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[Case Study] How Healthy Life transformed ginger oil into a stable, effective, and highly bioavailable ingredient through microencapsulation

 

The context

Healthy Life is a nutraceutical supplement brand that caters to a broad audience—from young adults interested in natural wellness to individuals over 50 seeking effective yet well-tolerated digestive and anti-inflammatory support.


Recently, the R&D team at Healthy Life observed a significant rise in demand for ginger-based solutions, particularly in the form of essential oil, due to its well-known properties [1]:

  • Digestive (reduces nausea, stimulates gastric motility)
  • Anti-inflammatory (soothing effect on joints and muscles)
  • Antioxidant and immunomodulating

However, the direct use of ginger oil presented several challenges similar to those of other essential oils.

 

Challenges to overcome:

  • Instability when exposed to air and light → the oil tends to oxidize, losing efficacy and developing sharp or unpleasant aromas
  • Strong, spicy taste → difficult to mask in formats like orodispersible sachets or open capsules
  • Gastric irritation → unprotected ginger oil may cause stomach discomfort in sensitive individuals
  • Complex technical handling → difficult to dose and incorporate into standardized production processes, especially in solid or powdered formats

 

Searching for a natural yet technological solution

Objective: to enhance the benefits of ginger oil while preserving its efficacy, improving tolerability, and simplifying its industrial application.

After various tests on traditional formats (softgels, oil blends, drops), the team chose a more advanced solution: microencapsulation.

 

The breakthrough: Microencapsulation with FLOWACTIVES® technology

Healthy Life developed a sachet format using IPS's FLOWACTIVES® microencapsulation with a protective matrix and optional gastro-resistant coating.

FLOWACTIVES® microcapsules are designed to:

  • Isolate the essential oil from light, oxygen, and humidity
  • Preserve the efficacy of active compounds (gingerols, shogaols)
  • Release the actives directly in the intestinal tract, preventing gastric irritation
  • Reduce sensory impact (spicy flavor, pungent odor)
  • Provide a free-flowing powder form, easy to dose and compatible with standard production equipment

 

Benefits of microencapsulation for Healthy Life

Thanks to FLOWACTIVES®, Healthy Life was able to:

  • Launch a new line of digestive and anti-inflammatory supplements
  • Extend ginger oil use to more sensitive targets, such as children and the elderly
  • Ensure prolonged efficacy and improved bioavailability through targeted enteric release
  • Reduce production waste and improve final product standardization

 

Conclusions

FLOWACTIVES® microencapsulation enabled Healthy Life to revolutionize the use of ginger oil in its supplements, making it:

  • Stable over time and resistant to oxidation
  • Pleasant and well tolerated, even for sensitive stomachs
  • Compatible with a wide range of formats and target audiences
  • Technologically advanced, with a natural core

"We managed to combine tradition and innovation: the natural power of ginger, enclosed in an invisible capsule, ready to act where it’s really needed."
— Healthy Life Research & Innovation Team