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'In an Olympic year that celebrates sport at a time of heightened cynicism due to a series of doping scandals, the spotlight has never shone brighter on sports nutrition.' ©iStock/kentoh

Frankfurt, 28 November, 2016

NutraIngredients picks final sports nutrition congress line-up

A controversial Oxford University ketones spin-off; GSK Nutrition on new EU caffeine regulations; and a sports nutrition veteran on what the ‘mainstreaming’ of sports nutrition really means are highlights of a 1-day event in Frankfurt in November.

In 2015 global volumes of energy drinks reached 8.8 billion litres – up 10% from the previous year despite political turmoil around the sector. ©iStock/Elisanth_

Germany overtakes US as top energy drink innovator

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

For the first time Germany has overtaken the US as the top energy drink innovator with the highest rates of new product development (NPD) in 2015, according to Mintel. 

Saliva test strips help consumers, athletes optimize NO levels

Saliva test strips help consumers, athletes optimize NO levels

By Hank Schultz

Berkeley Test has firmed up the IP surrounding its nitric oxide testing method with the grant of a US patent. The test, which has already been used by athletes and trainers, can help mainstream consumers validate improvements in their diet and metabolic...

During the 5.5 year study period, 8.7% subjects discontinued, 5.1% initiated and 1.7% continued food supplement use. ©iStock

Why is food supplement use declining?

By Will Chu

Food supplement use appears to be waning, says a study speculating that unmet expectations could be the main reason for users giving up on the pills. 

'...we suggest that arrhythmia could be a complication of ED consumption...' ©iStock

Energy drinks linked to cardiac events

By Eliot Beer

A new study of a patient with cardiac arrhythmia and bloody vomit after drinking Monster energy drinks provides new evidence the high-caffeine beverages may cause cardiac problems.

'...with the same exercise you're preserving glycogen and producing much less lactic acid...' ©iStock

'this hasn't been seen before'

Ketone esters boost endurance in elite athletes: Study

By Shane STARLING

A ketone ester drink developed by an Oxford University start-up for the US Army has shown benefits to elite endurance athletes by unlocking “greater human metabolic potential.”

Immunity-focused drinking yoghurt Actimel relaunched in April with the help of a music group Stay Strong Brothers. A revamp of gut health-orriented spoonable yoghurt Activia is expected in the second half of the year.

Solid global, flat European growth for Danone in first half of 2016

Can Actimel revamp inject life into Danone’s flat European sales?

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Danone has recorded negative overall sales figures in Europe for the first half of 2016. But the company hopes investment in the relaunch of its Activia and Actimel brands will help return it to profitable growth.

'Should this conclusion persist – the conclusion would have to be that it can’t be possible to get a health claim for probiotics,' says Probi CEO after claim rejection. ©iStock/benjaminec

'We won’t take this as the final outcome. We spent too much time, too much money.'

310th probiotic claim rejection: EFSA throws out Probi claim for iron absorption

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded there is “insufficient” evidence to claim a probiotic can help boost iron absorption – but applicant Probi says it won’t take no for an answer.

Action on Sugar turns its attention to energy drinks. ©iStock/HandmadePictures

UK report calls for ban on energy drink sales to under 16s

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A report authored by UK public health lobby group Action on Sugar has called on the UK government to curb energy drink consumption among young people – listing a ban on sales to under 16s as one policy option.

'We started out saying we wanted to be the Red Bull of the freezer cabinet. Now we want to go beyond that,' says protein ice cream start-up.

Protein ice cream: The Red Bull of the freezer aisle?

By Lynda Searby

Rising protein ice cream brand WheyHey isn’t stopping at being the 'Red Bull of the freezer aisle'; it wants to provide an alternative to the 'rubbish' food companies are serving up in every category, co-founder Damien Kennedy tells...

Natural is key for high earners - and they are willing to pay the price for it, finds Mintel report of sports nutrition. © iStock.com / Nikola1988

Sports nutrition insights

How to target active high earners

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Mintel research has found that high earners are key consumers of sports nutrition products in the UK, so how can manufacturers better cater to these cash-carrying competitors? 

Nutrient profiles would send a clear message to the industry: If you plan on using this health claim on X, Y or Z product, don’t bother filing it. © iStock.com / pixinoo

Caffeine claim calamity should give nutrient profiles wings

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Commission has started the first phase of its investigation into the need for nutrient profiles, with a report expected in spring 2017. Yet with the caffeine claim fiasco ongoing, it’s never been clearer how necessary the profiles are.

The power of antioxidants in lowering the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases such as asthma, and Crohn's disease has been well documented. © iStock.com / Daniela Andreea Spyropoulos

Special Edition: Antioxidants, polyphenols and carotenoids

Inflamed & stressed: Rejuvenating antioxidants in big demand

By Will Chu

Healthy ageing and the insights garnered from micronutrient studies could help drive demand for products that reduce inflammation and ease oxidative stress on the body, according to industry experts.

Supplement start-up looks to offer a 'modern yet natural solution for a world in which healthy fasting has become more difficult'. © iStock.com / alexkich

Not so fast: First fasting supplement takes cautious approach to claims

By Lynda Searby

Start-up Nowrish has launched the first fasting supplement - a mix of vitamins, minerals and herbs formulated to support the body’s cleansing, immune, digestive and energy production systems during periods of fasting like Ramadan, but without making any...

Parliament concerns over energy drinks come to a head as MEPs vote to veto caffeine health claims. © iStock.com / KatarzynaBialasiewicz

MEPs vote to veto 4 caffeine health claims

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Parliament’s Environment and Public Health Committee (ENVI) has adopted a last-minute motion that could see four controversial caffeine claims vetoed in a move the energy drink sector warns could result in yet more years of "legal uncertainty”.

Flop: Network marketing company Forever Living Products has suspended a seller's account after the ASA cracked down on unauthorised health claims made on her Facebook group. © iStock.com / dolphfyn

ASA puts maca claims to bed following Facebook fallout

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has warned a Facebook user not to repost claims that a Multi-Maca supplement could up sperm count for men and enhance fertility for women.

The global energy drink sector is set for robust growth but could regulations and health concerns chill expansion? ©iStock

Sector to grow 40% by 2020

The world’s unquenchable thirst for energy drinks

By Shane STARLING

Global sales of energy drinks hit €38.2 billion last year and will be worth €53.4bn in 2020 according to Euromonitor International, even as regulatory winds blow ill beneath the sector's wings. 

'The supplements are periodised during the season and then we provide combinations to meet particular needs - eg illness, injury.' ©iStock

Leicester City signs sports supplements deal

By Shane STARLING

Welsh firm Pro Athlete Supplementation (PAS) has signed a deal that makes it the exclusive sports supplements supplier to reigning English Premier League (EPL) champions Leicester City Football Club.

Lactobacillus gasseri could prevent low-grade inflammation associated with obesity and glucose metabolism disorders, according to research in rats. © iStock.com / Argument

Probiotic strain may help prevent obesity

By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Probiotic strain Lactobacillus gasseri activates ‘multiple actions’ that may work in synergy to prevent obesity, Japanese research in rats has suggested.

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