Cognitive Health

Esports supplement shows notable brain health benefits

26-Oct-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

An industry-funded study reveals use of a brain health supplement prior to egaming may enhance some measures of memory, reaction time, reasoning, and concentration within 15 minutes of ingestion.

Omega-3 has “no significant effect” on self-regulation in preschoolers

21-Oct-2021 By Lynda Searby

The Omega Kid pilot study has failed to demonstrate that omega-3 supplementation improves self-regulation in pre-school age children.

Study links nut consumption to improved cognitive function

20-Oct-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Higher habitual nut consumption is positively associated with cognitive function, especially among old adults, according to an observational study of 1,000 Qatari adults.

Study questions maternal Vit D link to learning disorders

27-Sep-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

New data suggests there is no association between prenatal vitamin D deficiency and offspring specific learning disorders, contrary to previous findings.

Review finds support for cognitive health benefits of prebiotics

17-Sep-2021 By Hank Schultz

A new review makes the case that prebiotic oligosaccharides could play a role in brain health via metabolites circulating in the blood and neural feedback mechanisms.

Free curcumin goes to the brain and beyond in new study

09-Sep-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

A new study concludes Arjuna Natural Pvt, Ltd.’s Curcugreen (BCM-95) turmeric extract could potentially help reduce damage from Alzheimer’s disease on organs other than the brain.

Nootropics startup ramps up scientific backing with new funds

24-Aug-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

A nootropics supplements startup company is looking to ramp up production and increase its scientific backing after closing a second successful funding round.

PhD Life range taps into hunger for holistic health

19-Aug-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

PhD has launched a new range of products named 'PhD Life', looking to tap into consumers' growing interest in holistic and long-term health solutions.

Mintel: How to make it in the mindful market

10-Aug-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Tapping into the rising consumer interest in mental health is about so much more than adding some magnesium to the mix so brands that want to win in this space will need to offer a value proposition through much more than just their products.

Spermidine: ‘An underappreciated nutrient that may pack a powerful punch in the management of aging’

14-Jun-2021 By Stephen Daniells

With studies showing significant benefits for cognitive function and brain health, plus data suggesting a link to measures of biological age, spermidine holds “significant promise in limiting the effects of aging”.

Infant gut microbiota associated with fine motor skills

21-May-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

The microbial landscape of a child's gut may impact their fine motor skills, representing a potential opportunity for probiotic interventions relevant to treatment for motor disorders, according to a new study.

Nature's Bounty enters esports market

11-May-2021 By Danielle Masterson

The flagship brand of The Bountiful Company has unleashed three new products as it forays into the esports and brain health markets.

Saffron improves sleep quantity and quality, according to RCT

30-Apr-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Six weeks of saffron supplementation led to improved sleep duration and quality in a recent study involving 66 volunteers, suggesting it could be a natural and safe replacement for sleeping pills.

Study reveals mental health benefits of prebiotics in young females

30-Apr-2021 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Daily consumption of prebiotic supplements can improve mental wellbeing and reduce anxiety in young adult females, according to researchers at the University of Surrey.

Unilever to acquire 'human optimisation' brand Onnit

27-Apr-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Unilever has signed an agreement to acquire Onnit, a Texas-based 'human optimisation' company, as it looks to tap into the growing consumer interest in holistic health and nootropics.

Loneliness decreases gut diversity, greater wisdom has opposite effect, study suggests

13-Apr-2021 By Hank Schultz

Greater wisdom or more loneliness are associated with positive and negative manifestations in gut microbial diversity, an exploratory study has found.

Blackcurrant extract meets demand for natural cognitive health products

12-Apr-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Iprona, the Italy-based B2B fruit processing leader, has launched a European blackcurrant extract named CurrantCraft for use in cognitive health focused products.

Beetroot juice benefits brain and heart through oral microbiome modulation

01-Apr-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Drinking beetroot juice promotes growth of mouth bacteria associated with healthier blood vessels and brain function thereby offering healthy ageing benefits, according to a new study of people aged 70-80.

