Cognitive function

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.

"Dagger-blow to the whole of the UK industry" as FSA slashes CBD daily limit

12-Oct-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

CBD brands are coming out in force to refute new advice from the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA), recommending adults should limit CBD consumption to 10mg per day, rather than 70mg.

Review: Multivitamins offer solid potential to prevent cognitive issues

11-Oct-2023 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Early detection of micronutrient deficiencies could significantly improve the clinical prognosis for patients with neurodegenerative diseases, using therapeutic intervention to replenish or enhance plasma levels, according to researchers.

Mood support the top growth category for children’s supplements

10-Oct-2023 By Stephen Daniells

After two very good years of growth, sales of children’s supplement have declined over the past 12 months, but another wave of growth could be just around the corner.

Encapsulated curcumin improves cognitive, locomotive function in mild dementia patients – six months RCT

10-Oct-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The supplementation of curcumin encapsulated within fenugreek mucilage has shown to improve cognitive and locomotive function of patients suffering from mild dementia, according to a six-month-long RCT conducted in India.

The 'holistic recharge' startup maturing with active consumers demands

09-Oct-2023 By Olivia Haslam

From post-party supplement to main player in sports nutrition, the startup KA-EX which offers a “holistic recharging” product has seen an evolution of consumer interest since its launch.

Entries close 27th October 2023!

Deadline extended for Probiota 2024 Scientific Frontiers abstract entries

09-Oct-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Are you researching the latest state-of-the-art developments related to prebiotic, probiotic, postbiotic, and microbiome science relevant to human health, well-being, consumers and industry? If so, we would like to hear from you!

Prebiotic peanut polyphenols may boost mood and memory: RCT

09-Oct-2023 By Stephen Daniells

The polyphenols found in peanuts may improve cognition and mood via the gut microbiome, says a new study by researchers at the University of Barcelona and funded by the Peanut Institute.

Review highlights opportunity of Coprococcus: ‘The bacterium that makes us happy’

03-Oct-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Coprococcus spp. may be a potential biomarker organism for mental health, and could be “an interesting lead for novel dietary-based preventive therapies for specific neurological disorders”, says a new review.

Biotic personalisation for the microbiome: is it worth it?

03-Oct-2023 By Olivia Brown

Experts have highlighted the potential for the ‘hyper-personalisation’ of biotics to suit individual microbiome compositions for targeted health benefits, but expense, lack of scientific data, and regulatory restrictions represent significant barriers....

Startup Spotlight

Graduate-founded startup offers functional mushrooms as clean capsules

02-Oct-2023 By Olivia Brown

The startup Headstrong, founded by recent university graduate 22-year-old Finn Hall, seeks to bring authenticity to the growing functional mushroom market with clean, high-quality capsules.

FrieslandCampina launches "Step Up Nutrition" portfolio to support children as they grow

02-Oct-2023 By Olivia Haslam

FrieslandCampina Ingredients is launching a "Step Up Nutrition" portfolio aimed at improving growth and development, immunity, cognitive development, mental health, and gut health in children aged three to twelve.

Small study hints creatine supplementation improves post-Covid-19 fatigue syndrome

25-Sep-2023 By Claudia Adrien

Taking dietary creatine supplements for at least six months may improve brain performance for those with long-term neurological disorders.

Fermedics: Enhancing botanical bioavailability with fermentation

25-Sep-2023 By Olivia Brown

The startup Fermedics has emphasised the potential “breakthrough opportunities” of targeted fermentation to improve the bioavailability and digestibility of botanicals, heightening the effectiveness of dietary supplements.

'Memory power' supplement brand thinks again after ASA picks up Alzheimer's claim

21-Sep-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Brain health supplement brand 'Lucy Memory Power' has been rebuked by the ASA after publishing a number of adverts with claims it can treat Alzheimer's Disease.

Trends in Omega-3: Insights from GC Rieber VivoMega

15-Sep-2023 By Olivia Haslam

From brain function to heart health, there is escalating consumer demand for both fish and vegan omega-3 alternatives as long as they can assure quality, sustainability, and transparency, according to Ståle Søfting, sales and marketing director at GC...

