Probiotics, prebiotics & postbiotics

Special edition: Immunity

Pre- & Probiotics market snap-shot; ban to cost €1.5bn by 2020 in EU6

18-Jun-2015 By Shane STARLING

The EU’s ban on prebiotics and probiotics as marketing tools has cost the market €500m and will cost a further €1bn by 2020 according to Euromonitor International data – and that’s just drinking yoghurt. Other formats have also been hit.

Special edition: Immune support

Easy-win immune claims are vampires on tricky co-ingredients

18-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Adding in ingredients like vitamin C to make legal immune health claims may sell products short term, but this sucks the blood from more challenging ingredients like probiotics and botanicals, says a marketing expert.

Academics seek industry partners for electrospun nanofiber delivery

17-Jun-2015 By Nathan Gray

UK-based researchers are seeking industry collaboration and inspiration for work creating electrospun nanofibres that could provide improved products and ingredient delivery systems for foods.

Probiotic combination may improve immune health for asthmatics: Study

16-Jun-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

A combination of Lactobacillus salivarius LS01 and Bifidobacterium breve BR03 may help balance the immune system in people with allergic asthma, says a new study from Italy.

Review highlights potential of nano-delivery systems for nutraceuticals in foods

15-Jun-2015 By Nathan Gray

While there are several challenges involved in the nano-delivery of vitamins and nutrients in functional foods, such systems have ‘considerable potential’ within the food industry, says an expert in oral delivery systems.

Probiotic Bifidobacteria may boost cognition in anxious mice: Study

15-Jun-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Select strains of Bifidobacteria may positively impact cognition in anxious lab animals, says a new study from Ireland that deepens our understanding of the gut-brain axis.

Gastro probiotic wins Irish awards

12-Jun-2015 By Shane STARLING

A probiotic OTC food supplement aimed at easing gastrointestinal issues has won two awards in Ireland.

Review takes probiotics for preterm infants ‘another step forward’

10-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Supplementing enteral nutrition with a probiotic strain may reduce the risk of bowel tissue death and other serious health risks in premature infants, says a systematic review.

Fermented food intake linked to fewer anxiety symptoms: Study

10-Jun-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Increased intakes of fermented foods may be associated with fewer symptoms of social anxiety, particularly for people at higher genetic risk, says a new study. 

Study warning over dietary supplementation for children with autism spectrum disorder

09-Jun-2015 By Nathan Gray

Well-intentioned efforts to supplement children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) with additional nutrients or specific dietary plans can result in both insufficient and excessive nutrient intakes, warn experts.

Special edition: Innovations in better-for-you confectionery

Probiotics more stable in chocolate than pills, says Milsing

02-Jun-2015 By Oliver Nieburg

Chocolate is a more effective delivery system than capsules and tablets for probiotics and could be an attractive alternative for consumers, according to Croatian supplement firm Milsing.

Probiotics may slash triglyceride levels: Study

28-May-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of Lactobacillus curvatus HY7601 and L. plantarum KY1032 may significantly lower triglyceride levels, says a new study from Korea.

Prebiotics bring infant formula closer to ‘golden standard’ of breast milk: Review

27-May-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

There is growing evidence of the health benefits of adding prebiotics to infant formula, according to a review from Belgian and Russian researchers.

Euromonitor runs rule over recent nutraceutical award winners

25-May-2015 By Simone Baroke

Market analyst Euromonitor International dissects recent NutraIngredients Awards winners to provide category perspective from sustainable omega-3 to healthy ageing in this guest article.

IPA says manufacturing process, not 'contamination,' accounts for traces of gluten researchers found in probiotics

22-May-2015 By Hank Schultz

A recent study that found traces of gluten in probiotic supplements has provoked a measured response from the International Probiotic Association. IPA executive director George Paraskevakos noted that only one product in the study that made a gluten-free...

Neglected female microbiota research a ‘disgrace’; congress lights issues

22-May-2015 By Shane STARLING

Better Lactobacilli genetic screening, biomarker development, better pregnancy support and better engagement with health professionals were just a few of many actions proposed to improved women’s health at a recent Amsterdam congress focused on the female...

RCT findings back probiotic strain to shorten duration of cold and flu: Chr Hansen study

21-May-2015 By Nathan Gray

The world’s biggest clinical study on the immune effects of probiotics has found that the L. casei 431 strain could reduce the duration of symptoms from the common cold and flu – though no differences were found in the incidence or severity of illness.

