Cognitive function

Coffee berry extract may boost alertness & mood: PepsiCo study

13-Dec-2021 By Stephen Daniells

A single dose of an extracts from coffee berry – the outer layer of the coffee fruit and a rich source of polyphenols – may boost alertness in healthy men and women, with effects still observable six hours after consumption, says a new study.

B vitamins have ‘significantly favorable effects’ on cognitive scores in older people: RCTs

10-Dec-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Older people with mild cognitive impairment experienced significant cognitive benefits from supplementation with B vitamins, but only in people not using aspirin, says a pooled analyses of two randomized placebo-controlled trials.

Turmeric extracts may help with weight loss, inflammatory profiles, & mental health: Study

08-Dec-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Twelve weeks of supplementation with a turmeric extract led to significant reductions in body weight for overweight but healthy people. The extract was also associated with improvements in mental health scores.

APC Microbiome Ireland & KCL ink €1.2m study of exercise role in gut and brain health

08-Dec-2021 By Will Chu

The APC Microbiome Ireland is to head up a €1.2m (£1.12m) collaboration of research institutions looking into the influence of exercise on gut microbiota and brain health in middle age.

Sage extract shows cognitive boosting activity during tiring exercise: Study

07-Dec-2021 By Stephen Daniells

A combination of sage extracts may improve cognitive function even during a fatiguing endurance cycling exercise, says a new study using Nexira’s Cognivia ingredient.

Report finds immunity supporting foods and supplement adoption boosted by pandemic fears

03-Dec-2021 By Will Chu

A report by The Global Wellness Economy (GWI) identifies an upsurge in immunity-focused food consumption and supplement use, buoyed on by ongoing health disruptions caused by COVID-19.

‘Life-altering benefits’: DHA Omega-3 supplements boost cognition in malnourished children

01-Dec-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Fortifying ready-to-eat therapeutic foods with DHA-rich fish oil may significantly improve brain development in malnourished infants and children, says a triple-blind, randomized, controlled clinical feeding trial.

Diet high in inflammatory foods found to triple dementia risk

25-Nov-2021 By Lynda Searby

A Greek population study has added to the growing body of evidence linking a diet high in inflammatory foods with a higher incidence of dementia.

Experts in pharmabiotics, postbiotics & A.I. join Probiota speaker line-up

24-Nov-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Speakers addressing the opportunities in the live biotherapeutics/ pharmabiotics space, postbiotics, and artificial intelligence are just some of the experts confirmed for the upcoming Probiota in Copenhagen.

Big opportunities in merging nutra and pharma

23-Nov-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Consumer trends, technological advancements and business strategies are causing the pharma and nutra markets to merge and this opens opportunities for the players in both industries to cater to consumers looking for the ultimate wellness solutions.

Coffee and tea drinking associated with reduced rates of stroke and dementia

18-Nov-2021 By Oliver Morrison

Drinking coffee or tea may be associated with a lower risk of stroke and dementia, according to a study.

Microbiome modulation to improve sleep: What does the science say?

18-Nov-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Consumers are increasingly aware of the detrimental effects of not getting enough sleep, and emerging links between the gut microbiota and sleep could create opportunities for prebiotics and probiotics in the booming natural sleep aid category.

Daily vinegar intake can reduce depression by up to 34%

18-Nov-2021 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

US scientists have found a link between vinegar ingestion and improved mental wellbeing in healthy college students.

Brain acts on nutritional state to schedule growth and puberty, study finds

18-Nov-2021 By Will Chu

A brain receptor appears to take its cue from the body’s nutritional state in order to regulate growth and timing of puberty, according to scientists from the University of Cambridge.

Mice study finds low fiber diet impairs cognition

18-Nov-2021 By Hank Schultz

A low fiber diet alters the gut microbiome in a way that impairs cognitive function, a new study done in mice suggests.

Compound Solutions study highlights nootropic benefits for esports

15-Nov-2021 By Danielle Masterson

A new study at Statespace's Aim Lab examined how nootropics would impact esports athletes’ cognitive and motor performance.

Study finds acute paraxanthine supplement to be powerful nootropic

15-Nov-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

One dose of a new supplement containing the caffeine metabolite paraxanthine can improve short-term memory, reasoning, response time and attention in young adults, an industry-funded study concludes.

