Cognitive function

Vitamin B12 offers neuroprotective role in animals induced with type 1 diabetes

18-Dec-2023 By Claudia Adrien

Vitamin B12 may protect the brain in diabetics, suggests data from a new animal study published in Chemico-Biological Interactions.

CRN-International identifies global nutrient gaps, with focus on brain health ingredients

14-Dec-2023 By Danielle Masterson

The event earlier this year brought together experts from around the world to shed light on the critical issues surrounding global nutrition challenges and policy efforts.

ImperialOel on innovating within a shifting omega-3 market

14-Dec-2023 By Olivia Brown

The natural lipid ingredient and supplement supplier ImperialOel l says the omega-3 market is in a transition phase due to high prices and severe fish oil shortages, creating a strong demand for sustainable alternatives to meet the health needs of the...

Higher second trimester iron and vitamin D levels minimize depression symptoms later in pregnancy

13-Dec-2023 By Claudia Adrien

Getting enough iron and vitamin D during the second trimester of pregnancy was related to less maternal depression symptoms during the third trimester, according to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition.

Guayusa and Lion’s Mane square off in cognitive performance study

07-Dec-2023 By Asia Sherman

Both guayusa and Lion’s Mane extracts may improve measures of cognition and feelings of happiness in healthy adults, according to a recent study.

Collagen peptides may offer sleep, cognitive benefits for men: RCT

06-Dec-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Consuming collagen peptides before bedtime may reduce awakenings during the night and improve cognitive function for athletic men with sleep complaints, says a new study funded by Rousselot.

Food Ingredients Europe 2023: Key themes

06-Dec-2023 By Nikki Hancocks and Olivia Haslam

Cognitive health, digestion+, beauty-from-within and women's health were some of the key health themes that emerged from Food Ingredients Europe, in Frankfurt, last week (Nov 28-30).

In the mood for Lactobacillus: Gut bacteria may ward off anxiety and depression

05-Dec-2023 By Asia Sherman

New research in mice shows that maintaining a healthy level of Lactobacillus gut bacteria helps the body manage stress through immune response to support psychological resilience.

Study: Probiotic improves psychological premenstrual symptoms

05-Dec-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Lactobacillus paragasseri (OLL2809) supplementation can alleviate premenstrual ‘decline in activity’ and ‘irritability’, a new study has concluded.

Polysaccharides show “genuine” potential as neuroprotective therapeutic, researchers stress

05-Dec-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new review reveals the significant neuroprotective properties of dietary polysaccharides, attributing their actions to the key mechanisms of oxidative stress reduction, neuronal production, metabolic regulation, and gut barrier integrity promotion.

Chewable beetroot supplement may boost cognition, memory: Human data

04-Dec-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Acute consumption of a chewable beetroot supplement may boost memory and mental flexibility in healthy females and males, says a new study.

Mushrooms for the mind: Research concludes Lion’s Mane improves cognitive performance and reduces stress

01-Dec-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new RCT investigating the effect of Lion’s Mane intakes on cognition and stress in healthy, young adults reports significant improvements in short and long-term cognition, when compared to control groups.

RCT supports Sabinsa’s Ashwagandha for stress management in healthy adults

29-Nov-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementation with a standardized Ashwagandha root extract may reduce stress and anxiety in healthy individuals with mild to moderate stress-related symptoms, compared to placebo, says a new study from Sabinsa.

UK Biobank study defines populations most likely to benefit from omega-3 interventions

27-Nov-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

The largest prospective cohort study to date on omega-3 biomarkers and dementia links increased circulating levels of fatty acids in blood with reduced risk of the disease.

November 2023: NPD Launchpad

24-Nov-2023 By Olivia Brown

November new product launches feature on-the-go innovative proteins, nootropic productivity drinks for a natural brain-boost, and convenient lifestyle solutions for holistic health.

Green Bioactives partners Azelis for memory ingredient distribution

24-Nov-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Scottish biotech firm Green Bioactives and specialty chemical supplier Azelis have partnered for the distribution and promotion of the memory complex GBL-Memory1 across Spain and Portugal.

Time for a smarter approach to adaptogens

23-Nov-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Nektium scientists are working to better educate on the benefits of adaptogenic ingredients and improve classification, with a focus on two of the "hero" ingredients of this realm: Rhodiola rosea (RR) and Withania somnifera (WS).

