Polyphenols

Guest Article

For herbs, 2017 was a very good year

20-Dec-2017 By Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of the American Botanical Council

The past year had been a good one for the industry, with sales rising toward $8 billion and supporting clinical evidence for the category continuing to accrue.

BAP bulletin details adulteration of increasingly popular cranberry supplements

19-Dec-2017 By Hank Schultz

The latest Botanical Adulterants Program bulletin focuses on a foodstuff of seasonal interest — cranberry — whose application as a dietary ingredient is rapidly expanding.

Guest Article

AHPA looks back at the herbal industry in 2017

19-Dec-2017 By Michael McGuffin, president, American Herbal Products Association

The herbal industry continued to evolve in 2017 to meet the steadily increasing demand for high quality botanical ingredients in an array of consumer goods from teas and health supplements to personal care products and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Life Extension turns to under-the-radar Asian herb for weight loss product

15-Dec-2017 By Hank Schultz

An Asian herb that has been researched for weight loss effects forms the basis of a new Life Extension product launch.

Sports brand new to US market trades on Alpine purity

13-Dec-2017 By Hank Schultz

A sports supplement has debuted on the US market that capitalizes on the purity associated with Alpine settings along with the founder’s experience as a biochemist and former strength athlete.

Quinoa compounds may boost ‘healthspan’ and slow aging: Study

13-Dec-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Specific phytochemicals in quinoa may contribute to slowing aging and improved metabolic health, suggests new data from a study in nematodes (C. elegans).

Industry loses James Duke, pioneering ethnobotanist

12-Dec-2017 By Hank Schultz

The herbal dietary supplements industry has lost another of its foundational pioneers with the death of Dr James Duke, PhD, who catalogued thousands of medicinal plants from around the world.

PATENT WATCH

Abbott Labs develops ‘better bioavailability’ curcuminoid blend

30-Nov-2017 By Kacey Culliney

Abbott Laboratories has developed a curcuminoid formulation with improved oral bioavailability using phosphatides and dextrins.

Nature's Way joins wave of condition-specific turmeric products

27-Nov-2017 By Hank Schultz

Supplement manufacturer Nature’s Way has joined the trend of targeted turmeric formulas with the launch of two products, one aimed a joint health and another zeroing in on cardiovascular support.

Goodgut builds science to support efficacy as products go national

21-Nov-2017 By Stephen Daniells

With new science to support its effects and national distribution in retailers such as Vitamin Shoppe and Walgreens, more and more consumers are purchasing Greenteaspoon’s Goodgut product, says the company’s CEO.

Resveratrol’s rejuvenation of ageing human cells signals life in the ‘old molecule’ yet

17-Nov-2017 By Will Chu

Resveratrol’s ability to keep ageing at bay is demonstrated again in new research, which details a way to revitalise old cells making them not only look younger but also behave more like its younger version.

Forest farming seen as sustainable alternative to wildcrafting

14-Nov-2017 By Hank Schultz

An innovative program administered through a Virginia university is fostering a model for increasing supply chain quality and transparency via the cultivation of forest botanicals in situ.

Polyphenolics seeks to capture potentially mysterious benefits of red wine in extract

06-Nov-2017 By Hank Schultz

Polyphenolics is going back to basics with an ingredient that seeks to capture benefits of the Mediterranean Diet in a standardized extract.

Cocoa flavanols may boost brain health benefits of exercise: Human data

23-Oct-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Consumption of a high-flavanol cocoa beverage may enhance the effects of exercise on executive function in healthy volunteers, says a new study from Japan.

Usage and confidence in supplements up, trust stays high: CRN data

20-Oct-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Seventy-six percent of US adults are using dietary supplements, an increase of 5% on 2016 values, according to results of the 2017 CRN Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements.

CoffeeFruit Pure and Ingredients By Nature sign exclusive coffee fruit supply agreement

18-Oct-2017 By Adi Menayang

Hawaii-based CoffeeFruit Pure will be the exclusive supplier of coffee fruit ingredients for California-based Ingredients By Nature (IBN).

ISAPP launches education videos to counter common myths around probiotics

16-Oct-2017 By Stephen Daniells

What is a probiotic? What are the health benefits of probiotics? Are all probiotics the same? And how to choose a probiotic product are the topics of a new video initiative from the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics to...

