Probiotics, prebiotics & postbiotics

Probiotic boosts flavonoids in fermented soy

31-Jan-2014 By Shane Starling

A strain of the Bifidobacterium genus can enhance flavonoid output in fermented soy or other bean-derived drinks, a study has found.

EFSA publishes report that finds few benefits for infant formulas and other milks

30-Jan-2014 By Shane STARLING

Infant formulas fortified with nutrients like prebiotics and probiotics and omega-3s do not provide, “a clear benefit as compared to control formula”, says a report published this week by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Prebiotics may modify brain chemistry through microbiota modulation: Rat study

27-Jan-2014 By Nathan Gray

The modification of gut microbiota by prebiotics may also lead to alterations in brain chemistry, according to new dat that suggests a potential role for prebiotic compounds in neuropsychiatric illness.

Calcium-prebiotic combination may boost bone health more than calcium alone: Human data

24-Jan-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

A combination of a marine-derived calcium-rich multi-mineral supplement with a short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide may help maintain bone health more than calcium alone for post-menopausal women, says a new study.

“I get personal because they [EFSA] get personal to me"

Fed up: Probiotic research veteran issues global call to action

23-Jan-2014

Veteran probiotic researcher professor Gregor Reid is not a happy man. It’s time the probiotic community fought back against those forces that have for too long denied a perfectly valid body of nutrition science in the form of commercial claims. It’s...

Beating malnutrition: 40 global firms join forces at Davos

22-Jan-2014 By Nathan Gray

A network of 40 global businesses have come together with a goal of improving the nutrition of 127 million malnourished women and children by 2020.

Global probiotic market to add 50% to €33bn by 2018: Analyst

22-Jan-2014 By Shane STARLING

The term ‘probiotic’ may be banned in the European Union – along with its cousin ‘prebiotic’ – but sales remain steady, and the global picture is buoyant, says leading analyst, Euromonitor International.

Microbiome metabolism: Scientists reveal how gut bacteria break down complex carbohydrates

21-Jan-2014 By Nathan Gray

An international team of researchers have uncovered the cellular mechanisms that allow bacteria a single group of bacteria found in our microbiota to break down complex sugars and fibres.

DSM profits rise in 2013 despite sluggish nutrition performance

21-Jan-2014 By Shane STARLING

Multiple issues in the omega-3 sector, a ‘saturated’ US food supplements market, a widespread consumer move to private label plus a strengthening euro have all impacted Dutch-Swiss ingredient giant DSM’s nutrition division in 2013, but it still delivered...

Italians target infants with donkey milk probiotics

20-Jan-2014 By Shane Starling

Italian firm Eurolactis is ready to bring probiotic lactic bacteria derived from donkey’s milk to market, with infant formula makers in sight.

Probiotics’ effect against hayfever is not conclusive

17-Jan-2014

Scientists are struggling to prove that the consumption of probiotic foods can help protect people against hayfever.

EU health claim for inulin has more immediate importance in the US: Beneo

16-Jan-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Attaining a positive health claims opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) may be of more importance immediately in the US than in the EU, says leading inulin supplier Beneo.

Dietary fibres may protect against asthma: Mouse data

15-Jan-2014 By Nathan Gray

A lack of fermentable fibres in people's diet may pave the way for allergic inflammatory reactions such as asthma - and increasing intake of these fibres could help battle asthma, according to new research. 

Colours customer loss hits Chr. Hansen first quarter results

15-Jan-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Chr. Hansen recorded a ‘soft start’ to 2014 after the loss of its biggest colours customer hit revenue – although it retained its growth expectations for the full year.

Probiotics may benefit energy metabolism in obese people: Human data

13-Jan-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of probiotics combined with an herbal preparation may improve obesity-related parameters, according to a new study from South Korea.

Symrise set for Swedish probiotic takeover bid

13-Jan-2014 By Shane STARLING

German fragrance and flavours house Symrise has increased its stake in Swedish probiotics specialist Probi to 30.03%, and is now obliged under law to make a formal takeover bid.

EFSA health claim opinion

Get inulin! Northern European giants win EFSA claim for non-digestible carbs and glycaemia

13-Jan-2014 By Shane STARLING

The three giants of chicory-derived inulin and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) supply have won a significant European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) health claim approval linking non-digestible carbohydrates and improved blood glucose response.

