Coffeeberry extract may improve soccer skill performance: RCT
A single dose of coffeeberry extract may enhance soccer skill performance particularly passing speed and accuracy, says a new study with young players.
Polyphenols
Performance supplements research: Significant knowledge gaps for female athletes and certain sports
A review of research into the performance benefits of a range of sports supplements concludes that there is a significant underrepresentation of women.
Coffee linked to happiness in latest boost to $485.59bn industry
New research reveals caffeine could boost mood and energy - especially in the morning
Nutra Healthspan Summit: Early bird delegate rate expiring soon!
The discounted early bird delegate registration for our Nutra Healthspan Summit will expire on Sept. 10, 2025.
Cocoa extract may support healthy blood pressure: COSMOS data
Supplementation with a cocoa extract may reduce incident hypertension by 24% in participants with normal systolic blood pressure, according to a new analysis of data from the COSMOS study.
Can supplements protect against UV-induced skin damage?
Within the booming anti-aging supplement market, beauty-from-within represents a fast-growing segment as consumers turn to ingestible collagen, hyaluronic acid, vitamins and antioxidants to fend off internal and external insults that degrade youthful...
Functional coffee market surges to $4.5bn
Functional coffee market growing fast as clean label and consumer wellness trends drive demand
Mulberry leaf, water chestnut tea could suppress post-meal blood sugar spike
Drinking tea made from the leaves of mulberry and husk of water chestnut could significantly suppress post-meal blood sugar spike, says a new study from Japan.
dsm-firmenich launches three-step pack to tackle cellular senescence
dsm-firmenich has launched a three-step solution to tackle cellular senescence, as part of its research and innovation in targeting the hallmarks of aging.
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.
Regenesome to launch beauty supplement targeting skin ageing, environmental damage
Japanese biotech start-up Regenesome Inc is set to launch a beauty supplement targeted at tackling skin damage caused by ageing and external stimuli.
Could black tea be a key to healthier aging?
New research puts the spotlight on flavonoids in foods and drinks such as black tea
Dongsung Bio Pharm to develop new hangover cures, health functional foods using native ingredients
South Korean firm Dongsung Bio Pharm is partnering with other companies to develop and commercialise new hangover relief products and health functional foods using locally sourced natural ingredients.
Ārepa to develop new blackcurrant-based prototype for cognitive and mood support in different product formats
Ārepa is developing a new blackcurrant-based prototype to expand beyond its current range of brain health products, which include beverages, powders, and capsules.
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.
Cocoa flavanol may protect blood vessel health from stress-related impairments
Acute consumption of a flavanol-rich cocoa drink may protect the body’s vasculature against stress even after eating high-fat food, says a new study from the University of Birmingham in the UK.
Navigating the legal landscape of ingredients for mind health
Ayurvedic herbs, probiotics, CBD, and mushrooms are under scrutiny as the mind health boom means brands must overcome regulatory hurdles, says an industry expert.
Dark chocolate lowers depression in menopausal women – RCT
Dark chocolate reduced depression scores among menopausal women but had no significant effect on sleep quality and anthropometric indices, according to researchers.
Water-soluble tomato concentrate’s efficacy in reducing blood pressure shows promise for novel CVD-preventive approaches – BYHEALTH-funded study
A recent study has found water-soluble tomato concentrate (WSTC) to have a significant impact on blood pressure regulation, which could contribute to the development of novel dietary approaches for protecting heart health.
Growth Asia Summit 2024
“Ageing as a disease”: Longevity medicines fraternity builds framework to tackle ageing
Longevity medicines researchers are working on a framework to diagnose and prevent age-related ailments, including the classifying of ageing as a disease.
Singapore’s Nyva seeks to expand sales channels of anti-hangover gummy, eyes US and Australia markets
Singapore start-up Nyva is aiming to broaden sales channels of its AlcoBlock anti-hangover gummies, including convenience stores, while setting sights on expansion to markets like the US and Australia.
New Zealand’s Ārepa files new health claims, repackages products to overcome compliance difficulty
New Zealand-based Ārepa is doubling down on ensuring compliance with regulations regarding health claims and product labelling through submission of a scientific dossier, repackaging, and continuous research.
Milk in cans: Kalbe Nutritionals recreates flagship adult milk formula into RTD cans
Kalbe Nutritionals has launched a canned milk version of its flagship adult nutrition brand Entrasol, which it said was designed to cater to busy and active individuals.
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...
Two in five pharmacists believe more expensive dietary supplements are more effective – Malaysia study
Two in five pharmacists believe there is a correlation between the efficacy and price of dietary supplements, new findings from a study that took place in Malaysia reveal.
China’s BGG establishing new HQ in Switzerland to pursue double business growth in five years
Beijing-based branded ingredients supplier BGG recently announced the establishment of a new global headquarters in Switzerland as part of a major restructuring move to accelerate expansion and business growth.
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.
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.
