Curcuminoid Complex Added to Honey and Beverages
New product formulations now feature a turmeric extract designed for improved bioavailability.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Nutrition
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DolCas Biotech has incorporated its Curcugen curcuminoid complex into Mānukora functional honey and Numin performance beverages. These products aim to offer a more absorbable form of turmeric compounds for consumers.
Why it matters
Developers created these formulations to address consumer decision fatigue and improve the delivery of turmeric-based ingredients. The shift highlights an industry move toward integrating bioactive compounds into everyday food and drink products.
Internal research indicates the Curcugen complex, extracted from whole turmeric rhizomes, achieves over 50 times the bioavailability of standard curcuminoid extracts. Ongoing studies are currently investigating additional health benefits beyond these initial findings.
The players
DolCas Biotech
A developer of functional ingredients specializing in proprietary extracts and complex delivery systems.
Mānukora
A producer of high-grade honey products based in New Zealand.
SLS Performance
A manufacturer of functional performance beverages.
The details
Curcugen is produced through a process that retains native turmeric essential oils and bioactive components, including curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin. The Numin beverage uses powder sachets that disperse in liquids to deliver these compounds, with effects observed within 60 minutes and lasting up to six hours.
Timeline
Effects from the Numin beverage are observed approximately 60 minutes after consumption.
The physiological impact of the Numin beverage lasts for up to six hours.
Health Landscape
The introduction of the Curcugen curcuminoid complex into mainstream foods marks an evolution in how bioavailability-enhanced ingredients reach the consumer market. It sits within a growing pipeline of functional additives designed to optimize absorption relative to standard botanical extracts.
When considering new functional foods or beverages, it is worth discussing these additions with your doctor, particularly regarding how they fit into your overall diet. Be aware that these products contain active botanical compounds, and individual responses can vary.
The takeaway
Functional formulations often focus on increasing the bioavailability of botanical extracts to ensure the body can better process active components. If you are interested in using these ingredients, keep track of your daily intake and talk with your physician about how they fit your nutritional goals.
Further reading
For more information on dietary trends and emerging functional ingredients, explore our Nutrition section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nutritioninsight.
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Do you believe adding functional ingredients to everyday foods like honey improves your health?
