Functional foods & drinks

China

Sports supps summit aims to bring clarity to byzantine regulations

02-Jun-2016 By RJ Whitehead

At a size of US$74m with a growth rate of some 14%, one would imagine that the sports nutrition market in China is growing quite nicely. In fact, it is struggling.

Review supports safety of green tea extracts

25-May-2016 By Hank Schultz

A recent systematic review of clinical trials using green tea extract underscores the ingredient’s overall safety, despite some recent associations with liver damage.

Australia

Lab-developed PERKii probiotic readies for sale after VC backing

23-May-2016 By RJ Whitehead

A lactose-free probiotic fruit drink developed by scientists in Australia has managed to secure sufficient investment for it to be launched across the country's beverage market.

Korean firm seeks EU access for novel algal DHA oil

18-May-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The South Korean company Daesang Corp has applied for novel food approval for its DHA-rich algal oil, claiming ‘substantial equivalence’ to an already-approved oil produced by DSM-owned Martek Biosciences.

Ashwagandha root extract may boost cardiorespiratory endurance: RCT

17-May-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera [L.] Dunal) root extract may improve endurance during exercise, says a new study using the KSM-66 brand of Ashwagandha from Ixoreal Biomed.

Usana’s China operation given permits for direct selling expansion

17-May-2016 By RJ Whitehead

Global nutrition company Usana Health Sciences has received approval for its China subsidiary to expand its direct selling operation to eight more provinces and municipalities within the country.

Fruit compounds could be effective against diabetes and CVD, study finds

16-May-2016 By Will Chu

Two compounds found in grapes and oranges could be used to form a basis of treatment for those suffering from diabetes, a study has found.

Do fermented foods contain probiotics? Not necessarily, says Ganeden

13-May-2016 By Elaine Watson

Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kombucha, kimchi and yogurts containing ‘live and active cultures’ are healthy and tasty, but they are not necessarily packed with probiotics, says Ganeden Inc, the Ohio-based firm behind one of the best-known probiotic...

The rise of adaptogenic herbs: ‘These herbs help mitigate stress & we live in a stressful environment’

11-May-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Interest in adaptogenic herbs is increasing, but how does industry communicate the benefits to consumers, and which herbs work this way?

Eating black raspberries may decrease heart disease risk: Study

29-Apr-2016 By Will Chu

An extract found in black raspberries can significantly lower arterial stiffness, a key measure of cardiovascular disease, according to data from a Korean study.

Halal leader NoorVitamins launches high potency fish oil to broaden value proposition

27-Apr-2016 By Hank Schultz

The introduction by NoorVitamins of a Halal-certified fish oil is another step in the company’s dominance of the category. But CEO Mohammed Issa says the company’s goals are bigger, to broaden the certification’s purity message to the general public.

Taiyo gets non-GMO verification on Sunfiber prebiotic ingredient

22-Apr-2016 By Hank Schultz

Japanese ingredient supplier Taiyo has expanded the certification support for its Sunfiber prebiotic ingredient with a Non-GMO Project verification.

1000 Holland & Barrett franchise stores to open in India

21-Apr-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Health and nutrition retailer Holland & Barrett has secured a £20m (€25.44m) deal with Indian hospital chain Apollo Hospitals, an agreement which will see 1000 franchise stores open across India over the next five years.

BGG to use new Mexico City office as springboard for Latin America expansion

21-Apr-2016 By Hank Schultz

Chinese supplier BGG is taking a big step to expand the global footprint of its ingredients with recent establishment of an office in Mexico City to go along with a new European site.

4 probiotic strains found in kimchi

15-Apr-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

South Korean researchers have isolated four potentially ‘useful’ probiotic strains in traditional Korean fermented food kimchi.

CJ CheilJedang begins assault on global amino market with Haide buy

13-Apr-2016 By RJ Whitehead

In a bold move, CJ CheilJedang, Korea’s biggest food company, has acquired China’s Ningbo Zhenhai Haide Bichem in a US$30.9m deal that will pave the way for Seoul-based CJ to expand in the growing global functional amino acids market.

