Europe

Five new opportunities to win in the NutraIngredients Europe Awards 2027

The NutraIngredients Europe Awards return to celebrate excellence and innovation across the industry, featuring 19 categories, including five exciting new additions.

NI+Hormonal health supplement launches target women at every life stage

As the women’s supplement market continues to expand, hormonal health is emerging as a key area of innovation, with brands taking a closer look at formulations tailored to life stages.

Calcium-rich whey protein side stream delivers post-menopausal bone health benefits

Supplementation with a calcium-rich byproduct of whey protein production for 12 months supports the maintenance of bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, according to a new clinical study.

NI+Catching up with women’s hormonal health supplements: A roundup of the latest science

From probiotics to NAD+ boosters, a growing number of supplement interventions are targeting women’s hormonal health, with clinical trials increasingly going beyond subjective self-reporting and towards objective hormonal measures.

PepsiCo research highlights growing need for personalized hydration strategies

Elite soccer players experience substantial individual differences in sweat rates and sodium losses, even when training in cool conditions, according to new research published in Nutrients. 

Cymbiotika’s liposomal Vitamin D shows positive results in new trial

A single dose of Cymbiotika’s liposomal vitamin D resulted in better absorption among adult participants compared with a non-liposomal formulation, according to new research.

Nestlé launches Solgar Prime for fast-growing healthy-longevity market

Nestlé has announced the expansion of its healthy longevity portfolio with Solgar Prime, formulated to help people maintain muscle strength, vitality, mobility and overall wellbeing as they age.

NI+Sleep health supplement launches go melatonin free, target better nights and days

Sleep-support supplements are broadening their focus beyond simply helping consumers get to bed, framing sleep as part of a wider recovery cycle, one that encompasses stress, circadian rhythm, daytime energy and how rested people feel when they wake.

Pomegranate extract shows promising results in facial pigmentation

Pomanox, Spanish botanical manufacturer Euromed’s standardized pomegranate extract, showed promising results for facial pigmentation, hydration and elasticity, according to a new study published in Nature.

Ashwagandha-Rhodiola combination may improve stress and sleep: RCT

A combination of extracts from ashwagandha and Rhodiola rosea may boost sleep quality and improve stress measures in healthy adults, says a new study from scientists at the University of South Carolina.

Mushroom blend shows promise for mind health in Gen Z women

A blend of Lion’s Mane and Reishi mushrooms may support mental well-being in young women, with research published in Frontiers in Nutrition finding greater improvements in anxiety scores than with Lion’s Mane alone.

NI+From stimulation to restoration: Sleep and recovery in cognitive wellness

Sleep is becoming a top health priority, serving as an active restorative process for the brain and nervous system and the foundation of cognitive performance, emotional balance and long-term health.

NI+EU reverses novel food decision on healthy aging ingredient SAMe

The European Commission has revised the novel food status of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) disulfate tosylate, recognizing the ingredient as non-novel for use in food supplements.

Peru cancels second anchovy fishing season amidst unprecedented El Niño event

The Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) has announced it will not authorize a second anchovy fishing season in Peru due to the strongest El Niño weather pattern on record, leading to exceptionally low biomass and poor sustainability.

Folic acid before pregnancy: Study finds low adherence despite high awareness

As few as one in four pregnant women may take folic acid (FA) before conception, despite widespread awareness of its benefits, according to a new Italian study.

From soaring protein costs to GLP-1 disruption, SANSE explores trends redefining active nutrition

NutraIngredients’ Sports & Active Nutrition Summit Europe (SANSE) 2026 is set to bring together some of the industry’s most influential voices to examine the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the future of sports and active nutrition.

Across the Nutraverse: Accelerating EU novel foods, NZ explores natural health product rule changes, closing GRAS oversight gaps

This week’s brief tracks news that highlights the strategic importance of scientific substantiation, safety data, and regulatory readiness as increasingly important competitive advantages.

Five ways GLP-1 drugs are altering consumer demand for supplements

GLP-1 drugs are reshaping the supplement category, fueling demand for products that fill nutrient gaps, help to manage side effects and offer weight management support.

Precision fermentation versus plant cell culture: Building resilience with green tech alternatives

From the warming climate and extreme weather to geopolitical tension and consumer expectations, the supplements industry is facing mounting pressure to decouple production from agriculture to build more sustainable supply chains.

NI+Metabolic health supplement launches target gut health, glucose control and satiety

As GLP-1 drugs reshape the weight-management landscape, supplement brands are rethinking their approach, broadening the conversation beyond weight loss to metabolic health, muscle preservation and overall wellness.

EU platform launched to accelerate novel food approvals

The Ministry of Future Affairs has launched a new platform to help companies navigate the EU’s novel food approval process and reduce delays, drawing on lessons from the UK’s regulatory sandbox for cultivated meat.

NI+Plant cell players unite to position industry as essential green solution

Plant cell culture (PCC) is emerging as a promising solution to some of the supplement industry’s most pressing sourcing challenges, but realizing its commercial potential will require the sector to overcome significant hurdles related to scale,...

NI+Magnesium and sleep: What does the science say?

A recent systematic review of randomized controlled trials raises questions about magnesium’s effectiveness as a sleep aid, concluding that the current evidence is inconsistent and of low certainty.

Probiotic strain may support exercise endurance, study suggests

One week of SLAB51 multi-strain probiotic supplementation was associated with longer total exercise duration and exercise duration above Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER), as well as higher pre-exercise antioxidant activity compared with placebo.

NI+Supplement sector rising, ‘safety needs to evolve with it’

Growing supplement use, novel ingredients, personalized nutrition and digital health advice are challenging safety frameworks in a fragmented global regulatory landscape, prompting greater discussion about the tools needed to foster regulatory coherence.

