Nestlé has unveiled clinical trial results indicating that supplementation with specific forms of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) precursors can measurably increase circulating NAD+ levels and influence gut microbiome activity, as the company intensifies its research into the emerging field of healthy longevity.
The study, published January 15, 2026, in Nature Metabolism, directly compared the effects of nicotinamide riboside (NR), nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), and nicotinamide (Nam) on 65 healthy adults over a 14-day period. Researchers at the Nestlé Research Center in Lausanne, Switzerland, found that both NR and NMN supplementation led to comparable increases in circulatory NAD+ concentrations, while nicotinamide supplementation did not demonstrate the same effect. The research was identified with the ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT05517122.
“We present…that 14 days of supplementation with NR and NMN, but not Nam, comparably increases circulatory NAD+ concentrations in healthy adults,” the study authors wrote. The findings suggest a nuanced impact of each precursor on NAD+ metabolism, with nicotinamide exhibiting an acute, but transient, effect on the whole-blood NAD+ metabolome, unlike the sustained impact observed with NR and NMN.
Beyond cellular energy metabolism, the study revealed that NR and NMN supplementation prompted changes within the gut microbiome. Researchers observed that both precursors were converted into nicotinic acid (NA) through microbial activity, and that this conversion correlated with enhanced microbial growth and metabolism. In vitro experiments demonstrated that nicotinic acid itself is a potent NAD+ booster, while NR, NMN, and Nam did not exhibit the same effect when tested ex vivo in whole blood.
NAD+ is a crucial co-enzyme involved in a wide range of cellular processes, including energy production, DNA repair, and maintaining genomic stability. Declining NAD+ levels are associated with age-related conditions such as cognitive decline, muscle loss, and cardiovascular dysfunction, positioning the NAD+ metabolic pathway as a key target for interventions aimed at promoting healthy aging.
Nestlé has publicly identified healthy longevity as a core strategic growth area, and has been investing in research and development capabilities in biotechnology and clinical research to accelerate innovation in this space. The company’s findings could influence the formulation of future functional nutrition products, potentially shifting focus towards clinically-supported bioactives that target cellular health rather than relying solely on traditional vitamin and mineral fortification.
The study builds upon previous research indicating a potential link between dietary precursors and NAD+ levels. A separate study published in March 2024 in Nature Metabolism identified trigonelline, a natural alkaloid, as an NAD+ precursor that improves muscle function, further highlighting the potential of nutritional interventions to modulate NAD+ metabolism. That research, similarly conducted in part at Nestlé Research, demonstrated that trigonelline is metabolized via the nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase/Preiss–Handler pathway.
Industry analysts suggest the growing interest in longevity is attracting significant investment, driven by aging populations in North America, Europe, and Asia. The market encompasses a range of products, including supplements, functional beverages, and medical nutrition, and is expected to see increased demand for preventative health solutions. Ingredient suppliers and contract manufacturers are anticipating higher barriers to entry, but also greater opportunities in premium-priced formulations backed by clinical validation.
