Botanicals

Under-represented plants with antioxidant properties highlighted in new review

27-Mar-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A recent review has explored several lesser-researched plant sources of antioxidants which could be beneficial in supporting cognitive health.

Exercise performance may benefit from polyphenol-rich drink, study finds

23-Mar-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A new study reports that an olive fruit water phytocomplex drink, rich in hydroxytyrosol, could improve aspects of performance and acute exercise recovery.

NutraIngredients Awards 2023: Finalists announced!

22-Mar-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Our panel of expert judges have had their say and the NutraIngredients Awards 2023 finalists can now be revealed.

Gencor launches new ayurvedic combination for liver health

20-Mar-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Liver health is an “overlooked category” in the dietary supplements space, but Gencor sees its new 4Liver ingredient as an exciting addition to a category that has not seen much innovation for decades.

Industry study finds joint health benefits of cucumber extract containing iminosugar

17-Mar-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

A recent clinical study found a cucumber extract containing iminosugar, marketed as Q-actin, improved joint function and mobility significantly better than a placebo.

East Asian herb may boost physical and mental performance: RCT

13-Mar-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplementation with an extract from Gynostemma pentaphyllum may boost not only physical performance but also reduce mental fatigue in healthy adults, says a new study.

Study supports Seed's DS-01 Synbiotic protective effects against alcohol, antibiotics

13-Mar-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Seed’s DS-01 synbiotic may protect the gut microbiome from dysbiotic stressors such as alcohol and antibiotics, according to a new SHIME study.

Aronia may aid recovery in athletes via changes in inflammatory markers: Study

09-Mar-2023 By Olivia DeSmit

Supplementation with aronia may be beneficial for athlete inflammation post-recovery, a new study in Nutrients finds. The authors found an increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and Interleukin 10 (IL-10) in those supplemented.

2022 Saw Palmetto harvest largely unaffected by Hurricane Ian

09-Mar-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Hurricane Ian battered the Florida peninsula at the same time as the annual Saw Palmetto harvest, but the crop fared well with minimal impacts on yields, experts tell NutraIngredients-USA.

Sonomaceuticals upcycles Chardonnay pomace into health benefits

08-Mar-2023 By Asia Sherman

Two wine industry veterans are channeling research and leftover grape pomace into a superfood ingredient chocked full of bioactive compounds for gut and heart health.

How to critically inspect a study report?

08-Mar-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Reading scientific study reports is part and parcel of working in this industry but many have not come from a scientific background, making it difficult to confidently read reports and critically analyse how robust and impactful findings really are. This...

Startup spotlight

Mushroom supplement startup helping consumers power up and chill out

06-Mar-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A mind-health supplement startup selling mushroom-powered coffee and a calming pre-sleep powder is expecting to make £5m in revenue within the first year.

Bioactives for bones: study finds significant bone repair benefits in rats

06-Mar-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new study observes a significant increase in skull bone repair in rat models of critical bone defects, following the repeated daily administration of pigenin, curcumin, and resveratrol, with apigenin found to induce the most consistent results.

SPM-enriched marine oil plus curcumin may help inflammation-related discomfort: RCT

28-Feb-2023 By Stephen Daniells

A combination of marine oil enriched with specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) plus bioavailable curcumin was able to counter pain and discomfort associated with inflammation, says a new study.

Study unlocks Saw Palmetto extract’s prostate health mechanism

22-Feb-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Valensa’s Supercritical CO2 extract from Saw Palmetto (USPlus) may support prostate health by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, according to a new study.

Review explores Ginkgo biloba’s ‘undervalued’ cardiovascular potential

17-Feb-2023 By Will Chu

Researchers from the University of Lisbon say that evidence of the beneficial cardiovascular effects of Ginkgo biloba in healthy subjects has been overlooked. Their review, published in the journal Biology, details findings of the plant’s action on cardiac...

Lion’s Mane and the brain: Study identifies new compounds in ‘smart mushroom’

17-Feb-2023 By Asia Sherman

Novel compounds found in the Lion’s Mane mushroom may improve memory and boost brain cell growth, according to a new study led by the Queensland Brain Institute.