Matcha boosts cognition in healthy young subjects, study shows

05-Nov-2021 By Hank Schultz

A new study shows a special form of matcha, a type of green tea ingredient, enhanced cognition and reaction times in healthy young adults.

Brainy beverages: The growing market opportunity

05-Nov-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

The global taste and nutrition company Kerry has revealed a new whitepaper with Europe-wide data detailing the opportunity in functional beverages with cognitive health benefits.

‘This is caffeine-evolved’: Ingenious Ingredients co-founder talks up potential of paraxanthine

03-Nov-2021 By Stephen Daniells

In addition to benefits for focus and athletic performance, without any of the negative effects of caffeine, Ingenious Ingredients’ new paraxanthine ingredient is being felt by consumers "in a way that they’ve never felt caffeine".

Next gen solutions for weight management, opportunities for fermented foods, and the gut-brain axis: First speakers announced for Probiota 2022

02-Nov-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Delegate registration is now open for Probiota in Copenhagen, with speakers already confirmed covering topics including postbiotics, live biotherapeutics/ pharmabiotics, the skin microbiome, and much more.

AkerBiomarine to supply esports team with brain sharpening krill oil

02-Nov-2021 By Will Chu

AkerBiomarine is to enter the world of esports, lining up with Norwegian team Heroic in an agreement that sees the Norwegian biotech firm providing krill oil-based omega-3 supplements.

Esports supplement shows notable brain health benefits

26-Oct-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

An industry-funded study reveals use of a brain health supplement prior to egaming may enhance some measures of memory, reaction time, reasoning, and concentration within 15 minutes of ingestion.

Pro- rallycross driver steers his energy into nootropic snack bars

25-Oct-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

A pro- rallycross driver turned co-founder of a nootropic-fuelled energy drinks brand, has just launched a nootropic vegan protein bar to appeal to the growing range of mind health conscious consumers.

Probiotic may reduce ADHD symptoms in children with Tourette's

22-Oct-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

A new study analysing the impact of a probiotic on the symptoms of children with Tourette syndrome has concluded that probiotics do not have tic-reducing effects but may have benefits on comorbidities such as attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder...

Study links nut consumption to improved cognitive function

20-Oct-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Higher habitual nut consumption is positively associated with cognitive function, especially among old adults, according to an observational study of 1,000 Qatari adults.

Second study bolsters relaxation benefits of AlphaWave brand of l-theanine, supplier says

19-Oct-2021 By Hank Schultz

Ingredient supplier Ethical Naturals said a second study on its AlphaWave shows the ingredient eased stress among participants who were completing a mental arithmetic test. Several measures, including a brain wave scan, supported the conclusion.

From the Editor: Exciting changes at NutraIngredients

19-Oct-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Many readers will have noticed some changes to how they access the award-winning content on our site, so here’s more information about the how and why of those modifications.

Study: High ALA intake reduces risk of all cause mortality by 10%

18-Oct-2021 By Lynda Searby

A meta-analysis of 41 studies has found that a high intake of the omega-3 fatty acid alpha linolenic acid (ALA) is associated with a lower risk of death from all causes, and specifically from diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

News in Brief

Yakult and APC Microbiome Ireland launch gut-brain axis consumer guide

15-Oct-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Yakult UK and Ireland has launched a guide to the gut-brain axis, in collaboration with APC Microbiome Ireland, after research revealed that just 29% of consumers have heard of this link.

Scientists link highly processed foods to memory loss

14-Oct-2021 By Katy Askew

A new animal study points to a potential link between consumption of highly processed foods and memory loss.

Norwegian Scientific Committee unable to reach consensus over omega-3 dosage in children

14-Oct-2021 By Will Chu

The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM) says there is insufficient data to recommend a daily intake of the omega-3 oils, Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) for 3-18-year-olds.

Mintel: Health ingredients to watch in 2022

13-Oct-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

New health ingredients to watch in 2022 include hyaluronic acid, marigold, l-theanine, and ginseng, as consumers search for products that can support their eyes, mood and healthy ageing.