ABC leads effort to make sure rejected raw material is destroyed, not resold

12-Oct-2017 By Hank Schultz

The American Botanical Council has announced a plan to create an industry-accepted practice to ensure that rejected raw materials don’t find their way back into the market and onto the shelf in the form of finished goods.

Coop model offers path to increasing supply of high quality US grown herbal raw material

10-Oct-2017 By Hank Schultz

A nascent organic herbal cooperative model in Vermont offers the promise of increasing domestic herbal ingredient sources. The founders say they have been pleasantly surprised that demand for these higher priced materials has consistently outstripped...

Pycnogenol joint health benefits illuminated in unique trial

04-Oct-2017 By Stephen Daniells

The potential joint health benefits of Pycnogenol, an extract from French Maritime Pine bark, are linked to its ability to absorb directly into the synovial fluid, says a new study with patients with osteoarthritis.

Total polyphenol intake may determine blood pressure benefit of Mediterranean diet: study

28-Sep-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

Higher intakes of dietary phenolic acids, abundant in the Mediterranean diet, are associated with blood pressure, according to a new study in Nutrients.

Green tea power? Lowering caffeine may enhance anti-stress properties

28-Sep-2017 By Kacey Culliney

Reducing caffeine in green tea could enhance anti-stress properties and aid sleep as theanine gains more prominence, Japan researchers claim.

Swisse Wellness back in the USA after three-year hiatus

27-Sep-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Australian supplement company Swisse Wellness is re-entering the US market with its most popular multivitamins and supplements, which are now available for online purchase.

Polyphenol blend may boost post-exercise recovery: RCT

21-Sep-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplementation with a blend of extracts from mangosteen, elderberry, and pomegranate may delay muscle soreness and help manage post-exercise recovery, says a new study.

The Supplement OWL seeks to improve transparency

14-Sep-2017 By Paul Bolar, VP regulatory affairs, Pharmavite

At Pharmavite, we pride ourselves in the work we do and the products we make. Since 1971, we’ve been a leader in the health and wellness industry, and, with our Nature Made brand, have earned the trust of consumers, healthcare practitioners, retailers,...

Could more coffee lead to a longer life? Researchers think so

12-Sep-2017 By Emma Jane Cash

A few extra cups of coffee have been associated with a lower risk of death, according to new research.

Polyphenols may enhance endurance, delay time to exhaustion

11-Sep-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Acute intake of a specific blend of polyphenols from grape and apple may boost endurance in athletes, says a new study using Nexira’s ViNitrox ingredient.

Are anthocyanins a prebiotic? Brazilian researchers summarize what we know so far

22-Aug-2017 By Adi Menayang

The study of prebiotics — a term used to describe the ‘food’ beneficial gut bacteria feed on — is still in its infancy. Researchers in Brazil synthesized existing studies of dark blue flavonoids called anthocyanins and found that more and more studies...

ORAC values might be passé, but antioxidant activity still demands research, experts say

15-Aug-2017 By Hank Schultz

Quoting ORAC values as a marketing tool has gone the way of the dinosaurs. But the measure of antioxidant activity still points to potentially important beneficial properties of ingredients, experts say.

Study supports safety of pomegranate metabolite, urolithin A

11-Aug-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Extensive toxicological data supports the safety of urolithin A, a metabolite from pomegranate compounds and an emerging ingredient positioned for its anti-inflammatory properties and for boosting mitochondrial and muscle function.

Sabinsa takes lead to establish Global Curcumin Association

09-Aug-2017 By Hank Schultz

Major curcuminoids supplier Sabinsa has taken a step it hopes will help protect the entire category by becoming the founding board member of the Global Curcumin Association.

Potato bound polyphenols: A novel delivery method for gut health?

09-Aug-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

The ability of polyphenols to bind with different types of potato cells may provide a new means of delivering them to the gut, say researchers. 

Ginkgo may enhance performance, boost brain health for active men

09-Aug-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Extracts of Ginkgo biloba leaves may offer body and mind benefits for young, active men, according to a small supplementation trial from Poland.

