Beverage - Cosmetics

Nestlé files patent for cocoa extract allergy treatment

03-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Nestlé has filed an international patent for cocoa polyphenols as a treatment or prevention of eosinophilic esophagitis – an allergic reaction of the esophagus.

AFI: 'This is a complement to breast feeding, not a replacement'

Arla's plans to fight malnutrition come under fire

02-Apr-2015 By Niamh Michail

As Danish dairy giant Arla Foods Ingredients (AFI) announces plans to combat malnutrition in Ethiopia by selling ingredients for milk formula, campaigners warn that companies may be profiting from hunger by promoting their products.

What do we know about caffeine and Alzheimer's?

01-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

It is ‘imperative’ more research is conducted on the potential benefits of caffeine in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease, say scientists.

Not just for hippies: Hemp's rising superfood status

01-Apr-2015 By RJ Whitehead

Bursting with nutrients and boasting an impressive growth rate, the future of hemp seed is bright– but what’s the best way for manufacturers to cash in on a product that is connected – mistakenly but understandably – with an illegal drug?

Will you get more polyphenols from blueberry-grape juice or a smoothie?

24-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Greater research into the impact of food matrixes on the bioavailability of polyphenols is needed, say researchers comparing grape and blueberry juice to smoothie.

The science of nutricosmetics: ‘Not all collagen ingredients are created equal’

19-Mar-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Collagen ingredients are driving much of the growth in the global nutricosmetics market, which is predicted to reach US$7.4bn by 2020, but how much science is there to substantiate the claims?

Which protein can help weight loss but keep muscle?

19-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Greater energy from whey protein means greater loss of fat but retention of muscle while dieting, according to research that looked at different protein sources.

Special edition: Beauty from within

Nutricosmetics: ‘US market holds great potential but a few challenges must be overcome’, say suppliers

19-Mar-2015 By Stephen Daniells

New product launches containing collagen – the majority with a “beauty from within” positioning – have grown an eye-watering 250% in just four years, with Japan offering plenty of delivery and formulations lessons for Western companies.

Spread protein throughout the day for muscle gain and weight loss: Nestlé study

18-Mar-2015 By Niamh Michail

Balancing protein intake throughout the day - rather than having the bulk as part of an evening meal - helped participants in a study to boost muscle gain by nearly 20% and lose weight, Nestlé researchers have found.

Agave prebiotic significantly increases some faecal friendly bacteria, say researchers

16-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The prebiotic agave fructan significantly increases the faecal count of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli compared to maltodextrin, according to research backed by industry.

Sports drinks aren’t enough to boost performance - salt may help: Research

05-Mar-2015 By Niamh Michail

Salt supplementation may improve exercise performance according to Spanish researchers – but health claims for sodium are still not authorised.

Science short

Daily coffee polyphenols can reduce diabetes risk, say Japanese researchers

04-Mar-2015 By Shane STARLING

Japanese researchers have found coffee polyphenols can reduce type 2 diabetes risk via an insulin-regulating intestinal peptide.

3-5 cups of coffee a day may help keep artery blockages away

03-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

People who consume between three to five cups of coffee a day may have a lower risk of coronary artery calcium build-up, which can lead to artery blockages, according to research published in the British Medical Journal’s publication Heart.

Researchers delve into nutrition solutions for illness–prone athletes

27-Feb-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

There is a need for greater research into nutrition solutions for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) that are common in athletes, according to the researcher behind a study on the impact of omega-3, vitamin D and protein supplementation.

‘Regular black tea may be relevant for cardiovascular protection’: Unilever study

19-Feb-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Black tea may help lower blood pressure for people with elevated levels, says a new study from Unilever R&D that adds to the potential health benefits of the beverage and its constituents.

Energy drinks increase hyperactivity in children: Study

10-Feb-2015 By Rachel Arthur

Children who drink sweetened energy drinks are 66% more likely to be at risk from hyperactivity and inattention symptoms, according to a study in the journal Academic Pediatrics.

Weak omega-3s demand a blemish on FMC's nutritional sector revenues

06-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

FMC Corporation reported revenues in its health and nutrition sector of $828 million for its 2014 fiscal year. Soft omega-3 demand for the year was a blemish on an otherwise robust sector performance, the company said.

