Men’s health is receiving growing attention as consumers look for natural, science-backed solutions that support healthy ageing, vitality and performance. While women’s health has become an established focus in the supplement market, men also face a broad range of age-related concerns, from cardiovascular and prostate health to maintaining muscle function, joint comfort and cognitive performance.
Pycnogenol, French maritime pine bark extract, is a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredient that has been investigated across many of these areas. Research supports its role in cardiovascular health by helping maintain healthy blood circulation and endothelial function. In one randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study in patients with coronary artery disease, Pycnogenol supplementation for eight weeks improved flow-mediated dilation by 32%, while it slightly deteriorated in the placebo group (Enseleit et al, 2012).
Maintaining muscle function and physical performance is another important aspect of healthy ageing in men. Clinical research has shown benefits of Pycnogenol for muscular function, endurance, recovery and cramps. In recreational athletes aged 20 to 35, supplementation increased treadmill endurance time by 21% compared with baseline and by 13% compared with placebo. Other research in male triathletes reported improved performance together with lower post-exercise oxidative stress, pain and cramps (Vinciguerra et al, 2013).
Pycnogenol has also been studied for prostate health. In men aged 60 to 70 with signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, supplementation for two months was associated with improvements in urinary frequency, urgency, nocturia, bladder emptying and urinary flow (Ledda et al, 2018) .
Beyond these areas, Pycnogenol research extends to joint comfort, skin health and cognitive function. Studies have reported improvements in skin elasticity and hydration (Zhao et al, 2021), while clinical research in healthy professionals and older adults has shown benefits for attention, mental performance, memory and overall cognitive function (Belcaro et al, 2014 and Ryan et al, 2008).
With research spanning circulation, physical performance, prostate health, joints, skin and cognition, Pycnogenol offers formulators a multifunctional, clinically studied ingredient for men’s health and healthy ageing products.
