Microbiome

Guest article

Mission Possible: IPA’s year of reckoning for the future of biotics

Each year, my reflections seem to circle back to film. Maybe it’s because movies often mirror our own journeys, tales of challenge, resilience and purpose.

Pro, postbiotic intake shown to reduce cold-like symptoms in meta-analysis

A first-of-its-kind meta-analysis of eight clinical studies showed that supplementing with both live and heat-killed Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma (LC-Plasma) could reduce cold-like symptoms by activating a particular group of immune cells known as...

Australia’s top five most popular dietary supplement categories revealed

Women’s health was the most popular dietary supplement category in Australia this year.

Haleon taps into tripartite partnership to drive microbiome R&D in S’pore

Haleon is working with a Singapore-based research institute and start-up to drive microbiome research and innovation.

Science shorts: Red palm olein, probiotics, glycine in the spotlight

In this round-up, we bring you the latest research findings on health and nutrition, including new findings on red palm olein, probiotics, glycine and more.

Big name brands on board: Check out the first wave of speakers for our Growth Asia Summit 2026

Today we can announce the first wave of speakers for our Growth Asia Summit 2026, with major brands from Japan, India, New Zealand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and France on the agenda.

WATCH: Life-Space targets all gut-axes post award win

Australia-based microbiome specialist Life-Space is planning to increase its offerings for gut-skin and gut-brain axes, as well as the gut-muscle and gut-bone axes as it dabbles into the healthy longevity space.

Underweight women have lower gut microbiota diversity - Japan study

A study from Japan found that underweight women - those with a body mass index (BMI) of less than 17.5 - have a significantly lower gut microbiota diversity and a higher amount of gut bacteria species linked to inflammation.

Haleon seeks partnerships to advance self-care

Haleon, the company behind household brands such as Centrum, Caltrate and Sensodyne, is seeking industry and research partnerships to advance self-care.

NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2025

Probi highlights innovation opportunities for iron absorption-enhancing probiotic following treble

Swedish firm Probi has bagged a treble of NutraIngredients Awards for its microbiome-based solution targeting iron deficiency, a health issue particularly prevalent among Asian women.

How beauty and wellness are converging: Insights from Unilever R&D head

From the brain-skin axis to scalp care, we discover more about Unilever’s future focus on wellness.

Vitafoods Asia 2025

IPA opens China office, unveils upcoming plans

The International Probiotics Association (IPA) has officially opened its China office located in Shanghai, and Executive Director George Paraskevakos recently spoke with NutraIngredients on the association’s plans in the country.

Accelerating gut microbiome research: Danone unveils new OneBiome lab

With the launch of a new laboratory in Paris-Saclay, Danone plans to ‘push the boundaries’ of microbiome science and advance its work in personalized nutrition.

Seaweed-based supplement could combat antibiotics side effects

A compound derived from seaweed may help protect the gut microbiota during antibiotic therapy.

Q&A: The gut-skin-brain axis and the future of microbiome beauty

The gut-skin-brain axis is scientifically proven to influence skin health, mental well-being and overall beauty. Stress and inflammation are major factors impacting the skin-gut-brain axis, with new research highlighting how interconnected they are.

Vitafoods Asia 2025

Morinaga Milk launches first mood support postbiotics for global markets

Morinaga Milk Industry Co. Ltd has launched its first postbiotics for mood support for international markets at last week’s Vitafoods Asia 2025 held in Bangkok.

Gencor’s PEA may modulate microbiome activity and metabolic pathways: RCT

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) supplementation may regulate specific microbiome activity, support a balanced inflammatory response and aid in maintaining healthy triglyceride levels, says a new study with Gencor’s Levagen+ ingredient.

Indonesian prof creates pigeon pea yogurt drink for metabolic health

A professor from Indonesia is utilizing pigeon pea - a locally grown legume - in creating a yogurt drink to support metabolic health among the local population.

Probiota Pioneers: Calling all probiotics, prebiotics and microbiome start-ups

NutraIngredients is on the hunt for entrepreneurial consumer-facing, science- or technology-based start-ups to join our Probiota Pioneers session and present their company in Dublin.

Brand new: G-NiiB, Nano Singapore, DUOLAC in the spotlight

See new developments from health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including G-NiiB’s new synbiotic launch for MAFLD, Nano Singapore on men’s health, and DUOLAC’s South East Asia expansion.

‘Never a dull moment’: Save the date for IPA WC + Probiota 2026

Described by one recent attendee as “the bridge between science and marketing”, the IPA World Congress + Probiota 2026 is returning to the Emerald Isle for its 12th edition.

G-NiiB formulates new synbiotics to tackle Asia’s growing MAFLD

Microbiome specialist firm G-NiiB’s latest launch is a synbiotic clinically shown to reduce fatty liver and liver stiffness, against the backdrop of growing MAFLD prevalence across Asia.

What makes a GLP-1-friendly yogurt drink? Danone tells all

By formulating a dairy drink that specifically caters for weight loss medication users, Danone has set a new standard with Oikos Fusion

Science shorts: Anti-hangover probiotics, tocotrienols for joint health and more

In this round-up, we bring you the latest research findings on health and nutrition, including new findings on how probiotics could reduce acetaldehyde levels post alcohol drinking, tocotrienols for joint health and more.

Hangover relief? L. mesenteroides probiotic shown to lower acetaldehyde levels

A new clinical trial from South Korea has shown that taking the probiotic Leuconostoc mesenteroides before alcohol drinking could alleviate hangover symptoms.

