Gut/digestive health

Probiotic supplement may offer autism benefits: Study

01-Aug-2013 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with the probiotic nutritional supplement Delpro may have a beneficial effect on bowel issues associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), new research has suggested.

EFSA health claim opinions

Non-fermented fibre wins tooth claim; cranberry may need to find new tract

29-Jul-2013 By Shane STARLING

Non-fermented carbohydrates can deliver tooth health benefits but there is not enough data to show cranberry can benefit urinary tract infections, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has found in a new series of health claim opinions.

Solvay management buys out Solactis

26-Jul-2013 By Shane STARLING

€13bn Belgian supplier Solvay has sold its Solactis nutrition division that includes galactofructose  (lactulose) to its former nutrition programme manager.

Green coffee firm sledged over colon sludge claims

24-Jul-2013 By Shane STARLING

The UK advertising watchdog has roasted its second green coffee firm in a month for making unjustified weight loss, antioxidant, colonic health and other claims.

Multi-species probiotics again show benefits for IBS sufferers: RCT data

12-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A combination of six probiotic species may relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), say results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Probiotics may ‘counter obesity and diabetes’: NIH study

10-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A daily dose of probiotics may prevent weight gain and insulin resistance in mice, says a new study from scientists at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) with implications for obesity and diabetes.

Kivia powder (kiwi fruit extract) shows gut health benefits

08-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

An extract of kiwifruit containing Zyactinase called Kivia may enhance bowel movement frequency and improve other symptoms of occasional constipation, say new data from a randomized clinical trial.

New research suggests a possible link between autism and gut bacteria populations

Autism linked to decreased microbe diversity in the gut: Study

03-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

The diversity of beneficial bacteria in our guts may be associated with the development of autism, according to the first comprehensive analysis bacterial analysis of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Irish microbiota research centre to receive €50m boost

03-Jul-2013 By Shane STARLING

The Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC) in Cork, Ireland has received a €36m investment from the Irish government that will fund its research activities for at least another six years, its GM told us this morning.

EFSA rejects Clasado prebiotic for gastro benefits (again)

28-Jun-2013 By Shane Starling

Clasado has had its Bimuno prebiotic formulation rejected by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) which said fresh data analysis provided by the UK-Maltese firm did not show gastro-intestinal benefits.

Probiotics have no benefit for IBS, finds new RCT data

27-Jun-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of a probiotic containing functional food product has no clinical benefits for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) when compared to a placebo treatment, according to new clinical trial data.

International probiotics group engages EFSA over evidence ‘totality’

27-Jun-2013 By Shane Starling

The increasingly vocal International Probiotics Association (IPA) has sent a series of formal questions to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) about evidential requirements for probiotics.

Company offers simplified 3-prong approach to personalized nutrition

19-Jun-2013 By Hank Schultz

Nutritional supplement manufacturer 3Care Therapeutics is the latest company to dip a toe into the personalized nutrition pool by offering a simplified system to practitioners to help them integrate the use of the company’s products into their practices...

Synbiotic supplements may influence metabolic status for diabetics: RCT data

17-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A combination of probiotics and prebiotics may reduce levels of markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, suggest findings of a new study publishing in the journal Clinical Nutrition.

Infant formula use linked to 'metabolic stress' and later disease risks: Study

13-Jun-2013 By Nathan Gray

Infants that are fed formula rather than breast milk may experience metabolic stress that plays a role in long suggested long-term risks for obesity, diabetes and other diseases, say researchers.

Boweled over! Prunes win official EU health claim passage

12-Jun-2013 By Shane Starling

Prunes sold across the European Union can claim they contribute to “normal bowel function”, making the fruits the first whole fruit to win a claim under the EU’s new food marketing rules.

Yoghurt group lobbies EC over probiotic labelling ban

10-Jun-2013 By Shane Starling

An industry group that includes Danone and Dupont-Danisco as members has written to the European Commission to reinstate the use of the EU-banned term ‘probiotic’ on products across the bloc.

