News, Analysis & Insights on Nutrition, Supplements, and Health
Kirin says it plans to develop a “simple” method to measure plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) activity - which is indicative of a person’s immune status - after a recent research showed links between pDC activity and urine test results.
A clinical study identified withanolide glycosides as the key drivers of superior bioavailability in ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extracts.
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) supplementation may regulate specific microbiome activity, support a balanced inflammatory response and aid in maintaining healthy triglyceride levels, says a new study with Gencor’s Levagen+ ingredient.
Described by one recent attendee as “the bridge between science and marketing”, the IPA World Congress + Probiota 2026 is returning to the Emerald Isle for its 12th edition.
New York-based Levelle Nutrition launched its Cycle Syncing Protein, the first protein powder intentionally developed to support the shifting nutritional needs of menstruating women throughout their cycle.
Behind the Big Story
Kirin Holdings says it has found a relationship between reduced plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) activity and frailty, which it claims is the first time that a link between the two has been established.
South Korean firm Cell Biotech looks to enter Thailand and The Philippines within the second half of 2025, on the back of continued performance as one of the top K-probiotic exporters.
Today we can reveal the pioneering companies, organisations and researchers that have been named as finalists for the 2025 NutraIngredients-Asia Awards.
Four years after Nestlé acquired the Bountiful Company for $5.75 billion, the Swiss conglomerate may be willing to divest itself of its vitamins, minerals and supplements brands.
The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has approved the use of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) as a nutritive substance in infant formula products in Australia for the first time.
China’s functional ingredient supplier INNOBIO hopes to target India’s vast vegetarian and vegan populations with the approval.
A study in China has found that daily supplementation of a probiotic strain isolated from human breast milk significantly reduced the duration of cough, fever, dry stool, and eczema in children.
A comprehensive network meta-analysis by researchers at Guangzhou Medical University and Central South University suggests that several nutritional supplements may improve lung function, boost exercise capacity, and enhance the quality of life for COPD...
Dutch-headquartered ingredients firm Barentz is acquiring China’s Fengli Group to tap into opportunities in the local market and accelerate growth across Asia-Pacific.
The functional hydration category is poised for growth, and both traditional beverage firms and start-ups can tap into opportunities in this space with consumer segmentation and ingredient innovation.
FDA’s acknowledgement of the safety of LF+ in functional foods, beverages and supplements will encourage more companies to use the animal-free lactoferrin beyond the applications of its bovine counterpart, which due to limited availability and high price...
Including specific postbiotic strains in an oral rehydration solution (ORS) may help alleviate inflammation associated with diarrhea in older adults.
Singapore start-up hue seeks to carve out a niche in the functional snacks space with its mood-focused products in formats that it says differentiate from existing ones in the market.
In this round-up, we bring you the latest research findings on health and nutrition, including new research findings on probiotics by Yakult, Chong Kun Dang Healthcare, and Nestle.
Functional beverage brand Shake Your Plants (SYP) aims to address dehydration and nutrient deficiency issues among the UAE population, while actively seeking global expansion.
India-based Arjuna Natural aims to capitalise on the approval of its ashwagandha extract in Canada to accelerate its expansion across Asia, Europe, and the US.
India’s Steadfast Nutrition has launched a new multifunctional product formulated with science-backed compounds and traditional herbs, amid a growing preference for Ayurvedic supplements among local consumers.
A new clinical trial has found that sword bean pod extract can significantly improve allergic rhinitis symptoms, offering a potential natural alternative to conventional treatments.
The supplementation of yeast beta-glucan at one gram per day can help alleviate symptoms of mild cognitive impairment, says Angel Yeast.
Latvia-headquartered Sole Pharma is seizing new opportunities in the Philippines’ nutrition and supplements market, while actively expanding its footprint in South East Asia (SEA).
Haleon says its localisation strategy for its China supplement products has been key to its overall APAC business success, with the firm also announcing a focus on healthy ageing in the country.
See new developments from health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including expansion plans of Singapore probiotic beer brand Oh My Guts! (OMG!), Kirin and subsidiary Blackmores’ first collaborative product launch and more.
Kirin and its subsidiary Blackmores have launched their first collaborative product in Taiwan.
Danone says it has continued to gain shares in China’s infant formula market, while sales in India, especially the super premium sector, was “two times faster” than the market in FY24.
Blackmores was the major profit contributor to Kirin’s health science business in FY24, followed by FANCL, while its ingredient arm Kyowa Hakko Bio suffered further losses.
See new developments from health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including GNC’s return to the Singapore market, CJ Bioscience’s gut microbiome test launch, Korea Ginseng Corporation using red ginseng for blood sugar control and more.
Watsons Singapore, which recently launched its first-ever GNC store-within-store concept in its flagship outlet at Ngee Ann City, will be bringing this concept into 14 more of its outlets by the end of this year.
Kewpie Brewing, a subsidiary of Kewpie Corporation best known for its mayonnaise, is expanding its range of products supporting immune health.
Behind the Big Story
India’s protein sector, be it protein supplements or protein-rich functional foods, is booming, says venture capital fund Rainmatter.
Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA), which represents the local dietary supplement industry, is urging for more government funding to support local manufacturing and exports.
Australia goat milk maker Nuchev’s revenue in the first half of 2025 was up 65 per cent, with its complementary medicine business acquired last year a major contributor.
Korean health functional foods are actively seeking success overseas – an endeavour backed by the government as well as a means to pursue new growth opportunities in an increasingly saturated domestic market.
Korea Ginseng Corporation (KGC) is building up its blood sugar management portfolio after receiving approval from the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA).
Challenges around inconsistent terminology and definitions have slowed the widespread adoption of prebiotics, argues a new comprehensive new review published in Beneficial Microbes.
Lutein, zeaxanthin, and elderberry supplementation has been shown to improve vision in individuals with dry eye disease symptoms, say findings from a study from Malaysia.
Supplement consumption increased during the initial years of the COVID-19 pandemic for people testing positive for the virus, regardless of whether they were symptomatic.
The extract of Garcinia cambogia, a plant commonly used for weight management, can no longer be made into health functional foods with other ingredients that similarly have body fat reduction functions, says South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety...
See new developments from health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including Nature’s Farm new product launches for healthy ageing, Indonesia’s household herbal product Tolak Angin takes on sugar-free variant in anticipation of sugar tax and more.
Supplementation of 600–800IU/day of vitamin D could potentially reduce the risk of autoimmune diseases, reports a new meta-analysis.
Interest in South East Asia as an emerging nutraceutical market is not waning down among health supplements companies big and small. Here, we dive into companies actively expanding across the region, key consumer health needs, as well as consumers’...
We look at five key consumer health trends that companies active in Asia-Pacific are focusing on for this year, and their reasons for doing so.
In the first round-up of year 2025, we bring you the latest research happening across Asia-Pacific, including new studies funded by dsm-firmenich that look at the use of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) for immunity and ageing.
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) could potentially support neurological function, immune and metabolic health, offering a unique differentiation against existing prebiotic formulations in the market.
A new study has revealed that young Chinese adults in Singapore and Malaysia who consume high-fibre diets are less likely to suffer from atopic dermatitis (AD) and allergies to house dust mites (HDM).
Kirin has outlined a series of initiatives that will combine its strengths, as well as that of subsidiaries FANCL and Blackmores, in achieving a revenue of 300bn yen (US$1.95bn) for its health science business by 2030.