Cognitive Health Special

Adday: targeting the gut-brain axis for cognitive clarity

23-Nov-2023 By Olivia Brown

Nutritional supplement company Adday have entered the cognitive health space with the launch of its new ‘Mind Focus’ powdered drink product, which contains an array of science-backed bacterial strains, botanical extracts, vitamins, and minerals to meet...

Cognitive Health Special

Omega-3 may be an “effective add-on therapeutic” for depression: study

23-Nov-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new umbrella review of meta-analyses investigating the effect of long-chain omega-3 supplementation on depressive symptoms concludes the majority of studies observe a significant effect, particularly in those with major depressive disorder (MDD).

GC Rieber: Innovating for optimal omega-3 oils

23-Nov-2023 By Olivia Brown

The omega-3 oils producer VivoMega by GC Rieber has introduced its innovation VivoSens, which enables for the optimisation of the sensory analysis and subsequent performance of omega-3 oils.

Systemic interventions needed in cognitive ageing research

23-Nov-2023 By Olivia Haslam

“What is good for the heart, is good for the brain,” according to noted cognitive health nutrition academic Professor Andrew Scholey.

Iron deficiency may make women more prone to depression: Study

22-Nov-2023 By Claudia Adrien

Insufficient amounts of iron in the body may lead to psychosocial health consequences such as depression among women of reproductive age (WRA), according to research published in the Journal of Nutrition.

Coffee grounds could hold key to creating new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases

22-Nov-2023 By Rachel Arthur

A substance derived from spent coffee grounds has the potential to protect brain cells from the damage caused by several neurodegenerative diseases: including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s, according to a new study.

Gut-brain axis: Perfect storm of interest makes for an exciting arena

22-Nov-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Scientific advances and consumer appetite have converged to make the gut-brain axis one of the most exciting areas of research today, according to a leading scientist at ADM.

"Something is going seriously wrong": Leading the charge on brain nutrition with trailblazing citizen science

20-Nov-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

"We have to put mental health at the top of the agenda", says Patrick Holford, as he leads the charge on nutrition for brain health with a citizen science programme expected to gather one million participants by next year.

A cup of strawberries a day may help keep dementia away

17-Nov-2023 By Asia Sherman

A recent study led by University of Cincinnati researchers connects strawberry consumption with improved brain function and mood in middle-aged, overweight adults.

The NutraIngredients Awards celebrate a decade of industry honours

16-Nov-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

The NutraIngredients Awards will be back with a bang in 2024 as we celebrate our 10th year honouring the best and brightest in ingredients, products, companies, people, and projects across the dietary supplements industry.

Fitbiomics co-founder on probiotics for sleep, new Veillonella data, and more platforms

15-Nov-2023 By Stephen Daniells

After strong early success for Nella for digestion, sleep, and energy, and the impending widescale roll-out of Veillonella for fatigue and endurance, Fitbiomics is building new product and benefit platforms for its unique probiotics.

Pharmactive Biotech established as B Corporation

15-Nov-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Transparency-focused natural extracts supplier Pharmactive Biotech Products has officially established itself as a certified B Corporation.

Nutrachampion podcast

A ‘chicken or the egg’ situation: More research needed on whether gut dysbiosis affects the brain or vice versa

15-Nov-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Research on the gut-brain axis is growing, but it is still a ‘chicken or the egg’ situation when it comes to whether it is gut dysbiosis that affects brain health or vice versa, says the guest on the latest episode of our Nutrachampion podcast.

Grøntvedt biotech achieves 'Friend Of The Sea' recognition for sustainable fish oil

09-Nov-2023 By Olivia Brown

The Norwegian marine ingredients producer Grøntvedt biotech has achieved the 'Friend Of The Sea’ certification from the World Sustainability Organisation, which recognises the company’s significant sustainability efforts within its production and...

Study: Balancing omega-3 and omega-6 impacts cognitive function

07-Nov-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Reducing omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake and supplementing with omega-3 may improve neurocognition, a new study focusing on individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) has concluded.

Gut-brain axis: probiotic strain may improve sleep quality, study finds

07-Nov-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new study notes that intakes of a Bifidobacterium breve CCFM1025 probiotic significantly increased scores of sleep quality in a cohort suffering from insomnia, when compared to a control group.

