ARTICLE SOURCE: https://wholefoodsmagazine.com/supplements/features-supplements/2021-natural-choice-awards/
WholeFoods Magazine Staff
March 18, 2021
Which brands have made the greatest impact on your business in the past year? We asked natural products retailers to recognize the standouts by voting in the annual WholeFoods Natural Choice Awards, and the results are in!
For each category, we tallied the votes submitted online and broke ties using data from our What’s Selling column, which is compiled monthly with information provided by natural products retailers from every region of the country. That’s what makes these annual awards so special—the honorees are selected by natural products retailers.
Holding on to its place at the top, Bluebonnet Nutrition has once again scored the highest honor—Full Supplement Line. Several other familiar names from past years also show up on the 2021 list, including Terry Naturally (which won Full Supplement Line in 2019), Bragg, Enzymedica, and Bob’s Red Mill. We also see a few first-time honorees being recognized by natural products retailers, including Beyond Meat and Om Mushroom.
Congratulations to all the winners and to the runners-up, including Full Supplement Line runner-up NOW Foods.
We’d also like to extend a special thank you to all the natural products retailers who took the time to vote—your input is so appreciated! This year, the retailers who completed the voting form were entered into a drawing to have a $100 donation to Vitamin Angels made in their name. Congratulations to Julia D’Ippolito of Natural Grocers in Tucson, AZ, for winning the drawing!
SUPPLEMENTS: FULL LINE
Bluebonnet Nutrition
Retailers have voted Bluebonnet the Best Full Line Supplement Brand five out of the past six years. What sets the brand apart: The family-owned company believes the key to a healthy lifestyle starts with exceptional nutrition, and to deliver that Bluebonnet maintains direct relationships with farmers, growers, and suppliers to ensure their formulas contain the best whole food ingredients possible. The entire line of supplements is USDA Organic, kosher-certified, and produced in a NSF GMP-compliant facility to control authenticity, purity and potency.
12915 Dairy Ashford, Sugar Land, TX, 77478, www.bluebonnetnutrition.com
SPORTS NUTRITION
Garden of Life Sport Energy + Focus
Introduced in 2017, Garden of Life’s pre-workout “Energy + Focus” is available in both sweetened and sugar-free organic Blackberry options. Designed to boost energy levels and improve focus during workouts, the supplement is made with plant-based organic ingredients and offers 85 mg of caffeine from organic Coffeeberry, along with Vitamin B12, and a nitric oxide blend of organic kale, spinach, and beets. Certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, NSF Certified for Sport, and Informed-Choice for Sport Certified.
4200 Northcorp Pkwy., Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410, www.gardenoflife.com
BONE/JOINT HEALTH
Terry Naturally Curamin
Terry Naturally Curamin Extra Strength combines clinically proven BCM-95/Curcugreen curcumin and BosPure boswellia with DLPA and nattokinase for pain relief. Made to safely and effectively reduce occasional muscle pain due to exercise or overuse, the company says it causes no kidney, liver, or intestinal damage. The supplement is manufactured in a cGMP facility and is free of sugar, salt, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, dairy products, artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, and artificial preservatives.
955 Challenger Dr., Green Bay, WI 54311, www.terrynaturallyvitamins.com
WEIGHT LOSS
Goli Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies
Goli Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies are made in California with U.S. and globally sourced ingredients in an FDA-registered, cGMP certified, and allergen-free facility, and are vegan, gelatin-free, and gluten-free. The gummy recipe includes real apple beet roots, pomegranates, vitamin B12, citric acid, and vitamin B9. Goli gummies are unfiltered, raw and free of any fillers or colors from artificial sources. The company says the gummies can help support gut health, immune health, weight management, heart health, energy, and appetite reduction.
8430-240 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA, 90069, www.goli.com
HEART HEALTH
Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega
Ultimate Omega 650 mg EPA/450 mg DHA supports and promotes heart health, brain health, mood, metabolism, blood sugar levels, immune function, joint mobility, and absorption of essential omega-3s, the company says. Introduced in 2001, the company says this formula was the first high-concentrate, triglyceride-form omega-3 product produced using a patented oxygen-free processing.
