Energy

UK government likely to ban sales of caffeine-rich energy drinks to under 16's

19-Jul-2019 By Will Chu

The UK looks set to ban the sale of energy drinks high in caffeine to children after a Department of Health consultation lays bare the link to headaches, hyperactivity and obesity.

DuPont opens new probiotics facility as part of $100 million investment

15-Jul-2019 By Hank Schultz

DuPont has opened its new probiotics facility in Rochester, NY, part of the company’s $100 million investment into the category.

Compound Solutions goes through self-affirmed GRAS process for energy ingredient Dynamine

08-Jul-2019 By Adi Menayang

Dynamine, a branded form of methylliberine distributed by California-based ingredient company Compound Solutions, has gone through the self-affirmed Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) process to validate its safety.

Company launches supplements to boost—and mute—coffee’s effects

03-Jul-2019 By Hank Schultz

Another company has joined the ‘better’ coffee fray with a line of supplements meant to turbocharge the popular beverage while at the same time allowing users to get better sleep.

High protein, low diversity? Athletes' protein-rich diets may compromise gut health: Korean study

21-Jun-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Diets high in protein may be detrimental to gut microbiota diversity in athletes, and for resistance athletes in particular, high-protein and low-carbohydrate diets may reduce commensal bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).

Study: Athletes think they know more about supplements and nutrition than they actually do

20-Jun-2019 By Hank Schultz

A study on professional athletes competing in Olympic sports has found that the players think they know more about supplements and nutrition than they actually do. The researchers called for more education and monitoring by coaches to inform correct supplement...

Bioenergy filling gap in healthy aging category with RiaGev ingredient

17-Jun-2019 By Hank Schultz

Ingredient developer Bioenergy Life Science is extending the reach for its patented d-ribose offering by combining it with a form of vitamin B3 to create a healthy aging ingredient called RiaGev.

‘You don’t apply statistical analysis to hearsay’: AER expert slams new Harvard analysis

06-Jun-2019 By Stephen Daniells

A new analysis of FDA adverse event data that calls for reduced access to dietary supplements for children, adolescents, and young adults has been slammed by a leading expert in adverse event reporting.

Caffeine cleared? Energy drinks’ heart effects may not be stimulant’s fault, says study

04-Jun-2019 By Will Chu

The interaction of common ingredients contained in energy drinks may have a bigger say in the beverage’s effects on cardiovascular factors that affect the heart rhythm, a US study concludes.

DFH launches first full line of keto products

30-May-2019 By Hank Schultz

Designs for Health has launched what it calls the first line of ketogenic-focused products specific to the practitioner channel.

From the Editor's Desk

Growth of online sales threatens to create new division of industry unconcerned with today's norms

24-May-2019 By Hank Schultz

A new force is shaping the dietary supplement market, one that operates largely outside of normal industry channels. The growth of the online sales channel, and brands that operate exclusively in that space, is an increasingly powerful force.

UBiome suspends founders, sales of microbiome tests in wake of FBI raid

22-May-2019 By Hank Schultz

Testing company uBiome has suspended its co founders in the wake of an FBI raid on its San Francisco offices.

New regulatory approval helps Bioenergy maintain momentum for its branded form of ribose

20-May-2019 By Hank Schultz

Bioenergy Ribose says its recent Novel Foods approval in the EU will help stoke the considerable momentum the brand has built up over the years, a momentum that helps it win the fight against copy cat material.

Global shopper survey: Energy overtakes weight as top health concern

20-May-2019 By Nikki Cutler

Nutrition giant DSM has revealed the results of its Global Health Concerns Studies showing ‘energy’ has knocked ‘weight’ off top spot as the most prevalent health concern in EMEA.

Natural channel authenticity boosts energy brand as it expands in mass channels

17-May-2019 By Hank Schultz

Having a history in health food stores as it expands into mass channels has helped fast growing Celsius Beverages compete in the rapidly evolving energy beverage category, an executive said.

Food, politics, and the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans

13-May-2019 By Elaine Watson

The 2015 Dietary Guidelines prompted a heated debate over the influence of industry lobby groups and the extent to which environmental factors should impact dietary advice, with some stakeholders insisting that sustainability has nothing to do with nutrition,...

From the Editor's Desk

The US military and dietary supplements: The opportunities and challenges

10-May-2019 By Stephen Daniells

Increasing attention is being paid to dietary supplements use among US military personnel, with survey data showing that consumption levels are high, but brand loyalty may be low. So where’s the white space for industry?