Dr. Vegan rebrands as DRV+ to broaden market appeal

After operating for six years as Dr. Vegan, the UK supplement brand, is undergoing a rebrand to better appeal to the masses.

Guest article

NI+Whey is expensive, scarce and more important than ever in sport nutrition

For European sports nutrition companies, protein sourcing has become a more serious commercial issue. Whey prices have risen sharply, supply remains tight and manufacturers are having to think harder about where they use whey, which grade they need and...

Newly launched extract shows positive results on skin in four weeks

SPH-24, an integrated extract of pomegranate peel and holy basil could reduce wrinkles after four weeks and improve skin appearance and hydration, according to new research.

Up to one third of infants lack key gut bacteria despite breastfeeding

Nearly one third of infants lack detectable levels of Bifidobacterium, even when breastfed, raising questions about current approaches to infant nutrition and the development of microbiome supporting products, according to new research.

Algiecel launches circular production at Novonesis site, builds microalgae oil to industrial scale

Microalgae ingredients firm Algiecel has opened a new production facility inside a Novonesis site in Denmark to offer European customers a sustainable omega-3 source.

Across the Nutraverse: Dutch botanical restrictions, British supplement ads, precision fermentation, omega-3s move beyond fish oil, and HTBA buys Specnova

This week’s brief tracks news that highlights the stricter compliance requirements and stronger technology-based differentiation.

NI+Catching up with metabolic health supplements: A roundup of the latest science

Obesity’s global toll is straining public health, quality of life and health systems, while drawing greater attention to the interconnected risks that shape metabolic health.

Beetroot nitrates may attenuate caffeine-induced arterial stiffness

New research from Loughborough University showed that acute caffeine consumption increased arterial stiffness in adults. However, when caffeine was ingested simultaneously with a beetroot powder supplement, the changes were no longer significant.

Personalized nutrition for night shift workers linked to reduced inflammation

The timing of macronutrient intake may influence circadian regulation of fat metabolism and inflammation in night shift workers, independently of total calorie intake, a new study suggests.

XXL Nutrition and Those Vegan Cowboys join €1.2M project to deliver cow-free casein

Scientists and sports nutrition experts from across the Netherlands have partnered in an aim to bring functional and ‘future-proof’ protein solutions to the global market.

Regulatory review: USFDA’s gummy study, Australia’s rules on andrographis and more

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (USFDA) assessment of gummy supplements production, Australia’s stricter rules on andrographis use and New Zealand’s upcoming revisions to its natural health products export policies are some of the latest updates...

Tocotrienols may improve mitochondrial health in early embryos

New research suggested that tocotrienol supplementation mitigated inflammatory stress caused by allergic asthma in mice, restoring mitochondrial function in their embryos and improving developmental outcomes.

Study uncovers links between feeding choices and infant microbiome development

New research from APC Microbiome Ireland involving data from 125 infants highlights how feeding milk type and introduction of solids impact microbiome development and function. 

NI+EFSA sets out scientific priorities for food safety, innovation and AI

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a roadmap for European food regulation over the next decade, outlining how food safety risk assessments should evolve in response to innovation, climate change and emerging technologies.

CoreFX launches Irish headquarters as gateway to European collaboration

US-based biotech firm CoreFX LLC has launched a new Irish headquarters within Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, as an innovation gateway to Europe.

NI+Women still want menopause relief. They have stopped calling it menopause.

The menopause supplement aisle has never been more crowded, with black cohosh alone anchoring over 230 brands, more than any other ingredient in the category. Yet the women this aisle was built for are increasingly walking away from its vocabulary.

Watchdog claims menopause supplements just ‘expensive multivitamins’, industry responds

A new analysis by consumer watchdog Which? has concluded that many menopause supplements are just “expensive multivitamins” with fairy dustings of active ingredients.

From microbiome sequencing to precision nutrition: What’s the missing link?  

The extraordinary individuality of the human gut microbiome presents one of the greatest challenges for personalized nutrition, and the solution lies in large-scale research.

NI+Proposed Dutch supplement rule changes could force product reformulation

The Netherlands has proposed new restrictions on some plants and substances used in herbal preparations and food supplements, with the draft legislation open for consultation until Dec. 7, 2026.

NI+Thousands of supplement ads at risk of non-compliance, ASA investigation finds

Ads for wellness products and supplements often breach advertising regulations, according to a new, large-scale analysis by the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA).

Across the Nutraverse: Restrictions in California, precision fermentation capacity, the rise of PDRN, and SANS moves to TX

This week’s brief tracks news that highlights the industry’s shift towards a future defined by biotech-enabled innovation, metabolic health convergence, heightened regulatory scrutiny and premium science-backed ingredients.

BSRA calls on longevity industry to invest in aging research

Aging research has never been more relevant. Yet despite aging populations, stretched healthcare systems and booming commercial interest in longevity, fundamental questions about the biology of aging remain unanswered and research funding is scarce,...

NI+Market Moves: Supplement industry deals of Q3 2026

Deal activity across the supplement and wider wellness sector remained brisk in the third quarter of 2026, with strategic buyers and private equity firms placing big bets on premium brands, science-led portfolios and scalable manufacturing platforms.

NI+Botanical safety: Is Article 8 fit for purpose?

In the European Union, Article 8 procedures are used to evaluate, restrict and remove potentially unsafe ingredients from the supplement market, but its use in recent years has been the subject of controversy.

Study: App-based personalized dietary coaching effective for weight loss

A study comparing app-based, personalized, and general dietary coaching for weight reduction found that all interventions achieved clinically meaningful weight loss of at least 5% and improvements in blood lipid levels.