Garlic powder may boost cardiovascular health in people with metabolic syndrome: RCT

16-Feb-2023 By Will Chu

Supplementation with garlic powder as prebiotic could decrease the cardiovascular risks associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS), according to new findings from a group of Iranian researchers.

Study: CBD may lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients

16-Feb-2023 By Olivia Brown

After five-weeks of CBD administration to hypertensive patients, reductions in blood pressure were paired with significant drops in the catestatin peptides involved in hypertension pathophysiology, a randomised controlled trial observes.

Activ'Inside invests over $13million in food supplement factory

14-Feb-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Activ'Inside, the French health food-tech firm, is investing in its plan to provide customised dietary supplements to clients with a $13million build of a contract manufacturing factory in southwest France.

Review calls for more studies on cinnamon and cognitive function

13-Feb-2023 By Asia Sherman

Cinnamon and its bioactive compounds may support brain function and slow cognitive impairment associated with neurodegenerative diseases, suggests a new review published in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience.

Mushroom supplements: market analysis calls for more rigorous quality control

13-Feb-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A study analysing different mushroom-based supplements on the Italian market concludes more rigorous testing and quality control is required, after discovering widespread discrepancies between product composition and that stated on labels.

Sabinsa study elucidates blood sugar benefits of amla ingredient

13-Feb-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Pharmaceutical corporation Sabinsa completed a 90 day, multicentric randomised open label trial of its Amla, aka Indian gooseberry, extract and concluded it could provide blood sugar benefits.

NutraWomen Wednesday: Inesa Ponomariovaite, Founder, Nesa's Hemp

08-Feb-2023 By Danielle Masterson

She may be a serial entrepreneur, humanitarian, health coach and the founder of a hemp company, but perhaps what makes Inesa Ponomariovaite stand out the most is her incredible story of survival.

Grape polyphenols may boost Akkermansia levels, improve the 'intestinal environment': Animal data

03-Feb-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Polyphenols from grapes may indirectly boost levels of Akkermansia muciniphila and improve the inflammatory profile of the intestines, says a new study from Rutgers University.

Fermenting sea buckthorn optimises health benefits: study

01-Feb-2023 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Fermentation of sea buckthorn improves antioxidant and antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Botrytis cinerea, according to research.

Multi-nutrient supplement encourages weight loss and fertility in mice, study finds

31-Jan-2023 By Olivia Brown

Mice that received an obesity-inducing western diet (WD) had increased reproductive success when supplemented with a ‘Fertility Enhancer’ (FE) supplement containing antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins, PUFAs and amino acids.

Study: Nitrate supplementation improves muscle performance

30-Jan-2023 By Asia Sherman

New research from the University of Exeter and the U.S. National Institutes of Health showed that consumption of dietary nitrate significantly increased muscle force while exercising.

5 take-aways we learned during our Business Leaders Forum

27-Jan-2023 By Stephen Daniells

From 2022 sales numbers to consumer enthusiasm remaining high, and from progress with equality and diversity in the industry to the growth in awareness around the importance of the microbiome for health, there were lots of talking points from our 3rd...

Study: Bilberry supplement improves severe dry eye

26-Jan-2023 By Asia Sherman

Consumption of a bilberry and fish oil combination supplement for three months improved severe dry eye symptoms in young and middle-aged adults, according to a study led by researchers from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

European black elderberry extract can treat SARS-CoV-2 viruses, according to in-vitro research

26-Jan-2023 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

In vitro tests on European black elderberry (Sambuscus nigra L.) have established antiviral activity that inhibits disease progression of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron variants, say researchers.

Plant power: study suggests mechanism of action behind anti-inflammatory effect of yellow mangosteen extract

25-Jan-2023 By Olivia Brown

A recent study modelling inflammation in both human and rodent macrophage cells in-vitro observed that extract of Garcinia dulcis, aka yellow mangosteen, was able to reduce secretion of pro-inflammatory factors.

Anthocyanins may be protective against neurodegeneration: Review

23-Jan-2023 By Olivia Brown

A recent literature review observed that via the gut-brain axis, anthocyanins and their gut-derived metabolites may exhibit a protective effect on the nervous system to neurodegenerative diseases.

Mibelle launches haskap berry powder into sports nutrition market

23-Jan-2023 By Asia Sherman

Mibelle Biochemistry has its sights set on sports nutrition with a new haskap berry powder marketed as endurance and performance booster.

