Using enzymes to modify the citrus flavonoid, hesperidin, increases
the bioavailability of the compound by changing the absorption site
in the intestine, say researchers.
Europeans are more clued up than their American counterparts when
it comes to the benefits of dark chocolate, according to a US
company educating the market through their range of functional
health-boosting cocoa products.
Unilever has petitioned the FDA to amend its health claim for the
use of phytosterols in foods and allow full daily intake in one
serving rather than two - suggesting the consumer brand giant
foresees more explicit and simplified...
Alltracel has slashed its operating losses in first half 2006 and
continues to seek partners and acquisitions - a plan that may, at
some stage, involve teaming up with plant sterol or omega-3
suppliers.
Products containing Forbes Medi-Tech's Reducol plant sterols have
proved popular in Finnish supermarket Kesko - so much so that it is
expanding its Pirkko range to include a non-dairy margarine.
As the gap between the recommended and actual amounts of fruit and
vegetables Americans consume increases, there may be more room for
ingredients made from the powder or extract versions of these
foods.
Drinking three glasses of fruit or vegetable juice a week could cut
the risk of Alzheimer's disease by a whopping 75 per cent,
according to a population based study from the US.
In a bid to more effectively protect wild herbs used by the natural
products industry, AHPA has found fault with the US Forest
Service's definition of what constitutes a "native plant"
and wants greater emphasis put...
A new Israeli study suggests that pomegranate juice could offer
health benefits for diabetics, despite the juice containing
significant sugar concentrations.
The antioxidant content of tea could mean that drinking three or
more cups a day could reduce the risk of a wide range of health
problems, ranging from cancer to heart disease, and may even be
healthier than water, says a review from...
Tomatoes genetically modified to have high flavonoid content could
reduce the levels of a protein in a mouse that is associated with
inflammation, diabetes and heart disease in humans, says a study by
BASF, TNO and two universities...
Using phytosterol and stanol enriched margarines in everyday life
stabilises cholesterol levels in a free living population, and can
reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, says a post-launch
monitoring study of the functional...
Leatherhead Food International is proposing to conduct major market
research into the Western European industrial fruits market, aiming
to shed light on how use of fruits in packaged foods may improve
their healthy image.
Spain's Lipofoods is seeking to enter the competitive European
phytosterols market, asking the UK's Food Standards Agency for an
opinion on the equivalence of its soya-derived ingredient to that
of ADM previously authorised...
A small study from Greece has reported for the first time that
dietary supplementation with the olive extract, oleuropein, could
boost blood flow and reduce heart attack risk.
Riding on the overall trend to fortify foods, the US phytosterol
market will nearly double by 2012, reports Frost & Sullivan -
making room for more players in the heart-healthy ingredient niche.
A diet rich in certain flavonoids, from eating plenty of fruit and
vegetables, could reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by over 40
per cent, says a large observational study from Italy.
The heart health of the baby-boom generation could benefit from
flavanol-rich cocoa, reports a study co-funded by Mars, but
independent experts warn against confusion with commercial
chocolate snacks.
UK scientists are mid-way through a project in collaboration with
Ribena maker GlaxoSmithKline to boost vitamin C levels in
blackcurrants, and results to date indicate it will yield benefits
for consumer health, as well as the country's...
Confectionary giant Mars has lauded recently published research as
further evidence of the benefits of flavanols from cocoa for a wide
range of health conditions, and looks set to lead to a new wave of
cocoa flavanol-enriched products...
The return to naturally-sourced nutrients over synthetic has
entered a new phase, as Mannatech announces the launch of
supplements containing only vitamins and minerals absorbed and
stored by plants.
Lard, the animal fat with a poor health image, could be stabilised
by adding antioxidants from olive oil milling waste, boosting the
shelf-life and adding nutritional value, says a study from Italy.
Provexis has entered into a 12 month exclusivity agreement with a
major food company to take its Fruitflow heart health bioactive
into food and dairy products.
