternatives, gummies, sticks, capsules, and tablets.”
[1] FMCG Gurus ‘Hydration and Clean Energy: New Consumer Expectations’ (December 2025)
[2] Castellote-Caballero et al. Acute Supplementation of Soluble Mango Leaf Extract (Zynamite® S) Improves Mental Performance and Mood: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study. Pharmaceuticals, 2025;18:571. doi: 10.3390/ph18040571
[3] Beltrán-Arranz et al. Cognitive and Mood Effects of a Soluble Mango Leaf Extract (Zynamite® S): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Replication Trial. Pharmaceuticals, 2026;19(7):1112. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19071112
