Botanicals

Editor's Spotlight: Startup Focus

Startup Goodrays creates “CBD for every occasion”

15-May-2023 By Olivia Brown

UK-based startup Goodrays is seeking to bring the benefits of CBD to multiple consumer occasions throughout the day with its wide range of oils, gummies, and drinks.

Nature’s Way introduces nootropic gummy for brain health

09-May-2023 By Asia Sherman

Nature's Way has launched its Brain Fuel nootropic gummy into the growing brain health category to support adults looking to supplement their short-term memory, focus and concentration.

Research rules out antioxidants to prevent bone loss in astronauts

09-May-2023 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Supplementation with an antioxidant ‘cocktail’ failed to improve bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and bone structure in healthy males following an 88-day regime, including head-down tilt bed rest (HDBR), conclude researchers.

Comprehensive review backs cranberry products for urinary tract infections

04-May-2023 By Asia Sherman

Consuming cranberry juice or supplements may reduce the risk of repeat urinary tract infections (UTIs) in certain at-risk populations, according to updated findings from a Cochrane Review.

Study supports BeniCaros’s potential to strengthen healthy gut microbiota

03-May-2023 By Stephen Daniells

The upcycled carrot-derived ingredient BeniCaros may produce consistent, significant, and beneficial effects on the gut microbiota, says a new study that supports the ingredient’s prebiotic potential.

NutraIngredients Awards 2023 winners revealed

03-May-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

The NutraIngredients Awards 2023 winners were revealed yesterday, Wednesday May 3rd, during an online ceremony.

Curcumin may reduce common cold symptoms: RTC

02-May-2023

Supplementation with curcumin may reduce the duration of common cold symptoms, according to a new study from Japanese researchers.

Black cumin extract may help manage stress, boost sleep: RCT

28-Apr-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplementation with a proprietary thymoquinone-rich black cumin oil extract may increase sleep satisfaction by reducing stress, says a new study from India.

Monteloeder’s metabolism-stimulating innovation claims award

27-Apr-2023 By Olivia Brown

With a strong backing of nine published studies highlighting the efficacy of Monteloeder’s entry for the NutraIngredients awards 'weight management ingredient of the year' category, the team reflects on the importance of the win for exposure...

CBD coffee: fad or the future?

26-Apr-2023 By Olivia Brown

Following an increasing popularity and a heightened influx of brands promoting the CBD and coffee pairing, touting an ability to reduce side effects associated with caffeine, a regulatory expert has warned the research backing the benefits is inconclusive.

How ashwagandha supplements may support female sexual health

20-Apr-2023

Female sexual dysfunction affects 41% of reproductive age women worldwide, making it a highly prevalent condition. As current options are lacking, it’s creating an increased demand for supplements to support sexual health and function.

CHPA’s MacKay: ‘It’s really important for industry to take a position on proprietary blends’

20-Apr-2023 By Stephen Daniells

A new paper explores the topic of proprietary blends in dietary supplements, with one of the authors noting that industry needs to take a position on an issue that pits transparency on one side against intellectual property protection on the other.

PODCAST: Business woman and new mum sees sales soar after dazzling TV dragons

18-Apr-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A botanical supplement startup founder has seen business explode after impressing TV show ‘dragon’ investors with her scientific and personal knowledge of how hormones impact the skin.

Startup spotlight

Hippie Herbal Turtle Co: the startup fitting wellness into the modern day

17-Apr-2023 By Olivia Brown

Ashley Heeley, director and founder of the health and wellness supplements company Hippie Herbal Turtle Co, explains the brand's uniquely wide consumer range due to a heightened demand for convenient natural alternatives to pharmaceuticals.

Iprona showcases immune-supporting power of ElderCraft

13-Apr-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Iprona, a food ingredients supplier and international fruit processing company, is set to showcase its CraftIngredients range of botanical extracts from European black elderberry, tart cherries, blackcurrants and aronia.

Vitafoods Special

Rousselot puts collagen solutions for holistic well-being centre stage

13-Apr-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Trending applications and a multitude of benefits of the collagen and gelatin solutions range from the Darling Ingredients’ health brand, Rousselot, will be on show at Vitafoods Europe next month.

Vitafoods Special

Anti-aging skin benefits offered by botanical blend, new study finds

12-Apr-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A new clinical study demonstrates “statistically significant improvements” in skin with the supplementation of Eternalyoung (EY), a blend of four botanical ingredients from Monteloeder, S. L.

The Rise of the PMS supplement: ‘Making it easier to go with the flow’

11-Apr-2023 By Asia Sherman

The recent influx of PMS supplements enters a sizable market considering that three in four women experience the aches and pains associated with the hormonal fluctuations of the menstrual cycle.

Jiaherb’s Rhodiola rosea receives CITES certification

04-Apr-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Jiaherb, Inc. has received it Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) certification for its Rhodiola rosea ingredient.

Insights from Positive Nutrition Summit

Functional foods for the mind: what are consumers looking for?

04-Apr-2023 By Olivia Brown

A cognitive health innovation panel hosted at the Positive Nutrition summit last week (March 30th), discussed key consumer demands in a crowded market, legislation challenges, and the future potential for the space.

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.

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.