Gut/digestive health

Probiota 2022: AI the key to deeper data mining in probiotic discovery

04-Apr-2022 By Will Chu

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has evolved to a point, where it can be used to analyse ‘omics data to identify mechanisms of action that underlie health benefits desirable to today’s consumer.

Vitaminsights: Omnichannel retail – Exclusive In-depth analysis

Success in a post-pandemic world: Major retailers and brands on omni-channel success strategies

04-Apr-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Online purchase of dietary supplements flourished amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but how can brands find synergies and success in the ‘best-of-worlds’ digital and brick-and-mortar retail approach? We speak to a raft of experts to find out…

Is 2022 the breakout year for postbiotics?

31-Mar-2022 By Danielle Masterson

Compound Solutions’ CEO Matt Titlow weighs in at Expo West.

Novel spray-drying technology enhances probiotic viability in the digestive tract

31-Mar-2022 By Lynda Searby

Scientists at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore have developed a breakthrough spray-drying technique for encapsulating probiotics with crosslinked alginates, protecting the bacteria from harsh acidic conditions in the gastro-intestinal...

Prebiotic fructans and low-GI carbs can promote gut health, says Beneo

31-Mar-2022 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Incorporating prebiotic inulin-type fructans (ITF) and the low-GI carbohydrate isomaltulose (ISO) into normal diets can help stabilise glycaemic fluctuations and modulate intestinal microbiota.

NutraWomen Wednesday: Hanan Wajih, Chief Marketing Officer, Vytalogy Wellness

30-Mar-2022 By Danielle Masterson

Hanan Wajih, is an accomplished and data-driven brand builder, executing some of the most successful campaigns for iconic health, wellness and beauty brands. She has done marketing for Johnson’s Baby, Band-Aid and Neutrogena and so many other brands we...

Fermented dairy consumption improves relational memory in healthy adults: Study

29-Mar-2022 By Asia Sherman

Consuming fermented dairy increases the presence of certain gut microbiota and improves relational memory in healthy adults, says a new study published in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience.

Safety of homogenised human milk must be established before products hit the market

29-Mar-2022 By Liza Laws

AB-Biotic probiotic blend shows efficacy for infant GI disorders

29-Mar-2022 By Will Chu

Details of a probiotic blend’s mechanism of action provides further credence to Bifidobacterium and Pediococcus’ potential role in tackling infant gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs).

“HMObiotics”: H&H deepens research on specific HMOs, probiotic pairings for health benefits

29-Mar-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Major nutrition company Health and Happiness (H&H Group) is pioneering research on how the right pairings of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and probiotics – a novel category known as ‘HMObiotics’ – could bring about health benefits for consumers...

Industry groups call for regulatory and consumer clarity of ‘probiotic’ term

28-Mar-2022 By Will Chu

The IPA Europe and the European Dairy Association (EDA) have jointly called for the term ‘probiotic’ to be reassessed and for foods containing probiotics to be included on the nutrition claims list.

Probiotics may promote weight gain, shorten hospital stay in preterm infants with feeding intolerances – meta-analysis

28-Mar-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Preterm infants with feeding intolerances (FI) may gain more weight and spend less time in hospital if they are given probiotics.

Gut microbiota changes for the better after eating red peppers, study finds

25-Mar-2022 By Liza Laws

Gut microbial structure and short-chain fatty acid levels are significantly altered by the consumption of capsaicin, the bioactive compound in chilli peppers, a study has found.

Cargill makes case for EpiCor's match with postbiotic definition

24-Mar-2022 By Hank Schultz

Cargill is pushing a postbiotic positioning for its Epicor immune health ingredient, maintaining that the yeast-derived ingredients fits squarely within the new definition.

Sequential Skin launches test to assess ingredient effect on microbiome

22-Mar-2022 By Will Chu

Sequential Skin has released details of an in-vivo microbiome testing solution that allows firms greater insights into the effects their ingredients have on the body's microbiome.

Trials set to start on tablets could replace expensive and invasive gastric surgery

21-Mar-2022 By Liza Laws

A tablet that inflates in the stomach like a gastric balloon creating a feeling of fullness could be the future solution for tackling obesity without invasive or costly surgery.

EU team identifies gut microbiome signature for heart disease

21-Mar-2022 By Will Chu

Two recently published studies have outlined the role an imbalanced gut bacterial community plays in patients suffering from heart disease.

