AstaReal Wins Award, Launches New Astaxanthin Initiative for Kids

AstaReal, a leading supplier of astaxanthin, has secured the Editors’ Award for Infant and Child Nutrition Initiative at the NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2025. The award ceremony took place in Bangkok on September 17, 2025, where 17 awards recognized innovative and clinically backed functional ingredients and supplements.

The company received the accolade for its project titled “AstaReal Natural Astaxanthin for Children Digital Eye Strain.” This initiative marks a significant milestone as it highlights the completion of what is claimed to be the world’s first clinical trial investigating astaxanthin’s effects on digital eye health in children. The 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 64 children in India and demonstrated that astaxanthin supplementation could significantly reduce both chronic and acute digital eye strain compared to a placebo.

Judges were particularly impressed with AstaReal’s focus on an underrepresented issue in children’s health, traditionally dominated by concerns over cognitive development and height growth. The company’s commitment to conducting a pioneering clinical trial indicates its dedication to innovation in the sector.

Following the award ceremony, AstaReal expressed optimism that the positive clinical results would pave the way for a new segment in the market. The company aims to position astaxanthin as a preferred ingredient for children’s eye health. “What we can do with this award is to further add value and expand our partnering brands’ product line-up to create more valuable products for a different market segment – in this case, kids’ eye health,” said Dr. Vincent Wood, president of AstaReal Pte Ltd.

The recognition marks a significant achievement for AstaReal, which seeks to validate the effectiveness of astaxanthin, not only for adults but also for children experiencing digital eye strain. Carlo Alberto Muratore, assistant manager at Fuji Chemical Industries, the parent company of AstaReal, emphasized the importance of demonstrating the ingredient’s safety and efficacy for younger populations. “This is why we wanted to test it and compete in this award, to show that our ingredient is effective in children who are still growing and facing challenges with digital eye fatigue,” Muratore stated.

AstaReal’s astaxanthin can be utilized as a standalone product or combined with other ingredients, such as lutein, to enhance overall eye health in both children and adults. The ingredient can be incorporated into various dosage formats, including soft gels, capsules, tablets, and water-soluble powders.

Building on its initial success, AstaReal has embarked on a second clinical trial in Malaysia to further explore the benefits of astaxanthin for children’s eye health. Unlike the first trial, this study will last six months, maintaining the dosage of 4 mg of astaxanthin daily for the intervention group.

Dr. Wood noted that preliminary data from the first trial showed promising indications of a slowdown in myopic progression rates. “We wanted to answer this significant question: could it really help in slowing down myopic progression?” he remarked. If confirmed, this could position astaxanthin as a groundbreaking nutritional solution for eye health.

The second trial is set to take place in collaboration with one of the largest eye clinics in Malaysia, which specializes in pediatric health. By partnering with clinical experts, AstaReal aims to strengthen its marketing and health claims, potentially leading to a new wave of innovative products targeting children’s eye health.

Through these initiatives, AstaReal is poised to expand its influence in the health supplement market, specifically addressing a growing concern among parents regarding digital eye strain in children. With its recent recognition and ongoing research, the company is well-positioned to lead the way in the development of effective nutritional solutions for young consumers.