BioGaia seizing oral health opportunities in China through cross-border trade
BioGaia has launched its probiotic supplement for bad breath and oral health via cross-border trade in China, where the company sees rising demand and significant growth opportunities.
The Prodentis Fresh Breath is made with a combination of two patented probiotic strains, L. reuteri DSM 17938 and L. reuteri ATCC PTA 5289, as well as zinc gluconate, xylitol, and isomalt.
According to Hok Ting Yau, Regional Director – APAC at BioGaia, one of the main reasons for launching the supplement via cross-border trade is due to fast market access and the ability to test response for new products.
Weizmannia coagulans BC99 presents promising probiotic strategy for chronic constipation
Supplementing probiotics could enhance intestinal motility, regulate gut microbiota and increase short-chain fatty acids production, says a new study from China.
A total of 100 adults with constipation were randomized to take the probiotics Weizmannia coagulans BC99 or a placebo.
Writing in the European Journal of Nutrition, researchers highlighted that BC99 supplementation could improve bowel movement frequency, stool characteristics, and psychological well-being through multi-faceted mechanisms.
Review explores evidence for folic acid supplementation to prevent neural tube defects
Writing in Nutrients, researchers from Peking University and PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center in Beijing, China, conducted a systematic review outlining optimal folic acid supplementation practices with or without dietary exposure to the acid to reduce neural tube defects (NTDs).
“This study synthesized the best available evidence regarding folic acid supplementation for preventing NTDs in women of childbearing age, providing an evidence-based foundation to inform clinical practice, particularly for healthcare systems and populations in regions without mandatory folic acid food fortification,” the researchers wrote.
Energy and sports drinks demand is robust in China, says Eastroc
There is “robust” demand for functional drinks such as energy beverages and sports drinks in China, says Eastroc, which reported a 17.3% increase in energy beverage sales and a 119% growth in sales of its sports drinks last year.
Total revenue for the firm rose 31.8% to RMB20.9bn (US$3bn). Of which, energy beverages contributed nearly 75% to total revenue at RMB15.6bn (US$2.26bn). Sales of energy drinks also climbed 17.3% from last year.
Factors driving demand have broadened from seeking an energy boost when working overtime or when engaging in physical labor to being a part of everyday habitual consumption – be it for enhanced focus and mental performance during work or study, or daily wellness supplementation.
China’s retail landscape change: Douyin, Sam’s Club driving sales for Swisse
China’s health foods industry has been seeing declining sales from brick-and-mortar pharmacy chains, and brands like Swisse are seeing Douyin and Sam’s Club as new growth channels.
In its recent financial results presentation, H&H Group, parent company of Swisse, revealed that sales from Douyin jumped 71.4% for Swisse last year.
Meanwhile, it achieved 29.7% sales growth in new retail channels, including Sam’s Club, which is owned by Walmart and operates on a membership-only model.
This performance highlights the industry-wide decline in the pharmacy channel in China, where health foods companies are now finding success in the e-commerce space more so than offline retail.
