Healthy ageing

Special Edition: Innovations in Delivery Systems

Fortified gel printed onto ready meals set for rapid global commercialization, says company

24-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

A new generation of restaurant quality ready meals targeting seniors is set for commercial launch this year, with a patented technology allowing fortified gels to be printed onto the food.

Fatty liver disease is a major untapped opportunity for nutraceuticals; platform established

23-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Research, focus and regulatory cunning will be needed if the nutraceutical industry is to tap into the relatively unexplored area of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), says the consultancy firm behind a new dedicated clinical trial platform.

Perrigo invests in €30m German meal replacement player

22-Jul-2015

Irish pharma giant Perrigo has paid an undisclosed sum for Germany’s second biggest food supplement player, Yokebe, which specialises in meal replacements.

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Vitamin E significantly improves liver function for fatty liver patients: Meta-analysis

22-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Vitamin E can significantly improve liver function in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) including non-alcoholic steatohepatisis (NASH), a meta-analysis of five clinical trials.

EFSA considers health claim for creatine and elderly muscle function

16-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is reviewing a health claim application for creatine and muscle function in the elderly following an application from German chemical company AlzChem AG.

LGG may ‘transiently’ boost anti-inflammatory functions in the gut microbiota: Human data

14-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

The probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103 may not change the host’s gut microbiota but may stimulate anti-inflammatory activities of microbes already resident, says a new study.

EFSA sets requirements for vitamin B12

13-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has set dietary reference values (DRVs) for cobalamin (vitamin B12).

Chinese crack down on ginkgo

09-Jul-2015

The Chinese Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has taken action against local suppliers found to be engaged in supplying substandard versions of the botanical, ginkgo biloba.

EU copper intakes up for review

06-Jul-2015 By Shane STARLING

Stakeholders have until August 6 2015 to submit comments to EFSA on draft dietary reference values (DRVs) for copper in the European Union.

‘An exciting finding’: Are the brain health benefits of B vitamins dependent on omega-3 levels?

06-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

B vitamins may protect against age-related brain wasting, but only in people with high omega-3 levels, says a new study from the University of Oxford that extends our understanding of how nutrients work together.

“Our aim with this cooperation is to get food products made with ‘algility’ microalgae into consumers’ hands faster.”

Roquette boosts algae project with beverage partner

01-Jul-2015 By Shane STARLING

French supplier Roquette has inked a deal with a food and beverage innovator it met at the SIAL food industry trade show last year to develop products for its nascent chlorella microalgae offerings.Fellow French firm Algama won an award for innovation...

Increased potassium reduces blood pressure in hypertensive people: Nestlé meta-analysis

30-Jun-2015 By Shane STARLING

Increasing potassium intake via whole food or fortification reduces blood pressure in hypertensive patients not on drugs, Nestlé scientists have concluded in a 15-paper meta-analysis.

Cognitive-boosting blackcurrants show Parkinson’s potential

25-Jun-2015 By Niamh Michail

Two varieties of blackcurrant have been found to boost cognitive performance and alertness, with one variety showing particular promise in blocking the enzymes associated with Parkinson's.

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Carotenoids lower lipid oxidation and DNA damage in middle-aged men

18-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Daily carotenoid intake lowers lipid and oxidative stress markers in middle-aged men, say researchers.

Special edition: Immune support

The key market data and ingredients in the immune health sector

18-Jun-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Immune supplement sales were valued at an impressive $2.3 billion in 2013 (Nutrition Business Journal), and in this gallery we look at the key market trends and ingredients for this growing sector. 

DuPont and Gelita apply for bowel and joint health claims

17-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

DuPont Nutrition and Gelita have filed health claim applications for bowel and joint health. 

Polish supplements market to grow 8% yearly: 2017-2020

15-Jun-2015 By Shane STARLING

Growth has slowed in the Polish food supplemets market as prices have risen following years of solid growth but forecaster PMR expects growth to spike again in 2017.

Bench-pressing women can boost immunity with fish oil: Study

11-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Fish oil coupled with strength training could help improve the immune system of elderly women, Brazilian researchers have found. 