BCAAs may reduce risk of anxiety and depression, says study

04-Mar-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

BCAA consumption may help reduce anxiety and depression, according to a newly published study involving more than 3,000 adults.

Brain health protein bar company IQBAR secures $2.8M investment

11-Feb-2021 By Danielle Masterson

IQBAR just raised $2.8 million in series A fundraising round to further fuel their growing brain and body nutrition business. The round was led by CircleUp Growth Partners.

RCT: Sage extract offers working memory and cognitive performance benefits

02-Feb-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

A sage extract and essential oil combination can significantly improve cognitive performance, according to a new industry funded RCT.

The NutraIngredients-USA Awards are back! Submit your entries!

11-Jan-2021 By Stephen Daniells

The NutraIngredients-USA Awards are back for 2021 with new two categories but the same commitment to honor the best and brightest in ingredients, finished products, companies, people, and initiatives in the dietary supplements industry.

Novozymes acquires US-based Microbiome Labs for US$125 million

06-Jan-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Denmark’s Novozymes has announced the acquisition of Illinois-based Microbiome Labs, which offers a range of proprietary probiotic and microbiome solutions.

Study shows maternal vitamin D linked to child IQ, finds disparities among black women

03-Nov-2020 By Danielle Masterson

A new study found that a mother’s vitamin D level during pregnancy is associated with their children's IQ — suggesting that higher vitamin D levels in pregnancy may lead to greater childhood IQ scores. The study also revealed significantly lower...

Nutravideo: Abbott supplement increases physical, cognitive function

28-Oct-2020 By Danielle Masterson

At Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, being physically fit is important, but cognitive function plays a role too.

Study: Maternal vitamin D deficiency could impair baby's cognitive development

22-Oct-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Vitamin D deficiency rates in pregnancy are high and could lead to worse performance in cognitive and language skills for the baby, according to a prospective longitudinal study of more than 400 mothers in Spain.

‘Encouraging’: Preliminary study supports Rhodiola’s cognitive benefits

15-Oct-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements containing a Rhodiola rosea extract may boost mental speed and improve mental resources, suggests data from a pilot study from Germany.

Elysium launches supplement aimed at slowing brain atrophy

31-Aug-2020 By Hank Schultz

Elysium Health has launched a new brain health supplement based on research done at the University of Oxford. The supplement, called Matter, pairs a high dose suite of B vitamins with specially formulated omega-3s from fish oil.

Magnolia compound outperforms drug in cognitive impairment trial done in mice

28-Jul-2020 By Hank Schultz

Researchers have found a compound extracted from magnolia bark outperformed a drug in a study using a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.

Synbiotic supplement fails to show significant effects in ADHD trial

17-Jul-2020 By Hank Schultz

A synbiotic mixture with four probiotics and four prebiotic fibers did not show significant effects on ameliorating ADHD symptoms in a trial conducted with children and adults.

WATCH: Mind game - Ārepa conducts first clinical trial on improving mental clarity in fatigued athletes

08-Jul-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Consumption of Ārepa, a nootropic beverage, has been found to significantly improve mental performance in physically fatigued rugby athletes.

Nektium gets US patent on mango ingredient for ‘brain enhancing’ effects

14-Apr-2020 By Hank Schultz

Spanish botanical ingredient supplier Nektium has announced a US patent for its branded ingredient Zynamite, which is derived from the mango tree.

Adaptogenic combo cuts anxiety among cognitive impairment sufferers

13-Apr-2020 By Hank Schultz

A proprietary combination of two adaptogenic herbs has been shown to increase brain activity associated with a calming effect among subjects suffering mild cognitive impairment.

Levels of iron in brain linked to better cognitive function

29-Jan-2020 By Danielle Masterson

New research on iron levels in brain tissue found that the mineral could be more crucial in brain development and function than previously thought.

Nootropics brand founder rides out hard times to successful nationwide distribution

29-Jan-2020 By Hank Schultz

Personal experience with cognitive issues led entrepreneur Chris Miller to found a nootropic beverage brand that he says does a better job of helping him hold focus than do commonly recommended solutions.

