Cognitive function

Gut-brain axis: probiotic strain may improve sleep quality, study finds

07-Nov-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new study notes that intakes of a Bifidobacterium breve CCFM1025 probiotic significantly increased scores of sleep quality in a cohort suffering from insomnia, when compared to a control group.

Cognition may improve with zinc supplementation in overweight women

06-Nov-2023 By Claudia Adrien

Overweight or obese women who received zinc supplementation for three months saw cognitive improvement, though they did not experience significant changes in body weight, according to research published in Nutrients.

Study: Nutrient dense formula could improve cognition and behaviour in infants

31-Oct-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Nutritional supplementation could support developmental myelination, a critical process in learning and development, in growing infants and young children, according to a new industry funded study.

NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2023

Not just for the elderly: Cognitive support probiotic strain sold as food for general population in Japan – WATCH

30-Oct-2023 By Tingmin Koe

While supplements for cognitive support are commonly designed for the middle-aged and older adults, Japan is seeing companies selling such products in the form of functional foods for the general population.

Caffeine, TeaCrine, and Dynamine combination may improve gamer performance

26-Oct-2023 By Olivia DeSmit

A combination of caffeine, theacrine and methylliberine improved speed, accuracy, and cognitive abilities in video gamers. The study, published in Cureus, compared this combination to placebo and caffeine alone.

Indena and dsm-firmenich partner to develop novel botanical solutions

26-Oct-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Nutrition giant dsm-firmenich has announced a strategic partnership with Italian botanicals supplier Indena to develop science-backed novel botanical solutions for human health.

Riboflavin shows positive link with mental health in obese individuals

25-Oct-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Dietary riboflavin is associated with improved mental wellbeing in people living with obesity, a new cross-sectional study has concluded.

An 'historic' moment for CBD industry as UK Gov accepts recommended THC limit

24-Oct-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

The UK Government has accepted a recommended legal THC limit for CBD products in an ‘historic’ move that aims to bring some legal clarity to the industry, but an expert warns there are muddy waters yet to be cleared.

Holland & Barrett reinstates withdrawn CBD products

23-Oct-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Holland & Barrett has reinstated 31 CBD products that were temporarily removed from sale in response to the UK FSA's new consumer guidance which reduced daily recommended intakes for CBD down from 70mg to 10mg.

FrieslandCampina Ingredients doubles production of whey protein isolate and MFGM

20-Oct-2023 By Olivia Haslam

FrieslandCampina Ingredients, the diary company focused on nutrition solutions, has announced a significant expansion of its production capacity for whey protein isolate and milk fat globule membrane (MFGM).

Multi-ingredient herbal supplement could enhance cognitive speed: Study

19-Oct-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A combination of nine herbal ingredients may increase speed of cognitive task performance, according to a new clinical trial funded by Pukka Herbs Ltd.

World Menopause Day

Menopause: An opportunity for businesses and societal change

18-Oct-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Menopausal women are an overlooked demographic in the health and wellness industry, but one that could offer untapped opportunity for businesses, says co-founder of the menopause brand partnership company, Gen M.

World Menopause Day: NPD Launchpad 2023

18-Oct-2023 By Olivia Brown

On World Menopause Day, this NPD launchpad special provides an overview of the array of innovations that have entered the market this year to support the many symptoms that menopausal women struggle with.

Verdure’s ashwagandha may offer anti-fatigue benefits: RCT

17-Oct-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementation with a proprietary ashwagandha root extract may significantly reduce symptoms of fatigue, compared to the placebo group, for overweight or mildly obese men and women, says a new study.

Unlocking the potential of the active nutrition evolution

17-Oct-2023 By Olivia Haslam

The shift from sports nutrition to active nutrition creates unique challenges and opportunities for brands, as they navigate the evolving consumer demands which have increased both risk and reward factors.

Higher vit D in early life and maternal supplementation linked to neurodevelopment

15-Oct-2023 By Matt Chittock

A new study reports higher-dose vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy, and higher 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations in young children, may have positive associations with neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Editor's Spotlight: Startup Focus

Athlete-turned-startup founder discusses the frustrating perception of CBD in sport

15-Oct-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

“Imagine the scenario - we're playing in the semi-final of the Euros, we’re in the lobby of the hotel the night before the biggest game of our lives, and there's a doctor there handing out paracetamol and sleeping tablets, and all the players...

