A perfect 10: The science behind esports supplements

Competitive gaming, also called esports, is like any other sport — demanding of its athletes such needs as endurance, skill, energy and recovery. But gaming also requires intense focus, acute attention, swift decision-making and precise movements, all of which can contribute to extraordinary cognitive performance. 

Brian Zapp, marketing director at Applied Food Sciences (AFS), said these are some of the reasons that nootropics, or cognitive-boosting functional ingredients, are “especially attractive to gamers.” 

Additionally, thanks to long hours on screens during training and gaming, an up-and-coming area of focus for esports formulations is eye health. 

The following 10 ingredients showed effective results in clinical trials targeted toward the esports skillset: 

1. AmaTea Max from AFS is an extract of guayusa (Ilex guayusa) that lends naturally derived antioxidants and caffeine. 

In a double-blind placebo-controlled study, 49 gamers underwent a battery of cognitive tests on three separate occasions, each spanning six hours. Before each testing session, the participants received a single dose of 270 mg active caffeine from either AmaTea Max or synthetic caffeine. Results showed AmaTea Max increased vigor (sensations of energy, effort and enthusiasm), decreased mental fatigue, and improved reaction time and cognitive performance. In addition, gamers who consumed the guayusa extract increased their kills per match by 21% relative to placebo and had 12% higher kills compared to synthetic caffeine. 

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“One of the most substantial outcomes of the study was that active gamers using AmaTea Max revealed no increase in jitters,” Zapp said. “Comparatively, gamers using synthetic caffeine noted a statistically significant rise.” 

A separate double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study of 40 healthy adults found a single 650 mg dose of AmaTea Max (along with 1 g of lion’s mane [Hericium erinaceus] mushroom) demonstrated significant nootropic benefits, including improved reaction time and accuracy in executing cognitive tasks, as well as enhanced mental clarity, working memory and focus. 

2. Coffeeberry Energy from FutureCeuticals is a natural solution standardized to 70% natural caffeine and 5% antioxidant polyphenols. The solution includes all components of the coffee fruit, including the skin which contains free radical-fighting polyphenols, per Ryan Wories, director of marketing at FutureCeuticals. 

“Coffeeberry Energy supports esports athletes who are looking for sustained, clean energy products that can give them an advantage during prolonged gaming sessions,” he said. 

Related:Esports gamers win with supplements

Wories pointed to electronic sensing analysis from FONA International that showed Coffeeberry Energy is less bitter than synthetic caffeine alternatives, which he maintained can help product developers “deliver natural energy without sacrificing their flavor profile.” 

3. Neuravena from IFF Health is an extract of a proprietary variety of green oat (Avena sativa L). 

In one double-blind placebo-controlled trial, participants were given either 800 mg Neuravena or placebo before undertaking a computerized assessment of a variety of cognitive tasks. In the group that consumed the ingredient, memory and executive functions were improved, as well as the speed of performing the tasks. 

“What sets Neuravena apart is its ability to effectively support cognitive functions such as attention, focus and memory,” Wouter Haazen, portfolio and technology manager at IFF Health, explained. “In addition, it has been shown to have a fast-acting effect — leading to benefits in cognitive function in as little as one hour.” 

4. Cognizin by Kyowa Hakko USA is a patented form of citicoline. 

Of particular interest to gamers is a study of the patented ingredient’s effect on attention as indicated in a finger tap test. After 28 days of supplementation with Cognizin, adolescent males taking 250 mg or 500 mg of the ingredient exhibited improved attention and a significant increase in psychomotor speed, compared to placebo. 

Maria Stanieich, senior marketing manager at Kyowa Hakko USA, shared that “Cognizin works differently than stimulants like caffeine in that it increases citicoline, the chemical that’s already naturally occurring in the brain.” 

5. Nutrition21’s nooLVL is a patented combination of bonded arginine silicate and inositol. 

In one study of 60 gamers, participants were administered either 1,600 mg nooLVL or placebo for seven days. Results of the double-blind placebo-controlled trial showed the ingredient significantly increased mental acuity and focus during gameplay and within 15 minutes of administration. Even after 60 minutes of gaming, nooLVL significantly improved accuracy, attention and reaction time in gamers. 

Another study found nooLVL significantly improved measures of attention/concentration, visual representation and forethought/sequencing, according to computer-based cognitive performance tests. For the double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study, 23 gamers received either 1,600 mg nooLVL or placebo for seven days. 

Jordan Miller, VP of marketing at Nutrition21, noted the studies indicated the ingredient can “improve performance on certain tasks specific to concentration, reasoning and memory on an acute basis (short-term within one day), but also provided evidence that the effects can build over time.”  

Editor's note: To read about five more evidence-based ingredients for esports applications, download the free SupplySide Supplement Journal digital magazine here. The issue covers ingredient science, formulation ideas, marketing tips, business strategies and more.