NutraIngredients and the International Probiotics Association were delighted to welcome so many delegates to the Bella Center in Copenhagen for the conference.
As Stephen Daniells, editor-in-chief of NutraIngredients and co-chair of the event said, the program was, as always, carefully curated to enable the connection of key topics in the microbiome field, ensuring a flow of sessions that build on each other.
“There’s a lot going on with the microbiome, so we had a lot of hot topics to pick from, but the aim with any program is to connect the various sessions so that it all flows,” he said. “By that I mean we’re weaving together topics that are scientifically and commercially important for the microbiome space and trying to do it in a way where there are common threads weaved through the sessions.
“For example, the talking points from the postbiotics session were picked up in the next-gen strain session, while points raised during the gut-brain axis session echoed into the longevity and healthspan session which then fed into the athletic performance session.
“Many of the presentations were about identifying knowledge gaps in these areas (and therefore opportunities) or about presenting the state-of-the-art data on each topic.”
The gut-brain axis
Experts in the gut-brain axis are identifying key research opportunities for microbiome modulators. Dr. Siobhain O’Mahony, senior lecturer at University College Cork, emphasized the need to address gaps in understanding cognition across life stages, microbiota-targeted interventions for stress-related disorders, and women’s health.
While some data exist on microbial changes over time and between genders, questions remain about how these changes impact cognition and aging.
Dr. O’Mahony highlighted the importance of differentiating brain areas for cognition and stress. Understanding which microbes influence stress and cognitive disorders is crucial, particularly as cognitive decline increases in the aging population.
She also participated in an impassioned panel alongside Dr. Katherine Elizabeth Guzzetta, Dr. Emily Prpa and Dr. Julia Rode.
“The all-female gut-brain Axis panel was hugely dynamic, knowledgeable, thought-provoking, and entertaining,” Daniells said. “It was one of the most enjoyable panels I’ve ever moderated.”
Longevity and healthspan
During a panel on how the microbiome impacts healthspan and aging, experts discussed prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics and fecal transplants, exploring their roles in longevity.
The panel debated the potential risks and benefits of introducing a younger microbiome into older individuals.
“There’s so much excitement—and hype—in the longevity and healthspan space that it was great to explore the topic with our experts, most of whom are with start-ups in the space,” Daniells said.
“The panelists didn’t all agree and we all walked away with a clear sense that this is all still in its infancy, but the potential implications of the microbiome to help extend healthspan is immense.”
Caitlin Hall, PhD, head of research at myota, discussed the company’s approach to gut health and longevity after participating in the panel.
Myota’s research revealed significant individual differences in gut microbiome responses to prebiotic fibers, leading to personalized formulations designed for diverse populations. Hall emphasized the importance of improving foundational health factors, such as diet, exercise and social interactions, to enhance health span and longevity for the broader population rather than focusing on the biohacking community.
She noted that while biohacking methods may offer small benefits for a small population, addressing mass health issues like prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease and Alzheimer’s should be a priority.
Dr. Sean Gibbons discussed how aging impacts the gut microbiome and its implications for health and longevity. New research has found that as people age, their gut microbiomes shift, with a decline in certain bacteria like Bacteroides and Prevotella and an increase in clostridia. These changes, known as “uniqueness,” were linked to health outcomes, with healthier older adults showing more distinct microbiomes.
The research also indicates that gut microbiome composition influences drug responses, such as the efficacy of statins, with varying responses likely due to differences in microbiome diversity. Gibbons noted that probiotics containing Akkermansia muciniphila and butyrate-producing species could help mitigate the metabolic side effects of statins.
The pantryome
Dr. Jeremy Burton, chair of human microbiome and probiotics at the Lawson Health Research Institute, introduced the “pantryome” concept, highlighting the interconnected relationship between the microbiome and the host.
He explained that bacteria within the microbiome share nutritional metabolites, which they exchange to support each other’s needs. This collective exchange is essential for understanding human health, wellness, and disease.
dsm-firmenich announced plans to expand its Humiome portfolio after the success of its riboflavin technology. The company is using the microbiome’s ecology and the concept of the “pantryome” to improve microbiome health by delivering key nutrients to the lower intestine.
Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is essential for the pantryome, playing a key role in metabolic processes and enhancing microbiome resilience. To target the microbiome more effectively, dsm-firmenich developed a colon-targeted delivery system for riboflavin, ensuring that 90% of the nutrient reaches the colon while minimizing absorption in the small intestine.
Following in vitro and clinical studies confirming riboflavin’s positive impact on gut diversity, dsm-firmenich launched its Humiome riboflavin in 2024. The company plans to apply this technology to other B vitamins, starting with B3.
“The session on the Pantryome with Dr. Jeremy Burton and Dr. Robert Steinert reinforced the importance of exploring the ecology of the gut microbiome in order to better understand the opportunities for different interventions,” Daniells said.
Technology and personalization
According to Lumina Intelligence data, the tech boom is shaping consumers' nutrition choices, with 54% of Europeans using fitness or health apps, which track key health metrics like vitamin levels, sleep quality and hydration. These insights often lead users to take action, driving them to purchase recommended products. In fact, 93% of app users buy health products, with supplements being popular choices.
This is informing consumer interest in biotics, particularly probiotics, with 60% of Europeans using them annually. They are increasingly used for improving gut health and sleep, as well as managing medication side effects. Prebiotics, especially for GLP-1 agonist users, are also gaining traction.
The shift towards tracking is apparently here to stay, as The Gut Stuff announced its interactive app that gamifies improving gut health by encouraging consumers to “hack their health in 100 days.”
As awareness of gut health rises, so do sales and market interest, but confusion remains, prompting the need for educational solutions. The app collects real-world consumer data to enhance product offerings and help users improve their gut microbiome.
Probiotics
The Scientific Frontiers Industry Winner 2025, Dr. Julia Rode, presented new research comparing the neurological effects of non-encapsulated and encapsulated probiotics, revealing that different formulations impact brain connectivity and cognition.
Rode’s randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial studied two formulations of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, comparing a non-encapsulated powder and an encapsulated version over six weeks. Both formulations affected brain connectivity and cognitive function, with distinct impacts on different neural circuits and structural brain changes.
Using functional MRI, Rode’s team mapped brain activity in elderly participants (60 to 80 years old) and identified significant differences in brain responses to the two probiotic formulations. The research was the first to investigate this in the elderly and highlighted how neuroimaging can detect subtle effects earlier than subjective symptom reports.
A new review from researchers at University College Roosevelt highlighted significant clinical benefits of probiotics, particularly in gastrointestinal health and metabolic disorders. Probiotic studies have grown substantially since the first human study in 1922, although the full implications for human health remain unclear.
Of the studies analyzed, 52% showed a positive primary outcome, and 87% of metabolic studies had the most positive effects, followed by 68% in gastrointestinal studies. There was no significant difference between single-strain and multi-strain probiotics in clinical effects, challenging the idea that more strains are better.
According to Afif Ghannoum, CEO of CPG Radar, the probiotic market is saturated, with over 20,000 results for “probiotics” on Amazon.
He emphasized leveraging data to understand product formulations and avoid over-engineering. Ghannoum advised that companies should create clear, science-backed claims that resonate with consumers’ needs.
Ghannoum noted that while consumers in some sectors, like sports nutrition, are ingredient-focused, probiotics consumers generally care more about overall benefits and recommendations.
Postbiotics
Postbiotics have gained significant attention in the functional food industry, but disagreements on their definition and regulatory frameworks have created confusion. A new ‘decision tree,’ presented by Professor Simone Guglielmetti aimed to clarify this.
The framework, coordinated by the International Probiotic Association (IPA), was created after two years of collaboration among academic and industry experts, incorporating over 400 stakeholder comments and global regulatory input. Its goal is to establish a unified foundation for scientific definitions, regulatory guidelines and industry standards.
Dr. Richard Day, vice president of medical affairs at ADM, emphasized the company’s focus on postbiotics, particularly for both human and pet health. ADM, with its Biopolis acquisition in 2017, leverages a team of experts in Spain to develop new postbiotics. They are currently working to gather clinical data to demonstrate efficacy.
ADM has already developed several postbiotics, with two examples showing different effects. One, Bifidobacterium longum (ES1), showed nearly identical results in a study on IBS patients when comparing both the probiotic and heat-treated postbiotic. Another, B. lactis (BPL1), demonstrated subtle differences, with the postbiotic showing positive effects on glucose homeostasis and the probiotic showing a more significant impact on BMI.