Protein

Cricket powder a ‘good source of protein, fat, minerals, fiber,’ say Polish researchers

10-Apr-2019 By Adi Menayang

Researchers in Poland argued that most studies on crickets’ nutritive values were done on lab-grown varieties, so they sought out the nutrition content of commercially available cricket powders.

April new product launches: Synbiotic supplement for skin, chewable multis, and more

05-Apr-2019 By Adi Menayang

This time of year tends to get a plethora of product launches as brands time their announcements around the Natural Products Expo West show. This year we saw plenty of CBD, beauty-positioning, and as always, protein. Here’s a short list of product launches...

Canada-born brand SimplyProtein finds niche in the US protein snacks space

29-Mar-2019 By Adi Menayang

Parent company of low-carb legacy brand Atkins brought in Canadian protein specialist SimplyProtein into the family. Despite the crowded protein space in the US, SimplyProtein helps meet an unmet need, according to the company.

At Expo West 2019, enduring appeal of protein shows

27-Mar-2019 By Adi Menayang

Not long ago, high protein content call-outs were reserved for ready-to-drink milkshakes and protein bars. Today, everything from snacks to pasta to frozen food boast high protein content on their packaging. What’s sustaining the protein fortification...

Protein specialist Quest Nutrition enters club channel with distribution deals

20-Mar-2019 By Adi Menayang

Distribution deals with Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale mark foray into club channel for Quest Nutrition, a specialist of protein-rich functional foods, drinks, and supplements.

EDITOR'S SPOTLIGHT

From supplements to SuperBites, Tosí expands its ecosystem of plant-based protein products at Expo West

13-Mar-2019 By Adi Menayang

At last week’s Natural Products Expo West show, we caught up with the mother-daughter duo behind Tosí to learn about their strategy of creating a healthy product portfolio that can stand out in the crowded snack bar and supplements crowd.

'What we're wrestling with is whether CBD is an ingredient play, or something huge brands can be built around'

Trendspotting at Expo West 2019: CBD explosion, oatmilk on fire, protein still hot, sugar under attack

11-Mar-2019 By Elaine Watson

The fact that CBD is not a legal ingredient in foods and supplements - at least not yet - did not deter scores of exhibitors at Expo West, who added it to everything from soda to protein bars (absent any claims), with some opting for isolates, but most...

Plasma-treated whey increased circulating essential amino acids in blood, more so than conventional whey

26-Feb-2019 By Adi Menayang

Results from a new clinical trial suggest that participants who ingested a whey protein treated with atmospheric plasma had more circulating essential amino acids in the blood, hinting at improved muscle protein synthesis.

PepsiCo acquires premium protein business CytoSport

20-Feb-2019 By Rachel Arthur

PepsiCo will acquire CytoSport, the business behind protein shake brand Muscle Milk.

Which brands are the most visible in the meal replacement shake space?

01-Feb-2019 By Adi Menayang

Latest data from Kantar Media reveals the most visible brands in the meal replacement shake space, and how brands can get a leg up in a tight competitive atmosphere.

CK Ingredients inks deal to distribute Parabel’s duckweed protein in Canada

21-Jan-2019 By Adi Menayang

Florida-based Parabel, which grows and processes protein powder out of duckweed, has signed a deal with CK Ingredients, allowing the latter to distribute Parabel’s branded duckweed protein ingredient Lentein in Canada.

January new product launches: Probiotic fruit bar, organic protein milk, and more

10-Jan-2019 By Adi Menayang

In this round-up of the latest product launches from the end of last year and beginning of this new year, we have fruit bars with probiotics, a pre-workout that ‘tastes like college,’ and organic high protein milk.

Editor's Spotlight

How one entrepreneur used a byproduct to satisfy growing consumer demand for plant-based protein

09-Jan-2019 By Adi Menayang

California-based entrepreneur and mother of two, Sarine Sahatjian, celebrates her Armenian heritage with Noosh brands.

