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.”
Click HERE to subscribe to our FREE Weekly Newsletter