Fibers & carbohydrates
6 reasons to attend the Nutra Healthspan Summit 2026
The Nutra Healthspan Summit is just over two months away! Bridging cutting-edge science and business strategy to extend healthspan through nutrition and supplements, the Nutra Healthspan Summit is a must-attend event, and let us tell you why…
Review: Targeted fiber consumption could boost long-term outcomes of GLP-1 therapy
Dietary fibers and GLP-1 drugs should not be viewed as competing weight management approaches, but complementary strategies, according to a new review published in Advances in Nutrition.
Mintel reveals top taste trends driving food and beverage formulation
Economic uncertainty is driving consumers towards comforting, familiar flavors, according to Mintel’s 2026 The Future of Flavors report.
Sports nutrition company Maurten fuels Sawe to marathon world record
Kenyan athlete Sabastian Sawe became the first person to break the two-hour barrier in an official marathon yesterday in London—a feat fueled by 115 g of carbohydrate every hour.
World Customs Organization formally recognizes dietary supplements as a standalone category
Dietary supplements are set to be formally recognized as a distinct category in global trade for the first time, following a recent update to the Harmonized System by the World Customs Organization.
Research links low fiber intake to adverse lipid profiles in children
Long-term low fiber intake and high variability in amino acid intake were associated with low-stability microbiota and adverse blood lipid profiles, according to a year-long study conducted in children.
Konjac glucomannan may support intestinal health in elite athletes
Supplementation with glucomannans from konjac, a soluble fiber, may ease gastrointestinal symptoms in elite male Taekwondo athletes with functional constipation, says a new study from China.
The Vitamin Shoppe 2025 Health & Wellness Trends: Proven efficacy meets modern lifestyle
This year’s health and wellness trends reflect a consumer evolution away from influencer-driven fads toward science-backed, lifestyle-focused wellness, signaling a deeper convergence of innovation and shifting priorities, according to The Vitamin Shoppe.
Women’s health webinar insights: The estrobolome, cognitive stress and targeted intervention
Improving gut health education and creating interventions to strengthen the body and brain against life’s stressors offers a powerful opportunity to advance women’s health, according to insights shared during a recent NutraIngredients webinar on women’s...
Sunfiber may help skin hydration and elasticity: RCT
Daily supplementation with Taiyo’s prebiotic partially hydrolyzed guar gum Sunfiber may restore skin hydration and improve the texture of the skin during the winter, says a new study.
Fibre power: Legume-rich diet lowers blood glucose in prediabetic people
Adopting a legume-rich diet, as well as reducing caloric intake, has been shown to lower blood glucose levels, say findings of a 16-week trial conducted on prediabetic people.
Review explores health benefits and regulatory challenges for prebiotics
Challenges around inconsistent terminology and definitions have slowed the widespread adoption of prebiotics, argues a new comprehensive new review published in Beneficial Microbes.
High-fibre diets can reduce risk of atopic dermatitis, house dust mite allergies in Chinese adults: Singapore-Malaysia study
A new study has revealed that young Chinese adults in Singapore and Malaysia who consume high-fibre diets are less likely to suffer from atopic dermatitis (AD) and allergies to house dust mites (HDM).
High dietary intake of magnesium and fibre mitigates risk of metabolic syndrome among Kuwaiti women – study
A study has found that increased dietary intake of magnesium and fibre is associated with reduced likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Kuwaiti women, underscoring the need to encourage diets rich in these nutrients.
Holistic wellness: Menstrual health, prenatal nutrition, and menopause are opportunities for product innovation
There are extensive opportunities for 'holistic product innovation' across three key areas of women’s health: menstrual health, prenatal nutrition, and menopause, says Mintel.
Growth Asia Summit 2024
CSIRO explores barley grain effects in shaping babies' gut microbiota during weaning period
Australia’s researchers are studying the potential of barley grains as a prebiotic to support the development of a healthy gut microbiota in babies who are transiting from full formula or breastmilk feeding to consuming their first solid foods.
Lose the calories, keep the indulgence: Konjac manufacturer prioritises food satisfaction for the carb-conscious
Chinese low calorie and high fibre konjac rice and noodle manufacturers Ketoslim Mo says emphasising an enjoyable eating experience is just as important to health needs to drive consumer acceptance.