Consolidation and quality remain CBD’s prime destinations in maturing market

12-Oct-2021 By Will Chu

The Cannabidiol (CBD) market is set to undergo a period of consolidation, buoyed on by a stricter regulatory process in the UK and Europe that will inevitably raise standards and range of applications.

Ketone supplementation shows potential in boosting brain health in obese, study finds

07-Oct-2021 By Will Chu

Ketone-based supplements have emerged as a novel approach to protecting and improving brain function in the obese – a population at increased risk of neurocognitive dysfunction.

Omega-3s may protect brains in American Football athletes

29-Sep-2021 By Stephen Daniells

High-dose omega-3 supplements may give NCAA American Football athletes protection from repetitive head injury as well as conferring cardiovascular benefits, suggests a new study.

Vitamin C for work? Supplementation found to improve attention, motivation, and reaction time – Four-week RCT

29-Sep-2021 By Tingmin Koe

The supplementation of vitamin C has been found to improve attention, work motivation and reaction time in young adults, according to a study conducted in South Korea.

Dark chocolate may alter gut microbiome, improve mood: RCT

24-Sep-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Consuming an 85% cocoa dark chocolate significantly altered the diversity of the gut microbiome and improved mood in a randomized controlled trial with healthy young adults.

Review finds microbial patterns in patients with psychological disorders

24-Sep-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

A new research review from King’s College London, UK, is the first to identify a pattern in the gut microbiome across the psychological conditions depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis/schizophrenia and anxiety.

New product launches: Mind health and plants in the spotlight

24-Sep-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

New product launches from the last month include a perimenopause focused supplement and digital support solution, a herbal range for sleep and mind focused products, and a plant-based ready-to-drink protein shake.

PEA supplements may help people fall asleep and boost cognition on waking: Study

20-Sep-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Eight weeks of supplementation with palmitoylethanolamide, an endocannabinoid-like molecule, may improve sleep measures in healthy adults, according to results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

Prebiotics may mitigate health impacts of body-clock disruptions

20-Sep-2021 By Lynda Searby

Prebiotics could help shift workers to be more resilient to circadian disruption, a new animal study has found.

Three weeks to go! Stage set for the Sports and Active Nutrition Summit

20-Sep-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

With just three weeks to go until NutraIngredients' annual Sports and Active Nutrition Summit, the virtual stage is set for some of the industry's biggest names.

Review finds support for cognitive health benefits of prebiotics

17-Sep-2021 By Hank Schultz

A new review makes the case that prebiotic oligosaccharides could play a role in brain health via metabolites circulating in the blood and neural feedback mechanisms.

Probiotic for sleep? Duo-strain mixture found to decrease insomnia symptoms in eight-week RCT

15-Sep-2021 By Tingmin Koe

A probiotic mixture has been found to decrease insomnia symptoms in an eight-week RCT conducted in South Korea.

New research: Alzheimer's patients' memory test scores remain stable when taking omega-3

14-Sep-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

A 'unique' study on patients with Alzheimer's disease has examined the effect of omega-3 supplementation on memory test scores as well as testing spinal fluid.

Omega-3, nanocurcumin reduce migraine attacks by working at the gene level – Two-month RCT

14-Sep-2021 By Tingmin Koe

The supplementation of both omega-3 and nanocurcumin could decrease the incidence and severity of episodic migraine by reducing the genetic expression of a particular molecule in the body, based on the findings of a two-month RCT.

NutraCast: Nature’s Bounty on Brain HP for esports athletes

10-Sep-2021 By Danielle Masterson

The increasing interest in boosting and maintaining brain health is driving product demand all over the world, as consumers look for supplements to help improve memory, focus, mood, sleep, creativity, and other brain functions.

Free curcumin goes to the brain and beyond in new study

09-Sep-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

A new study concludes Arjuna Natural Pvt, Ltd.’s Curcugreen (BCM-95) turmeric extract could potentially help reduce damage from Alzheimer’s disease on organs other than the brain.

Spermidine supplements may boost cognitive performance: Human data

08-Sep-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Oral supplementation with spermidine may boost cognitive performance in older people, with the most pronounced effects observed in those with mild dementia, says a new study from Austria.