“Truly exciting”: Probiotic may increase muscle mass, energy & performance

12-Apr-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements of Lactobacillus plantarum TWK10 may increase muscle mass, boost energy, counter fatigue, and improve physical performance, says a new study with lab mice.

Type 2 diabetes is reversible - study findings mark ‘paradigm shift’

08-Apr-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Significant weight loss through an extreme low-calorie diet can reverse type 2 diabetes, the first findings of a five-year study has found.

Elderberry extracts may protect air travelers from colds and flu

07-Apr-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementation with a standardized elderberry extract may reduce the duration and symptoms of the common cold for air travelers, report scientists from Griffith University in Australia.

Flavour Trends

Fermented foods: Where flavour and function combine

07-Apr-2016 By Will Chu

The quest for novel taste sensations that strike the right note with consumers means food makers are constantly on the look-out for new flavours or food production methods - and the trend for fermented ticks both boxes.

Curcumin shows benefits for people with metabolic syndrome: RCT

06-Apr-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Bioavailable curcumin supplements may improve levels of adiponectin, a hormone that plays an important role in the regulation of insulin sensitivity and energy, in people with metabolic syndrome, says a new study.

Sweet & sour: Cherry-infused cookies boost nutritional value, study shows

01-Apr-2016 By Will Chu

Cherry extract improves the nutritional value of products like cookies and may be useful for food fortification, a study demonstrates.

Special edition: Ayurveda

Increasing tide of research floating all Ayurvedic boats, exec says

28-Mar-2016 By Hank Schultz

Increasing research is helping to bake a bigger pie for all Ayurvedic companies, said Natreon CEO Sanni Raju.

Special edition: Protein perspectives

Whistle stop tour: Protein global

24-Mar-2016 By Shane STARLING

Western Europeans are numero uno when it comes to per-capita protein consumption; bread is surprisingly the most popular protein medium; and protein has well and truly invaded the healthy snacking category.

India

Arjuna’s curcumin research investment translates to launches this year

22-Mar-2016 By RJ Whitehead

Indian extracts company Arjuna Natural has been investing heavily in research into the health benefits of curcumin from turmeric ahead of a raft of new product launches later this year.

Special edition: Ayurveda

Ayurvedic expert advocates strongly for using plants in whole form

21-Mar-2016 By Hank Schultz

Ayurvedic principles and ingredients are increasingly accepted in North America among product formulators. But a tension exists: Are these best used in concentrated forms and in isolation or in their traditional matrices?

Poll closes April 22

NutraIngredients Readers Awards are open...cast your vote!

21-Mar-2016

Have your say and vote to decide who will win Readers’ Ingredient of the Year and Readers’ Food Supplement of the Year at this year’s NutraIngredients Awards.

China sees baby food sales double in five years

21-Mar-2016 By RJ Whitehead

Baby food sales in China almost doubled between 2010-15, with the country now estimated to consume around US$19bn worth of infant formula.

Singapore

University-developed eucheuma drinks prepare for market debut

21-Mar-2016 By RJ Whitehead

A new range of beverages based on eucheuma are being readied for launch following a collaboration between food scientists from the National University of Singapore and a local food manufacturer.

Curcumin supplement reduces muscle damage post-exercise: Human data

21-Mar-2016 By Stephen Daniells

‘Optimized’ curcumin may reduce markers of inflammation and muscle damage following excessive exercise, says a new study.

Prestigious Award Ceremony, Geneva, Switzerland, May 11, 2016

NutraIngredients Awards finalists announced. 11 categories, 33 potential winners

18-Mar-2016

More than 120 high-quality entries made choosing finalists difficult but our crack judging panel have done it, and 33 stand-out products and ingredients have made the final cut in the second NutraIngredients Awards.

Algae-derived calcium positively builds bone in older people: Study

18-Mar-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplementation with algae-derived calcium may increase bone mineral density in healthy women with age-related bone loss, according to a long term study.

Probiotic company adds antioxidant claim based on carotenoids produced by spore forming bacteria

16-Mar-2016 By Hank Schultz

Thrive Probiotics is bringing a message of diversity to the probiotics sphere. It’s necessary, the company believes, to increase the number of species in the gut for maximum health.

