Functional foods could soon play a role in the prevention of
Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia in Europe,
thanks to a €21m research investment from the Spanish government.
The role of caffeine in the health of premature and low birth
weight babies has come under scrutiny with two studies, one
investigating the impact of mothers' intake during pregnancy and
the other adding to existing evidence...
Cholesterol-lowering plant sterols look set to appear in more
product categories in Europe, since the EC Commission has given the
green-light for their use in dietary supplements and rye breads.
Legislation to harmonise vitamin and mineral fortification levels
across EU member states looks set to be adopted within weeks,
following this week's favourable vote by the European Parliament.
The ability of the waxy sugar-cane extract, policosanol, to reduce
LDL-cholesterol levels have been called into doubt by a new
clinical trial, but a poor delivery system undermines the studies'
conclusions, says industry.
Swiss biotech company Lonza has announced the latest move to expand
its nutritional ingredients portfolio, with the acquisition of the
larch arabinogalactan assets of US firm Larex Inc.
People with an antioxidant-rich diet could reduce their risk of
developing asthma in adulthood, say Cambridge researchers - adding
to a growing body of science on the subject.
European Parliament voted through a compromise to the controversial
Health and Nutrition Claims Regulation yesterday, following frantic
behind-the-scenes negotiations to reach a compromise and avoid
conciliation with the Council.
A combination of two common dietary supplements, L-carnitine and
alpha-lipoic acid, could reduce oxidative stress associated with
ageing and boost energy production, says new research - adding to
previous reports.
A Dutch consortium setting out develop biomedical materials to
improve medical care and patients' quality of life may also benefit
the supplements sector through research into capsules for
controlled release of active substances...
Takara Bio is planning to research the use of lesser yam in
functional foods, following research that indicates a variety
cultivated in Japan has more than 200 times the content of the
plant steroid diosgenin than other domestic varieties.
The Dutch chemicals group DSM is on course to significantly bolster
its presence as a supplier to China's food industry, with major
investments in ingredient production expected to bear fruit in two
years time.
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.
Garlic and onions could help protect against stomach cancer, says a
massive European-based study, but total fruit and vegetable intake
has no benefit for this disease.
Cognis has announced its first move in the competitive omega-3
market with the acquisition of Norwegian fish oil concentrate
supplier Napro Pharma, and is developing new solutions to aid its
use in foods.
Israeli ingredients firm Frutarom is to supply Salvia seed oil, a
potent source of the omega-3 fatty acid alpha linoleic acid,
following a marketing and distribution agreement with compatriot
Magnetica Interactive.
People with more magnesium and less copper in their blood could
reduce their risk of death from cancer by as much as 50 per cent,
says a new study from France.
Drinking more orange or grapefruit juice may reduce bone loss and
decrease the risk of osteoporosis in later life, suggests an animal
study from Texas.
Food firms must carefully target their health food products to
specific sectors of the population if they are to succeed,
delegates at this week's Vitafoods event learned.
In seeking inspiration for a new ingredient for mental health,
Frutarom looked to the middle ages, when green oat was
traditionally used in this area - and used modern science to
support its efficacy.
Glanbia Nutritionals chose Vitafoods as the launchpad for
OlivActiv, a high potency-low bitterness antioxidant ingredient
derived from Spanish olives that is marketed for immune system
activation.
Children may soon benefit from less moody parents if a newly
launched trial with omega-3 fatty acids is successful, adding to
the list of studies linking fish oils to behaviour and cognitive
function.
Ocean Spray ITG is introducing a new variant of dried cranberries
at Vitafoods this week that uses pineapple juice as a sweetener in
place of sucrose syrup, allowing food products to have 'cleaner'
labels.
Nutrigenomics, thought by some to be the future of nutrition, was
given the spotlight for a short time at Vitafoods, as current
disciples told attendees of the great opportunities and current
challenges.
Green tea extracts containing the catechin EGCG could help curb the
rise, and ease the complications of obesity, DSM Nutritional
Products tells attendees at Vitafoods in Geneva.
Lipid Nutrition is today announcing the findings of a new human
trial using CLA, that reinforces the fatty acid's fat mass
reduction claim and shed light on the main locations of the fat
reduction on the human body.
The Grape Seed Extract Company is the latest New Zealand company to
tap the nutraceutical potential of a waste product of a traditional
industry, with an antioxidant extracted from grape seeds left over
by wine-makers using a non-chemical...
Raisio has reported a set of Q1 results that once again relies
heavy on its powerhouse Benecol brand, and which echoes the drop
off in performance seen at the end of 2005.
The European Commission is funding to strengthen innovation in
functional and health foods in the food industry, with
opportunities to join still open.
Selenium has been linked to protection from cancers of both the
prostate and lung, as well as immune system health. Many questions
remain and numerous clinical trials are seeking to provide answers.
Postmenopausal women are not inclined to recognise functional foods
as a viable means of reducing risk of heart disease, finds a survey
that could inform marketing efforts aimed at this important
consumer group.
Water-soluble compounds from garlic reduced the size of liver
cancer cells by a factor of three, research that adds to other
anti-cancer studies with garlic, says a new laboratory study from
Italy.
China has made huge progress in reducing malnutrition among
children over the past 15 years but in other parts of Asia much
more needs to be done, said a Unicef report released on Tuesday.
BASF's fine chemicals division is bolstered by higher sales volume
of aroma chemicals and vitamins A and E for animal nutrition, but
the pressure over vitamin C and lysine has not abated, dragging
down the division's profitability.
Zila Nutraceuticals has developed and patented a new form of
Ester-C said to offer improved antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic
potential, which should allow it to maintain its advantage in the
vitamin C market until the end of next...
Resveratrol, a compound found in grapes, red wine and peanuts, can
improve blood flow in the brain by 30 per cent, thereby reducing
the risk of stroke, according to the results of a rat study.
A new €5.2m, five-year study aims to clarify the unknowns of
lycopene availability from tomatoes, and boost public awareness and
Europe's tomato industry in the process.
Lycopene could protect against the development of prostate cancer,
says research from India, adding to previous reports linking the
carotenoid to healthier prostates.
Britain's formula milk industry has faced down a new wave of
criticism from senior paediatricians, who accused it of dodging a
ban on direct advertising by snuggling up to doctors and health
professionals.
Self-regulation has become the mantra of food groups who argue that
laws are not always necessary - but can industry be trusted when it
has failed so spectacularly in the past?
Research from Italy has shed light on possible mechanisms for
stopping the growth of prostate cancer by Linnea's HMRlignan, as
the company continues to consolidate the science behind its
product.