Female sports nutrition: Innovating for performance

11:00 - 11:10 CET

Welcome address:
Gerda Glezer, Content Producer, Vitafoods Insights
Francesca Berry, Head of Content Programming, Vitafoods Insights

11:10 – 11:25 CET

Female sports nutrition: Innovating for women's unique needs

Speaker:
Sophia Cornelius, Specialised Nutrition Analyst - Registered Dietitian, Mintel

Synopsis: Women's participation in sport, active lifestyles and strength training is growing, yet sports nutrition remains largely built on research conducted in men. This creates opportunities to better support women's physiology, health priorities and performance goals.

This presentation explores how innovation is shifting towards female-focused solutions. From hormonal health and evolving nutrient needs to strength, recovery and healthy ageing, it will examine the trends and unmet needs driving demand. Drawing on consumer insights, product launches and emerging science, attendees will gain practical insight into where brands can develop more targeted products that address women's unique needs rather than simply repackage existing concepts.

11:25 – 11:40 CET

The regulatory barriers still holding back female sports nutrition

Speaker:
Claudia Mucciardi, Vice-Chair at ESSNA & EMEA Director of Regulatory and Quality Compliance at Nutrabolt

Synopsis: Despite growing innovation in female sports nutrition, current regulatory frameworks and claims restrictions often prevent brands from communicating product benefits clearly and specifically to women. This session unpacks how positioning rules and permitted claims can obscure genuine differentiation, making it harder for consumers to identify which products are actually suited to their needs. Claudia will explore where today’s regulatory landscape may be falling short of both the science and consumer expectations, touching on the wider gender gap in research and what this means for how products are designed and substantiated.

11:40 – 12:30 CEST

Live Q&A with the audience
Got questions? We've got answers! After the presentations, join our interactive live Q&A to gain deeper insights by connecting with our subject matter experts in real time. This is your opportunity to get answers to your most pressing questions on the regulatory developments, consumer behaviour shifts and innovations shaping the female sports nutrition category. Be part of the conversation with fellow industry peers to uncover strategies to stay ahead of the curve.

Speakers:
Sophia Cornelius, Specialised Nutrition Analyst - Registered Dietitian, Mintel
Claudia Mucciardi, Vice-Chair at ESSNA & EMEA Director of Regulatory and Quality Compliance at Nutrabolt

Moderator:
Gerda Glezer, Content Producer, Vitafoods Insights

Advancing women's health through evidence-based nutrition and innovation

Supplier showcase brought to you by TSI

12:45 – 13:15 CET

Speaker:
PhD, CISSN, FIADMS, Ann Frost, Associate Professor & Director, Human Performance Laboratory on behalf of TSI

Synopsis: Dr Ann Frost, a researcher specialising in creatine and women’s health, will take the audience across the female lifespan, from the hormonal changes of the reproductive years and pregnancy to perimenopause, menopause, and healthy ageing. She will translate current research, including studies from her own laboratory, on creatine’s relevance to physical performance, hydration, sleep, and muscle, bone, and brain health. Importantly, she will distinguish what is already well supported from promising areas where the evidence is still emerging and explain why the familiar 5g/day dose may not tell the whole story when the goal moves beyond muscle performance.

Beyond muscle: Collagen's opportunity in female sports nutrition

Supplier showcase brought to you by Rousselot BV

13:30 – 14:00 CET

Speaker:
Andrew Ross, Science Liaison and Writer, Rousselot

Synopsis: What could collagen bring to the next generation of sports nutrition for women? Known for its role in the body's connective tissues, collagen is attracting interest as brands look beyond traditional muscle-focused products. This presentation will explore where collagen fits in the evolving conversation around performance, recovery, and active lifestyles.