No clinical benefit in dietary fibre supplements for IBD patients, according to research

18-Mar-2022 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

There is no clinical benefit to supplementation with dietary fibre for sufferers of irritable bowel disease (IBD) as fermentation has no discernible effect on the composition of gut microbiome, say scientists.

Probiotic yoghurt and liver disease: Researchers embark on RCT to assess impact

17-Mar-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

A new trial will assess if probiotic yoghurt can be a cost-effective answer to hinder the progress of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Study proposes gut bacterial group an early indicator of pancreatic cancer

16-Mar-2022 By Will Chu

The microbiome’s link to cancer was hinted at this week in a new study that points to a signature bacterial group that could provide early warning signs of pancreatic cancer.

Probiota 2022: Upgrading oral and scalp care via the skin microbiome

15-Mar-2022 By Will Chu

As science continues to delve deeper into the skin microbiome, its role in oral and scalp care, is becoming apparent particularly amongst nutricosmetic firms eager to capitalise on the next wave of opportunities.

Probiotics, prebiotics reduce inflammation and maintain gut health for healthy ageing — Japanese review

15-Mar-2022 By Nurul Ain Razali

Probiotics and two types of prebiotics, namely resistant starch and resistant proteins, have the potential to aid healthy ageing by reducing low-grade inflammation, according to a new review.

Microbiotica raises €60m to advance microbiome therapeutics for Ulcerative Colitis

11-Mar-2022 By Will Chu

UK microbiome firm Microbiotica has completed a €60m (£50m) financing round intended to fund its two lead oral live biotherapeutics (LBP) developed to tackle Ulcerative Colitis (UC).

Survey: Demand increases for functional solutions across the age divide

10-Mar-2022 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Consumers of all ages are seeking functional solutions to support long-term dietary and lifestyle changes, according to the findings of a global consumer survey carried out by food ingredients supplier, Kerry.

FMT and ulcerative colitis: Oral treatment shown to be a ‘promising and feasible’ approach – Lancet study

09-Mar-2022 By Tingmin Koe

A 56-week long clinical trial using orally administered faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has led to remission in patients suffering from active ulcerative colitis.

Infant formula with added probiotics and oligosaccharides can improve gut health, say scientists

08-Mar-2022 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Supplementing starter formula with probiotics and added human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) for infants up to six months offers similar gut microbiome benefits as breast milk and could help align the microbial pattern of infants on formula towards that...

Biotherapeutic targeting gut-derived metabolites may ease autism symptoms, study finds

07-Mar-2022 By Will Chu

Targeting gut-derived metabolites with an oral biotherapeutic is effective in improving irritability and anxiety associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to Axial Therapeutics.

Sensus to increase production and capitalise on growing demand for chicory root fibre

07-Mar-2022 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Dutch co-op member, Sensus is expanding production of chicory root fibre (inulin) to cater to growing demand for natural prebiotics in plant-based food and supplements.

Science shorts: Diagnostics and health, pre/probiotics, and brain health focus

07-Mar-2022 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up features new innovations in the area of health diagnostics, based on interviews with Kao, Designs for Health, OmegaQuant, clinical trials involving pre/probiotics, and more.

Probiota 2022: Microbiome musings with Magali Cordaillat-Simmons

03-Mar-2022 By Will Chu

With just weeks to go until Probiota returns as a face-to-face event, NutraIngredients took the opportunity to chat with one of the main speakers to hear her thoughts on the importance of introducing regulatory science consideration early on to de-risk...

Gut health looks to have big say in cancer treatment success: Study

02-Mar-2022 By Will Chu

A European study appears to confirm a link between the health of the gut microbiome and the effectiveness of immunotherapy therapy for a type of skin cancer.

Don’t call it a trend: How baobab is defining the fiber revolution

01-Mar-2022 By Danielle Masterson

It’s been around for 200 million years, but the baobab tree has yet to make it to the mainstream. Compound Solutions said it is changing that with a new fiber offering.

Consumer gut health drive marks probiotic opportunities for industry, Chr. Hansen says

01-Mar-2022 By Will Chu

The pace of consumer familiarity and confidence with probiotics is outlined in a new Chr. Hansen survey, which the firm suggests are opportunities for the global food industry to capitalise on.

