Cognitive function

Fermedics: Enhancing botanical bioavailability with fermentation

25-Sep-2023 By Olivia Brown

The startup Fermedics has emphasised the potential “breakthrough opportunities” of targeted fermentation to improve the bioavailability and digestibility of botanicals, heightening the effectiveness of dietary supplements.

'Memory power' supplement brand thinks again after ASA picks up Alzheimer's claim

21-Sep-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Brain health supplement brand 'Lucy Memory Power' has been rebuked by the ASA after publishing a number of adverts with claims it can treat Alzheimer's Disease.

Trends in Omega-3: Insights from GC Rieber VivoMega

15-Sep-2023 By Olivia Haslam

From brain function to heart health, there is escalating consumer demand for both fish and vegan omega-3 alternatives as long as they can assure quality, sustainability, and transparency, according to Ståle Søfting, sales and marketing director at GC...

Flavanol-rich cacao extract found to improve mood states in middle-aged women – Meiji-funded RCT

13-Sep-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Japanese researchers have found that eight-weeks’ consumption of a beverage containing flavanol-rich cacao extract reduced negative mood and improved positive mood among middle-aged women.

Put your start-up centre stage at our Probiota Pioneers hub

Probiota Pioneers: Calling all Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Microbiome start-ups!

12-Sep-2023 By Stephen Daniells

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 Milan.

"There’s not plenty more fish in the sea" but GM crop is ripe for commercialisation

12-Sep-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Researchers working to bring a sustainable source of omega-3 oil to market have reached a significant milestone in achieving scaled-up production of a genetically modified camelina seed oil.

Probiotic blend may boost mood and offer anxiety benefits: Probiotical study

11-Sep-2023 By Stephen Daniells

A blend of four probiotic strains may lead to “widespread improvements” in measures of mood, anxiety, and depression in healthy young men and women, says a new study using Probiotical’s multi-strain probiotic, Bifizen.

Menopause: Women’s health at risk due to avoidable nutrient deficiencies

11-Sep-2023 By Olivia Haslam

“Menopause is a perfect storm of nutritional challenges,” nutrition experts explain in a new report by the Health & Food Supplements Information Service (HSIS), with research revealing nearly half of women are worried their diet won’t support them...

Active Nutrition Summit: How to innovate in cognitive health

11-Sep-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

The key drivers propelling interest in cognitive health supporting food and drink are plant-based nootropics, the gut-brain axis, and on-the-go delivery formats, according to expert insights set to be presented at the Active Nutrition Summit.

Heads up: Review supports creatine supplementation for brain health

08-Sep-2023 By Asia Sherman

Creatine supplementation can increase brain creatine content, which over time may help explain its promising effects on brain health and function, according to a recent review.

Clasado announces advisory board to advance prebiotics in medical nutrition

08-Sep-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Clasado Biosciences, the developer of the prebiotic ingredient Bimuno galactooligosaccharides (GOS), is collaborating with scientists through a newly established scientific advisory board to further develop the future role of prebiotics within medical...

Novozymes OneHealth releases Mental Wellness Insights Report

06-Sep-2023 By Asia Sherman

In a report issued this week, Novozymes OneHealth shared current consumer perspectives and trends to help dietary supplement companies meet evolving needs in a fast-growing mental wellness market.

Cognitive health nutrition: a niche market set to thrive in the mainstream

06-Sep-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

There's consumer demand and innovation avenues in abundance when it comes to food and drink for cognitive health but brands must educate on the more novel ingredients if these are to flourish beyond the niche audience, Mintel experts advise.

CBD and botanical blend offers synergistic benefits for sleep and anxiety

30-Aug-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

A supplement containing CBD, CBN, GABA, hops oil, valerian oil, and low amounts of THC, reduced sleep disturbance, anxiety, stress, and improved well-being in a newly published RCT.

Precision nutrition report concludes "We know next to nothing"

29-Aug-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

The hype around precision nutrition far outweighs our scientific evidence and knowledge, according to a new report by experts in the field.

