Digestion

Start-up spotlight

Foodtech firm launches tool for tailoring food intake to personal needs

18-Sep-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A new digital nutrition guide, ‘Noory,’ has launched to empower individuals to customise their daily meals according to specific health requirements, with the use of AI.

Healthy ageing: Is the microbiome the conductor?

21-Aug-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

With the gut microbiome holding the key to almost every aspect of our health, from digestion and immunity, to hormonal balance and skin health, it should perhaps come as no surprise that healthy ageing may well start with the promotion of beneficial gut...

Postbiotics: No MOA, no problem

26-Jun-2023 By Danielle Masterson

From skin to gut health, postbiotics are rising in the ranks—poised to make a big splash as key microbiome modulators. While scientists are just scratching the surface on how these ingredients work, experts explain that’s what makes this category so exciting.

FitBiomics rolls out pilot project for fatigue-fighting Veillonella probiotic

19-Apr-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Biotech innovator FitBiomics is seeking to accelerate the commercial optimization of its next-generation probiotic Veillonella that naturally converts lactic acid into energy to fight fatigue and promote endurance.

Pharmactive launches 'high potency' kiwi extract to boost protein digestion

19-Jan-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Pharmactive Biotech Products' new scientifically backed KWD+ kiwi extract (Actinidia deliciosa) targets vegan sports nutrition consumers as well as ageing populations at risk of muscle loss.

Bio-Cat launches RCT to examine enzyme mix on digestive health markers

08-Feb-2022 By Stephen Daniells

Virginia-based Bio-Cat, Inc. is sponsoring a clinical trial at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to investigate the efficacy of a digestive enzyme blend designed to improve protein digestion and gastrointestinal tolerance.

Nexira adds digestive health ingredients to portfolio with UNIPEKTIN buy

05-Nov-2021 By Will Chu

French ingredients supplier Nexira is to acquire UNIPEKTIN Ingredients in a deal that taps into the firm’s diversification strategy, which places boosted health and nutrition activity front-and-centre of its plans.

Oriflame enters partnership with Probi in first foray into probiotics

23-Jun-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Beauty and wellness brand Oriflame is launching its first probiotic food supplement after partnering with probiotic supplier, Probi.

Dolcas and Olene tackle gut health with new ginger root extract

08-Dec-2020 By Danielle Masterson

DolCas Biotech, Ltd. has added a patented bioactive that targets digestive issues to its portfolio of structural, functional health ingredients.

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.

Researchers link β-fructan supplementation with digestion benefits in new review

07-Jan-2019 By Adi Menayang

Looking at the body of published studies on β-fructan’s potential effects on human digestion, researchers from France and the Netherlands reveal a positive correlation.

Will 2018 be the year that low FODMAP diets explode?

12-Jan-2018 By Stephen Daniells

The US market for low FODMAP foods aimed at helping IBS sufferers is still small and consumer awareness is low, but companies large and small are targeting a category that could be bigger than gluten-free.

Neptune takes MaxSimil delivery technology into sports channel

12-Dec-2017 By Hank Schultz

Neptune Technologies and Bioressources has extended the application of its MaxSimil omega-3 enhanced absorption fish oils into a new product category—sports nutrition—via an agreement with a high profile Canadian strength trainer.

What’s next for digestive health? Industry members weigh in

03-Nov-2017 By Adi Menayang

From fiber to probiotics to enzymes, the $1 billion digestive health category is a dominant force in the dietary supplement industry. But what’s the latest research, or gaps in research, that can take the category to the next level?

Acai may offer prebiotic benefits throughout the GI tract, researchers find

19-Oct-2017 By Adi Menayang

The polyphenols found in acai can survive through the digestive system, potentially bringing prebiotic benefits throughout the gastrointestinal tract down to the colon, according to researchers in the UK.

Extended release form of herbal weight loss ingredient could be winner in US market, supplier says

25-Aug-2017 By Hank Schultz

A weight loss supplement that combines four herbal extracts with a fiber carrier is now available in the US in a once-a-day dosage form, through branded ingredient specialist Zanda LLC.

BC30 probiotic may help with plant protein digestion, according to new Ganeden-backed study

31-May-2017 By Adi Menayang

Plant protein, when digested with a patented probiotic strain, increased bioavailability of amino acids in the upper gastrointestinal tract, leading to a healthier colon environment, according to an in vitro study conducted at Maastricht University.