Consumers seek targeted biotics over general microbiome support, experts stress

13-Oct-2023 By Olivia Brown

Experts have asserted that “the consumer is ready” for biotics delivering targeted benefits as opposed to general microbiome support, amid a rising demand for psychobiotics and an increasing awareness of the gut-brain axis.

"Dagger-blow to the whole of the UK industry" as FSA slashes CBD daily limit

12-Oct-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

CBD brands are coming out in force to refute new advice from the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA), recommending adults should limit CBD consumption to 10mg per day, rather than 70mg.

Review: Multivitamins offer solid potential to prevent cognitive issues

11-Oct-2023 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Early detection of micronutrient deficiencies could significantly improve the clinical prognosis for patients with neurodegenerative diseases, using therapeutic intervention to replenish or enhance plasma levels, according to researchers.

Mood support the top growth category for children’s supplements

10-Oct-2023 By Stephen Daniells

After two very good years of growth, sales of children’s supplement have declined over the past 12 months, but another wave of growth could be just around the corner.

Encapsulated curcumin improves cognitive, locomotive function in mild dementia patients – six months RCT

10-Oct-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The supplementation of curcumin encapsulated within fenugreek mucilage has shown to improve cognitive and locomotive function of patients suffering from mild dementia, according to a six-month-long RCT conducted in India.

The 'holistic recharge' startup maturing with active consumers demands

09-Oct-2023 By Olivia Haslam

From post-party supplement to main player in sports nutrition, the startup KA-EX which offers a “holistic recharging” product has seen an evolution of consumer interest since its launch.

Entries close 27th October 2023!

Deadline extended for Probiota 2024 Scientific Frontiers abstract entries

09-Oct-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Are you researching the latest state-of-the-art developments related to prebiotic, probiotic, postbiotic, and microbiome science relevant to human health, well-being, consumers and industry? If so, we would like to hear from you!

Prebiotic peanut polyphenols may boost mood and memory: RCT

09-Oct-2023 By Stephen Daniells

The polyphenols found in peanuts may improve cognition and mood via the gut microbiome, says a new study by researchers at the University of Barcelona and funded by the Peanut Institute.

Review highlights opportunity of Coprococcus: ‘The bacterium that makes us happy’

03-Oct-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Coprococcus spp. may be a potential biomarker organism for mental health, and could be “an interesting lead for novel dietary-based preventive therapies for specific neurological disorders”, says a new review.

Biotic personalisation for the microbiome: is it worth it?

03-Oct-2023 By Olivia Brown

Experts have highlighted the potential for the ‘hyper-personalisation’ of biotics to suit individual microbiome compositions for targeted health benefits, but expense, lack of scientific data, and regulatory restrictions represent significant barriers....

Startup Spotlight

Graduate-founded startup offers functional mushrooms as clean capsules

02-Oct-2023 By Olivia Brown

The startup Headstrong, founded by recent university graduate 22-year-old Finn Hall, seeks to bring authenticity to the growing functional mushroom market with clean, high-quality capsules.

FrieslandCampina launches "Step Up Nutrition" portfolio to support children as they grow

02-Oct-2023 By Olivia Haslam

FrieslandCampina Ingredients is launching a "Step Up Nutrition" portfolio aimed at improving growth and development, immunity, cognitive development, mental health, and gut health in children aged three to twelve.

Small study hints creatine supplementation improves post-Covid-19 fatigue syndrome

25-Sep-2023 By Claudia Adrien

Taking dietary creatine supplements for at least six months may improve brain performance for those with long-term neurological disorders.

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...

Cognitive health study finds formula mimicking human milk structure gets closer to health benefits of breastmilk

07-Sep-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Exposure to an infant formula mimicking human milk lipid composition and milk fat globule structure positively affects child neurocognitive development, a new randomised, controlled trial has concluded.

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.