Brain health emerges as a ‘key health priority for Europeans’

28-Aug-2023 By Oliver Morrison

New consumer research reveals brain health to be second only to heart health in Europe’s most important geographies.

Qina reveals top 10 trends in personalised nutrition

25-Aug-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Personalised nutrition experts at the Qina consultancy have revealed a top tends report, unveiling a ChatGPT take-over, a merging of food and pharma, an entrance of big tech firms, and new abilities created by at-home blood draws.

Healthy Ageing Trends: Consumer preferences and the evolving landscape

24-Aug-2023 By Olivia Haslam

In a conversation with NutraIngredients, Mike Hughes, head of research and insight at FMCG Gurus, explains the changing landscape of consumer preferences for products that promote healthy ageing.

DoNotAge: the startup aiming to reduce biological age through nutrition

24-Aug-2023 By Olivia Brown

The biohacking startup DoNotAge has expanded its portfolio of nutritional supplements which aim to reduce biological age and support health longevity, in response to increasing interest in preventative health products in the ageing population.

Medicinal mushroom brand Hifas da Terra: “There’s no replacement for research"

23-Aug-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Hifas da Terra, the Spanish medicinal mushroom supplement brand, has worked to maintain a leading position in the European market for over two decades through a focus on continuous scientific substantiation.

Healthy ageing: Is the microbiome the conductor?

21-Aug-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

With the gut microbiome holding the key to almost every aspect of our health, from digestion and immunity, to hormonal balance and skin health, it should perhaps come as no surprise that healthy ageing may well start with the promotion of beneficial gut...

Collagen peptides linked to mental & physical benefits for active middle-aged adults: PB Leiner-funded study

18-Aug-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplementation with collagen peptides may boost not only functional and physical outcomes for middle-aged people but may also significantly improve measures of pain and mental health, says a new double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study.

TSI Group identifies post-workout benefits of pre-workout supplement

17-Aug-2023 By Asia Sherman

Pre-workout ingredient PeakATP may have extended post-workout effects, according to a recent study reporting cognitive benefits following high-intensity sprint exercise.

Personalised neuro-nutrients: startup brings objectivity to mental health

14-Aug-2023 By Olivia Brown

The startup Healthy-Longer is shining a light on the lack of objectivity in the treatment of mental health conditions, offering at-home urine tests to identify potential neuro-biomarker disruptions and nutrient deficiencies.

ANS Startup Star: CBD manufacturer reaping the rewards of quality and trust certification

11-Aug-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

The founder of a premium white label CBD goods manufacturer supplying leading brands in the UK is doubling its production capacity after seeing sales explode at a time when much of the industry is struggling or closing shop.

Fermented sausage-derived postbiotic may offer sleep benefits: Study

10-Aug-2023 By Stephen Daniells

The potential sleep promoting effects of a novel probiotic may be related to postbiotic exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by the bug, says a new study published in Frontiers in Microbiology.

Anthaplex: anthocyanin and fibre synergy may improve cognition and eye health

09-Aug-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new RCT reveals improved scores of cognition and reduced eye dryness in healthy adults after consuming an anthocyanin and fibre-rich “Anthaplex” ingredient, compared with the placebo.

Kerry launches 2-in-1 ingredient blend for immunity & stress

07-Aug-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Wellmune Adapt combines Kerry’s Wellmune baker’s yeast beta 1,3/1,6 glucan immune ingredient and its Sensoril ashwagandha root and leaf extract.

Startup stars set to shine at the Active Nutrition Summit

07-Aug-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Three entrepreneurs will be showcasing their science-based innovations at the Active Nutrition Summit after beating a record number of applicants to be chosen as NutraIngredients' Startup Stars.

Yaupon: climate-friendly caffeine touted “crop of the future”

04-Aug-2023 By Olivia Brown

The climate-resilient Yaupon crop, with leaves rich in theobromine, polyphenols, and 30% less caffeine than coffee, has been growing in popularity for use within holistic health-promoting beverages.

"The future is here": AI tool develops scientifically-sound supplements at speed

03-Aug-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

A new AI powered tool has been developed to allow researchers to process insights into thousands of diseases, gene associations, and ingredient interactions, to develop efficacious nutraceutical solutions.