Flavonoid diet may reduce flu severity – but only if you have the right gut bacteria

04-Aug-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

A specific microbe found in the gut may protect consumers of flavonoid rich diets against severe flu, finds a new animal study published in Science.

Pomegranate juice aids recovery in weightlifters: Study

02-Aug-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

Supplementation with pomegranate juice (PJ) may reduce oxidative stress and improve recovery time after intensive resistance training, reveals a recent study published in Nutrients.

Green tea polyphenol EGCG counteracts obesity and cognitive decline caused by Western diet

31-Jul-2017 By Gary Scattergood

There is "compelling evidence" that EGCG from green tea could improve memory impairment, brain insulin resistance, and obesity caused by a high-fat and high-fructose diet, researchers have claimed.

Researcher's blog post boosts interest in black elderberry's immune benefits

28-Jul-2017 By Hank Schultz

A recent blog post by an ethnobotanist based in California has reinvigorated interest in black elderberry as an immune health ingredient.

ASAE honors Supplement OWL with Power of A Silver Award

27-Jul-2017 By Stephen Daniells

The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) has awarded the Supplement OWL (Online Wellness Library) a 2017 Power of A Silver Award.

The top ingredients for cognition, focus & mood

14-Jul-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Memory, attention and focus, development, mood; there are numerous ways that a nutrient or bioactive ingredient can affect cognitive health. But which have the most science, how do they work?

Sabinsa names Shaheen Majeed as company’s worldwide president

12-Jul-2017 By Adi Menayang

Sabinsa has promoted its marketing director, Shaheen Majeed, to worldwide president of the company, with responsibility for manufacturing, marketing, strategies and other operational matters.

Coffee could ward off death and disease, researchers claim

12-Jul-2017 By Will Chu

Drinking three coffees a day is the optimal for lowering risk of all-cause death, says a study, which also found drinking higher levels increased risks for certain populations.

Microbial fermentation could offer cost effective production method for anthocyanins, say researchers

11-Jul-2017 By Elaine Watson

Microbes can convert sugar into the red anthocyanin pigments found in fruits via a fermentation process that – when perfected – could prove to be much more efficient than extracting commercial quantities of these pigments from plants, claim researchers. 

Spearmint extract may enhance reaction time, focus and agility: Human data

30-Jun-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of Kemin’s Neumentix spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) extract may support cognition and enhance physical performance in young, healthy individuals, says a new study.

Brain-impaired elderly subjects appear to most benefit from cocoa flavanols: Review

30-Jun-2017 By Will Chu

Flavanol-rich chocolate is well known for its beneficial effect on the brain, but a review by Italian researchers point towards its neuroprotective effects in vulnerable populations over time.

Fruit d' Or gets Health Canada approval for cranberry powder during period of regulatory uncertainty

22-Jun-2017 By Hank Schultz

Fruit d’ Or has obtained a Health Canada designation for its cranberry juice powder which comes with it the ability to make health claims on urinary tract infections. The approval comes at a time when the whole approval process in the country has been...

Special edition: Botanicals

Synthetic botanicals standoff likely to continue despite Georgia ruling

22-Jun-2017 By Hank Schultz

Experts expect the existing standoff on synthetic botanicals as voiced by FDA in the most recent draft NDI guidance will continue, despite the consensus from industry being  the agency’s position is not rooted in science.

Olive leaf extract favorably changes blood pressure, cholesterol: RCT data

19-Jun-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements containing a polyphenol-rich extract from olive leaves may improve blood pressure and reduce cholesterol levels in pre-hypertensives, says a new study.

Science short

Green tea-capsaicin-ginger combo linked to weight and metabolic improvements

19-Jun-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Dietary supplements containing green tea, capsaicin and ginger extracts may lead to weight loss and improvements in BMI, says a new study.

A 10% fruit and vegetable subsidy can save lives, new study finds

16-Jun-2017 By Adi Menayang

Fruit and vegetable subsidies can literally save lives, according to researchers at the University of Liverpool, who analysed how different food policy models may reduce deaths caused by cardiovascular disease in the US.

Supplements' 'smart role' underlined as report reveals sorry state of Australia's preventive health spending

15-Jun-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Trade body Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA) has backed a new report into preventive health, which details how the country is lagging behind fellow OECD nations Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.