Japan

‘Frightening extent’: BGG World develops Japan-patented identification method of saw palmetto to counter rampant adulteration

21-Jun-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

High prices, “unscrupulous suppliers”, and inadequate identification methods have resulted in adulteration rates of saw palmetto extracts reaching 33% in Japan and as high as 75% in other Asian markets, says BGG World.

Supplier says new science will help rebuild bilberry market suffering from adulteration, misinformation

26-Apr-2022 By Hank Schultz

Adulteration issues and less science backing than other botanicals has depressed bilberry sales, according to branded ingredient firm Maypro. But the company points to a new indication for pain that could help reinvigorate the market.

Nagasaki University and Kirin to study lactic acid bacteria on relieving symptoms in COVID-19 patients

18-Jan-2022 By Guan Yu Lim

Nagasaki University and Kirin Holdings are embarking on a joint clinical research to assess the effect of lactic acid bacteria on relieving symptoms in COVID-19 human subjects.

HMB for muscle injury: Japan RCT shows benefits more likely in long term supplementation

05-Apr-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Supplementation of HMB for two weeks did not improve muscle injury in elderly suffering from acute mild trauma, said a group of Japanese researchers, but longer term use is likely to be more beneficial.

Sulforaphane supplementation improves processing speed and working memory – Kagome study

04-Feb-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Supplementation of sulforaphane (SFN) – a compound found in cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli – has found to improve processing and working memory in a 12-week study conducted by Japanese firm Kagome Co Ltd.

Microalgae Euglena improves sleep quality and work efficiency in stressed individuals – Japan study

17-Nov-2020 By Tingmin Koe

A dietary supplement made from the microalgae Euglena could improve sleep quality and work efficiency in stressed individuals, a 12-week human clinical study conducted in Japan has shown.

Hop help: Kirin’s mature hop bitter acid aids cognitive health in older adults -RCT

21-Jul-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Supplementation with Kirin’s mature hop bitter acid (MHBA) for 12 weeks has been found to improve attention and reduce stress in healthy older adults in Japan.

Leaves of Siberian ginseng and drynariae rhizome stems may enhance cognitive functions, Japan RCT

25-Mar-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

A combination two plant extracts, ginseng and Rhizoma, could enhance cognitive function in healthy adults, suggests the findings of a new RCT.

FANCL’s Calolimit CVD and diabetes supplement backed by two new clinical trials

17-Mar-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

A FANCL-funded RCT study has discovered that the ingestion of tea flower extract, mulberry leaf extract, and chitosan could reduce postprandial blood glucose and triglyceride levels in healthy subjects.

Ginkgo vinegar suppresses weight gain and reduces the size of fat cells – study

26-Feb-2020 By Tingmin Koe

A mouse-study has found that ginkgo vinegar intake is able to suppress body weight gain caused by a high fat diet and reduce the size of fat cells.

Meiji eyes 30% growth in sports nutrition business as Tokyo Olympics draws near

18-Feb-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Meiji is aiming for a 30% growth in sales of its sports nutrition products this year, with the firm hoping to capitalise on the forthcoming Tokyo Olympics.

Personalised nutrition in Japan: FANCL launches ‘Personal One’ supplement service

18-Feb-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Japanese supplements and cosmetics firm FANCL is launching a new personalised supplement service, Personal One, using data from consumer questionnaires and urine tests.

Brand New: Nestlé Health Science China's new FSMP brands, GNC's 'blue-hat' products, and the fight against coronavirus

06-Feb-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Some of the major brands making new moves in recent weeks were Nestlé Health Science China with its newly launched Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP) brands, GNC entering China pharmacy chains with its four 'blue-hat' products, and how...

Consumption of chilli pepper may increase physical activity and reduce fat in older adults – Japan study

29-Jan-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Capsinoids from non-pungent chilli peppers have been reported to increase physical activity (PA), reduce body fat mass, and promote metabolism in older Japanese adults.

Centenarian-inspired: Metabolite supplementation shows benefits for fatty liver disease and weight management

23-Jan-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Consuming plant-derived metabolites is able to bring a hosts of health benefit, such as weight management and reversing fatty liver disease, according to the clinical trial director at Japanese firm Mi Innovation Labo.

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.

Aesthetic benefit a prime consideration for Asian women buying sports nutrition: Lumina Intelligence

15-Jan-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Asian women prefer sports nutrition products that claim aesthetic benefits and weight loss more so than female consumers from the other parts of the world, according to exclusive new insights from Lumina Intelligence.