Growth Asia Summit 2025

Biotics for GLP-1 and metabolic health: Where are the opportunities?

Pre, probiotics could be used as companion products for GLP-1 drugs users to tackle side effects of the drug’s use, or used as an alternative to help with weight management.

Probiotic may ease gut microbiota changes linked to stress: RCT

Consuming a probiotic yogurt before academic exams may help students protect their gut microbiota from stress-related disruptions, says a new study from KU Leuven and Danone Research & Innovation.

B. breve shown to improve metabolic, gut health

The supplementation of the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium breve BBr60 has been shown to improve metabolic and gut health in an eight-week trial.

Synbiotic formula may support infant growth and protect against pathogens

An infant formula supplemented with six human milk oligosaccharides and two probiotics may support healthy, age-appropriate growth and improve gut health, according to new research.

GROWTH ASIA SUMMIT 2025

Probiotics from human milk boost physical and mental health in mothers

Breast milk is known to be good for infants, but research shows probiotics in this can benefit mothers too, opening avenues for maternal-infant products

Brand new: Amway, Mengniu, GNC in the spotlight

See new developments from health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including new initiatives between Amway and biotech firm HEM Pharma, Mengniu’s sports nutrition plans and more.

Science shorts: Palm oil tocotrienol, probiotics, sake by-product and more

In this round-up, we bring you the latest research findings on health and nutrition, including new findings on palm oil tocotrienol’s antioxidative benefits, probiotics for eczema, sake by-product for constipation and more.

Omega-3s and probiotics show synergistic effects on swimming performance

Swimmers’ performance could benefit from a synergistic blend of specific probiotics and omega-3s, new research conducted in professional athletes finds.

What international brands need to know about APAC’s booming beauty-from-within market

Long at the forefront of beauty innovation, APAC markets like Japan, China and South Korea are now driving growth in holistic beauty and personal care. Here, we examine the emerging trends and patterns defining the space.

HI & FI Asia-China 2025

Chinese sauerkraut yields probiotic breakthrough for gout

Synbio Tech has launched a probiotic tackling high uric acid levels and gout exclusively in China - a market with strong potential demand in this area due to the drinking culture and consumption of diets high in purine.

Amway deepens partnership with Korean microbiome firm HEM

Amway is developing new probiotic products and bringing microbiome testing and research to new markets as part of its expanded partnership with HEM Pharma.

Spore-forming probiotic may improve bowel habits: PepsiCo study

Daily supplementation with a specific spore-forming probiotic may improve stool characteristics for people with hard and poor quality stools, says a new study by PepsiCo and Nutrasource.

Probiotics shown to reduce inflammation, improve gut barrier in IBS patients

The supplementation of a mixture of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotics reduces inflammation and improves gut barrier in people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), states a new study from China.

Supplier update: Biotropics, BGG, Wecare, Thai Union, Gencor in the spotlight

This round-up looks at the supplier firms driving new developments across Asia-Pacific’s nutraceuticals market, including Biotropics’ research on Tongkat Ali for women’s health, BGG expanding astaxanthin facility in China and more.

Danone homes in on gut health trend with The Akkermansia Company acquisition

The Akkermansia Company has been acquired by Danone as the global food company looks to invest further in gut health and next-generation biotic science.

Danone taps Singapore lab’s AI, digital capabilities to advance healthy ageing

Danone is tapping on the artificial intelligence (AI) and digital capabilities of its Singapore laboratory for the research and development of new solutions for healthy ageing.

Rohto joins pill-and-shot supplement trend, outlines 10-year R&D pipeline

Japan’s Rohto Pharmaceutical’s latest supplement launch is in the pill-and-shot format that has been popularised in South Korea in the past two years.

William Reed acquires International Scientific Conference on Probiotics, Prebiotics, Gut Microbiota and Health (IPC)

William Reed has finalized an agreement to acquire IPC from CLS Consulting, strengthening its commitment to the microbiome-focused scientific community.

Kerry Group gauges probiotic potential in the age of GLP-1

As the use of weight loss drugs becomes more widespread, the conversation is evolving from access to adherence through proactive side effect management.

Nine in 10 taken probiotic drinks and not just for gut health - Singapore survey

A survey involving over 1,800 respondents found that nine in 10 adults (92.7 per cent) in Singapore have taken probiotic drinks before and nearly half (49.7 per cent) have taken it for reasons other than improving gut health.

Sake by-product shown to relieve constipation in pilot study

The consumption of the by-product of sake, a Japanese traditional alcohol, has been shown to relieve constipation in a pilot study.

Calling all microbiome experts: Don’t miss your chance to shine at NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2025

With the pre-, pro-, and postbiotics space brimming with new research and products, here is a closer look into the judging criteria for our microbiome modulator award categories and past award winners.

Science shorts: Probiotics for childhood obesity, blood sugar’s effects on sleep

In this round-up, we bring you the latest research findings on health and nutrition, including new findings on probiotics’ preventive effects on cognitive decline and childhood obesity, as well as how post-meal blood sugar levels could affect sleep quality.

NutraIngredients Awards 2025

China’s Wecare Probiotics to advance US, Europe markets post award win

China’s Wecare Probiotics is advancing its market presence in the US and Europe with the firm bagging a recent win for Ingredient of the Year: Sports Nutrition at the recent NutraIngredients Awards 2025.

Probiotics show promise for improving cognitive function, China meta-analysis

Probiotics could become a key tool in managing cognitive decline, according to a new systematic review and meta-analysis.