Brain hop: Kirin to develop products containing mature hop bitter acids for cognitive benefits

21-Jan-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Kirin is planning to develop food and beverage products that contain its proprietary ingredient, matured hop bitter acids, which the firm says have shown cognitive benefits.

Shifting attitudes in video game market pave way for esport nutrition offerings

15-Jan-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Ingredients by Nature is going for the win by introducing supplements to help support a healthy gaming lifestyle.

News in brief

Sabinsa gets patent on LactoSpore’s mood benefits

09-Dec-2019 By Hank Schultz

Sabinsa has announced a new patent, this one for the effect of its Lactospore probiotic in the suppression depression symptoms in consumers suffering from gut health issues.

Omega-3 may improve brain health in people with heart disease: Study

15-Nov-2019 By Danielle Masterson

The study found taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements was associated with better brain function in people with coronary artery disease.

Polyphenols from grape and blueberry show promise as effective nootropic ingredients

08-Nov-2019 By Danielle Masterson

Nootropics are appealing to everyone from gamers to Alzheimer's sufferers.

Natures Crops and Braini announce global Ahiflower supply agreement

24-Oct-2019 By Danielle Masterson

Natures Crops, the exclusive producers behind plant-based Ahiflower oil, has entered into a global supply agreement with nutraceutical products brand Braini.

Healthy Ageing APAC Summit 2019

Adapting to Asia’s ageing societies: Why Boosting NAD+ is crucial for anti-ageing and cognitive gains

24-Jul-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Supplementing NAD+ levels in our body provides anti-ageing and cognitive benefits, and could be a key strategy for alleviating the economic and social impact of Asia’s rapidly ageing societies.

Healthy Ageing APAC Summit 2019

‘No single, simple solution’: Why a holistic approach is key to improving cognitive health - BioCeuticals

15-Jul-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Maintaining and improving cognitive health among APAC’s rapidly ageing population requires a holistic approach, considering the gut-brain axis, nutrition intake, and the need for a personalised plan.

Prinova signs on as exclusive US distributor of brain health ingredients by SLS Nutraceuticals

12-Jul-2019 By Adi Menayang

Prinova, an Illinois-based manufacturer and ingredient supplier, has entered into an agreement with Singapore-based SLS Nutraceuticals Pte. Ltd. to distribute the latter’s patent-pending portfolio of cognitive health ingredient blends.

DHA and citicoline double-up to boost cognitive improvements after stroke: Japanese study

14-Jun-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Japanese researchers have found that Cognizin Citicoline in combination with DHA, can improve learning and memory ability in mice which have been subjected to stroke symptoms.

Collaborating for cognitive gains: DSM-Senescence link-up aims for huge public health impact

11-Jun-2019 By Cheryl Tay

DSM has entered a regional agreement with SLS Nutraceuticals, a subsidiary of biotechnology company Senescence Life Sciences, in a bid to improve brain health across all life stages in the Asia-Pacific region.

Berries and brain health: What do we know so far?

13-May-2019 By Adi Menayang

Early studies on animals have linked consumption of polyphenol-rich berries to improvements in some cognitive markers. This has warranted studies on humans, and results are shedding more light on how berries may benefit our brain health.

Editor's Spotlight

Koios CEO: ‘Brain function is the world’s new currency’

23-Jan-2019 By Adi Menayang

As industrialized nations continue to move away from manual labor toward tech- and creative-based economies, it is about time that nootropic products become more mainstream, says the CEO and founder of Koios.

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company strengthens sports nutrition positioning for BioPQQ

26-Nov-2018 By Adi Menayang

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company’s ingredient BioPQQ has been used in the healthy aging space for more than a decade. This year, the company has been ramping up efforts to increase awareness of the ingredient’s sports benefits.

Editor's Spotlight

IQ Bar founder: 'I spent months researching what nutrients have the most scientific backing saying they’re good for the brain'

14-Nov-2018 By Adi Menayang

Boston-based start-up IQ Bar recently became one of the first members of the PepsiCo Nutrition Greenhouse incubator. We caught up with founder Will Nitze to learn about how he grew the company.