New bioinformatics platform set to predict bacterial functionalities based on genes alone

09-Jan-2014 By Nathan Gray

A new bioinformatics platform created by a consortium of European SMEs and research institutes could help industry predict the functionality of food bacteria and probiotics based on their genome.

Dutch firm upgrades EU probiotic (medical devices) claim

07-Jan-2014 By Shane STARLING

A probiotics specialist in the Netherlands has won a second claim for a multi-strain probiotic blend targeting vaginal health under European Union medical devices legislation.

Calcium plus magnesium and lactulose may cut body fat levels: Study

06-Jan-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

A combination of minerals and prebiotic fiber may help reduce body fat mass in middle-aged women, suggests a new study from Japan.

Probiota 2014, February 4-5, Amsterdam

Probiota 2014: The ultimate pre- and probiotic science-business blend

19-Dec-2013 By Shane STARLING

Probiota 2014 – relocated from Brussels to Amsterdam and organised by NutraIngredients – will bring together the finest scientific and commercial minds operating in the pre- and probiotic sector in a 2-day, 2-stream event.

Top 12 trends for food, nutrition and health

18-Dec-2013 By Michael Stones

Naturally functional products leads the top 12 food, nutrition and health trends identified by New Nutrition Business in its latest infographic.

Probiotics can reduce bowel problem in premature babies: Study

16-Dec-2013

A 3-strain probiotic blend can reduce the occurrence of a bowel condition common among  premature babies, researchers writing in Pediatrics journal have found.

BRIC healthy dairy boom blooms; Europe down but not doomed

16-Dec-2013 By Shane STARLING

Brazil, Russia, India, China – as well as Mexico – are the fastest growing markets for functional dairy products, according to a Euromonitor International presentation given last week at the Healthy and Functional Dairy event.

Diet can 'rapidly and reproducibly' alter our gut bacteria: Study

16-Dec-2013 By Nathan Gray

Shifts in dietary patterns can radically alter the microbial make-up of our gut in less than a day, leading to rapid alterations in the functions of our microbiota, say researchers.

Probiotic blend benefits antibiotic users: Study

12-Dec-2013

500+ Chinese hospital patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) have shown improvement after consuming a probiotic blend, a study has found.

Greek yogurt 'opened up the market' for healthy dairy: Chr Hansen

11-Dec-2013 By Mark ASTLEY

The continuing popularity of high-protein Greek yogurt in the US has opened up the market for similar dairy products, such as quark, kefir, and drinking yogurt, according to Chr Hansen.

Probiotics during pregnancy and infancy no benefit for asthma: BMJ analysis

10-Dec-2013 By Nathan Gray

While consumption of probiotics may have health benefits, preventing childhood asthma is not one of them, according to new data published in the British Medical Journal.

Reduced microbiota diversity linked to colorectal cancer risk: Study

09-Dec-2013 By Nathan Gray

A decreased diversity of microbes found in the human gut microbiota is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, say researchers.

Probiotic therapy alleviates autism-like behaviors in mice: Study

06-Dec-2013 By Nathan Gray

Probiotic supplementation may help to reverse changes in gut bacteria and gut physiology that are linked to autism spectrum disorders, according to new research in mice.

Tooth-friendly candy promise with novel probiotic, says BASF-backed study

05-Dec-2013 By Oliver Nieburg

A short-term pilot study claims that a lactic acid bacterium holds potential for use in sugar-free candies to reduce the risk of dental caries.

Protein overtaking probiotic claims in yogurt market

05-Dec-2013 By Nathan Gray

The trend for high-protein products is gathering pace globally, with more than 10% of new launches using protein claims, as a softer approach to health moves the industry away from probiotic claims, according to data from Innova Market Insights.

The European food industry: Health claims, recession and global competition

05-Dec-2013 By Staff Writer

We gave the European food industry a check-up at this year’s Food Ingredients Europe (FiE), talking with some of the industry's top ingredients players about EU health claims, economic recovery and how to remain competitive on a global stage.

Poster deadline extended by one week to December 13

Probiota 2014: Poster proposal deadline extended

04-Dec-2013 By Nathan Gray

Probiota 2014 – the leading conference bridging the interface of academia and industry for cutting edge science about the prebiotics, probiotics and the microbiome – has extended the call for proposals for its poster sessions by one week to Friday 13th...

