Probiotics, prebiotics & postbiotics

Consumers seek functional benefits even in their cup of joe, Mintel study finds

26-Sep-2018 By Adi Menayang

When buying a bottle of ready-to-drink coffee, it's not just about caffeine — many US consumers gravitate to options that provide antioxidants, probiotics, and brain health benefits.

IPA defends probiotic efficacy & safety after questions by Pieter Cohen in JAMA journal

25-Sep-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Supplement critic Dr Pieter Cohen has trained his sights on probiotics for a new opinion paper, stating that the sector has spun hundreds of small studies favorably and also practices creative advertising.

Probiotic strain shows anti-stress and anxiety benefits in RCT

20-Sep-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum P8 may alleviate stress and anxiety in stressed adults, says a new randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study with over 100 participants.

Multi-strain probiotic supplementation may improve cardiometabolic measures in diabetics

19-Sep-2018 By Stephen Daniells

A combination of eight probiotic strains may help improve measures of cardiometabolic health including insulin resistance, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol levels, says a new study.

Probiotics effective for gut microbe changes and immune benefits in healthy infants

17-Sep-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Data from a randomized, placebo-controlled trial indicated that probiotic supplements not only beneficially changed the gut microbiomes of healthy infants, but also exerted anti-inflammatory effects.

Lumina data: 71% of US probiotic products have a ‘free-from’ claim

11-Sep-2018 By Stephen Daniells

US probiotic products lead the world when it comes to free-from claims on labels, with gluten-free perhaps unsurprisingly leading the way, according to data from Lumina Intelligence.

China's probiotic market: Huge interest in products for weight management – Lumina Intelligence data

11-Sep-2018 By Gary Scattergood

When it comes to consumer engagement and approval, probiotic products with weight management benefits top the list in China, according new data revealed by Lumina Intelligence.

New line of practitioner supplements billed as 'multivitamin' among probiotics

10-Sep-2018 By Hank Schultz

Practitioner channel specialist Designs for Health has bet on a high CFU count and branded, proprietary strains to create a line of probiotic supplements that it says has garnered the confidence of health care providers.

From the Editor's Desk

No BBC, probiotics are not 'quite useless'

07-Sep-2018 By Stephen Daniells

A new BBC article dismisses the benefits of probiotics because a study failed to find colonization. It is a serious mistake to confuse colonization with efficacy and we need to get this message across to consumers.

Probiotics and CFUs: FDA issues draft guidance on how to label supplements containing live microbials

06-Sep-2018 By Stephen Daniells

The US Food and Drug Administration today issued a draft guidance on labeling of live microbial ingredients (probiotics) as colony forming units (CFUs) in addition to weight, as is currently specified in the regulations.

Probiotic strain shows body weight benefits for pre-obese adults: RCT

05-Sep-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Dietary supplementation with the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium breve B-3 may help reduce body fat levels in healthy pre-obese adults, according to a new study from Japan’s Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd.

New research service offers insights for probiotics manufacturers

05-Sep-2018 By Hank Schultz

A new research service offered by William Reed, parent company of NutraIngredients-USA, will offer business insights to probiotics manufactures and brand holders as well as companies in other categories.

WATCH: Highlights from the inaugural NutraIngredients-USA Awards 2018

04-Sep-2018 By Adi Menayang

We celebrated the 12 winners out of 110 entries within the nutrition and wellness industry who won our first ever NutraIngredients-USA awards. Here are some highlights:

Delivery systems a 'determining factor' in probiotic success, suggests Lumina Intelligence

04-Sep-2018 By Will Chu

Delivery systems for probiotic supplements will determine probiotic storage, release time and viability through the body, according to recent research with these systems' ability largely determining product success.

Revenue rockets at Swisse parent firm Health and Happiness as probiotics perform well

04-Sep-2018 By Tingmin Koe

Health and Happiness (H&H) achieved a revenue of RMB4573.6m (about US$669m) in the first half of 2018, which is 28.8% higher than the same period last year.

Functional branding: Kerry talks up APAC immunity and digestive opportunities for BC30 and Wellmune

31-Aug-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Kerry believes that clear evidence of growing consumer demand for probiotics, immunity and protein products across APAC will stand the firm in good stead for regional sales success for its functional branded ingredients, not least the patented probiotic...

