A study has found that dietary taurine intake was significantly and positively associated with maintenance of knee extension muscle strength over an eight-year period among middle-aged and older Japanese individuals.
A functional food ingredient derived from natto has demonstrated its effects on preventing age spots, enhancing skin tone, and improving fine lines among other benefits, say Japanese researchers.
High prices, “unscrupulous suppliers”, and inadequate identification methods have resulted in adulteration rates of saw palmetto extracts reaching 33% in Japan and as high as 75% in other Asian markets, says BGG World.
Japanese researchers found that the ‘high bread and low rice’ dietary pattern leads to higher serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol for both sexes, while the ‘high confectioneries and low alcohol’ diet did the same only for men.
Consuming the paraprobiotic Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 improves mild psychological symptoms and common vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes unique to menopausal women, according to a Japanese study.
Japan has announced stricter labelling regulations for soybean milk and other soy-related beverages with the aim of preventing fraudulent or exaggerated claims and ensure fair competition between brands in the very competitive local market.
The combination of two beta-glucans produced by Aureobasidium Pullulans (AFO-202 and N-163) strains along with standard treatment was shown to reduce inflammatory biomarkers in COVID-19 patients, compared to just the standard treatment alone.
Nagasaki University and Kirin Holdings are embarking on a joint clinical research to assess the effect of lactic acid bacteria on relieving symptoms in COVID-19 human subjects.
Consumption of turmeric extract for 12 weeks improved mental health and mood disturbance, as well as reducing inflammatory markers, in healthy but overweight participants.
Ajinomoto has launched a functional powder containing Wolffia globose, also known as duckweed, four years after its partnership with Israel-based supplier Hinoman.
A pilot study in India has reported that intake of two strains of beta glucans can lower cytokine storm and coagulopathy biomarkers in COVID-19 patients.
A study in Japan has found older people with type 2 diabetes and loss of muscle mass have significantly lower vitamin B1, B12 and D intake, compared to subjects without muscle mass loss.
Consumption of broccoli sprout extract increased melatonin production and may enhance sleep quality among Japanese adults, according to a study conducted by Kagome.
Individuals consuming Thai ginseng for 12 weeks saw a significant reduction to their visceral fat and total fat areas, according to the findings of a new RCT.
Supplementation of sulforaphane (SFN) – a compound found in cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli – has found to improve processing and working memory in a 12-week study conducted by Japanese firm Kagome Co Ltd.
The supplementation of astaxanthin and tocotrienol has been shown to improve composite and verbal memory in individuals who have exhibited mild forgetfulness, according to an RCT sponsored by BGG Japan.
The supplementation of lutein and zeaxanthin for preserving eye health is more effective in individuals with healthy BMI (lower than 25kg/m2), a 16-week human clinical trial conducted in Japan has shown.
A pilot study from Japan found that astaxanthin supplementation for three months can suppress oxidative stress and improve cardiac function and exercise tolerance in patients suffering from heart failure.
Japanese dairy product company Morinaga Milk Industry has revealed plans to expand its yoghurt range by introducing more products with functional benefits, accelerate its lactoferrin research and e-commerce business as part of its key initiatives for...
Researchers from East Asia are urging more research and clinical studies of the Japanese herbal medicine, Kampo, as a treatment for frailty, as part of a push to increase awareness in global markets.
A FANCL-funded RCT study has discovered that the ingestion of tea flower extract, mulberry leaf extract, and chitosan could reduce postprandial blood glucose and triglyceride levels in healthy subjects.
Chr. Hansen has sealed a deal to supply probiotic ingredients to Teijin Limited, a Japanese prebiotic firm, for use in functional and health food applications in its domestic market.
Research from Morinaga Milk Industry has found that the infant-type human-residential bifidobacteria (HRB) could produce a key metabolite, the immunity-boosting indole-3-lactic acid (ILA), moving one step closer to understanding its benefits on infant...
Simultaneous intake of vegetable and animal proteins may increase efficient protein absorption and possible muscle synthesis in the body, according to research from Japanese health food manufacturer Q’Sai Co.
Indena is using its proprietary phytosome delivery system, to study a more bioavailable formulation of quercetin, with preliminary clinical evidences in allergy control.
In this round up, we bring you the latest scientific findings from health foods manufacturers, such as Japanese firm Eminet and Australia's Blackmores, as well as research done by the Chinese and Japanese academia.
Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) has for the first time issued a direct warning to a named company under the consumer safety law regarding health foods.
Japanese dairy manufacturer Takanashi Group is launching what it believes is the first yoghurt drink for good skin backed by a Food With Function claim (FFC).
Japanese researchers have found that Cognizin Citicoline in combination with DHA, can improve learning and memory ability in mice which have been subjected to stroke symptoms.
Consuming matcha in some form may have stress-reducing effects even on people who do not drink green tea, according to a Japanese study that used matcha cookies as its intervention.
In our latest review of Japan's supplement and functional food sectors, we feature DSM's efforts to support healthy ageing, probiotic-rich convenience snacks, the country's first FOSHU-certified nutricosmetics product, and enzyme supplements...
A particular probiotic strain, Lactobacillus paracasei KW3110, might alleviate eye fatigue symptoms caused by exposure to blue light from visual display terminals (VDTs), say researchers in Japan.
Modern dietary changes have affected gut microbiota functionality in children, who might benefit from more traditional, plant-based diets, according to researchers in Japan and Thailand.
Boysenberry polyphenol and its anthocyanins may be able to inhibit blood and lymphatic vessel dysfunction and help to maintain vascular stability, according to a study by Japan's Niigata University.
Maternal health during and after pregnancy must be more closely monitored to avoid lipid-soluble vitamin deficiencies — particularly vitamin D deficiency — in the foetus and newborn infants, say Japanese researchers.
Japan's consumer genetic testing industry is booming, buoying hopes that personalised nutrition firms can tap into demands for tailored products, especially among the elderly.
Japan has contributed ¥400m (just under US$4m) to support nutrition and food security for Palestinians in Gaza, under the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP).
Probiotic supplier Ganden says its recent acquisition by Kerry Group will allow it to fast-track the growth of its products in Asia, with China and India having bene identified as two markets that are "impossible to ignore".
DuPont in Japan says it is striving to spur innovation in the supplement and functional food space for the ageing population by launching 11 ‘smart ageing’ concepts at this week’s HI Japan show.
NutraIngredients-Asia had launched a new China email newsletter to shine the spotlight on one of the most crucial nations for the industry's growth, with articles published in both Chinese and English.