Lack of diversity in processed foods may be causing obesity and cancer

20-May-2015 By Niamh Michail

It’s not just the high fat, salt or sugar content of processed foods that is driving obesity and diet-related illnesses – the lack of food diversity is killing our gut flora, claims one researcher.

China

Party over for infant formula firms as China’s remarkable demand slows

19-May-2015 By RJ Whitehead

The “easy money has been made” for Chinese and international infant formula companies as they prepare for the rush for powdered baby food to tail off over the next five years after a decade’s stratospheric growth.

Dispatches from Vitafoods, Geneva

The taste test: How do you make a probiotic drink taste good?

18-May-2015 By Rachel Arthur

Probiotic fruit drinks face different challenges to their dairy counterparts - but both face the same requirement to taste good.

Psychobiotics: Modulation of gut microbiota may ‘hold the key to’ neuropsychological disorders

15-May-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Using probiotics and prebiotics to alter the gut microbiota and influence the gut-brain axis may open up new ways of influencing neuropsychological conditions, says a new review.

EFSA opinion wrap: Pomegranate, carob, coffee rejected. Vitamin D approved

Claim chill: EFSA rejects probiotics for immunity, defecation

13-May-2015 By Shane STARLING

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has rejected probiotic dossiers from Canadian firm Lallemand Health Solutions (immunity) and Italian player Synbiotec (defecation) in a batch of opinions published today.

Chinese breast milk discovery strengthens case for probiotics in infant formula: Chr Hansen

11-May-2015 By Mark ASTLEY

Chr Hansen has confirmed the presence of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in breast milk from Chinese mothers - a discovery it claims strengthens the case for adding probiotics to infant formula.

Coffee by-products may have prebiotic, antimicrobial and antioxidant potential

11-May-2015 By Nathan Gray

More than 2 billion tons of coffee by-products that are currently thrown away could have applications in the food and nutrition sector, say researchers.

Inulin prebiotic may improve appetite regulation & decrease food intake in obese kids

11-May-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of Beneo’s Orafti Synergy1 chicory root fiber may support healthy weight management in overweight and obese kids by improving appetite regulation and decreasing food intake, says a study from Calgary University in Canada.

Gala Awards night at Vitafoods Europe, Geneva, Switzerland

NutraIngredients Awards shine spotlight on nutrition stars

07-May-2015 By Shane STARLING

200 people from the European and international food and nutrition sectors helped 20 finalists and seven winners celebrate at the inaugural NutraIngredients Awards last night at Vitafoods Europe.

Vitafoods investment hunt: 14 start-ups on menu

29-Apr-2015 By Shane STARLING

14 nutrition start-ups are formally seeking investment and partners the day before Vitafoods Europe officially opens next week in Geneva.

Ex-IPA chief takes business development role at US firm

28-Apr-2015 By Shane STARLING

Ex-International Probiotics Association (IPA) director general Ioannis Misopoulos has taken a business development role at Michigan-based probiotics manufacturer, Daily Body Restore.

Probiotic ice cream may boost oral health for kids

28-Apr-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Consuming a functional ice cream formulated with Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 may cut levels of caries-causing bacteria in the mouth, says a new study from India.

Dispatches from the International Yakult Symposium

No health claims but probiotics remain on medical agenda

27-Apr-2015 By Shane Starling from Berlin

Probiotics are yet to win a health claim in the European Union but they continue to receive backing by various bodies for gastrointestinal issues like diarrhoea.

SPECIAL EDITION: 25 YEARS OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS

Novel marine ingredients: Functional is better where it is wetter

23-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Marine resources provide a 'rich reservoir' of bioactives and nutraceuticals, say researchers looking into novel marine functional ingredients. 

Special edition: 25 years of functional foods

Functional Foods 2.0: Beyond the nutritional shoehorn...

23-Apr-2015 By Julian Mellentin

Products such as probiotic pizza, probiotic snack bars, high-fibre chicken or fish-oil fortified yoghurt may seem bizarre, says market expert Julian Mellentin in this guest article, but since 1990 thousands of products like this have been launched – and...

SPECIAL EDITION: 25 YEARS OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS

Companies need to address 'serious' health claim ignorance

22-Apr-2015 By Niamh Michail

With 93% of consumers saying they don’t trust product health claims, naturally functional foods have instant appeal – but if companies highlight the science and regulation behind claims all stand to benefit, say analysts.