Flavanol-rich cacao extract found to improve mood states in middle-aged women – Meiji-funded RCT

13-Sep-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Japanese researchers have found that eight-weeks’ consumption of a beverage containing flavanol-rich cacao extract reduced negative mood and improved positive mood among middle-aged women.

Put your start-up centre stage at our Probiota Pioneers hub

Probiota Pioneers: Calling all Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Microbiome start-ups!

12-Sep-2023 By Stephen Daniells

NutraIngredients is on the hunt for entrepreneurial consumer-facing, science- or technology-based start-ups to join our Probiota Pioneers session and present their company in Milan.

"There’s not plenty more fish in the sea" but GM crop is ripe for commercialisation

12-Sep-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Researchers working to bring a sustainable source of omega-3 oil to market have reached a significant milestone in achieving scaled-up production of a genetically modified camelina seed oil.

Probiotic blend may boost mood and offer anxiety benefits: Probiotical study

11-Sep-2023 By Stephen Daniells

A blend of four probiotic strains may lead to “widespread improvements” in measures of mood, anxiety, and depression in healthy young men and women, says a new study using Probiotical’s multi-strain probiotic, Bifizen.

Menopause: Women’s health at risk due to avoidable nutrient deficiencies

11-Sep-2023 By Olivia Haslam

“Menopause is a perfect storm of nutritional challenges,” nutrition experts explain in a new report by the Health & Food Supplements Information Service (HSIS), with research revealing nearly half of women are worried their diet won’t support them...

Active Nutrition Summit: How to innovate in cognitive health

11-Sep-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

The key drivers propelling interest in cognitive health supporting food and drink are plant-based nootropics, the gut-brain axis, and on-the-go delivery formats, according to expert insights set to be presented at the Active Nutrition Summit.

Heads up: Review supports creatine supplementation for brain health

08-Sep-2023 By Asia Sherman

Creatine supplementation can increase brain creatine content, which over time may help explain its promising effects on brain health and function, according to a recent review.

Clasado announces advisory board to advance prebiotics in medical nutrition

08-Sep-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Clasado Biosciences, the developer of the prebiotic ingredient Bimuno galactooligosaccharides (GOS), is collaborating with scientists through a newly established scientific advisory board to further develop the future role of prebiotics within medical...

Cognitive health study finds formula mimicking human milk structure gets closer to health benefits of breastmilk

07-Sep-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Exposure to an infant formula mimicking human milk lipid composition and milk fat globule structure positively affects child neurocognitive development, a new randomised, controlled trial has concluded.

Novozymes OneHealth releases Mental Wellness Insights Report

06-Sep-2023 By Asia Sherman

In a report issued this week, Novozymes OneHealth shared current consumer perspectives and trends to help dietary supplement companies meet evolving needs in a fast-growing mental wellness market.

Cognitive health nutrition: a niche market set to thrive in the mainstream

06-Sep-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

There's consumer demand and innovation avenues in abundance when it comes to food and drink for cognitive health but brands must educate on the more novel ingredients if these are to flourish beyond the niche audience, Mintel experts advise.

CBD and botanical blend offers synergistic benefits for sleep and anxiety

30-Aug-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

A supplement containing CBD, CBN, GABA, hops oil, valerian oil, and low amounts of THC, reduced sleep disturbance, anxiety, stress, and improved well-being in a newly published RCT.

Precision nutrition report concludes "We know next to nothing"

29-Aug-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

The hype around precision nutrition far outweighs our scientific evidence and knowledge, according to a new report by experts in the field.

Brain health emerges as a ‘key health priority for Europeans’

28-Aug-2023 By Oliver Morrison

New consumer research reveals brain health to be second only to heart health in Europe’s most important geographies.

Qina reveals top 10 trends in personalised nutrition

25-Aug-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Personalised nutrition experts at the Qina consultancy have revealed a top tends report, unveiling a ChatGPT take-over, a merging of food and pharma, an entrance of big tech firms, and new abilities created by at-home blood draws.