Sugarcane fix: Revolutionary remote trial to explore health benefits of polyphenols in plant extract
Researchers at Deakin University Australia are planning a fully remote trial to investigate the health beneficial properties of polyphenols in sugarcane extract and their potential to improve gut, heart and mental health.
Portfolio revision: Kao transfers functional beverage brand to Kirin to focus on ‘core businesses’
Kao Corporation has entered into an agreement with Kirin Beverage Company Limited for the transfer of Healthya, a functional tea-catechin beverage brand, to focus its resources on other business areas to achieve its targets for FY2027.
Crataegus extract shows promise for weight management
A recent study has found that supplementation with a mixture of Crataegus pinnatifida leaves and Citrus unshiu peels, resulted in significant improvements to body weight and fat percentage in overweight adults.
NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2023
Metabolic and maternal mission: Our Start-up of the Year winner on functional foods knowledge plan
Of Dreams & Knowledge (Asia), a functional food firm which won the start-up category at the recent NutraIngredients-Asia Awards, is seeking to drive consumer awareness of its products by looking more deeply into metabolic and maternal health concerns.
Beauty-from-within Interactive Broadcast
Beauty-from-within space sees higher demand for multi-benefit products spanning gut and mental support – expert panel
Asia-Pacific’s beauty-from-within category is seeing rising demand for products that address not only beauty concerns, but also those that provide multiple benefits spanning gut health and mental support, says a panel involving experts from Haleon,...
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...
Brand new: Swisse, Bayer, Heliocare in the spotlight
See the latest developments from health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including Swisse’s launching its first ‘assessed listed’ complementary medicine in Australia next year, Bayer Consumer Health Division’s approach to infant nutrition...
Nutrachampion podcast
‘Very much conservative’: How India’s regulatory approach can pose innovation problems – Ex-FSSAI director
India is still taking a “very conservative” approach in its regulations of nutraceuticals since it introduced the first set of policies seven years ago, which can pose problems for brands and suppliers seeking to introduce innovative new products.
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.
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.
The best of both worlds: Eu Yan Sang on complementing TCM with health supplements and Western medicines
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) company Eu Yan Sang has introduced health supplements from the US to its offerings, as well as Western medical practices in its newly-launched One Wellness Medical clinics, as part of its efforts in "demystifying" TCM...
Regulatory review: A closer look into Japan's FFC, South Korea's GM foods, and China's new function claims system
In our monthly nutra regulatory round-up, we take a closer look at Japan’s Foods with Function Claims framework, South Korea’s new public consultation on genetically modified soybean, China’s new function claims system and more.
Brand new: 3C Group, Eu Yan Sang, Yiling Pharma in the spotlight
See the latest developments from health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including how Thailand's 3C Group is eyeing growth in the prebiotic sector, TCM firm Eu Yan Sang's strategies for the North American market and more.
Flavanol-rich cacao extract found to improve mood states in middle-aged women – Meiji-funded RCT
Japanese researchers have found that eight-weeks’ consumption of a beverage containing flavanol-rich cacao extract reduced negative mood and improved positive mood among middle-aged women.
Health and trade potential: NZ’s backyard fruit Feijoa studied for its ability to prevent diabetes
New Zealand researchers are beginning a six-month study in Auckland exploring feijoa powder’s ability to prevent diabetes, and says that health claim would support the country’s export ambitions in Asia for the backyard staple.
Curcumin and liver injury risk: Australia trade body stresses that correlation does not imply causation
A correlation between curcumin, turmeric consumption and liver injury risk does not imply causation, trade body Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA) has pointed out, in response to reports on how the ingredient could have been linked to a fatal outcome.
Healthplex Expo and Natural & Nutraceutical Products China
Nutra success: China consumers care most about brand recognition, not formulations / ingredients – Pharma exec
China consumers pay more attention to brand recognition than formulations, ingredients, or scientific evidence when it comes to nutraceuticals, says a leading pharma exec from a firm that has been seeing strong growth from its nutra business.
Regulatory review: ASEAN harmonisation, Japan’s FFC, China infant formula in the spotlight
In our monthly nutra regulatory round-up, we take a closer look at the progress in ASEAN harmonisation of technical standards for health supplements, how Japan’s authorities are reviewing the scientific assessment of Food with Function Claims (FFC), and...
Personalised nutrition round-up: Latest updates from APAC companies, associations, and regulators
Here we shine the spotlight on the very latest developments in APAC’s thriving personalised nutrition sector, including updates from India, South Korea, China, and Australia.
Taiwan approves use of GM-yeast fermented trans-resveratrol in supplements
Taiwan Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of trans-resveratrol produced by genetically modified yeast in dietary supplements.
China’s online health supplements: Calcium popular on CBEC while probiotics took lead on domestic e-commerce in Q1
Calcium was one of the bestselling health supplement on cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) in China, while the top spot went to probiotics on domestic e-commerce platforms during Q1 this year.