Intestinal bacteria may influence food transit through the gut

25-Nov-2013 By Nathan Gray

Food transit time though the gut may be controlled by a complex system of hormones released by our microbiota, according to new research.

Probiotic dark chocolate: Potential for new synbiotic strain, finds study

21-Nov-2013 By Oliver Nieburg

A synbiotic combination of a Baccilus probiotic and two dietary fibers holds promise in dark chocolate, according to research.

Yakult brings probiotic little bottles to Switzerland

20-Nov-2013 By Shane STARLING

Switzerland is the newest market for Japanese probiotic drink leader Yakult, which began selling there last month.

Live from #FIE2013 in Frankfurt, Germany

Irish firm offers (cheaper) heat resistant probiotics for infant formula

20-Nov-2013 By Shane STARLING

Irish biotech start-up AnaBio Technologies is in advanced negotiations with major infant formula makers interested in its encapsulation technologies that can blend probiotics and minerals into heat treated products at cost-effective prices.

Gut reaction: Could hormone receptors on gut bacteria be driving diet-health interactions?

15-Nov-2013 By Nathan Gray

Dietary intake of foods that affect hormone levels could drive changes in the microbial make up of ourgut flora, according to new research in mice.

Gut bacteria may be linked to rheumatoid arthritis: Study

12-Nov-2013 By Nathan Gray

Bacterial disturbances in the gut may play a role in autoimmune attacks on joints, and could point the way towards novel ways to manage and prevent arthritis, say researchers.

Researchers identify molecular link between gut bacteria and intestinal health

05-Nov-2013 By Nathan Gray

An enzyme known as HDAC3 may be central to understanding the mechanisms and drivers behind the complex relationship between our gut microbiota and intestinal health, according to new research published in Nature.

World’s fastest growing functional food in 2013? Infant formula (by a mile)

30-Oct-2013 By Shane STARLING

Infant formula is the fastest growing healthy and functional food and drink category – adding almost $5bn (€3.63bn) in global sales in 2013 according to Euromonitor International.

Probiotic labelling bid shaky, says top legal group

30-Oct-2013 By Rick Pendrous

The chances of the European Commission (EC) approving the latest bid to use the term ‘probiotic’ as a ‘generic descriptor’ are slim, according to law firm Eversheds.

BioGaia signs 5 probiotic oral health deals

29-Oct-2013

Swedish probiotic supplier BioGaia has inked distribution deals in five countries for its probiotic oral health products.

Probiotic cheese + low calorie diet shows weight and heart health benefits for obese

28-Oct-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A low calorie diet plus daily consumption of a probiotic cheese may improve blood pressure and body mass index measures in obese adults with hypertension, says a new study.

Chr Hansen CEO on ‘solid’ 2013 profit: ‘We are very proud of our European performance’

23-Oct-2013 By Shane STARLING

Chr Hansen CEO Cees de Jong today praised the Danish enzymes, cultures and colours specialist’s 2012-2013 performance that saw revenues grow 6% to €738m for the year, and highlighted 5% growth in sluggish EMEA as a major achievement.

Debut probiotic shot comes with alu-blister packaging

17-Oct-2013 By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn

A drinkable probiotic shot will be launched at CPhI 2013 in a mini bottle using Drycap technology, which lets probiotics live in a dry environment.

Chr. Hansen takes first shot at liquid probiotics

17-Oct-2013 By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn

Chr. Hansen has announced the launch of its first liquid form probiotic with a broad target audience, available in a shot dosage which has already proved popular in Italy.

Capsugel’s DRcaps ‘excellent choice’ for probiotics & enzymes

16-Oct-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The release of the contents from Capsugel’s DRcaps occurs after the capsules have passed through the stomach, says a new scintigraphic in vivo study that supports the capsules as an ‘excellent choice’ for sensitive ingredients like probiotics and enzymes....

Probiotics (Bl-04) may reduce common cold risk in active adults: Clinical trial

14-Oct-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of the probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis subsp lactis Bl-04 may reduce the risk of the common cold (upper respiratory tract infections or URTIs) in active adults, says a new study from Australia.