“Biohacking” the circadian rhythm with botanical beverage BioLift

18 Aug 2020 --- Israeli start-up InnoBev has introduced BioLift, a beverage featuring natural ingredients, to help consumers maintain energy levels throughout the day and avoid a “post-lunch dip.” Using the science of “chronobiology,” or the rhythm associated with internal biological clocks, BioLift’s functional properties help consumers bypass tiredness typically arising in the early afternoon when the human body is prone to drowsiness. InnoBev states it timed its launch for the global workforce being faced with unprecedented challenges in terms of more people working remotely and struggling with alertness and concentration.

“Consumers are looking for healthy, caffeine alternatives that are tasty and do not increase pulse or blood pressure, just like BioLift. Chronobiology trend will continue to grow, working together with your body listening to its rhythms,” Eli Faraggi, CEO & Founder of InnoBev, tells NutritionInsight.

“Chronobiological studies of our circadian rhythm reveal that a sleep gate opens for humans between 1 PM and 4 PM, naturally slowing down our systems, decreasing our rhythms and increasing fatigue. Our body clock runs in a seven-hour cycle of fatigue, elevation, peak and repeat. So six to seven hours after wakeup, our temperature and sugar levels drop. We don’t peak again until 4 PM to 6 PM,” the company further statesstates.

The energy slump phenomenon stems from the need for people to rest during the hottest time of the day: the afternoon. “Our innovative team of scientists used chronobiology to understand this natural resting phase, which bumps up against peak work time – and how to circumvent it,” InnoBev highlights.

BioLift is designed to prevent the afternoon slump when the body is prone to wanting rest.According to the Israel-based start-up, the “afternoon slump” known as the post-lunch dip can cost the US economy US$134.6 billion per year due to lower productivity from employees at work. These hours are also the most dangerous hours of the day for work and road accidents. 

Energy ingredients
BioLift’s key botanical ingredients synchronize with the natural body clock – or circadian rhythm – to elevate focus, alertness and performance. The company’s formula contains guarana, ginkgo biloba and elderberry that deliver mental stimulation, concentration and immune system boosts, respectively. Overall, the energizing beverage is said to increase vigilance, focus significantly on work performance, improve cognitive function and word recall.  

Other ingredients in BioLift are water, a low-glycemic sweetener made from carob and apple extracts, natural flavors and citric acid. Each BioLift bottle contains 41 calories, 10 g of caffeine and 9 g of sugar from carob and apple sources. Arriving in 266 mL bottles, it only takes “a few minutes” for the benefits of BioLift to be experienced, with effects lasting between two to four hours. BioLift is available in Mandarin Orange, Melon Lime and Mixed Berry.

The circadian rhythm is a natural biological clock that signals the brain to sleep and wake, usually at consistent times of the day (Credits: BioLift).Because internal body clocks and rhythms differ, consumers are encouraged to experiment to see which times work best for themselves. “You may discover you benefit from the effects of BioLift in the morning or evening also,” the company notes. 

The biological clock’s natural tick-tock
Industry is catching onto how the dietary supplements can be designed around the body’s natural circadian rhythm. Givaudan Active Beauty released Synchronight, an active cosmetic ingredient for skincare, designed to protect the skin from so-called “digital stress,” as artificial lights impact the circadian rhythm.

NutritionInsight also recently reported about chrono-nutrition, or time-sensitive eating, which has great potential to add a new dimension to the personalized nutrition trend. In this space, supplements with energetic properties like cordyceps and fermented ginseng are pegged as best being taken in the morning to help the body remain focused throughout the day.

By Anni Schleicher