Measuring the immeasurable? The challenges of researching mood and nutrition

04-Feb-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Mood is often assessed in nutrition research but it is ‘hard to define’ and ‘inherently subjective’, according to the researchers behind a review of mood-measuring methodology.

Probiotic drink may help control insulin resistance: Healthy human research

04-Feb-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Probiotic supplementation may be useful in preventing insulin resistance caused by excessive consumption of high-fat foods, according to industry-backed research published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Researchers find key mechanism in green tea anti-cancer properties

29-Jan-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Green tea and apple compound epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) may trigger a process which sees oral cancer cells killed while healthy cells are left untouched, according to US researchers.

Unilever builds science to support microvascular benefits of theaflavins

27-Jan-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Capsules containing catechins from tea may ‘moderately’ boost microvascular function in healthy adults, says a new study from Unilever that supports the circulatory benefits of black tea.

Special edition: Blood sugar management

Glycaemic (GI) foods remain in obesity-diabetes niche but claims are changing game

22-Jan-2015 By Shane STARLING

Foods that help moderate blood sugar activity are gaining more traction with diabetics, the overweight and the obese – with new EU claims backing their promise to control hunger impulses. With 2bn people overweight or obese in the world, and type-2 diabetes...

Special edition: Blood Sugar Management

Pre-diabetes: Public health time bomb … and industry opportunity

22-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

By 2035 it is estimated that 8% of the global population will be classed as ‘pre-diabetic' – putting them at significantly higher risk of developing full type 2 diabetes. Such startling statistics are ticking bomb for healthcare costs, but could...

‘Excipient foods' show promise in enhancing nutrient bioavailability

14-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

Improving the design of functional and finished products by better understanding the role of excipient foods could help increase the bioavailability of functional nutrients, according to new research.

Science and IP builds around health benefits of citrus limonin glucoside

13-Jan-2015 By Stephen Daniells

A citrus extract called limonin glucoside may decrease select markers of inflammation by as much as 40%, according to results of a double-blind placebo-controlled study in overweight/obese people.

Blueberry powder shows big blood pressure benefits: Study

12-Jan-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily consumption of blueberries may help slash blood pressure and improve the arterial health, researchers from Florida State University.

Gut bacteria that digest beer and bread aid development of new prebiotics

09-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

Bacteria that have evolved to help us digest the yeast that give beer and bread their bubbles could also help to fight off yeast infections and autoimmune diseases such as Crohn's disease, say researchers.

Cocoa flavanols may fend off age-related cognitive dysfunction, says Mars-backed study

07-Jan-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A Mars-backed study has provided further evidence that high cocoa flavanol consumption may help improve cognitive function, possibly through changes to insulin sensitivity.

Researchers tout ‘fundamental’ new mechanism for resveratrol’s health benefits

07-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

Resveratrol, the powerful polyphenol found in red wine and certain fruits may work by activating an ‘evolutionarily ancient’ stress response in human cells, say researchers from The Scripps Research Institute.

Tomato juice may slash waist size & inflammatory markers for young women

05-Jan-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

A daily glass of tomato juice for eight weeks has a direct effect on waist circumference, cholesterol, and markers of inflammation in generally healthy young women, says a new study from Taiwan.

Studies raise questions over sugar, caffeine, and children's intake of energy drinks

18-Dec-2014 By Nathan Gray

Two new studies have suggested that many children and adolescents consuming energy drinks get too much caffeine, while suggesting the level of sugar and caffeinated drinks can lead to different metabolic effects.

The microbes we eat: Study investigates bacteria in different diets

16-Dec-2014 By Nathan Gray

Researchers investigating the types of microbes found in foods from different dietary patterns have questioned whether the bacteria in our foods plays a role in the structure and function of our gut microbiota.

Researchers eye satiety market following 'encouraging' results

11-Dec-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A new inulin-propionate ester (IPE) ingredient may increase appetite-reducing hormones and make people feel fuller, according to research published in the journal Gut.