NutraIngredients-USA global round-up: Chinese vitamin C, the microbiome and sports, and more

27-Aug-2018 By Stephen Daniells

It’s a global supply chain and a global industry, but it’s not always easy keeping up with everything that’s happening around the world that could impact the US dietary supplements industry. The answer? Our new weekly round-up of key news from across...

UAS Labs licenses BNR17 probiotic strain for weight management

27-Aug-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Wisconsin-based UAS Labs has announced a licensing agreement with South Korea’s AceBiome, which includes the manufacturing and commercialization of patented probiotic, Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17.

What's the science backing skin health claims for supplements? Five ingredients with published studies in the past year

23-Aug-2018 By Adi Menayang

From proteins to pigments to ‘postbiotics,’ here’s a round-up of our coverage on nutrition and skin health research from the past year.

SPORTS NUTRITION CONGRESS 2018: PREVIEW

Microbiome and sport: Interplay between diet, exercise and gut heralds in personalised paradigm

21-Aug-2018 By Will Chu

‘Prescribed exercise’ is a distinct possibility in the future as consumers look to improve gut and overall health as part of the gradual shift towards a holistic personalised nutrition approach.

Survival of the fittest: Gut colonisation study could lead to gene-targeting probiotics

17-Aug-2018 By Will Chu

New probiotic products targeting individual genes for gut microbial diversity could be on the horizon after researchers outline a data-based approach that identifies the growth of beneficial microbes.

EDITOR'S SPOTLIGHT

Nutritional psychiatry: Accessing the gut to address the brain

17-Aug-2018 By Will Chu

As evidence mounts for the existence of the gut-brain axis, nutritional psychiatry has emerged as a promising research field within the food and nutrition community.

CRN announces 11 new members

16-Aug-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) has added eleven new companies to its membership network.

Microbiome seen as key factor in resilience/immunity equation

16-Aug-2018 By Hank Schultz

The microbiome plays a key role in determining how different individuals respond to psychological and physical stress, researchers have concluded.

ADM completes deal to buy Probiotics International Limited

16-Aug-2018 By Nathan Gray

US-based Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has completed its acquisition of UK-based Probiotics International Limited - known under its umbrella brand Protexin.

Daily cricket consumption may alter gut microbiota, clinical trial suggests

15-Aug-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Consuming 25 grams of cricket powder per day may alter specific populations of beneficial gut bacteria, a double-blind, randomized crossover trial conducted at Colorado State University indicated.

IPA, other experts roundly reject conclusions of 'brain fog' paper

13-Aug-2018 By Hank Schultz

An observational study that purported to show a link between 'brain fogginess' and probiotics use has so many problems with it that the International Probiotics Association has concluded this is a case where "the peer review process has...

Gut-brain axis: New study proposes probiotic strain’s benefit in ameliorating IBS-related depression

10-Aug-2018 By Adi Menayang

Depression and anxiety are common symptoms among people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). A study out of India suggests that probiotic supplementation may improve these symptoms among those with IBS.

Drinking tart cherry juice may improve gut health, says new study

08-Aug-2018 By Adi Menayang

Researchers looked at how bacteria found in the human gut interact with tart cherry concentrate—both in a petri dish and in a human trial.

Heat killed lactic acid strain boosts athletes' immune defenses

07-Aug-2018 By Hank Schultz

Researchers have found that a heat killed bacterial strain suppressed markers of respiratory infections and fatigue in university athletes.

Fibre-rich foods said to reduce gut stress and ‘anxiety-like behaviour’

06-Aug-2018 By Will Chu

Evidence for the gut-brain axis’ influence was shared in new research identifying the role high-fibre foods have in reducing the effects stress has on the gut and in anxiety-like behaviour.

Lux Research: 'It's paramount that microbiome data is used for personalized nutrition'

06-Aug-2018 By Adi Menayang

A new market research report explores how the personalized nutrition space can elevate itself beyond “just recommending diets” and become an integral part of preventive health care.

Supplement sales helped drive gains in Clorox’s lifestyle segment in Q4

03-Aug-2018 By Adi Menayang

The Clorox Company dived deeper into the supplements space when it bought portfolio company Nutranext earlier this year. How did it affect its Q4 results?

“We are also targeting others,” says president

US firm targets Europe as it wins novel foods approval on corn-based prebiotic

03-Aug-2018 By Kacey Culliney

California-based AIDP has won novel foods approval for its xylo-oligosaccharides prebiotic PreticX and will now seek the European nod for its magnesium L-threonate brain health ingredient, says company president.