Green algae combo may counter obesity-linked metabolic changes: Study

20-Apr-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

A mixture of green algae extracts may lower body fat and improve lean mass in rats fed a high carbohydrate, high fat diet, says new study.

Harmonised Southeast Asia regulation complete by end of year

20-Apr-2015 By Niamh Michail

The Alliance for Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) harmonised health supplement framework will be up and running by the end of the year after over ten years in the making. 

Western lifestyle may limit gut bacteria diversity: Study

17-Apr-2015 By Nathan Gray

A modern Western diet and lifestyle is linked to a lower diversity of bacteria in the gut, say researchers.

Forget about your woes? Probiotics may lower focus on bad feelings and experiences

16-Apr-2015 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with a multi-species probiotic may be associated with lower feelings of sadness and less focus on bad feelings and experiences from the past, say researchers.

Regulation squeezes digestive health NPD out of EU

16-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The percentage of food and drink launches carrying digestive health claims has fallen from 2.4% in 2009 to 2.2% in 2014 in the EU, says Innova Market Insights.

"This is a new idea - that some probiotics may work by affecting the overall ecosystem of the gut"

How do probiotics work? Previously unknown 'facilitator' mechanism revealed

15-Apr-2015 By Niamh Michail

The popular probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG may work by acting as 'a facilitator' that modifies and promotes the activity of other gut bacteria, say scientists.

Kiwifruit-derived supplements may boost bowel health for healthy people: RCT data

15-Apr-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Daily consumption of supplements containing kiwifruit-derived nutritional ingredients may increase bowel movements in healthy individuals, says a new study from New Zealand.

Supplements for autism - can the science match market demands?

10-Apr-2015 By Niamh Michail

Brain boosting supplements for autistic children are ‘an open opportunity’ and the science is promising say industry insiders and marketers – but autism experts have questioned their efficacy.

“The new EC has spoken of better regulation and growth so we trust them to consider our position and argumentation."

IPA gathers forces in Brussels; seeks EC ear

09-Apr-2015 By Shane STARLING

The just-formed European iteration of the International Probiotics Association (IPA) has met for the first time at its new Brussels base with Danone, Dupont-Danisco, Chr Hansen, Yakult, Probi and Lallemand all in attendance.

Cheese: The latest piece of the French paradox puzzle?

09-Apr-2015 By Niamh Michail

The body digests fermented dairy products like cheese differently from butter, leading researchers to suggest this may be another reason behind the French paradox.

Do single-ingredient groups help convey industry's message, or contribute to the cacophony?

01-Apr-2015 By Hank Schultz

Single ingredient trade groups are becoming an increasingly common feature of the dietary supplement industry.  Whether they burnish the overall image of the sector or serve to further Balkanize the industry’s message is a matter of debate.

Early intake of L. reuteri probiotics in infancy may boost gut health: Study

01-Apr-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Early supplementation of an infant’s diet with Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 may boost gut health by reducing the build-up of pathogenic bacteria, says a new study from Italy.

Can fermented kimchi alter the gut microbiota and influence metabolism?

30-Mar-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Consuming fermented kimchi, a source of lactobacilli, may alter the composition of bacterial populations in the gut and affect metabolic pathways for obese women, says a new study from Korea.

“The goal is to crystallise existing consensus..."

ILSI Europe establishes prebiotic and probiotic groups

26-Mar-2015 By Shane STARLING

The European branch of the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) has established separate working groups to investigate the microbiota, mechanisms of action and intestine barrier function.

Probiotic chief: “[Collaboration] could be part of the puzzle for health claim applications”

Swedish firm engages Wageningen to reveal probiotic mechanism of action

24-Mar-2015 By Shane STARLING

A Swedish probiotic player has enlisted Wageningen University to research probiotic mechanisms of action in the area of inflammation – work Probi’s CEO told us could yield a sector-defining health claim.

Probiotic potential for pear antioxidants explored in study

24-Mar-2015 By Niamh Michail

Antioxidants and phenols in pears can balance gut microbiota as well as manage early-stage type 2 diabetes and hypertension, according to researchers.

Goal for IPA to become more agile, vocal in promoting probiotics, new director says

23-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

After a months-long interregnum, George Paraskevakos, the new executive director of the International Probiotics Association, formally takes up the reins pledging that the organization will become more agile and vocal in defending and promoting the ingredients.