Seaweed micro-encapsulations target sports nutrition and smoothie markets

13-Apr-2017 By David Anderson

A new micro-encapsulated seaweed ingredient will ‘open up a whole new avenue’ for Seaweed & Co as it targets smoothies and the sports nutrition market.

Combined with omega-3 oil, microencapsulated probiotic has higher survival rate, says study

06-Apr-2017 By Adi Menayang

When a probiotic is co-encapsulated with omega-3-rich tuna oil, not only do the bacteria adhere better on the intestinal wall, but more chemically intact omega-3 fatty acids are released from the oil, researchers in Australia discovered from an in vitro...

Special edition: Supplements for pets

Formulating for pets? Suppliers share what you should keep in mind

23-Mar-2017 By Adi Menayang

We spoke with two suppliers—Sabinsa and Maypro—to learn about ingredients that are in demand in the pet nutrition category, and what unique challenges this space has.

Chitin-glucan has prebiotic potential to cut cholesterol, finds KitoZyme trial

27-Feb-2017 By Eliot Beer

The mushroom fibre chitin-glucan has potential as a prebiotic that alters activity in the microbiota and cuts LDL cholesterol, says patent owner KitoZyme as it looks to fund further clinical work and product development.

Foxy’s founder creates probiotic ice cream ‘worth breaking your diet for’

25-May-2016 By Adi Menayang

Angus Murray wanted to create something families would love, with fun flavors he described as “totally selfish.” Launched in March, the product is already gaining traction in the US coasts and across the pacific in China and Hong Kong.

Whey is clear answer in sports nutrition, expert asserts

22-Apr-2016 By Hank Schultz

You can say what you like about the benefits of mixing protein sources, but for sports nutrition expert Chris Lockwood, PhD, there’s only one way to the answer the cost vs benefit question: Whey.

Consumers willing to pay more for bioavailability enhancements, consultant says

28-Mar-2016 By Hank Schultz

There is an opportunity for companies to use bioavailability enhancement to differentiate their products, even if consumers don’t have a firm grasp of specific technologies, an expert says.

Whey, pea protein suppliers team up for line of functional proteins aimed at sports nutrition

17-Mar-2016 By Hank Schultz

For sports nutrition blending proteins to achieve customized delivery profiles is the big trend, and two companies, one from the plant world and the other from the animal kingdom, have joined forces to bring new ingredients to market.

Carotenoids get a bioaccessibility boost in linseed oil nanosemulsions

02-Feb-2016 By Adi Menayang

Researchers test linseed oil nanoemulsions as a way to increase carotenoid’s bioavailability and stability, bringing its health benefits to more supplements and functional foods.

First-time study tracks nutritional distribution of fat in human GI tract

22-Jan-2016 By Will Chu

An innovative analytical method has provided insights into the emptying, phase separation and distribution of fat in the human gastrointestinal (GI) system, which could pave the way for more effective functional foods that control energy intake and homoeostasis.

Sports nutrition expert's advice: Sample the sweat and don't skip the stomach

26-Jun-2015 By Hank Schultz

Exercise physiologist Allen Lim, PhD, the founder of sports nutrition brand Skratch Labs, learned what works to fuel athletes in the crucible of one of the most challenging endurance events the world has to offer—the Tour de France.  What he took away...

Probiota Americas

New gut models facilitating microbiome research

24-Jun-2015 By Hank Schultz

The understanding of what happens within the human digestive system has always been hampered by the inability to observe that system in action, leave alone the imperfect understanding of one of the major components of the system, the gut microbiome. ...

Spinach extracts show potential to reduce ’hedonic hunger’ and aid weight management

02-Sep-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements containing a patented spinach extract containing green leaf membranes called thylakoids may reduce measures of ‘hedonic hunger’ by up to 95%, says a new study.

Fat-busting seaweed: Scientists identify fat-blocking seaweed alginates

03-Mar-2014 By Nathan Gray

Alginates isolated from certain types of seaweed may have potential in weight loss supplements and foods, according to new research.

New test method said to quantify metals absorption capacity of food, supplement ingredients

17-Jan-2014 By Hank Schultz

A new method of measuring the heavy metal absorption capacity of foods and food  and dietary supplement ingredients has been developed by researcher Mike Adams of the Natural News Forensic Lab. Adams says the method measures the ability of various food...