Brand new: Chong Kun Dang Healthcare rides on GLP-1 boom and new launches from Fast&Up, Kalbe
See new developments from health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including Chong Kun Dang Healthcare’s launch of a probiotic formula that is said to work in the GLP-1 pathway, how effervescent tablet specialist Fast&Up is cracking India’s...
Science shorts: Menopause, eye health, weight loss in the spotlight
This round-up looks at the latest health and nutrition research on the benefits of soybean paste fermented with kōji mould and probiotic in alleviating menopause symptoms, how supplementation of fibre from resistance starch could support weight loss, the...
Instant coffee, oat maker Gold Roast extends offerings with new dietary fibre brand
Singapore’s Gold Roast Food Industry, which is known for its instant coffee powder and cereal products, is extending its product line with a new nutritional brand focused on dietary fibre supplementation.
Fibre from resistant starch may aid weight loss via gut microbiota modulation – RCT
Resistant starch intake has been shown to aid weight loss among obese individuals via modulation of the gut microbiota, a new trial has reported.
Regulatory review: New Zealand's natural health products, Japan's GMP requirement in the spotlight
We look at the latest regulatory announcements happening across APAC, including what's next for New Zealand's natural health products regulatory landscape, Japan requiring all Food with Function Claims (FFC) in tablets, capsules forms to comply with GMP...
Urgent action needed: NZ natural products industry demands action to boost exports as Therapeutic Products Act repealed
The New Zealand natural health products industry is calling for urgent action to protect and boost exports after the country's health minister said the government would repeal the Therapeutic Products Act due to come into force in 2026.
Nestle taps into Dr. Reddy’s nutra distribution network to boost India reach
Nestle India is forming a joint venture with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories to boost the reach of its nutraceutical products, such as Nature’s Bounty and Optifast, across India.
Sweet relief: Amorepacific’s Vital Beautie adds new functional jelly product to body fat reduction range
Amorepacific-owned brand Vital Beautie says that its “diet line-up” is now complete with the launch of a new jelly product that helps manage blood sugar levels for people who have difficulty controlling carbohydrate intake.
Fruity feature: Supplements firm Sainhall taps convenience and wellness trends to make healthy snacking comeback
Singaporean supplements firm Sainhall is making a comeback venture into the healthy snacking category with its DeeFruit fruit snacks range, looking to tap on the rising demands for convenience and wellness in the region.
Multi-nutrient inadequacies in ANZ linked to diet-related disease calls for food-based interventions – a2 Milk-funded study
A study has found multi-nutrient inadequacies within the Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) populations, including nutrients associated with diet-related disease, highlighting the need for public policies and food-based recommendations to promote intake.
GALLERY: The 10 most-read APAC health and nutrition stories in March 2024
From NMN supplements quality to new launches from Nestle China, Meiji, and FY23 results of Haleon and Bayer, here are the most-read stories on NutraIngredients-Asia in March 2024.
'Compelling results': Resistant starch may aid weight management via gut microbiome modulation
Eight weeks of supplementation with resistant starch may lead to an average weight loss of 2.8 kg (6.2 lbs) and improve metabolic measures such as insulin resistance in overweight and obese people, says a new study.
GALLERY: The 10 most-read APAC health and nutrition stories in February 2024
From India's nutraceutical regulations to consumer behaviour in Indonesia, and FY23 financial results from Kirin, Danone, and Otsuka Holdings, here are the most-read stories on NutraIngredients-Asia in February 2024.
FSANZ considers use of Korean firm AP Tech’s 2’-FL HMO in infant formulas
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has started a public consultation regarding the use of 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL) produced by Korean firm Advanced Protein Technologies (AP Tech) in infant formulas.
Labelling transformations: Thailand stresses science and safety for new nutritional labels and health claims rules
Thailand is the latest market in South East Asia to implement new nutritional labelling policies for the food industry, with the authorities also issuing more stringent ‘science-based’ guidelines for on-pack health claims.