Cognition may improve with zinc supplementation in overweight women

06-Nov-2023 By Claudia Adrien

Overweight or obese women who received zinc supplementation for three months saw cognitive improvement, though they did not experience significant changes in body weight, according to research published in Nutrients.

Study: Nutrient dense formula could improve cognition and behaviour in infants

31-Oct-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Nutritional supplementation could support developmental myelination, a critical process in learning and development, in growing infants and young children, according to a new industry funded study.

NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2023

Not just for the elderly: Cognitive support probiotic strain sold as food for general population in Japan – WATCH

30-Oct-2023 By Tingmin Koe

While supplements for cognitive support are commonly designed for the middle-aged and older adults, Japan is seeing companies selling such products in the form of functional foods for the general population.

Caffeine, TeaCrine, and Dynamine combination may improve gamer performance

26-Oct-2023 By Olivia DeSmit

A combination of caffeine, theacrine and methylliberine improved speed, accuracy, and cognitive abilities in video gamers. The study, published in Cureus, compared this combination to placebo and caffeine alone.

Indena and dsm-firmenich partner to develop novel botanical solutions

26-Oct-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Nutrition giant dsm-firmenich has announced a strategic partnership with Italian botanicals supplier Indena to develop science-backed novel botanical solutions for human health.

Riboflavin shows positive link with mental health in obese individuals

25-Oct-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Dietary riboflavin is associated with improved mental wellbeing in people living with obesity, a new cross-sectional study has concluded.

An 'historic' moment for CBD industry as UK Gov accepts recommended THC limit

24-Oct-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

The UK Government has accepted a recommended legal THC limit for CBD products in an ‘historic’ move that aims to bring some legal clarity to the industry, but an expert warns there are muddy waters yet to be cleared.

Holland & Barrett reinstates withdrawn CBD products

23-Oct-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Holland & Barrett has reinstated 31 CBD products that were temporarily removed from sale in response to the UK FSA's new consumer guidance which reduced daily recommended intakes for CBD down from 70mg to 10mg.

FrieslandCampina Ingredients doubles production of whey protein isolate and MFGM

20-Oct-2023 By Olivia Haslam

FrieslandCampina Ingredients, the diary company focused on nutrition solutions, has announced a significant expansion of its production capacity for whey protein isolate and milk fat globule membrane (MFGM).

Multi-ingredient herbal supplement could enhance cognitive speed: Study

19-Oct-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A combination of nine herbal ingredients may increase speed of cognitive task performance, according to a new clinical trial funded by Pukka Herbs Ltd.

World Menopause Day

Menopause: An opportunity for businesses and societal change

18-Oct-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Menopausal women are an overlooked demographic in the health and wellness industry, but one that could offer untapped opportunity for businesses, says co-founder of the menopause brand partnership company, Gen M.

World Menopause Day: NPD Launchpad 2023

18-Oct-2023 By Olivia Brown

On World Menopause Day, this NPD launchpad special provides an overview of the array of innovations that have entered the market this year to support the many symptoms that menopausal women struggle with.

Verdure’s ashwagandha may offer anti-fatigue benefits: RCT

17-Oct-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementation with a proprietary ashwagandha root extract may significantly reduce symptoms of fatigue, compared to the placebo group, for overweight or mildly obese men and women, says a new study.

Unlocking the potential of the active nutrition evolution

17-Oct-2023 By Olivia Haslam

The shift from sports nutrition to active nutrition creates unique challenges and opportunities for brands, as they navigate the evolving consumer demands which have increased both risk and reward factors.

Higher vit D in early life and maternal supplementation linked to neurodevelopment

15-Oct-2023 By Matt Chittock

A new study reports higher-dose vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy, and higher 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations in young children, may have positive associations with neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Editor's Spotlight: Startup Focus

Athlete-turned-startup founder discusses the frustrating perception of CBD in sport

15-Oct-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

“Imagine the scenario - we're playing in the semi-final of the Euros, we’re in the lobby of the hotel the night before the biggest game of our lives, and there's a doctor there handing out paracetamol and sleeping tablets, and all the players...

Consumers seek targeted biotics over general microbiome support, experts stress

13-Oct-2023 By Olivia Brown

Experts have asserted that “the consumer is ready” for biotics delivering targeted benefits as opposed to general microbiome support, amid a rising demand for psychobiotics and an increasing awareness of the gut-brain axis.