Regular consumption of chilli pepper could improve control of
insulin levels after eating, helping obese people and diabetics
manage their levels, says research from Australia.
Raisio is bolstering the global presence of its Benecol brand,
cooperating with food group ülker to introduce cholesterol-reducing
yoghurt, drinkable yoghurt, milk and margarine products in Turkey.
Apigenin, a plant flavonoid found in herbs, fruits and vegetables,
suppressed the levels of an immune system antibody linked to asthma
and other allergies when fed to mice, report Japanese researchers
in a new study.
Synergy Production Laboratories (SPL) has developed an economic CO2
drying method of extracting nutrients from cereal grasses - an
innovation aimed at meeting demand for natural-sourced nutrients in
the supplements sector.
Scientists from Germany report that they have identified how
curcumin helps reduce bad cholesterol levels, findings that could
extend understanding of the spice extract.
XanGo, the maker of a xanthone-rich dietary supplement from
mangosteen, is seeking to build awareness of the 'superfruit' and
is advocating the use of whole fruit claims only where they are
truly merited.
University of Birmingham researchers have reported that caffeine
can boost nerve cell activity in the brain, potentially protecting
against memory loss.
Adding inulin to grapefruit extracts could reduce any detrimental
effects of the extracts on microflora while still being accessible
to provide other possible health benefits, suggests an animal
study.
Drinking at least one cup of tea a day could cut the risk of cancer
in the gallbladder and bile ducts by about 40 per cent, suggests a
population-based study from China.
Polyphenols from cereals could restore the immune system function
and could potentially extend lifespan, suggests an animal study
from French and Spanish researchers.
Swedish researchers have identified a compound found in green
leaves that suppresses appetites and boosts weight loss in lab
animals, and could one day be used as a functional ingredient to
help tackle obesity.
France-based Laboratoires Pierre Fabre has announced an agreement
with Canadian bioresearcher Millenia Hope Biopharma (MHB), which
may yield new plant-based products for use by the nutraceuticals
industry.
The olive polyphenol, oleuropein, reduces bone loss in a rat model
of osteoporosis, say researchers at France's INRA, as science
continues to accumulate linking the olive extract with bone health.
Scientists from Spain have reported that they have identified how
grape juice polyphenols help reduce bad cholesterol levels, science
that could extend understanding of a product that is enjoying
increasing consumer awareness.
Israeli ingredient company Enzymotec has cleared the way for the
use of its sterol-based heart health ingredient CardiaBeat in
dietary supplements, with its approval as a new dietary ingredient
(NDI) by the FDA.
The marketing of functional confectionery products has been called
into question following an FDA warning letter sent to Masterfoods
USA over health claims and folic acid in its CocoaVia chocolate
bars.
Enzymotec is adding L- glycerylphosphorylcholine to its line-up of
ingredients for cognitive health as part of a bid to offer
solutions for every age group, mental capacity and price.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition is seeking to expand its team
of scientific experts with the appointment of an in-house
botanicals expert to build awareness of research in the field and
represent the organisation before government...
Sales of phytosterols in Europe are predicted to more than double
by 2012, but companies need to turn consumer awareness into
understanding and acceptance, says a new report from Frost and
Sullivan.
Research into freshness issues associated with broccoli will also
yield varieties that retain their beneficial nutrients for longer,
say scientists from the University of Warwick.
French supplier NB Consulting has developed two new fruit and
vegetable-derived ingredients that tap into fierce trends in the
nutraceuticals market: Oxxynea antioxidant powder and Sinetrol, a
fat burner.
Cocoa beverages and food rich in flavanols could thicken skin and
reduce reddening by 25 per cent, say German scientists - research
sure to be welcomed by Europe's burgeoning oral beauty products
sector.
Due to its cardiometabolic benefits, a number of bergamot extracts have been manufactured over the years using different extraction technologies aimed...