Benecol enters China

10-Jun-2015 By Shane STARLING

Finnish food-agriculture giant Raisio has launched its cholesterol-lowering, plant stanol-based Benecol brand in China in a powder form via mostly medical channels in its big coastal cities.

Commission, UK and Gates Foundation put big nutrition cash on table

05-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged €689m to help tackle malnutrition as the European Commission announced €23.5m for a new nutrition initiative and €3.5bn by 2020.

Netherlands investigates safe vitamin A intake from supplements

04-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The Netherlands is looking at whether legislation on vitamin A should be changed after a report calculated how much could be ingested from supplements.

Emerging markets drive global health & wellness growth (but one size does not fit all)

03-Jun-2015 By Shane STARLING

38 ‘developed’ nations delivered 54% of functional food and supplement and other health & wellness (HW) product sales in 2014, but these same nations will account for only 14% of growth between now and 2019.

Sweden to expand mandatory vitamin D fortification

28-May-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The Swedish National Food Agency (NFA) has proposed an extension of the products subject to mandatory vitamin D fortification.

ASA ruling

Healthy water slugged over claims abuse

27-May-2015 By Shane STARLING

Scotland-based supplement and infused water distributor Water for Health (WFH) has been censored by the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for making non-authorised immunity and other claims for chlorella and other infusions in the European Union.

Euromonitor runs rule over recent nutraceutical award winners

25-May-2015 By Simone Baroke

Market analyst Euromonitor International dissects recent NutraIngredients Awards winners to provide category perspective from sustainable omega-3 to healthy ageing in this guest article.

Omega-3s may slow age-associated muscle loss: RCT data

22-May-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Fish oil-derived omega-3s may slow the normal decline in muscle mass and function in healthy older people, says a new study from Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis.

'Stay active in old age' - dairy targets the elderly

21-May-2015 By Nicholas Robinson

Arla Foods Ingredients has responded to a rise in elderly consumers in Europe by launching its Nutrilac Ageless whey protein and calcium ingredient, to boost protein content in yogurts and desserts.

Should vitamin K2 also be recommended for statin users?

20-May-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Statins may be “mitochondrial toxins”, says a new review that finds that the pharmaceuticals may not only deplete CoQ10 levels but also inhibit the synthesis of vitamin K2. The result could be negative effects on the heart and blood vessels.

Large-scale, long-term cocoa flavanol study looking at heart, cognitive health enters recruitment phase

15-May-2015 By Hank Schultz

Cocoa flavanols are an ingredient that has been poised at the edge of the runway for a few years now. A new large-scale, long-term study into their cardiovascular and cognitive function benefits that is entering its recruitment phase may help provide...

EFSA opinion wrap: Pomegranate, carob, coffee rejected. Vitamin D approved

Claim chill: EFSA rejects probiotics for immunity, defecation

13-May-2015 By Shane STARLING

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has rejected probiotic dossiers from Canadian firm Lallemand Health Solutions (immunity) and Italian player Synbiotec (defecation) in a batch of opinions published today.

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe 2015

Frutarom backs Peruvian berry in beverages

12-May-2015 By Shane STARLING

Inca berry, cape gooseberry, golden berry. It has many monikers but one primary Andean source in Peru and Swiss supplier Frutarom was promoting it at Vitafoods Europe last week.

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe 2015

Indena refines Boswellia bioavailability; shifts compound focus

11-May-2015 By Shane STARLING

Italian botanicals giant Indena has debuted a version of the Indian Ayurvedic herbal extract Boswellia serrata it says offers boosted bioavailability via a lecithin delivery system.

Sabinsa expands Ayurvedic herb cultivation as demand grows

08-May-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Botanical supplier Sabinsa is expanding its existing cultivation program for Indian herbs to ensure sustainable supply of ingredients such as turmeric, gac, and black ginger, in order to match demand in the global US$1.6 billion market.

Gala Awards night at Vitafoods Europe, Geneva, Switzerland

NutraIngredients Awards shine spotlight on nutrition stars

07-May-2015 By Shane STARLING

200 people from the European and international food and nutrition sectors helped 20 finalists and seven winners celebrate at the inaugural NutraIngredients Awards last night at Vitafoods Europe.