Healthy Ageing Trends: Consumer preferences and the evolving landscape

24-Aug-2023 By Olivia Haslam

In a conversation with NutraIngredients, Mike Hughes, head of research and insight at FMCG Gurus, explains the changing landscape of consumer preferences for products that promote healthy ageing.

DoNotAge: the startup aiming to reduce biological age through nutrition

24-Aug-2023 By Olivia Brown

The biohacking startup DoNotAge has expanded its portfolio of nutritional supplements which aim to reduce biological age and support health longevity, in response to increasing interest in preventative health products in the ageing population.

Medicinal mushroom brand Hifas da Terra: “There’s no replacement for research"

23-Aug-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Hifas da Terra, the Spanish medicinal mushroom supplement brand, has worked to maintain a leading position in the European market for over two decades through a focus on continuous scientific substantiation.

Healthy ageing: Is the microbiome the conductor?

21-Aug-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

With the gut microbiome holding the key to almost every aspect of our health, from digestion and immunity, to hormonal balance and skin health, it should perhaps come as no surprise that healthy ageing may well start with the promotion of beneficial gut...

Collagen peptides linked to mental & physical benefits for active middle-aged adults: PB Leiner-funded study

18-Aug-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplementation with collagen peptides may boost not only functional and physical outcomes for middle-aged people but may also significantly improve measures of pain and mental health, says a new double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study.

TSI Group identifies post-workout benefits of pre-workout supplement

17-Aug-2023 By Asia Sherman

Pre-workout ingredient PeakATP may have extended post-workout effects, according to a recent study reporting cognitive benefits following high-intensity sprint exercise.

Personalised neuro-nutrients: startup brings objectivity to mental health

14-Aug-2023 By Olivia Brown

The startup Healthy-Longer is shining a light on the lack of objectivity in the treatment of mental health conditions, offering at-home urine tests to identify potential neuro-biomarker disruptions and nutrient deficiencies.

ANS Startup Star: CBD manufacturer reaping the rewards of quality and trust certification

11-Aug-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

The founder of a premium white label CBD goods manufacturer supplying leading brands in the UK is doubling its production capacity after seeing sales explode at a time when much of the industry is struggling or closing shop.

Fermented sausage-derived postbiotic may offer sleep benefits: Study

10-Aug-2023 By Stephen Daniells

The potential sleep promoting effects of a novel probiotic may be related to postbiotic exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by the bug, says a new study published in Frontiers in Microbiology.

Anthaplex: anthocyanin and fibre synergy may improve cognition and eye health

09-Aug-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new RCT reveals improved scores of cognition and reduced eye dryness in healthy adults after consuming an anthocyanin and fibre-rich “Anthaplex” ingredient, compared with the placebo.

Kerry launches 2-in-1 ingredient blend for immunity & stress

07-Aug-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Wellmune Adapt combines Kerry’s Wellmune baker’s yeast beta 1,3/1,6 glucan immune ingredient and its Sensoril ashwagandha root and leaf extract.

Startup stars set to shine at the Active Nutrition Summit

07-Aug-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Three entrepreneurs will be showcasing their science-based innovations at the Active Nutrition Summit after beating a record number of applicants to be chosen as NutraIngredients' Startup Stars.

Yaupon: climate-friendly caffeine touted “crop of the future”

04-Aug-2023 By Olivia Brown

The climate-resilient Yaupon crop, with leaves rich in theobromine, polyphenols, and 30% less caffeine than coffee, has been growing in popularity for use within holistic health-promoting beverages.

"The future is here": AI tool develops scientifically-sound supplements at speed

03-Aug-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

A new AI powered tool has been developed to allow researchers to process insights into thousands of diseases, gene associations, and ingredient interactions, to develop efficacious nutraceutical solutions.

Dietary microbes & probiotic pills linked to better cognition

31-Jul-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Increased intake of beneficial bacteria from fermented foods and prebiotic and probiotic dietary supplements are associated with better cognition, says a new analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).