ST. LOUIS – Nawgan was the big winner at the 2011 Beverage Innovation functional drinks Awards, announced March 31 at a special gala during the 7th InnoBev Global Beverages Summit in Washington, D.C. Beverage Innovation Magazine and Zenith International’s functional drinks newsletter awarded Nawgan with awards for Best Overall Concept and Best Alertness Drink. Nawgan was developed in Saint Louis and offers consumers improved concentration and focus in an all natural beverage. Nawgan bested more than 150 entries from companies in the international functional drinks industry.

Internally we have always recognized Nawgan as award-winning given the credibility of the science behind the ingredients, the doses of those ingredients in every can, and our use of an aluminum can to protect the ingredients from degradation due to light and air. It is really fantastic that the beverage industry is recognizing these achievements as well,” said Nawgan creator and neuropsychologist Dr. Rob Paul. “We’re thrilled that industry leaders see how the highest quality science can be successfully brought to market in a form that resonates with consumers.”

These awards demonstrate how ingredient progress meets the consumer on-shelf,” said Beverage Innovation magazine managing editor Claire Phoenix. “Advances in anti-ageing, drinks that help prevent iron deficiency in pregnancy, and those that provide natural energy or can help you get to sleep, all indicate a move to bringing well researched science into our daily lives, as vouched for by the nutritionists on our judging panel.”

The annual conference and Beverage Innovation Awards gather members of the beverage industry from around the world to discuss and see firsthand the progress of the industry. Every year, major brands such as Pepsi, Coca-Cola and Snapple attend the summit, providing start-up companies like Nawgan the opportunity to showcase their products in front of industry powerhouses.

These awards show that beverage industry leaders recognize Nawgan a leader in the Alertness beverage category,” said Nawgan CEO Jim von der Heydt. “Consumers agree as sales continue to climb in the Saint Louis market.”

Nawgan and 150 other beverage companies across 22 countries submitted products for the Beverage Innovation functional drinks Awards. Categories ranged from natural functional, energy, alertness and beauty drinks, to packaging and ingredients. All the companies entered in the awards will be featured in the 2011 Beverage Innovation functional drinks Awards Showcase magazine included in the May issue of Beverage Innovation.