Probiotics may boost mental performance for diabetics: Animal data

06-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily consumption of probiotics may improve the mental performance of lab animals with diabetes, says a new study that supports the potential benefits of an optimal microbiome–gut–brain axis.

Ireland: Even terms like ‘live cultures’ are implied (& banned) EU probiotic health claims

05-Jun-2013 By Shane STARLING

Irish authorities have clarified the country’s position in regard to probiotic health claims, taking a literal reading of the EU position that the term ‘probiotic’ alone is an implied health claim.

"We hope these results will prompt physicians to consider its use.”

Evidence solidifies behind probiotic benefits for antibiotic-associated diarrhoea

05-Jun-2013 By Shane STARLING

The capacity of probiotics to ease diarrhoea and other problems associated with antibiotic use in some patients has received fresh backing after a review of studies conducted by University of Toronto researchers.

Microbiota project seeks answers to better elderly nutrition

03-Jun-2013 By Shane Starling

An Irish government-backed project with multiple partners is investigating links between the gut microbiota and elderly nutrition.

Cochrane: Probiotics may reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea

31-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Consuming supplements and food containing probiotics may reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, according to a systematic review from the prestigious Cochrane Collaboration.

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe 2013

Chocolate an ‘amenable’ probiotic delivery vehicle, says DuPont

15-May-2013 By Oliver Nieburg

Chocolate is a strong carrier for probiotics and could present an opportunity for brand manufacturers to introduce products to improve gut health, according to supplier DuPont.

Roquette backs chlorella for digestive health

03-May-2013 By Shane Starling

Roquette will showcase chlorella at Vitafoods in Geneva this month with the French supplier pointing to an unpublished in vivo study demonstrating gut health benefits for the micro-algae.

Study suggests compatibility between organic and health claims

03-May-2013 By Jane Joseph

Organic food brands should not be afraid of using health claims to market their products, as a new study suggests the two concepts are not as incompatible as the industry may fear.

Probiotics again linked to fat and weight loss: RCT data

30-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) may help weight loss in people with obese tendencies, says a new study from Japan.

Former EFSA boffin backs ‘traditional use’ for EU herbals

30-Apr-2013 By Shane STARLING

A former EFSA Scientific Committee chairman says the European Union’s stalled assessment of botanical extract claims, safety and use needs a multilateral rethink before any progress can be made.

Symrise wins €125m EIB loan for nutrition and skin R&D

23-Apr-2013

Cosmetics and nutrition are the focal points for a €125m research and development loan gained by supplier Symrise.

Apple compounds may influence inflammatory genes, show potential for IBD

23-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Compounds extracted from apple peel may influence expression of a key inflammatory gene, suggests new data from Germany with potential implications for IBD.

SPECIAL EDITION: RIDING THE HEALTH CLAIMS WAVE

Room to grow: Bakery sector fiber health claims

18-Apr-2013 By Shane STARLING

The bakery industry may prefer nutrition content to genuine health claims - a state-of-affairs that reflects the relative few claim-backed nutrients available to breads, cereals, bars and other baked products – but options do exist.

Special Edition: Superfruits — Old news, or still super?

Superfruits form solid basis for single-ingredient companies

16-Apr-2013 By Hank

Superfruits with their full suite of bioactives and their stories of hidden beginnings and discovery, have made ripe pickings for the founding of single ingredient companies.

Barley extracts show weight management potential: Human data

12-Apr-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Adding boiled barley kernels to the diet may increase levels of hormones linked to satiety and reduce subsequent energy intakes, says a new study from Sweden.

Chr. Hansen still sees probiotic potential despite ‘insufficient’ trial data

11-Apr-2013 By Caroline Scott-Thomas

Chr. Hansen is still positive about probiotics – including in Europe – despite disappointing results in another two clinical trials, according to Chr. Hansen’s chief financial officer (CFO) Klaus Pedersen.

