Across the Nutraverse: GOED unveils new database, Magtein in the UK, gut microbe and muscle strength
Catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the Nutraverse.
Mind & mood
KSM-66 ashwagandha may support cognition and sleep in children
Supplementation with KSM-66 ashwagandha root extract in gummy form for eight weeks is well tolerated and may enhance cognitive performance and sleep quality in children between the ages of 6 and 12, according to new research.
Pharmactive to explore more health claim opportunities following approval in South Korea
Madrid-headquartered Pharmactive Biotech Products, SLU, which has received individual license approval by South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) for its proprietary saffron extract’s stress-relief claim, looks to explore additional health...
Magnesium L-threonate may boost cognitive performance and improve sleep: RCT
Six weeks of supplementation with Magtein magnesium L-threonate may reduce brain cognitive age by 7.5 years, compared to placebo, says a new clinical trial from Australia.
IPA World Congress + Probiota 2026: Market dynamics, pioneers, next gen biotics and ‘from bums to gums’ headline Day 1
The IPA World Congress + Probiota is less than a month away with must-see speakers on Day 1 including Dr. John Hale, Muriel Gonzalez, Ewa Hudson, Dr. Koen Venema, Meghan Taylor and more!
Fish oil oxidation: Experts debate the science and health impacts
Research shows that some fish oil supplements are oxidized, but is there any scientific evidence to support the perception that oxidized fish oil is less efficacious or even detrimental?
BonPatch expects uptake of patch format to grow, adopts three-pronged strategy
Aussie brand BonPatch foresees a greater uptake of transdermal patches as consumers actively seek formats that simplify wellness, while pursuing a three-pronged strategy to realize its ambitions in market expansion and category leadership.
Bayer’s Redoxon strides beyond immunity as demand for proactive wellness grows
Bayer-owned supplement brand Redoxon is moving beyond immunity as consumer demand for proactive wellness, including mental performance, mood and energy, rises in Asia.
‘There was never a dull moment’: 8 reasons to attend the IPA World Congress + Probiota 2026
The IPA World Congress + Probiota 2026 is just two months away! The leading event for the probiotics, prebiotics and microbiome community is a must-attend event, and let us tell you why…
Opportunities abound for functional nutrition to close sleep satisfaction gap – ADM
Sleep and mood support are becoming priorities in functional nutrition as consumers recognise the impact of rest on daily well-being. China consumers, for instance, have shown the greatest interest in biotics and the role of gut health in supporting...
ADM report: 47% of North Americans face sleep stress
Interest in postbiotics is growing as consumers look beyond traditional sleep aids, according to new research.
Australia’s top five most popular dietary supplement categories revealed
Women’s health was the most popular dietary supplement category in Australia this year.
Haleon taps into tripartite partnership to drive microbiome R&D in S’pore
Haleon is working with a Singapore-based research institute and start-up to drive microbiome research and innovation.
Women’s health NPD: Sleep support, hormone balance and targeting the estrobolome
Brands are recognizing diverse nutrition needs across women’s lifespans with new product launches.
FC Barcelona star striker partners with KSM-66 Ashwagandha
Robert Lewandowksi, one of the top goalscorers in Bundesliga and Champions League history, has signed on as global brand ambassador for KSM-66 Ashwagandha.
Big name brands on board: Check out the first wave of speakers for our Growth Asia Summit 2026
Today we can announce the first wave of speakers for our Growth Asia Summit 2026, with major brands from Japan, India, New Zealand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and France on the agenda.
Haleon seeks partnerships to advance self-care
Haleon, the company behind household brands such as Centrum, Caltrate and Sensodyne, is seeking industry and research partnerships to advance self-care.
Guardian, Mannings to feature menopause-friendly product aisle in mid-2026
Guardian and Mannings, both pharmacy chains under DFI Retail Group, will feature “menopause-friendly” product aisles in five Asian markets come mid-2026.
Mood candies: Sweet treats for mental wellbeing in Asia
Singapore-based Hue taps gap in mood wellness to launch science-backed candies using traditional Asian botanicals
Kemin FloraGLO study awarded for potential health impact in children with high screentime
New award-winning research suggests Kemin’s FloraGLO Lutein could support eye health and cognitive performance and reduce digital eye strain during developmental years, especially for children with high screentime exposure.
Coffeeberry extract may improve soccer skill performance: RCT
A single dose of coffeeberry extract may enhance soccer skill performance particularly passing speed and accuracy, says a new study with young players.
Destigmatising perimenopause: Functional food opportunities for brands
How the food industry can support women in perimenopause with functional ingredients like protein, omega-3s and fibre
Prosomnial pistachio extract gummy as effective as synthetic melatonin: Study
New research suggests a gummy supplement containing a pistachio extract demonstrates comparable absorption and sleep-promoting effects to a synthetic melatonin gummy.