111 Jennings Dr., Watsonville, CA 95076, www.nordicnaturals.com
IMMUNE HEALTH
Nature’s Way Sambucus Immune Syrup
Nature’s Way Sambucus Immune Syrup is a gluten-free, Kosher, and vegetarian supplement made with full spectrum black elderberry extract, ensuring Flavonoid BioActives content, which has been tested and shown to be active within the body, the company says. It contains a blend of vitamin C, zinc, echinacea, and propolis to support the immune system. The product is free of artificial coloring, flavoring, dairy products, gluten, and soy.
825 Challenger Dr., Green Bay WI, 54311, www.naturesway.com
Digestive Health
Enzymedica Digest Spectrum
Introduced in 2009, Enzymedica Digest Spectrum is a blend of enzymes that break down problem foods to make eating easier for those suffering from all major food intolerance, the company says. Powered by Thera-blend, the enzymes in Digest Spectrum are active throughout the entire digestive tract. The product is designed to break down gluten, phenol, lactose, and casein; speed digestion; boost energy; and reduce occasional gas, bloating, and indigestion. It is vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, Non-GMO, soy-free, and kosher.
771 Commerce Dr., Venice, FL 34292, www.enzymedica.com
COGNITIVE HEALTH
Om Mushroom Master Blend
Om Mushroom Master Blend was introduced in March 2020 and has over 1 million organic followers on TikTok, according to the company. The product is blended with 10 species of certified organic mushroom mycelial biomass and fruit body powder, specifically containing organic reishi whole food extract standardized to 35% Beta Glucans, and three organic botanical adaptogens, including Ginkgo biloba, holy basil, and astragalus.
5931 Priestly Dr., Suite 101, Carlsbad, CA 92008, www.ommushrooms.com
STRESS/SLEEP
Solaray Leaf Therapeutics CBD Sleep Blend
Introduced in 2019, this non-GMO Sleep Blend from Solaray Leaf Therapeutics combines hemp supercritical CO2 extract with cold-pressed hemp seed oil to deliver 15mg of CBD per capsule. It also contains organic extracts including valerian, gotu kola, nutmeg, and bacopa.
1777 Sun Peak Dr., Park City, UT 84098, www.solaray.com
CHILDREN’S HEALTH
Nature’s Plus Animal Parade
For almost 30 years, kids of all ages have enjoyed the nutritional support that the Animal Parade line provides in 23 multivitamin and 22 specialty formulations. Animal Parade vitamins and multivitamins come in animal-shaped gummies, liquids, and drops in flavors like bubble gum, cherry, and grape. The products deliver whole foods extracts and concentrates, bioflavonoids, botanical extracts, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids.
548 Broadhollow Rd., Melville, NY 11747, www.naturesplus.com
HERBS
New Chapter Turmeric Force
Turmeric Force helps to reduce inflammation and supports cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and working memory, according to the company. Made with pure turmeric, curcumin, and turmerones for optimal absorption from organic turmeric supercritical extract, the supplement targets joint support, brain health, healthy inflammation response, and is clinically studied for heart health support.
90 Technology Dr., Brattleboro, VT 05301, www.newchapter.com
VEGAN
Beyond Meat, Burgers & Sausages
Brought to market in 2015 and 2017, Beyond Meat’s burgers and sausages are made from plant-based ingredients without GMOs, soy, antibiotics, hormones, or gluten, and are Kosher and Halal certified. The vegan meats are made with plant proteins (pea, mung bean, and rice proteins), fats, minerals, fruit and vegetable-based colors, natural flavors, and carbohydrates to replicate the appearance and texture of real meat. Free from cholesterol, the burger product contains 20g protein, while the sausage contains 16g plant protein.
119 Standard St., El Segundo, CA 90245, www.beyondmeat.com
BEVERAGES
Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar Refreshers
Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar Refreshers are ready-to-drink functional beverages made with Bragg’s Kosher, Non-GMO, and gluten-free Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. The 6 refreshers are packed with high-quality functional ingredients and 2 tablespoons of gut-health boosting prebiotic ACV. All products include 750mg of acetic acid per serving, which the company says can help control appetite and manage weight gain, maintain healthy blood sugar levels, and support healthy cholesterol levels.