Modifying microbial fermentation conditions can improve probiotic survival

01-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

Small variations in the growth conditions of probiotics may have a major effect on their survival and robustness, according to new research.

Deerland targets gut health with yeast defense enzyme formula

29-Oct-2012 By Hank Schultz

Deerland Enzymes’ new dietary supplement formula, called ThioZymeYD, has targeted a condition-specific positioning aimed at supporting gut health by promoting a healthy population of yeast in the small intestine.

Functional foods offer ‘protective matrix’ for probiotic delivery, confirm researchers

23-Feb-2012 By Nathan Gray

A new model to evaluate probiotic survival in the gut has confirmed that many bacteria strains survive better when consumed in a functional food matrix such as fermented milks – so allowing a greater chance to promote health, say the researchers.

Welcome to the GastroLab: IFN introduces the model gut

04-Nov-2011 By Elaine Watson

A model gut designed to help manufacturers more rapidly determine which ingredients will survive the rigors of the digestive tract before spending a fortune on clinical tests has been launched by product development firm International Food Network (IFN).

Researchers develop colon-targeting delivery system for bioactives

14-Jun-2011 By Stephen Daniells

A system that controls the release of bioactive compounds and nutraceuticals until they reach the colon has been developed by scientists from China and Australia.

Microencapsulated bioactive compounds may boost availability: Rat study

28-Feb-2011 By Nathan Gray

Omega-3 fish oils, resveratrol, and tributyrin may have greater bioavailability when delivered in a in a microencapsulated emulsion form, according to new research.

Smoothies may offer higher bioavailability and greater cancer protection: Study

29-Nov-2010 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of apple smoothies may increase the bioavailability of polyphenols in the colon, compared with juice, and possibly offer greater protection against chronic disease and cancer.

Fat digestion images point to improved formulation

30-Aug-2010 By Stephen Daniells

Netherlands-based scientists have reported data for the real-time digestion of fats containing ingredients like vitamin D3, insights that could advance the formulation of foods.

Hamari nutraceuticals certified kosher

26-Aug-2010 By Lorraine Heller and Shane Starling

Japanese firm Hamari Chemicals has obtained kosher certification for its functional ingredients, including its flagship gut health, PepZin GI zinc-L-Carnosine product.

Digestive model may not be up to measure

24-Aug-2010 By Nathan Gray

Further research is needed into the use of in vitro digestion models in the development of foods, claims new research published in Food Chemistry.

DSM identifies action of appetite-suppressing fat emulsion

07-Jul-2010 By Stephen Daniells

The benefits of DSM’s appetitie-suppressing Fabuless ingredient may be related to the composition of fat in the ingredient, which may resist absorption in the gut, says a new study.

Antioxidant-rich melon extract may ease stress: Pig study

24-Jun-2010 By Stephen Daniells

A daily supplement of an antioxidant-rich melon extract may lower levels of stress proteins in the gut, according to a French study with piglets.

Gel innovation promises weight management pill

16-Feb-2010 By Stephen Daniells

A simple pill containing a gel based on cellulose may swell in the stomach and promote the feeling of fullness, says new research from Italy with implications for weight management.

Nano curcumin could boost spice’s health benefits

09-Nov-2009 By Stephen Daniells

Nano-sized curcumin capsules may boost the body’s uptake of the ingredient, and enhance its potential to prevent colon cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, suggests a new study from Japan.

Resistant starch and wheat bran may boost bowel habits

15-Oct-2009 By Stephen Daniells

Increased intakes of resistant starch and wheat bran may improve regular bowel habits in healthy adults, say findings from a new study funded by Tate & Lyle.

DSM’s fat emulsion appetite-suppressing power pinpointed

22-Sep-2009 By Stephen Daniells

The appetite-suppressing activity of Fabuless, DSM’s fat emulsion, may be due to slowing transit through the intestine, says a new study.

Calcium may slash colorectal cancer risk: Study

25-Feb-2009 By Stephen Daniells

Increased intakes of calcium from the diet and supplements may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by up to 23 per cent in women, says a new study from the US.

Model gut brings life-like stomach to the bench-top

02-Dec-2008 By Stephen Daniells

Answering questions about food structure, the potential of bioactive ingredients, and general safety could be achievable in-house and on the bench top within 18 months, if development of the most advanced model gut continues as planned.