Study: Açai powder improves cognition and insulin sensitivity in obese mice

19-Jan-2023 By Asia Sherman

Açai powder supplementation may reduce the effects of a high-fat diet on peripheral insulin resistance and improve cognitive behavior, according to a study from Brazilian researchers.

Pharmactive launches 'high potency' kiwi extract to boost protein digestion

19-Jan-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Pharmactive Biotech Products' new scientifically backed KWD+ kiwi extract (Actinidia deliciosa) targets vegan sports nutrition consumers as well as ageing populations at risk of muscle loss.

Omega-3 fatty acids improve curcuminoid bioavailability, say scientists

19-Jan-2023 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Canadian scientists assert that curcuminoids with omega-3 fatty acids can increase the bioavailability of active ingredients by as much as 40% and lower the risk of adverse events compared to alternative supplements.

Novella brings novelty with sustainable nutrient cultivation

18-Jan-2023 By Olivia Brown

Nutri-tech start up Novella plans to meet increasing demands for plant bioactives through cultivation, eliminating the need for whole-plant growth in the face of current climate and sustainability threats.

French pine bark extract intake reduces hair loss in postmenopausal women – six-month RCT

17-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The supplementation of French pine bark extract has shown to increase hair density in women who have undergone menopause, according to a six-month clinical trial conducted in Shanghai.

Med diet associated with big reduction of some pregnancy issues, study finds

09-Jan-2023 By Hank Schultz

A new study using data from a large cohort has linked the Mediterranean diet to fewer adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Study: Almonds support metabolic recovery, boosts beneficial fat

09-Jan-2023 By Danielle Masterson

Almonds, the edible seeds of Prunus dulcis, are associated with a number of health benefits as they are packed with vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber. Now researchers are singing the praises of the polyphenols found in its skin.

7 Reasons to Enter the NutraIngredients Awards!

09-Jan-2023 By Stephen Daniells

The 2023 NutraIngredients Awards are back with new categories but the same commitment to honour the best and brightest in ingredients, finished products, companies, people, and initiatives in food supplements and functional food & beverage.

Curcumin supplementation may reduce post-exercise muscle damage in adolescent athletes

09-Jan-2023 By Asia Sherman

Regular curcumin supplementation during exercise may relieve associated muscle soreness and fatigue in adolescent athletes, according to a recent study from researchers in Taiwan.

Carotenoids for cognition: study suggests link between intake and brain health

06-Jan-2023 By Olivia Brown

It was observed that better performances in cognitive function tests were associated with increased dietary intakes of α-Carotene and β-Carotene, in a new cross-sectional study utilising elderly participants from the Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Out of the wild: Increase of botanicals in cultivation not linked to conservation status

05-Jan-2023 By Asia Sherman

The number of medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) species in cultivation is dramatically higher than previously thought, according to a new global estimate, but not because they are all facing extinction in the wild.

Neuroprotective effects of blueberries extend beyond antioxidant activity

05-Jan-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

New research examines the neuroprotective effects of blueberries with results suggesting the fruit plays a vital role in neuronal protection beyond antioxidant activity.

Folic acid and iodine supplementation speeds up conception rate – new study

04-Jan-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Dietary supplementation of folic acid and iodine could boost fertility rate, while evening primrose oil is associated with a longer time to pregnancy (TTP), say Singapore researchers.

Polyphenols for the mind: review stresses “urgent need for more precise microbiome sequencing”

03-Jan-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new review observes that polyphenols influence the gut microbiota by shifting populations to beneficial strains, thereby influencing the microbial metabolites produced and influencing the central nervous system via the gut-brain axis.

Fig leaf tea may help to alleviate atopic dermatitis symptoms in adults: Japanese RCT

03-Jan-2023 By Gary Scattergood

Prolonged fig leaf tea consumption may have positive effects on mild atopic dermatitis (AD) in adults, according to a Japanese RCT.

Potential for mushroom polysaccharides in DM management

21-Dec-2022 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

A synergistic formula of mushroom polysaccharides and other active components with different pharmacological properties could improve outcomes in the prevention and management of diabetes mellitus (DM) and comorbidities, according to findings from a recent...