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe 2015

Omniactive passes 10,000 farmer threshold for lutein supply program

06-May-2015 By Hank Schultz

Omniactive Health Technologies has passed a milestone with the enrollment of more than 10,000 farmers in its lutein supply program, the company said Wednesday at the Vitafoods Europe trade show in Geneva, Switzerland.

Pine bark extract may boost endothelial function in at-risk people

06-May-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of extracts from French Maritime Pine bark may strengthen metabolic parameters, reduce LDL cholesterol and curb oxidative stress in people with an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Resveratrol may boost mitochondrial function for diabetics: Pre-clinical data

05-May-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements of resveratrol, an antioxidant compound from red wine, may protect blood vessels from the detrimental effects of high blood sugar, says a new study.

Coffee antioxidants: From bean to brew

05-May-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Australian researchers have tracked the anti-radical and antioxidant properties of coffee from bean to brew.

Vitafoods investment hunt: 14 start-ups on menu

29-Apr-2015 By Shane STARLING

14 nutrition start-ups are formally seeking investment and partners the day before Vitafoods Europe officially opens next week in Geneva.

Fish-liver oil when younger may reduce heart disease risk when older

27-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Consuming fish-liver oil three times weekly in adolescence or midlife may reduce a woman’s chances of coronary heart disease later in life, say Icelandic researchers.

SPECIAL EDITION: 25 YEARS OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS

Delayed reactions and industry in-jokes: The psychology of functional foods

23-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

According to Euromonitor International, fortified or functional food and drink sales jumped by 25% between 2008 and 2013 to reach $267.6bn (€249bn). But what does this industry term really mean to consumers anyway and what are the motivators behind such...

Special edition: 25 years of functional foods

Functional Foods 2.0: Beyond the nutritional shoehorn...

23-Apr-2015 By Julian Mellentin

Products such as probiotic pizza, probiotic snack bars, high-fibre chicken or fish-oil fortified yoghurt may seem bizarre, says market expert Julian Mellentin in this guest article, but since 1990 thousands of products like this have been launched – and...

Link between vitamin D status and hospital delirium: 4000-strong cohort

22-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Patients with a lower pre-hospital vitamin D status are more likely to suffer from ‘delirium’ when hospitalised, say researchers. 

Eastern promise: The untapped health potential of Japanese cuisine

17-Apr-2015 By Niamh Michail

The Japanese diet can rival the Mediterranean diet for both health benefits and consumer pulling-power – with the added bonus of 'undiscovered' ingredients waiting to be developed by Western food manufacturers.

40% Brits want calcium and vitamin D enriched products

16-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

There is substantial interest in calcium- and vitamin D- enriched products for improved bone health in the UK. But young people still don’t see the importance, says Canadean.

Arginine deficiency may be linked to Alzheimer's

16-Apr-2015 By Niamh Michail

A deficiency in amino acid arginine could be a ‘novel and potentially critical’ cause for Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research.

What impact will mid-life vitamin D levels have on cognitive health 13 years later?

15-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Higher vitamin D levels at middle age may pre-determine better cognitive outcomes later in life, according to a 13-year follow-up study.

Vitamin D2 vs D3: Same for boosting D levels but D3 superior for sustaining levels?

13-Apr-2015 By Stephen Daniells

There is no difference between vitamin D2 and D3 for raising blood levels of the vitamin, but D3 is superior for sustaining those levels, says a new study from Argentina.

34 entries, 3 finalists…1 winner!

NutraIngredients Readers’ Ingredient of the Year voting is open – have your say

10-Apr-2015 By Shane STARLING

34 high quality Readers’ Ingredient of the Year entries meant our NutraIngredients Awards judging panel had a tough time narrowing the field down to a shortlist of three – but they did that and now the final judgement is left to you, the readers.

Holland & Barrett hits Belgium and Holland

10-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

NBTY Europe is re-branding its retail chains Essenza and De Tuinen as Holland & Barrett stores.