Energy bars for stress: India’s The Monday Bar targets market gaps with new launch
Indian brand The Monday Bar aims to fill gaps in the local functional-bar market by addressing work stress and the heavy mental load that modern consumers face.
Its products use botanicals such as ashwagandha and valerian root to provide these benefits and is caffeine-free.
“While some bars may add single botanicals or generic herbs, we combine four specific stress‑oriented botanicals—ashwagandha, jatamansi, chamomile, valerian root—at defined extract levels per bar, alongside prebiotic fructooligosaccharides (FOS),” said Asif Upadhye, director at Never Grow Up.
CJ Wellcare launches prostate supplement with first application of patented herbal mixture
South Korean brand CJ Wellcare has released a product said to be the first in the country to utilize a patented herbal mixture studied for its effects on prostate health and men’s vitality.
Marketed as Jeonlipso Chamdanggui Hwanggi Premium, the product contains SHPro, which is a mixture of Angelica gigas and Astragalus membranaceus.
In a 12-week trial involving 84 men aged 45 to 75, it was reported that SHPro could inhibit the expression of proteins, prostate-specific antigen, androgen receptors, and 5-alpha reductase related to benign prostatic hyperplasia, as well as significantly ameliorate prostate symptoms.
Australia’s Fodbods beefs up protein range for gut, performance needs
Australian functional food and snacking brand Fodbods is beefing up its protein range, with its latest launch focused on meeting physical performance needs while being gut-friendly.
Founded by former lawyer Vanessa Hutchinson in 2019, Fodbods focuses on formulating gut-friendly protein products low in FODMAP (Fermentable Oligo-saccharides, Di-saccharides, Mono-saccharides and Polyols).
The launch of the new range comes on the back of a growing functional protein market in Australia, which she believes is largely driven by the understanding that protein consumption could help control appetite.
Mitochondria for healthy aging: MitoQ New Zealand deepens Asia research with NUS
MitoQ New Zealand has signed a research partnership with the National University of Singapore (NUS) to assess the potential of mitochondria for healthy aging as it seeks to deepen research partnerships across Asia.
The research aims to generate evidence on whether MitoQ - also known as mitoquinol mesylate, a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant developed by MitoQ New Zealand - can slow or improve markers of biological ageing and support longevity.
The research will also evaluate the effectiveness of biological ageing clocks in assessing health supplements.
Rohto’s licorice extract capsule approved as FFC for body fat-reducing claim
MG Pharma Inc (MGP), a subsidiary of Rohto Pharmaceutical, has launched a first-of-its-kind Foods with Function Claims (FFC) for body fat reduction.
Marketed as Licorice Extract Capsule, the product’s active ingredient is glyasperin B derived from Rohto’s proprietary licorice extract branded Liconine.
The product claims to enhance the breakdown and burning of body fat by increasing blood ketone bodies.