Dispatches from Hi Europe

‘Artificial’ caffeine is becoming a blacklisted ingredient: Mintel

08-Dec-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

With changes to labelling laws and a ban on sales to under 18s in Lithuania, ‘artificial’ caffeine is fast becoming one of the top ingredients in the health firing line, according to one analyst.

Sabinsa and Fruit d'Or team up for synbiotic probiotic-cranberry ingredient

08-Dec-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Sabinsa and Fruit d'Or Nutraceuticals are targeting gut and digestive health, and heart health with their patent-pending combination of LactoSpore (Bacillus coagulans (MTCC 5856)) with Cran Naturelle cranberry seed powder.

SPECIAL EDITION 2014, BEVERAGE SWEETENER INNOVATION

Stevia sweetness + new health benefits: Mintel analyst sees future potential

05-Dec-2014 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Mintel says the presence of nutritionally beneficial compounds could see stevia-based sweeteners of the future that combine functional benefits as well as calorie-free sweetness.

Special edition: functional foods

Functional Foods: The end of the processed foods era?

20-Nov-2014 By Peter Wennstrom

To understand Functional Foods you must see it as a strategy to add value to processed foods, says the president and founder of the HealthyMarketingTeam, Peter Wennstrom, in this guest article.

Manufacturers urged to develop ‘tasty’ protein-enriched foods for the elderly

14-Nov-2014 By Nathan Gray

Researchers have urged food producers to develop good tasting protein-rich products that are based on foods that the elderly already regularly consume.

Green tea may lower blood pressure - but only for non-smokers

12-Nov-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Green tea, but not black tea, may lower blood pressure, but this effect is cancelled out by smoking, according to a five-year study in China.

Low calorie whey-guar mix may help reduce blood sugar: Study

07-Nov-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A low-calorie drink of whey and guar before breakfast could lower blood glucose levels for pre-diabetics and type 2 diabetics, without the calorie burden of a high dose of protein, according to a study.

Brain health drinks gaining global traction: Canadean

05-Nov-2014

Drinks boating polyphenols and other ingredients that boost brain health are winning over more adult consumers, according to market analyst, Canadean.

GanedenBC30 may boost response to prebiotics, says new study

04-Nov-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Consuming Ganeden’s BC30 probiotic strain may enhance the effects of prebiotics, compared with prebiotics alone, says a new study funded by Ganeden Biotech and Schiff Nutrition.

Calcium supplementation could prevent reduced bone density in active post-menopausal women: Study

31-Oct-2014 By Anna Bonar

Calcium supplementation (Marigot’s Aquamin) could prevent exercise-associated bone density reduction in post-menopausal women, according to an American study.

Green tea extract may boost short term memory: Pilot study data

30-Oct-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Extracts from green tea may boost a range of cognitive functions, with particular benefits observed for short term memory, report researchers from Japan.

Herbalife asks Mirror to take down 'baseless' article

Herbalife shakes not responsible for Mexican death, say doctors

29-Oct-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A "previous serious illness" was responsible for the death of a Mexican woman - not Herbalife weight loss shakes - say local doctors following accusations in the Mexican and UK press of lead contamination.

Financials

Nutrition profits jump 23% in mixed DuPont Q3 results

29-Oct-2014 By Shane STARLING

DuPont is reaping the benefit of its €5bn 2011 acquisition of Danish probiotics and enzymes giant Danisco, with its nutrition and health division showing 23% profit growth in a “sluggish” world market.

Grapefruit juice may block weight gain from high-fat diet: Mouse data

27-Oct-2014 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of grapefruit juice may block weight gain from a high-fat diet by improving metabolic markers, according to research in mice.

Special edition: Healthy Ageing

Sports manufacturers ‘well placed’ to take advantage of growing healthy ageing market

23-Oct-2014 By Nathan Gray

Manufacturers in the sports nutrition space have the skills and knowledge needed to move in to the much larger and lucrative healthy ageing market, according to the chief technology officer at Lucozade Ribena Suntory.

Special edition: Healthy ageing

Learning from Japan's healthy ageing market

23-Oct-2014 By Shane STARLING

From an €80 million market for anti-ageing placenta supplements to the world’s most innovative (and fad-driven) functional foods and drinks market, Japan’s healthy ageing market is unique and instructive.