Mind & mood

Five new opportunities to win in the NutraIngredients Europe Awards 2027

The NutraIngredients Europe Awards return to celebrate excellence and innovation across the industry, featuring 19 categories, including five exciting new additions.

NI+Hormonal health supplement launches target women at every life stage

As the women’s supplement market continues to expand, hormonal health is emerging as a key area of innovation, with brands taking a closer look at formulations tailored to life stages.

NI+Sleep health supplement launches go melatonin free, target better nights and days

Sleep-support supplements are broadening their focus beyond simply helping consumers get to bed, framing sleep as part of a wider recovery cycle, one that encompasses stress, circadian rhythm, daytime energy and how rested people feel when they wake.

Ashwagandha-Rhodiola combination may improve stress and sleep: RCT

A combination of extracts from ashwagandha and Rhodiola rosea may boost sleep quality and improve stress measures in healthy adults, says a new study from scientists at the University of South Carolina.

Mushroom blend shows promise for mind health in Gen Z women

A blend of Lion’s Mane and Reishi mushrooms may support mental well-being in young women, with research published in Frontiers in Nutrition finding greater improvements in anxiety scores than with Lion’s Mane alone.

NI+From stimulation to restoration: Sleep and recovery in cognitive wellness

Sleep is becoming a top health priority, serving as an active restorative process for the brain and nervous system and the foundation of cognitive performance, emotional balance and long-term health.

Peru cancels second anchovy fishing season amidst unprecedented El Niño event

The Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) has announced it will not authorize a second anchovy fishing season in Peru due to the strongest El Niño weather pattern on record, leading to exceptionally low biomass and poor sustainability.

NI+Plant cell players unite to position industry as essential green solution

Plant cell culture (PCC) is emerging as a promising solution to some of the supplement industry’s most pressing sourcing challenges, but realizing its commercial potential will require the sector to overcome significant hurdles related to scale,...

NI+Magnesium and sleep: What does the science say?

A recent systematic review of randomized controlled trials raises questions about magnesium’s effectiveness as a sleep aid, concluding that the current evidence is inconsistent and of low certainty.

Algiecel launches circular production at Novonesis site, builds microalgae oil to industrial scale

Microalgae ingredients firm Algiecel has opened a new production facility inside a Novonesis site in Denmark to offer European customers a sustainable omega-3 source.

CoreFX launches Irish headquarters as gateway to European collaboration

US-based biotech firm CoreFX LLC has launched a new Irish headquarters within Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, as an innovation gateway to Europe.

September NPD launchpad: Beauty, peptides, and convenient formats

Europe’s new product launches reveal trends for nutricosmetics, innovative peptides, and formats which improve consumer experience and encourage consistency.

More than hormone mimicry: Boosting benefits of phytoestrogens in menopause

Phytoestrogens represent a promising, non-hormonal strategy for improving post-menopausal health, with mechanisms of action including microbiome modulation as well as antioxidant and epigenetic pathways, but personalized formulations are needed to...

The Better Menopause: Bringing scientific substantiation to the burgeoning menopause market

Two female entrepreneurs who entered the menopause wellness market before it became mainstream are investing in gold-standard science to differentiate their products in a surging market.

NI+‘Turning point’ for CBD as EFSA publishes first positive safety opinion

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published its first positive safety opinion for a CBD novel food application, marking a turning point for the industry, but concerns remain over the commercial viability of its imposed low daily limit.

Nutriventia study: Ashwagandha root improves physical performance and quality of life

Supplementation with a sustained-release ashwagandha root extract for 90 days is safe and effective for improving muscular strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, as well as mental and physical wellbeing in healthy adults, according to Nutriventia research.

NI+FSA signals ‘major milestone’ in CBD novel food process: Should industry raise its hopes?

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has described its recommendation to authorize the country’s first CBD novel food applications as a “major milestone”, but industry observers question whether the move marks a genuine regulatory breakthrough or simply...

Lehvoss combines Zooca calanus oil with Golden Omega to create ZOΩ3GO Softgels

Lehvoss UK Ltd has launched ZOΩ3GO Softgels, a new trademark and finished product for the European and US market combining sustainable and science-based marine lipids to meet consumers’ ‘maturing’ expectations.

Study finds KSM-66 ashwagandha safe in sample of more than 1,000 adults

One of the largest prospective, placebo-controlled safety and tolerability evaluations of an ashwagandha root extract reports high tolerance and no adverse events, providing ‘an important puzzle piece’ in the safety debate.

NI+Supplements 101: How climate change is reshaping botanical ingredient sourcing

As a summer of extreme heat, persistent drought and monsoon rainfall draws to a close, increasingly volatile weather patterns are reshaping the botanical ingredients industry—affecting where plants can be grown, how much they yield, their phytochemical...

Vitamin B6 supplementation may improve persistent low mood, study suggests

High-dose vitamin B6 supplementation may help to manage negative emotional states and reduce depressive symptoms, according to new research published in Depression and Anxiety.

6 reasons to attend the Nutra Healthspan Summit 2026

The Nutra Healthspan Summit is just over two months away! Bridging cutting-edge science and business strategy to extend healthspan through nutrition and supplements, the Nutra Healthspan Summit is a must-attend event, and let us tell you why…

Could vitamin D and DHA be a winning team for cognitive decline?

Combining vitamin D3 and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is significantly more effective at mitigating mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults than supplementing either nutrient alone, according to a new randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Salidroside-malic acid combination may improve stress and anxiety: RCT

Daily supplementation with a combination of salidroside and L-malic acid may offer ‘clinically meaningful’ improvements in perceived stress and anxiety, says a new study.