Probiota 2022: Microbiome markets and probiotic predictions set for day 3

01-Mar-2022 By Will Chu

A spotlight on regulation, market opportunities and countries to watch, as well as the skin microbiome and discussions about the future of the industry are day 3 highlights of Probiota 2022 in March.

VitamINSIGHTS: Diagnostics and Nutrition – Exclusive in-depth analysis

Tech and nutrition uncovered: How major brands are using new tools to boost consumer health

01-Mar-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Since the rise of Fitbit and Garmin, consumers have been quick to jump in on new products that allow them to track their health metrics, so it’s no surprise that nutra firms are also increasingly innovating with tech to boost consumer health.

Probiota 2022: Middle day for metabolites and making friends!

25-Feb-2022 By Will Chu

With around five weeks to go before the start of Probiota, NutraIngredients thought it best to provide you with a rundown of what you can expect each day of this three-day microbiome extravaganza.

Optibac Probiotics launches vegan gummies for adults

24-Feb-2022 By Kavitha Sivasubramaniam

Optibac Probiotics has announced the introduction of its first vegan gummy to support gut and immune health among adults.

Diarrhoea relief: L. plantarum probiotics reduce frequency of loose stools – 60-day Korea RCT

24-Feb-2022 By Tingmin Koe

The supplementation of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) has shown to reduce the frequency of loose stools and other symptoms of functional diarrhoea, according to a 60-day trial conducted in South Korea.

Immunity, analytical advances, and sleep: Themes and first speakers announced for IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas

23-Feb-2022 By Stephen Daniells

Delegate registration is now open for the IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas in Washington DC, with speakers already for a blockbuster opening session on microbiome modulation to boost immunity and improve COVID outcomes.

Probiota 2022: Setting the scene and agenda on day one

23-Feb-2022 By Will Chu

Thinking about registering for Probiota 2022? Planning on doing it closer to the 28 March? No, do it now! Places are limited and you’ll feel like a fool if you miss out!

Green tea-infused yoghurt improved by inulin, research reveals

23-Feb-2022 By Liza Laws

Adding the prebiotic inulin to yoghurts made from green tea with milk improved the smell, taste and texture for those eating it, a study has found.

Researchers propose ‘Probiotics Identity Card’ based on DNA and flow cytometry

21-Feb-2022 By Hank Schultz

Researchers based in Italy and Ireland have proposed a two step approach to validating and enumerating probiotic supplements. A stakeholder group commented that the approach holds promise for better quality control within the industry.

Gut bacteriophages linked to improved cognitive ability in humans (and mice & flies)

21-Feb-2022 By Stephen Daniells

The presence of a specific bacteriophage – a virus that targets bacteria – in the human gut has been linked to an improvement in cognitive functions and memory in humans, mice, and flies.

Scientists show ‘cause and effect’ for gut-metabolite and brain function

21-Feb-2022 By Lynda Searby

Shedding new light on the workings of the gut-brain axis, scientists have found that a gut-derived molecule induces anxiety in mice.

Berberine plus probiotics may work synergistically on blood lipids

18-Feb-2022 By Stephen Daniells

A combination of berberine and a multi-strain probiotic may lower lipid levels after a meal more than berberine or the probiotics alone, says a new study from China.

Ingredients for dairy to address healthy ageing

18-Feb-2022 By Jim Cornall

Healthy ageing is a booming category set to get bigger as seniors look to improve their lifestyle and their diet.

Probiota 2022: Pondering on all things postbiotic…

18-Feb-2022 By Will Chu

With weeks to go before Probiota makes a welcome return as a F2F event, NutraIngredients took the opportunity to chat with a guest speaker to hear his thoughts on the recently published consensus definition of postbiotic.

BRC awards OptiBiotix top marks for quality and best practice

18-Feb-2022 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Life science brand, OptiBiotix Health, has received the top AA rating for food safety and best practice standards from retail industry association, the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

NutraChampion episode 27

Oral FMT and ulcerative colitis: Attention turns to dose and frequency after trial leads to remission - LISTEN

15-Feb-2022 By Tingmin Koe

A new study published in Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology has shown that orally administered faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) could lead to the remission of ulcerative colitis, with one of the researchers heading the trial now outlining the...

Nahibu gets health practitioners up to speed on gut microbiota science

14-Feb-2022 By Lynda Searby

A French start-up is arming health professionals with knowledge and resources to enhance the level of care they can deliver in matters of the microbiome.