Harvard researchers call for more surveillance, targeted policy for energy drink marketing

02-May-2019 By Adi Menayang

What’s the typical profile of an energy drink consumer in the US, and how much are they drinking? Researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health analyzed data from a national health survey to get some answers.

Editor's Spotlight

The lessons learned that brought energy drink company Celsius to the top

24-Apr-2019 By Adi Menayang

Diet positioning was hard to pull-off, Celsius learned. When the thermogenic drink brand switched its key messaging from weight loss to energy and fitness, everything changed for the better, its CEO told us.

Sports beverage maker Kill Cliff strikes Walmart deal

24-Apr-2019 By Adi Menayang

Ready-to-drink sports beverage brand Kill Cliff struck a deal with Walmart, which will stock Kill Cliff’s canned drink Recover in 1,900 Walmart stores in 46 states.

TeaCrine plus caffeine may help maintain energy & offer cognitive benefits: Soccer study

24-Apr-2019 By Stephen Daniells

Pairing theacrine with caffeine may improve reaction times and increase or maintain energy in soccer players, says a new study from Rutgers University.

Unilever gives supplements another chance with Olly acquisition

19-Apr-2019 By Adi Menayang

The US arm of global consumer products giant Unilever will acquire San Francisco-based supplement brand Olly. With functional foods and gummy supplements ranging from multivitamins to beauty-from-within, Olly fits in the cross section of Unilever’s two...

Nitrate-rich beetroots may protect against salt-induced hypertension

11-Apr-2019 By Stephen Daniells

Small amounts of beetroot or dietary nitrates added to salty foods may help protect against increases in blood pressure, suggests new data from rats.

Editor's Spotlight: Video Diary

WATCH: Sports nutrition brands reveal the top trends and their innovations

10-Apr-2019 By Nikki Cutler

The mass market is showing a strong interest in sports nutrition that offers soft textured and lower calorie protein bars, indulgent-tasting treats, BCAA’s, high fibre and new formats made for baking.

Editor's Spotlight

Nature's Way strategy and innovation chief shares how a legacy company is keeping up with the times

27-Mar-2019 By Adi Menayang

At the Natural Products Expo West show this year, we caught up with the chief strategy and innovation officer at legacy supplement brand Nature’s Way to talk about consumer trends, CBD, and the body of laws that regulate supplements.

Traditional Indian wisdom: Amway raises awareness of herbal supplements as consumer acceptance blooms

26-Mar-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Amway India is striving to promote the health benefits of traditional Indian herbs to consumers in the market, having recently conducted a series of seminars showcasing its Nutrilite Traditional Herbs range of supplements.

Study supports oak wood extract’s fatigue-fighting potential

12-Mar-2019 By Adi Menayang

Results of a study on a standardized oak extract suggests that the ingredient may improve fatigue and other symptoms related to infectious mononucleosis.

Leading UK brand Myprotein relies on new nootropic line to lead the charge in US market

26-Feb-2019 By Hank Schultz

UK-based supplement brand Myprotein is launching two nootropic products specific to the US as part of the brand’s strategy for the world’s largest sports nutrition market.

Proprietary blends still prevalent in pre-workout products, but consumer demand for transparency is increasing

20-Feb-2019 By Stephen Daniells

Almost 60% of all multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements use proprietary blends of ingredients, says a new survey of top selling products. But the times are changing and transparency is on the up for the category, according to experts.

Prebiotics from acorn & sago show metabolic benefits, boost gut integrity for obese subjects

15-Feb-2019 By Stephen Daniells

Non-digestible polysaccharides from acorns and sago (palm starch) may help improve glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in lab mice eating a high-fat diet, says a new study.

SPINS analysts: Mitochondrial function, better sleep, keto, and CBD are top trends for supplements in 2019

14-Feb-2019 By Adi Menayang

From marketing support for the ‘mighty mitochondria’ to butters for better sleep, trend forecasters at SPINS highlighted the trends that will dominate the dietary supplements space in 2019.

Mango leaf extract linked to sprint muscle performance

13-Feb-2019 By Will Chu

Supplementation with the polyphenol mangiferin combined with luteolin could enhance sporting performance, with improvements seen in muscle performance during a series of sprint exercises, say researchers.

February new product launches: Manuka honey immune support, energy for eSports, and more

12-Feb-2019 By Adi Menayang

From Manuka honey immune support tablets to a stimulant-free pre-workout powder, here’s a round-up of the latest product launches in recent months:

Gottlieb unveils sweeping plan to revamp DSHEA, review botanical safety, recharge NDI process

11-Feb-2019 By Hank Schultz

FDA will inaugurate a public dialogue process this spring to discuss possible changes to DSHEA, take a fresh look at botanical product safety and to reinvigorate the NDI process. The plan was laid out in a statement from FDA Commissioner Dr Scott Gottlieb,...

