Summary

Dr Jenna Macciochi introduces Ancient + Brave's three-layer Evidence Ecosystem: clinical trials (with Cardiff Metropolitan University and Loughborough), citizen science via the Inner Circle community, and independent consumer studies. Together these form "The Brave Standard" — the internal framework that ensures every product goes beyond safety requirements to deliver science-backed, real-world efficacy.

In This Article

• Evidence Ecosystem: How we test our products
• The three-step science behind our supplements
• The Brave Standard: Redefining supplement quality
• Final thoughts: Science — the forefront of supplement innovation

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In the world of wellness, the words "science-backed", "evidence-based", and "clinically tested" are used increasingly liberally, making it hard to know who to trust. At Ancient + Brave, we believe that science is not a label nor a marketing claim. That's why we take a broader approach to quality and efficacy testing our supplements. Rather than relying on a one-off study or a single type of research, we have built what we call our Evidence Ecosystem, combining clinical trials, real-world consumer research and citizen science through our Inner Circle community.

In this post, we guide you through the multi-channel supplement testing process that we devised to ensure all our evidence-based supplements are as science-backed as we say they are.

Evidence Ecosystem: How we test our products

As experts in science and nutrition, we know that understanding how supplements support the body requires more than one lens. It requires looking at the science from multiple angles and continuing to learn as evidence emerges. That's why we scientifically test our supplements using a three-step process that we refer to as our Evidence Ecosystem.

"Science doesn't live in a single study. It's a living system of evidence — clinical, real-world, and deeply human. Our Evidence Ecosystem reflects that complexity, helping us understand not just if something works, but how it supports the body in real life."

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— Dr Jenna Macciochi, Director of Science & Innovation

The three-step science behind our supplements

Step 1: Clinical research

Clinical trials are one of the best ways to understand how supplements influence human physiology, and we invest in them routinely. At Ancient + Brave, we collaborate with leading academic institutions, including Cardiff Metropolitan University and Loughborough, to explore how our formulations interact with key health systems within the body.

Together with researchers at Cardiff Metropolitan University, we investigated the real-world efficacy of True Hydration. We have also sponsored a PhD research programme at Loughborough University, supporting research into how nutritional interventions interact with female physiology across different life stages — a critically under-researched area of health.

We also recognise that a single study, however well-designed, is just one data point. That's why we also look to the broader body of independent peer-reviewed science to inform our products. An example of this is the 2026 Anglia Ruskin University umbrella review into the efficacy of collagen, which pooled data from 16 systematic reviews, involving 13 randomised clinical trials and almost 8,000 participants. It is one of the most comprehensive studies in support of collagen supplementation to date. It reinforces our belief in hydrolysed collagen and supports findings from our own clinical trial on True Collagen, verifying that collagen provides clinically meaningful benefits for skin, bone and muscular health.

Step 2: Citizen science through our Inner Circle

Real life rarely mimics a laboratory setting. That is why we complement our clinical data with insights from the Inner Circle, our community of customers who test our supplements in a home or workplace environment. Studies like our True Omegas+ citizen science trial help us to refine our formulations by providing quantitative and qualitative data showing:

• How our supplements are experienced day to day
• How they fit into everyday routines
• How they build meaningful benefits over time
• How they perform outside of a clinical setting
• How we can support you with education to help you make informed choices and understand our product line

Step 3: Consumer studies

And we don't stop there. Alongside clinical research and citizen science, we also conduct structured consumer studies through independent third parties. This important step not only helps to verify our own research, but it also allows us to identify knowledge gaps and health priorities outside our own customer circle.

The Brave Standard: Redefining supplement quality

By bringing together these different layers of evidence, our Evidence Ecosystem creates a richer picture of how our wellbeing products really work. But that's just part of the story. To create supplements you can trust to perform, every product follows The Brave Standard. This internal framework ensures that we not only meet safety requirements, but also go beyond. It guides how we approach:

• Thoughtful formulation
• Responsible sourcing
• Independent testing
• Scientific validation

All of this feeds into our Science Hub, a growing resource where we translate complex research into clear, helpful articles — so you can make informed decisions about your wellbeing. We do all this not because we have to, but because we believe that science is most powerful when it is accessible and that you deserve to see the quality behind the wellbeing products you choose, before you shop.

Final thoughts: Science is at the forefront of our innovation

At Ancient + Brave, science is not separate from wellbeing. It shapes everything we do. From ingredient sourcing to formulation design and product testing, our in-house team of scientists and nutrition professionals bring together modern science and ancient wisdom — ensuring that every product is thoughtfully formulated to help the body adapt to the demands of modern life.