Australia

Resistant flour could defend against malnutrition and diarrhoea

16-Mar-2016 By By Andrew Spence

A low-cost, flour-like substance could hold the key to reducing infant mortality rates from malnutrition and diarrhoea.

Phood fight continues: Germany & Belgium warn on red yeast rice

14-Mar-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Fresh safety warnings from the Belgian and German authorities highlight the need for member state compromise on the classification of monacolin K from red yeast rice, a consumer group says.

JAMA: Cranberry for UTIs is the only herbal supported by some scientific evidence

09-Mar-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Herbal medications and supplements are lacking clear proof of any beneficial effects, except cranberry for UTIs, states a new Patient Page in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

Corbion to open €65m PLA plant in Thailand in 2018

07-Mar-2016 By Jenny Eagle

Corbion will open a €65m PLA (polylactic acid or polylactide) plant in Thailand in 2018.

Fortified olive oil may protect against DNA damage: Study

07-Mar-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Virgin olive oil enriched with polyphenols compounds from thyme may protect our DNA from oxidative damage, says a new study from Spain.

Spice up your life: Cinnamon’s weight loss potential

02-Mar-2016 By Louisa Richards

The active compound in cinnamon may be a more tolerable weight loss ingredient than chilli pepper's capsaicin, a small exploratory clinical trial backed by Nestlé finds.

We're just scratching the surface when it comes to the potential of fermented foods, says Farmhouse Culture CEO

02-Mar-2016 By Elaine Watson

We’re just scratching the surface when it comes to unlocking the potential of fermented foods in the US market, says the new CEO of Farmhouse Culture, a Portland-based firm specializing in fresh organic sauerkraut and novel savory fermented beverages.

Moto aims to tap into Dubai’s energy

01-Mar-2016 By Eliot Beer

Moto, a new Dubai-made energy drink, made its entry at Gulfood and is aiming to leverage the emirate’s growing reputation to carve out its identity in a crowded market.

Taiwan to tweak nutrition labelling regulations

26-Feb-2016 By RJ Whitehead

Taiwan’s regulators plan to revise food labelling requirements in July after a period of public consultation.

Dispatches from Probiota 2016

Must read: Many, many things you need to know about probiotics until 2020

25-Feb-2016 By Shane STARLING

The global probiotics market is worth €32bn according to latest Euromonitor data and analysis presented recently at Probiota in Amsterdam – and that excludes fermented sour milks worth another €5.8bn.

L-citrulline may enhance time trial performance for cyclists: Kyowa study

23-Feb-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementation with the amino acid L-citrulline may reduce time trial completion times by about 10 seconds, says a new study from Kyowa Hakko.

Star fruit juice consumption may improve quality of life of the elderly

22-Feb-2016 By Adi Menayang

Researchers found that 40 healthy elderly subjects who drank star fruit juice daily for four weeks showed lowered secretion of pathological cytokines and increased ability for 6-minute walks.

Green tea compound may form basis for future arthritis therapy

19-Feb-2016 By Will Chu

A compound found in green tea, may prove effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis, as its anti-inflammatory action is expressed without blocking other critical cellular functions, US researchers have shown.

Fenugreek extract shows benefits for the “male menopause”: Human data

17-Feb-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of an extract from Fenugreek may reduce symptoms of age related androgen decrease and boost testosterone levels in middle aged and older men, say results a new study from Australia.

New raspberry insights show bioavailability crucial for health benefits

15-Feb-2016 By Will Chu

Red raspberries are rich in polyphenols but its health benefits can only be fully understood by studying how the body metabolises these micronutrients and the mode of action of the bioactive compounds that trigger these potential protective effects, a...

Soapbox

Southeast Asia nearing its goal of harmonised supplement standards

12-Feb-2016 By Dr Gloria Mao, Amway principal toxicologist

Last October, the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Asean, completed and agreed to a single set of standards and technical requirements for product labelling, manufacturing, stability testing, limits of contaminants, safety,...