Norway’s food authorities warn of caffeine-containing energy drinks’ effect on kids

11-Feb-2019 By Will Chu

Children and adolescents who excessively consume caffeine-containing energy drinks over a short period of time, can experience sleep problems, anxiety and heart palpitations, say Norway’s food authorities.

Aloha adds MCT oil to protein powders; expands distribution footprint

07-Feb-2019 By Hank Schultz

Aloha Protein has announced new formulations of its signature protein powder and an expanded brick and mortar distribution strategy as the company’s new management continues the resuscitation of the legacy plant-based nutrition brand.

EDITOR'S SPOTLIGHT

Bay Area entrepreneur wants to make Asian herbs 'fun and enjoyable' for US consumers

06-Feb-2019 By Adi Menayang

Bay Area-based Jake Kim started Supherb to celebrate the medicinal tradition of his home country, and “to make Asian herbs fun and enjoyable” for people who didn’t grow up with them.

Recovery and education offer opportunities and challenges for DS brands for US military personnel

05-Feb-2019 By Stephen Daniells

US military personnel are big consumers of dietary supplements, with surveys showing over 60% regularly use the products, but dietary supplement brands have a big challenge when it comes to building loyalty: Education.

From the Editor's Desk

Can a sports nutrition product be too good?

01-Feb-2019 By Hank Schultz

Dietary supplements and the ingredients that go into them have always had to walk a careful line. Everyone wants efficacy. But if your ingredient is too efficacious, are you treading too close to the drug line?

Celsius inks $6.9 million China distribution deal with Qifeng

01-Feb-2019 By Hank Schultz

Florida-based energy drink player Celsius Holdings has announced a deal that will both expand the company’s footprint in mainland China, as well as enable it to recoup money it has invested thus far in entering the market.

Bodybuilding.com uses customer data to build out personalized sports nutrition platform

31-Jan-2019 By Hank Schultz

Data—not gravity—makes the world go round. In the sports nutrition realm, retailer bodybuilding.com says it is using the reams of data it gets from customers to build a better personalized nutrition platform.

NPA calls for action on state bill that would restrict access to and post health warning on muscle building supplements

28-Jan-2019 By Hank Schultz

The Natural Products Association is calling for a grassroots response to oppose a bill in Massachusetts that would put sports nutrition and weight management products behind the counter and mandate the posting of a comprehensive health warning.

Patent case could set troubling precedent, attorney says

23-Jan-2019 By Hank Schultz

A patent infringement lawsuit making its way through the courts could have broad implications for the supplement industry, according to an attorney representing one of the parties.

Editor's Spotlight

Om founder: ‘It’s a very great time for all mushroom companies’

16-Jan-2019 By Adi Menayang

Om co-founder Sandra Carter has noticed a "dramatic change in the sophistication" of knowledge of mushrooms among natural product developers and consumers in the past 10 years.

Low FODMAP diet may help reduce exercise-caused tummy issues

16-Jan-2019 By Adi Menayang

Athletes often cite gastrointestinal complaints as a cause of underperformance in endurance events. New research suggests that a diet low in FODMAP may help prevent this.

Red Bull ad banned for making unauthorised health claims on focus and concentration

16-Jan-2019 By Rachel Arthur

A Red Bull cartoon advert has been banned for implying that the energy drink could increase focus and concentration in the workplace: claims that were not authorised on the EU Register.

2019 Trends: The ingredients and categories to watch this year

14-Jan-2019 By Stephen Daniells

As an avid industry watcher, I like to keep a close eye on what’s hot and what’s not in the market. Here’s my list of the top 10 categories and ingredients to keep an eye on for 2019…

January new product launches: Probiotic fruit bar, organic protein milk, and more

10-Jan-2019 By Adi Menayang

In this round-up of the latest product launches from the end of last year and beginning of this new year, we have fruit bars with probiotics, a pre-workout that ‘tastes like college,’ and organic high protein milk.

Review sheds light on caffeine supplementation for combat sport athletes

09-Jan-2019 By Adi Menayang

Caffeine supplementation may improve strength, power, and endurance, according to a systematic review of published studies on the effects of caffeine on combat sport athletes.

Robuvit supplementation linked to improved sleep quality and mood

18-Dec-2018 By Adi Menayang

Results from a new study suggests that supplementing with aqueous extract of French oak wood may improve the sleep quality and mood of individuals with insomnia and high oxidative stress.