New pilot study points to potential advantages of protein supplementation pre-exercise

14-Dec-2018 By Adi Menayang

Male participants who fasted and then ingested protein before running on a treadmill exhibited higher post-exercise energy expenditure, which is linked to fat oxidation and weight loss.

Roll over, rolled oats! Manufacturer markets lupin as high protein, high fiber ingredient for bars, granola

10-Dec-2018 By Adi Menayang

Ingredient supplier CK Nutraceuticals is launching lupin-derived flour and flakes to target North American manufacturers in the nutritional bar space.

These start-ups want to increase the bioavailability, efficacy of sports nutrition ingredients

30-Nov-2018 By Adi Menayang

We caught up with two start-ups, Plasma Nutrition and Tamarack Biotics, to learn more about the market and regulatory status of their novel processes and ingredients at the SupplySide West 2018 Expo.

Talking protein with Glanbia Nutritionals: It’s a time of trial and experimentation

29-Nov-2018 By Elaine Watson

Is the protein craze fizzling out? Not if you look at new product launch data, or the fact that producers of both plant and dairy proteins are continuing to add capacity, and consumers are continuing to experiment with new sources, from marine collagen...

Beef extract linked to improved exercise performance, reduced fatigue

13-Nov-2018 By Adi Menayang

Whey protein may be the most popular product of a cow used in the sports nutrition space, but researchers in Taiwan make the case for using beef extract.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Sports nutrition brand Ascent continues grocery channel expansion with Wegmans deal

07-Nov-2018 By Adi Menayang

Sports nutrition continues its penetration into the grocery channel as Ascent inks distribution deal with East Coast grocery retailer Wegmans.

Leucine-enriched amino acid supplements may increase muscle mass, strength in older adults

02-Nov-2018 By Adi Menayang

Researchers in Japan found evidence that a leucine-enriched amino acid supplement may increase muscle mass, strength, and physical function in a clinical trial involving older Japanese adults.

Student-focused sports nutrition seller Campus Protein raises $1 million in Series A financing

02-Nov-2018 By Adi Menayang

Campus Protein, a company that caters to college students shopping for sports nutrition supplements, just raised $1 million in Series A financing backed by angel investors and private individuals.

Why PepsiCo, Coca-cola are betting on functional food and beverage brands

01-Nov-2018 By Adi Menayang

Legacy CPG companies PepsiCo and Coca-Cola have each snapped up or invested heavily in a functional food and beverage brand this year.

October New Product Launches: Crispy protein bars, herbal blend for blood sugar, and ‘beef supplements’

26-Oct-2018 By Adi Menayang

From crispy protein bars under Bodybuilding.com’s new but growing private label line, to a line of superfood supplements from different cow organs, here’s what’s new in the finished product space:

Amazon is expanding its private label sports nutrition offering. What does this mean for the category?

24-Oct-2018 By Adi Menayang

When Amazon enters a new category, it’s common for existing players in that space to shudder. It entered the sports nutrition category in stealth mode this year.

From Yuzu to Tart Cherry to Birthday Cake: Which novel flavors have staying power in sports nutrition?

23-Oct-2018 By Adi Menayang

As sports nutrition brands continue to pop up, launching yet another chocolate or vanilla-flavored protein might not help a new brand get noticed.

UV-treated milk protein may give older adults an immunity boost, study suggests

22-Oct-2018 By Adi Menayang

Studies have linked protein-energy malnutrition to impaired immune function in the elderly, so researchers compared how a novel ultraviolet-treated dairy protein may give older adults an immunity boost.

Protein drink newcomer Foundation Fitness launches at Walmart nationwide

22-Oct-2018 By Adi Menayang

Foundation Fitness—a brand of canned protein drinks that launched this month—is now available in 2,500 Walmart stores across the nation.

Who shops for sports nutrition products at the c-store? Glanbia gives us a glimpse

08-Oct-2018 By Adi Menayang

Half of sports nutrition shoppers at c-stores buy products in the category as a source of energy, according to a market study conducted by the parent company of Optimum Nutrition, BSN, and other popular sports nutrition brands.