China beverage firm Wahaha to launch new probiotic range as it ramps up health focus

02-Aug-2018 By Tingmin Koe

Hangzhou Wahaha Group will be launching three new probiotic products that are targeted at women, children, and the elderly.

Probiotics 'at a crossroads': Blackmores innovation chief to hail commercial successes, but warn of commoditisation

31-Jul-2018 By Gary Scattergood

Blackmores' director of product Innovation Paul Mannion believes consumer demand for solutions to restore microbial balance has never been stronger, but will discuss at Probiota Asia how the sector could be at risk of commoditisation.

Synbiotic product shown to boost iron uptake for female athletes

27-Jul-2018 By Hank Schultz

A recent study shows a synbiotic formulation markedly improved iron absorption in a cohort of collegiate female athletes.

IOC provides point of reference for supplement use amongst athletes

27-Jul-2018 By Will Chu

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made available a reference infographic for athletes and dietary supplement users to help decide whether to take or avoid a supplement.

NUTRAINGREDIENTS-USA AWARDS 2018: HIGHLIGHT

MEET THE WINNERS: Ingredients of the year

25-Jul-2018 By Adi Menayang

At the inaugural NutraIngredients-USA Awards last week, we awarded four companies for their innovation in nutritional ingredients.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Kaneka signs exclusive distribution deal for AB-Biotics ingredients in North America, Japan

24-Jul-2018

Tokyo-headquartered Kaneka Corporation acquired a 34.8% share of Barcelona-based biotech company AB-Biotics. It also signed on as exclusive distributor for the latter’s ingredients in the US, Canadian, and Japanese markets.

Synbiotics' anti-constipation effects require more specific evidence: Malaysia population study

24-Jul-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Synbiotics may be preferable to laxatives in treating constipation, but more evidence on specific benefits are required, according to the findings of a population study by Selangor's Universiti Putra Malaysia.

NUTRAINGREDIENTS-USA AWARDS 2018: HIGHLIGHT

MEET THE WINNERS: Products of the Year

20-Jul-2018 By Adi Menayang

We wrapped up the inaugural NutraIngredients-USA Awards on Monday, where three finished product companies won awards for best probiotic, omega-3, and botanical supplement.

Company looks for metabolites associated with gut health via pinprick blood test

20-Jul-2018 By Hank Schultz

A personalized nutrition startup called Ixcela is taking a unique tack toward microbiome health by measuring metabolites in the blood that are associated with healthy gut functioning.

Stress transfer via vaginal microbiota may contribute to brain disorders in later life

19-Jul-2018 By Will Chu

A mechanism that details the transfer of stress exposure via vaginal microbes is the focus of a new study that may also be a risk factor for future psychiatric disorders in offspring, such as schizophrenia.

Dairy alternatives continue to make inroads with consumers around globe, Cargill finds

18-Jul-2018 By Hank Schultz

New consumer research from Cargill has implications for formulators of functional foods, sports nutrition products and dairy products. Dairy ingredients are generally in decline, while plant-based alternatives are filling in the gaps.

Is more data needed to determine the safety of probiotics and prebiotics?

17-Jul-2018 By Nathan Gray

Experts and industry associations have questioned the findings of a new study that claims more data on the safety data for probiotics and prebiotics is needed - with just 2% of clinical trials reporting full safety data.

Does exercise and fitness help shape our gut microbiome?

17-Jul-2018 By Will Chu

Researchers in the US have reaffirmed a suggested link between our gut bacteria and sports — with a finding that people with higher cardiovascular fitness have higher levels of certain 'beneficial bacteria'.

Eurofins partners with DuPont for strain level probiotic genotyping assays

16-Jul-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Responding to the need for strain-specific probiotic testing, Eurofins becomes the first third party laboratory to employ DuPont’s polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) genotyping assays to identify probiotics at the strain level.

Probiotic survival: Study by Sabinsa suggests that flow cytometry beats plate count for probiotic enumeration

16-Jul-2018 By Adi Menayang

Ingredient manufacturer Sabinsa makes a case for flow cytometry as a more accurate method to calculate a probiotic's survivability.

Taiyo builds up UTI science suite behind SunCran combination ingredient

12-Jul-2018 By Hank Schultz

In an era when regulators are increasingly calling for product specific science, Taiyo International has stepped up to the plate to verify the bacterial adhesion prevention properties of its SunCran cranberry-prebiotic ingredient.