Concerns on quality of Japanese health supplements as more than 40% fail pharma solubility test

19-Dec-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

More than 40% of dietary supplements may not be as effective as touted to be, after 100 products tested by Japan’s National Consumer Affairs Center (NCAC) were unable to dissolve in water within the specified time limits.

Genome-edited food products to go on sale in Japan, despite no labelling and safety provisions

05-Dec-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

Food products produced using genome editing technology could go on sale in Japan by the end of the year despite no specific labelling rules being in place.

Functional coffee: Ezaki Glico release series of drinks for blood sugar and stress relief

16-Oct-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

Ezaki Glico has launched a new series of coffee in Japan under the Food with Function Claim (FFC) label.

Asahi proprietary probiotic reduces fatigue and stress in university athletes – RCT

21-Aug-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Daily intake of Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 - Asahi’s proprietary paraprobiotic - is able to relieve fatigue and stress-related symptoms in long-distance male runners.

B vitamin supplementation eases metabolic syndrome symptoms in adults: Japan RCT

09-Jul-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Supplementation with B vitamins (among others) can lower plasma homocysteine levels in those with some form of metabolic syndrome, according to an RCT conducted in an adult Japanese population.

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.

Omega-3 for ocular health: How dietary intake can help fight allergic conjunctivitis — Japanese study

17-Jan-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids can help alleviate allergic conjunctivitis (AC) in both its early and late stages through their anti-inflammatory activity, according to a study by Japan's Juntendo University.

Vitafoods Asia 2018

Skin and bones: BioCell Technology plans further APAC expansion with aged care and nutricosmetics focus

27-Sep-2018 By Cheryl Tay

US-based BioCell Technology has set its sights on Japan and South Korea as the next big Asian markets for its patented BioCell Collagen, thanks to opportunities presented by the ageing population and 'beauty from within' trend in both countries.

Traditional diets may be better for children's gut microbiome than modern foods: Japanese-Thai study

26-Sep-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Modern dietary changes have affected gut microbiota functionality in children, who might benefit from more traditional, plant-based diets, according to researchers in Japan and Thailand.

Boysenberry useful against endothelial dysfunction in both mice and humans: Japanese study

13-Sep-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Boysenberry polyphenol and its anthocyanins may be able to inhibit blood and lymphatic vessel dysfunction and help to maintain vascular stability, according to a study by Japan's Niigata University.

Japan leading the charge for DNA testing trend in boost for personalised nutrition firms

14-Aug-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Japan's consumer genetic testing industry is booming, buoying hopes that personalised nutrition firms can tap into demands for tailored products, especially among the elderly.

NutraIngredients-Asia launches Japan newsletter

29-Jun-2017 By Gary Scattergood

NutraIngredients-Asia.com has launched a Japan newsletter to provide news and insights about the nutrition, health and dietary supplements industry with content produced in both Japanese and English.

New China newsletter launched by NutraIngredients-Asia...sign up for free!

19-Jun-2017 By Gary Scattergood

NutraIngredients-Asia had launched a new China email newsletter to shine the spotlight on one of the most crucial nations for the industry's growth, with articles published in both Chinese and English.

Lotte’s probiotic chocolate success highlights functional potential in Japan

16-Jan-2017 By Oliver Nieburg

Functional chocolate is poised to contribute to market growth in Japan based on the success of Lotte’s Sweet Days chocolate, says market analyst Canadean.

Probiotics to help drive 44% rise in APAC functional foods market by 2026

28-Sep-2016 By Gary Scattergood

The functional food ingredients market in Asia Pacific is being tipped to rise from $2.85bn at the end of 2016 to $5.04bn in 2026 with probiotics projected to be the fastest growing segment over the forecast period

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.

Lutein, blackcurrant extract may reduce visual fatigue: Study

10-Aug-2009 By Stephen Daniells

A supplement containing lutein, zeaxanthin and blackcurrant extract may reverse signs of visual fatigue, according to a new study from Japan and Singapore.

Green tea cuts risk of death, study

13-Sep-2006 By Chris Mercer

Drinking several cups of green tea every day could cut peoples'
risk of death from a range of diseases, but does not appear to
lower the chances of getting cancer, says a Japanese study.

Cyanotech counts on China for astaxanthin expansion

11-Jan-2006 By Jess Halliday

Cyanotech has signed a deal with a distribution company in China
that will see its astaxanthin ingredient sold in the promising
market for the first time - for both human nutrition and
aquaculture.

Kaneka completes CoQ10 expansion in Japan

05-Jan-2006 By staff reporter

Japanese CoQ10 maker Kaneka has started shipping product made in
its new facility in Japan, easing restricted supplies of the
supplement that continues to be popular around the world.

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