How beauty and wellness are converging: Insights from Unilever R&D head
From the brain-skin axis to scalp care, we discover more about Unilever’s future focus on wellness.
5-HTP shows early promise for cognitive support and in seniors: Singapore study
A 12-week randomized trial by the National University of Singapore (NUS) has found that daily 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) supplementation modestly improved a global cognitive test and reduced depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults.
Too little, too much: TGA finds content discrepancies in imported melatonin products
Several melatonin supplements imported into Australia were found to contain amounts that were either significantly higher or lower than the amount labeled, says the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Top 5 foods fuelling the brain health boom
Brain food is booming. As consumers seek sharper focus and long-term cognitive health, the food industry is responding with powerful ingredients and smarter nutrition
Vitafoods Asia 2025
Brand exclusivity matters for new premium ingredient - Aker BioMarine on Xandro collab
Working with select brands exclusively is important for marketing new premium ingredients, says Aker BioMarine after embarking on an exclusive South East Asia (SEA) partnership with a Singapore firm for its new ingredient.
Vitafoods Asia 2025
Morinaga Milk launches first mood support postbiotics for global markets
Morinaga Milk Industry Co. Ltd has launched its first postbiotics for mood support for international markets at last week’s Vitafoods Asia 2025 held in Bangkok.
Red Bull’s former APAC head sets up functional drink start-up with neuroscientist
Arun Hozack, formerly the President of Red Bull Asia-Pacific, has launched a functional drink start-up known as Numin with neuroscientist Dr Shawn Watson.
Coffee linked to happiness in latest boost to $485.59bn industry
New research reveals caffeine could boost mood and energy - especially in the morning
Could flavanols protect the brain from sitting-induced damage?
Cocoa flavanols improved blood flow to the brain in older adults who sat still for two hours, according to a study published in Nutrients.
Withanolide glycosides: Ashwagandha study suggests supplement quality criterion
A clinical study identified withanolide glycosides as the key drivers of superior bioavailability in ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extracts.
Magnesium, relaxation, and sleep supplement trends in Australia
The Australian supplement market is seeing an increase in products for energy, sleep, and muscle relaxation, with ingredients like magnesium at the center of the action.
NZ firm uncovers how blackcurrant actives can alleviate diabetic complications
A molecule in blackcurrants could alleviate diabetes-related vascular complications, such as peripheral neuropathy, by rebuilding blood vessels and capillaries, reveals New Zealand-based The cGP Lab Ltd.
OmniActive’s low dose ashwagandha effective for stress, sleep and mood benefits: RCT
Twelve weeks of supplementation with Zenroot ashwagandha may improve sleep quality and decrease occasional anxiety and mood swings, says a new study from India.
Cocoa extract may support healthy blood pressure: COSMOS data
Supplementation with a cocoa extract may reduce incident hypertension by 24% in participants with normal systolic blood pressure, according to a new analysis of data from the COSMOS study.
‘Longevity vitamin’ ergothioneine could protect the aging brain
A new study from ergothioneine supplier Blue California suggests that supplementation with its ErgoActive ingredient leads to dose-dependent improvements in subjective memory and sleep in healthy older adults.
‘Never a dull moment’: Save the date for IPA WC + Probiota 2026
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.
Longevity bars may signal what’s next in functional snacking
Ingredient innovation and demand for preventive health drive growth in the nutrition and snack bar category
Probiotic may ease gut microbiota changes linked to stress: RCT
Consuming a probiotic yogurt before academic exams may help students protect their gut microbiota from stress-related disruptions, says a new study from KU Leuven and Danone Research & Innovation.
Why creatine is the hottest ingredient in functional food and beverage
With a projected CAGR of 25.2%, creatine is a breakout ingredient in functional food and beverage
NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2025: The finalists are revealed
Today we can reveal the pioneering companies, organisations and researchers that have been named as finalists for the 2025 NutraIngredients-Asia Awards.
Australia approves MFGM for use in infant nutrition for the first time
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.
Emerging trends or missed opportunities in the 2025 active nutrition market?
From messy content creation and smart-stacking ingredients to thinking beyond the gym, presentations at the recent NutraIngredients Active Nutrition Summit provided concise instructions to help formulators succeed in an increasingly saturated market.
Palm oil tocotrienol drink reduces oxidative stress in aging population: RCT
Taking palm oil tocotrienol-enriched drinks for six months may reduce oxidative stress and improve the quality of life in aging populations, says a RCT conducted in Malaysia.
Hi & Fi Asia-China 2025
Morinaga Milk on three new growth engines for probiotic business in China
Japan dairy giant Morinaga Milk has identified three new growth engines to stand out in the highly competitive probiotic market in China.