Ketogenic diet most effective among carbohydrate-restricted diets for short-term weight loss – meta-analysis
Very-low-carbohydrate diets have been found to be more effective in producing clinically significant weight loss in the short- and moderate-term, but there is “not much difference” between weight-loss diets in the long run, according to Iranian researchers.
Supplement distributor Sainhall Nutrihealth expands into consumer product space
Sainhall Nutrihealth, a Singapore company distributing functional ingredients and health supplements for nearly 30 years, has expanded into the finished product space.
HMOs update: FSANZ approves dsm-firmenich’s 2’-FL and three other HMOs for use in infant formulas
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has approved dsm-firmenich’s four human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), including the mixture of 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL) and difucosyllactose (DFL), for use in infant formula products.
Kale consumption significantly improves bowel movement and alters certain gut microbes – Japan RCT
The intake of kale has been found to modify the gut microbiota and increase defecation frequency, especially among those with low stool amounts, say Japanese researchers.
‘Innovation expertise’: Nestle launches its first growing up formula containing HMOs in China
Nestle has launched in China its first growing up formula containing human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), namely 2'-fucosyllactose (2'FL) and lacto-N-(neo)tetraose (LNnT).
Brand new: MuscleBlaze, Nestle, Dr. Reddy's in the spotlight
See the latest developments from health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including how India's MuscleBlaze has managed to increase its market share in the local protein powder market by 10 per cent through the launch of a protein test-kit, Kirin...
Grain trade disruption could cause severe repercussions on dietary energy and protein consumption in the Middle East – study
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s heavy reliance on grain imports as a source of dietary calories and protein poses major risks to food security and nutrition level among its populations, say researchers.
Regulatory review: Updates from FSSAI, Malaysia's NPRA, and HMOs approval in China
In our monthly nutra regulatory round-up, we take a closer look at India's nutraceutical regulatory approach through an interview with a former director from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Malaysia's advisory on oral aloe vera...
Growth Asia Summit 2023
“What happens in the gut, does not stay in the gut”: Why fibre, protein intake affects cardiometabolic health
The types of dietary fibre and protein consumed could affect gut microbiome and the risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases, emerging scientific evidence has shown.
IPA chief on broader scope: ‘We want to bring clarity to a complex world’
The IPA’s decision to expand beyond probiotics and cover prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics, but despite the broader scope and a new logo, the association will not be changing its name.
“All-round nutrition”: Nestle launching new infant formula in Hong Kong for gut, bone, cognitive health
Nestle is debuting a new infant formula containing a proprietary blend in Hong Kong in November 2023. The blend is said to be an “all-round” nutrition for supporting multiple growth areas, including digestive, bone, and cognitive health.
Growth Asia Summit 2023
Healthy ageing in Asia: Metabolic health, cognition, mobility rank top for consumer need – expert panel
Nutrition products designed for healthy ageing in Asia-Pacific would need to address the most pressing concerns surrounding metabolic health, cognition, and mobility, said an expert panel staged during our recent Growth Asia Summit.
China HMOs approvals: Two MNCs and one local giant get the green light from regulators
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are now officially permitted for use in China’s infant formula, with two multinationals, namely IFF and dsm-firmenich, as well as local dairy giant Mengniu, announcing that they have received approvals in the past week.
Synbiotic supplementation combined with increased dietary fibre intake could amplify weight loss effects – Hong Kong RCT
A high-fibre diet combined with synbiotic supplementation is effective in tackling obesity and reducing risk of metabolic syndrome, say Hong Kong researchers.
Growth Asia Summit 2023
‘It’s not too late’: Singapore Chinese Health Study lead investigator reveals protective impacts of diet on cognition
Data from the large-scale Singapore Chinese Health Study has shown that all consumers can reduce their risk of later cognitive impairment by switching to a healthier diet at any age, as revealed by the study’s principal investigator at the recent Growth...
Nutrition Asia Video Series / Vitafoods Asia 2023
Asia’s huge women’s health opportunity: Think holistic and cover all life stages to secure market gains - WATCH
The health and nutrition industry has a vast opportunity to meet women’s health needs beyond fertility and menopausal concerns, with experts believing there is still a huge gap in the range of products targeted at women’s wellbeing holistically.