111 W. Micheltorena St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101, www.bragg.com
ORGANIC
Remedy Organics Remedy Wellness Shakes
Remedy Organics line of plant-based wellness shakes are made with adaptogenic herbs, superfoods, and Ayurvedics. Ingredients include almonds for heart health, turmeric for inflammation support, hemp seeds for brain health, maca for energy, MCT oil for digestion, ashwagandha for immune health, prebiotics for gut health, and more, the company says. All products are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, kosher, and non-GMO.
P.O. Box 1262, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632, www.remedyorganics.com
SENSITIVE DIETS
Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Line
With gluten-free products dating back to 1983, Bob’s Red Mill offers over 100 gluten-free products ranging from ingredients and mixes to snacks. Bob’s operates with an in-house lab, and produces its products in a strict testing facility. The company says it believes everyone should be able to enjoy whole grain nutrition, which is why Bob’s Red Mill works hard to bring gluten-free options to customers.
13521 SE Pheasant Ct., Milwaukie, OR 97222, www.bobsredmill.com
BARS
Clif Bar Energy Bars
These bars have been fueling consumers since 1992. The plant-based bars are made with organic ingredients, like plant-based protein, organic rolled oats, sugars, and smaller amounts of mono- and polyunsaturated fats. The line is plant-based, non-GMO, and free of high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors.
1451 66th St., Emeryville, CA 94608, www.clifbar.com
PERSONAL CARE
EO Products Hand Sanitizer Spray
EO Lavender Hand Sanitizer Spray keeps hands clean while creating a sense of calm. The product is made with 62% alcohol content derived from non-GMO sugar cane and lavender, and the company says it is 99.9% effective against most common germs.
90 Windward Way, San Rafael, CA 94901, www.eoproducts.com
SKIN
Andalou Naturals Full Line
Andalou Naturals offers natural solutions for skin care needs. Their products utilize Fruit Stem Cell Science performed on the heirloom apple, grape, Swiss alpine rose, argan tree kernel and the hemp plant. The line of skincare products is powered by an antioxidant defense system, multilayered and synergistic for the ultimate protection, the company says.
1470 Cader Ln., Petaluma, CA 94954, www.andalou.com
HAIR
Mill Creek Botanicals Jojoba Shampoo
Mill Creek shampoo was introduced in 1985. The product contains pure jojoba oil with organic aloe vera and argan oil. Jojoba Shampoo locks in moisture, adds softness, and protects without weighing hair down, the company says.
2951 Marion Dr., Ste. 121, Las Vegas, NV 89115, www.millcreekbotanicals.com
PET PRODUCTS
Vital Planet Calm
Vital Planet Calm for Dogs is a natural supplement that the company says is made to promote calmness and relaxation during stressful events using a blend of well-known ingredients including GABA, chamomile, L-theanine, and valerian. Available in soft chews and chewable tablets, the product is grain-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, and NASC approved.
133 Candy Ln., Palm Harbor, FL 34683, www.vitalplanet.com
Runners-Up
Full Line: NOW Foods
Sports Nutrition: Bluebonnet Whey Protein Isolate
Weight Loss: Garden of Life Raw Fit
Bone/Joint Health: New Chapter Bone Strength
Immune Health: Natural Path Silver Wings Colloidal Silver
Heart Health: Doctor’s Best High Absorption CoQ10
Digestive Health: Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics Reg-Activ Me-3
Cognitive Health: Nutrigold Bacopa
Stress/Sleep: CV Sciences PlusCBD
Herbs: Solaray assorted herbal products
Children’s Health: ChildLife Essentials full line
Vegan: Dr. McDougall’s full line
Beverages: GT’s Living Foods Kombucha GingerAde
Organic: Brad’s Organic full line
Sensitive Diets: Simple Mills Crackers
Bars: Dang Foods Dang Bar
Skin: Derma-E full line
Personal Care: NOW Solutions Essential Oils
Hair: The Seaweed Bath Co Seaweed Shampoo
Pet Products: Bach Flower Remedies Rescue Remedy Stress Relief Pet Supplement