Dietary microbes & probiotic pills linked to better cognition

31-Jul-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Increased intake of beneficial bacteria from fermented foods and prebiotic and probiotic dietary supplements are associated with better cognition, says a new analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Cracking results? Egg yolk choline shown to improve verbal memory – Kewpie-funded trial

27-Jul-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The supplementation of egg yolk choline has been shown to improve verbal memory in a 12-week trial funded by Japan food firm Kewpie Corporation.

Scientific basis for the development of functional food for mental wellbeing

26-Jul-2023 By Olivia Haslam

There is good evidence to support the development of biotic supplements and functional foods to aid mental health via the gut-brain axis, a new review has concluded.

EGCG could assist in microbial dysbiosis in autistic children

25-Jul-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A new review has analysed the potential of the polyphenol Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) to address microbial dysbiosis in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Female entrepreneurs develop hormone-focused personalised nutrition app

25-Jul-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

An entrepreneurial duo have created a personalised nutrition platform to help support women's wellbeing with advice that considers the hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle.

Probiotic LGG supplements may slow age-related cognitive decline: RCT

24-Jul-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Probiotic dietary supplements may improve cognitive performance and memory in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), says a new double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical study.

BB-12 probiotic may boost recovery for female martial artists: RCT

24-Jul-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Daily consumption of a probiotic yogurt may improve exercise-related psychological fatigue in female taekwondo athletes, says a new study from China.

Medicalised deliveries: the hidden triple threat to infant health

24-Jul-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Optimal nutrition is becoming ever more important in a world where the infant gut microbiome is exposed to extreme challenges from day one of life, due to habitually medicalised deliveries.

Phytochemicals could bolster physical activity performance through improved sleep

18-Jul-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A new review has unveiled the promising effects of phytochemical (PC) supplementation on sleep recovery and daytime fatigue, leading to enhanced physical performance.

Omega-3 supplementation is emerging as a potential adjunct therapy for depression and obesity – review

12-Jul-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have been found to have beneficial effects on inflammatory markers, metabolic dysregulation, and depressive symptoms.

Precision probiotics aid gut health for shift and night workers

11-Jul-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Researchers have concluded that probiotic supplementation could hold the key to maintaining balance and diversity of the gut microbiota in the face of shift working disruption.

China CBEC phenomenon: Tmall Global on overcoming supplements supply chain woes as products hit peak popularity

11-Jul-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Overseas supplements sold into China via cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) can get popular easily, but supply chain pain points are making it difficult for brands to replenish their goods in time, says the head of Tmall Global.

Science builds for novel P.UF1 probiotic as first commercial product launches

06-Jul-2023 By Stephen Daniells

A next generation probiotic may support immune health, vitamin B12 production, and offer a range of other health benefits, with one commercial product already in the market formulated with the beneficial bacteria.

Butanediol ingredient may boost ketosis: Pilot study

29-Jun-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Acute supplementation with (R)-1,3-Butanediol could raises beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) levels associated with increased mental clarity and endurance, says a new study.

Rhodiola rosea: Adjusting to life as an endangered species

29-Jun-2023 By Asia Sherman

The global demand for Rhodiola rosea – also known as "golden root" or "roseroot" – has been increasing steadily since the late 20th century, so much so that it now faces restrictions in international trade brought on by exploitative...

June 2023 Launch pad

28-Jun-2023 By Olivia Brown

Nootropics and natural energy alternatives to support cognition have dominated product launches throughout June, whilst players in protein and immunity categories hold strong.

New use, new opportunity: Mood support that starts in the gut

27-Jun-2023 By Danielle Masterson

As consumers get more comfortable with probiotics for gut health, “probiotics plus” is emerging as a key motif. The idea of probiotics for mood support, or psychobiotics, is picking up steam as growing research shows the digestive aids hold promise for...

Raisin polyphenols improve cognitive scores in elderly, study suggests

27-Jun-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new RCT observes that daily supplementation with 50g of polyphenol-rich raisins for 6-months improves scores for cognition in an elderly population.