“Ours is a 100 per cent plant-based nutraceutical company,” says founder & CEO, ZeroHarm Sciences, Sachin Darbarwar
Excerpts from an Interview:
Q: ZeroHarm Sciences is a brand committed to clean and safe nutrition. What is the core philosophy behind the company?
A: Zero Harm Sciences was founded on a simple but powerful idea: delivering nutrition that causes zero harm, whether to consumers, the environment, or our own team. As a 100 per cent plant-based nutraceutical company, we make it a rule to avoid synthetic excipients, artificial flavours or chemical additives.
Everything we produce comes directly from plants, even our capsule shells, which are made from spinach pulp instead of the more common gelatin. In doing so, we aim to preserve the integrity and purity of the plants themselves, so our supplements remain as natural as it is.
Q: You’ve patented a water-based extraction process. How does it work and why is bioavailability important?
A: Most plant extracts are made using solvents or alcohol because plants are naturally water-resistant. But these methods reduce water solubility, which is crucial for absorption, as almost 70 per cent of human blood is water. At Zero Harm Sciences, we patented a water-only extraction technology that retains natural solubility. We also reduce the plant actives to nano-sized particles around 1/800th the thickness of a human hair. With greater surface area and natural recognition by the body, these actives become fully bioavailable, making them more potent and faster in action than conventional extracts.
Q: ZeroHarm Sciences claims to close India’s nutraceutical trust gap. How do you build credibility in a market where purity and claims are often questioned?
A: At Zero Harm Sciences, we believe trust has to be earned through transparency. We follow a three-step approach. We clearly disclose every ingredient that goes into a product. For instance, many tablets in the market are labelled as 1000 mg, but if you check the actual weight, they are often 1300–1400 mg, which means there are additional ingredients that are not disclosed. Second, most brands do not clarify whether their vitamins and minerals are chemical-based or synthetic. They simply list “vitamins” or “minerals,” without revealing that these nutrients are often synthetically or chemically derived. Second, plant-derived nutrients. A lot of brands use synthetic vitamins without stating it. We extract all the vitamins and minerals in a composite manner from fruits, vegetables and superfoods and we specify the natural source on the label.
Third, evidence-based outcomes. When a customer purchases a 3-month pack, we sponsor diagnostic tests before and after consumption through partner labs. We also provide free consultations to help them optimise diet and lifestyle. The intention is simple: the results should be measurable, not assumed.
In addition to this, we publish science-based content and videos to help both urban audiences and Tier-3/ Tier-4 consumers understand plant science and nano-based technology in a way that’s easy and practical.
Q: What kind of results do your nanotechnology-based products deliver? Can you share a measurable example?
A: Our nanotechnology-based products deliver significantly higher absorption and measurable bioavailability improvements. When we break a molecule down to a nano size—roughly 1/800th the width of a human hair—it gets a far greater opportunity to interact with the body’s receptors. At this size, the molecule becomes almost 100 per cent bioavailable, allowing it to be absorbed much faster. Larger molecules often pass through the system without being effectively utilised.
To validate this scientifically, we have conducted 14 clinical trials across 14 different products, including comparative studies between nano and non-nano formulations. These trials were carried out in collaboration with Guwahati Ayurvedic College and our R&D in this space spans over a decade.
In terms of measurable results, the difference is phenomenal. For example, 60 mg of nano curcumin delivers the same effect as 1700 mg of regular curcumin. This efficiency also allows us to combine multiple potent ingredients into a single tablet or capsule-eliminating the need for consumers to take 7–8 capsules separately.
Q: ZeroHarm follows a ‘seed-to-supplement’ model. How does complete control improve product purity and reliability?
A: We control everything from the variety of plant to the final capsule. For example, turmeric has 30 varieties — curcumin is best extracted from Lakadong turmeric in Meghalaya, so we source it directly from there. Since North-East India grows crops naturally without pesticides, the material is inherently purer.
We test the plant, extract it ourselves, convert it to nano form, formulate, encapsulate and do QC — all in our own manufacturing units in Guwahati (India) and Puerto Rico (US). Very few nutraceutical companies own the entire chain. When you manufacture yourself, you’re fully liable, so purity cannot be compromised. The industry is evolving and as regulations tighten, only scientifically validated, clinically backed and strongly controlled brands will survive. We’re building for that future.