Intelligent evidence: 'Breakthrough' in microbiome sampling promises greater proof for probiotic claims

04-Apr-2013 By Nathan Gray

A new non-invasive method to test the effects of functional foods and nutrients on the gut flora promises to help industry build solid evidence for health claims substantiation, says NIZO Food Research.

Polish €583m VMS market gunning for specific claims

26-Mar-2013

Poland’s €583m vitamins and minerals food supplements market is evolving toward ever-more sophisticated and specific claims according to a market analyst.

Danone wins Activia health claim in Switzerland

22-Mar-2013 By Oliver Nieburg

Danone has been granted a front-of-pack health claim by Swiss Authorities that says its Activia yoghurt aids digestion.

Laxative effect of fibre-rich foods ‘unconvincing’, finds review

22-Mar-2013 By Oliver Nieburg

Fibre-rich foods are widely considered the best remedy for constipation, but a review has said that the majority have low laxative potential.

Japanese firm seeks EU probiotic approval

21-Mar-2013 By Jane Joseph

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is calling for views on an application from Japan’s Miyarisan Pharmaceutical for European Union Novel Foods status for a probiotic strain.

GOS prebiotics may boost calcium absorption for teens: Purdue data

20-Mar-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) may enhance the absorption of calcium for adolescent girls, says a new study from Purdue University with implications for bone health.

UK National Health Service undertakes probiotic colon study

19-Mar-2013 By Shane Starling

King’s College Hospital in London is investigating the potential of a proprietary probiotic blend to benefit those suffering from diverticular disease.

Pre- and Probiotics 2013: Yes, let’s call it unmissable

15-Mar-2013

Seven webinars. Brand and supplier insights. Regulatory analysis. Market analysis. Marketing analysis. Science. You had better put this in your diary...

EU working group to discuss probiotic as a ‘general descriptor’

15-Mar-2013 By Rick Pendrous

Hopes are rising that the use of the term ‘probiotic’ will not have to disappear on products following the failure of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to give approval for a generic health claim for the ingredient last year.

'A big step forward': Probiotics may alter brain activity in healthy people, says Danone/UCLA data

14-Mar-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of a fermented milk product containing five different probiotic strains may affect the parts of the brain linked to emotion and sensation, says a new study from UCLA and Danone.

Good bacteria may wipe out antibiotic-resistant pathogens: Study

11-Mar-2013 By Nathan Gray

New possibilities for novel probiotic products are on the horizon after researchers report that some probiotic strains can eliminate antibiotic-resistant bacteria from the gut.

Soy industry: FAO protein findings only useful in malnourished populations

07-Mar-2013 By Shane Starling

The European soy sector says a UN report that found dairy proteins offer a superior amino acid profile to plant proteins is only meaningful for the malnourished.

a2 Milk UK establishment costs offset A2 Corporation H1 sales increase

06-Mar-2013 By Mark ASTLEY

Costs relating to the establishment of the a2 Milk UK joint venture contributed to a H1 profits decrease for Australasian dairy processor A2 Corporation (A2C), the company has revealed.

Cargill buys fibre technology after Tate & Lyle wheat processing exit

28-Feb-2013 By Shane Starling

The €55m Tate & Lyle Ventures (TLV) fund has sold off the Fugeia wheat extract business it bought into in 2008 to Cargill’s starches and sweeteners division for an undisclosed sum.

Resistant starch may aid in IBD and cancer resistance: Study

22-Feb-2013 By Nathan Gray

A diet packed with resistant starch may help to prevent both inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer, say researchers.

Lallemand hits health claims home run with five Canadian approvals

21-Feb-2013 By Hank Schultz

Probiotics supplier Lallemand has announced a big regulatory win:  Canadian authorities have approved health claims on five of its probiotic formulas. 

Chr Hansen eyes pharma sector with €20m probiotic plant expansion

19-Feb-2013 By Shane Starling

Global probiotics leader Chr Hansen is throwing €20m at the expansion of its Danish freeze-drying capacity with increasing global pharma  and food supplement demand the key driver.