Substantial gaps in mushroom trials impact efficacy of product innovations, experts argue

Human clinical research involving medicinal mushrooms is growing fast but significant gaps in crucial detail make it extremely challenging to translate the science into real world interventions, according to a new scientific review.

August NPD Launchpad: Higher dose creatine, niche target markets, protein and healthspan in focus

This month’s new product launches highlight the drive to deliver cognitive health focused creatine solutions, an unabating interest in protein innovation and an overarching focus on healthspan support.

Tonic enters creatine contest with efficacy-focused brain support blend

UK-based supplement brand Tonic Health has launched a brain health focused creatine blend catering to demand for convenient solutions with efficacious doses.

Scallop-derived plasmalogens show promise for cognitive function

Older adults showed improved cognitive scores when taking a supplement containing scallop-derived plasmalogens (sPls) compared with placebo, according to a new study.

ASA ruling on blurred reviews reveals strict criteria on claims

A new ruling from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) over The Turmeric Co.’s use of blurred customer testimonials reinforces the agency’s strict stance on disease claims, reminding the industry that even implied treatment claims are off-limits.

Startup Spotlight

NI+Yutrients converts supplement stackers with ‘limitless’ tailored blends

UK startup Yutrients is looking to ‘redefine’ personalized nutrition be creating customized powder blends designed to be as unique as the customer’s fingerprint.

Across the Nutraverse: Proposed GRAS changes, FFCs in Japan, hair growth supplements surge, Verb’s postbiotic efficacy

Catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the Nutraverse.

NI+EU packaging and recycling rules now in force: Timeline for obligations

The EU regulation on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR) came into force on Aug. 12, introducing immediate and upcoming obligations that redefine how packaging must be designed, used, recycled and reduced across all EU countries.

Growth Asia Summit 2026

Swisse lists hormonal health, perimenopause as women’s health priority areas

Women’s health is today a key priority category for Swisse, with hormonal health and perimenopause support being crucial areas where innovation opportunities lie.

AB-Biotics and Kaneka Probiotics’ blend may improve multiple menopause symptoms

A probiotic blend developed by AB-Biotics and Kaneka Probiotics may help improve menopause-related symptoms and quality of life in peri- and postmenopausal women.

Combination supplement may improve football performance

Supplementing caffeine, taurine and phosphatidylserine may improve cognitive and performance-related outcomes in footballers, initial data suggests.

Study reveals poor knowledge of drug-supplement interactions among health practitioners

Healthcare professionals in Portugal may be ill-equipped to identify potential drug-supplement interactions, according to new findings, with researchers calling for better training and clearer clinical protocols.

Proprietary turmeric extract improves orientation and attention scores in 24-week cognitive trial

A dual-extracted Curcuma longa extract (CLE) focusing on active sesquiterpenoids rather than curcuminoids showed promising results on cognitive scores in a new study published in Frontiers in Nutrition.

NI+Amazon Spain blocks listings and suspends accounts in packaging compliance crackdown

Amazon Spain has triggered immediate blocks on listings and suspended accounts as it cracks down on producer responsibility compliance.

Probiotic may boost mood and emotional health for older adults: RCT

Daily supplementation with Pediococcus acidilactici PA53 may improve gastrointestinal health, sleep quality, and happiness scores in older adults, says a new study from China.

Scientists and nutrition experts call for increased vitamin D threshold to “wake up officials”

The threshold for vitamin D deficiency in the UK should be doubled in order to rouse officials to take a preventative approach to health, according to a newly published paper by the health and nutrition expert working group ‘Act Now Vitamin D’.

L. plantarum improves functional constipation and mental wellbeing: Study

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum improved bowel movements, constipation-related quality of life, and psychological well-being in adults with functional constipation, according to a new study published in Frontiers in Nutrition.

Review highlights tocotrienols for long-term neurovascular health

A new paper has highlighted the growing importance of sleep quality in supporting the brain’s natural vasculoprotective capacity, and tocotrienols, a member of the vitamin E family, as a promising nutritional candidate for supporting neurovascular health.

AG1 study finds greens powder increases circulation of multiple micronutrients

A study from AG1 researchers suggests its greens powder leads to measurable increases in circulating micronutrients, filling a significant gap in evidence to support complex multi-ingredient formulations.

dsm-firmenich partners Nous to launch Koncentra across the global energy, focus and mood market

dsm-firmenich has partnered Italian foodtech startup Nous to bring its novel botanical complex, Koncentra, to the fast-expanding energy, focus and mood support market.

Inside the menopausal brain: Heights launches MRI study into nutrition and cognitive health

Heights is applying advanced neuroimaging to explore how targeted nutrition may support the brain during menopause.

Quince extract may support brain health through the gut–brain axis

Hydroethanolic extract of quince (HECO) may improve depression-like symptoms by reducing neuroinflammation and regulating the gut–brain axis, according to a new animal study.

UK’s Novel Foods Experts Network expands across Europe

The UK’s Novel Foods Experts Network (NFX UK) has secured $650,000 to strengthen its innovation ecosystem and expand its support across Europe.

Nourished’s Creatine+ range targets muscle and mind

Personalized supplement brand Nourished has entered the creatine category with a range of three stacked gummies for strength, energy and cognitive function.

Nexira goes straight to the source with acquisition of carob specialist Keragum

French botanical ingredient supplier Nexira has acquired Moroccan carob specialist Keragum in a move to strengthen supply chain control and improve traceability amid increasing demand for natural, clean-label ingredients.

AI entrepreneurs turn industry waste into tomorrow’s breakthrough ingredients

An Israeli health-tech startup is uniting the industry to uncover functional ingredients from waste streams, with two bioactives revealed as potential disruptors in the booming GLP-1 arena.