September new product launches: New product lines, more protein, and more collagen

24-Sep-2018 By Adi Menayang

Companies are coming out with entire new lines this autimn—from Garden of Life’s collaboration with actress Alicia Silverstone in its new mykind Organics Herbals line, to Vitacost.com’s private label collection of protein cookies and bars, here’s what’s...

High casein intake before sleep may benefit metabolic rate in active women, study suggests

13-Sep-2018 By Adi Menayang

Consumption of casein before sleep was linked to improved resting metabolic rate the next morning and a ‘trivial’ changes in resistance exercise performance, researchers reported.

As protein category crowds, start-up Vade Nutrition shakes things up with dissolvable scoop ‘pods’

12-Sep-2018 By Adi Menayang

A Michigan-based, family-owned start-up wants to shake-up protein shakes with dissolvable protein scoops.

Protein2o continues expansion of protein water empire with new Publix deal

08-Aug-2018 By Adi Menayang

Protein water brand Protein2o is on an “amazing growth trajectory,” said its president Andy Horrow. It’s poised for more growth after securing a distribution deal in 900 Publix stores.

Ascent sports supplements get national distribution deal at Whole Foods Market

03-Aug-2018 By Adi Menayang

Protein powder products by Colorado-based Ascent, which markets whey protein free of artificial flavors and sweeteners, will be distributed nationwide at Whole Foods Market.

‘Plasma protein’ start-up adds new study to back its claims for better absorption than ‘normal’ whey

15-Jun-2018 By Adi Menayang

Blood analysis of participants who ingested either ‘plasma-blasted’ whey protein or standard hydrolyzed whey protein isolate suggests that the former is more bioavailable.

Having ingredients that can make a cross platform play key to prospering as sports nutrition market develops, supplier says

23-May-2018 By Hank Schultz

The sports nutrition market continues to ramify beyond the dedicated gym goer set. In this era of Active Nutrition, those companies with ingredients that can play in multiple spaces will prosper, a supplier says.

Casein supplementation timing doesn’t really matter, suggests pilot study on recreationally active males

18-May-2018 By Adi Menayang

Eating cottage cheese before bed for its casein content is a popular bodybuilding tip. But results from a new clinical trial suggests that casein levels may matter more than timing.

Pin Up Girl Protein co-founder: ‘We want to help build strong women’

02-Apr-2018 By Adi Menayang

The co-founders of Pin Up Girl protein were tired of the dichotomous narrative they observed in the protein powder category. On one end, you have the hyper-masculine branding focusing on bulking and powering up, and on the other end, powders targeting...

Glanbia launches whole grains, fiber ingredients for functional beverages

26-Mar-2018 By Adi Menayang

A Whole Grain Stamp isn’t just for snacks or bread—global ingredient firm Glanbia Nutritionals introduced BevGrad Oats GF and BevGrad Quinoa, designed for inclusion in beverages.

News in Brief

Deerland to debut anti-aging ingredient Solarplast at Engredea 2018

28-Feb-2018 By Adi Menayang

Ingredient maker Deerland Enzymes & Probiotics has launched a new product, Solarplast, an extract of enzymatically enhanced organic dark leafy greens.

Research piles up supporting role of omega-3s in eye health, expert says

26-Feb-2018 By Hank Schultz

Among dietary ingredients, carotenoids are the most visible players in eye health. But omega-3s play a key role as well, said a federally funded researcher who specializes in the topic.

News in Brief

Kyowa Hakko positions Setria glutathione for food applications with GRAS affirmation

23-Feb-2018 By Hank Schultz

Kyowa Hakko USA has announced self-affirmed GRAS status on its Setria ingredient, which is a branded form of glutathione.

Consumers may like your protein powder, but do they like the scoop?

16-Feb-2018 By Adi Menayang

Let's talk about the scoops that come with protein powder—not that the scoop can necessarily make or break a consumer's decision to buy a powder, but a focus group conducted by packaging company TricorBraun reveals what protein powder buyers...

‘The meal replacement category is on fire,’ says founder of ketogenic beverage brand Bear Squeeze

25-Jan-2018 By Adi Menayang

Packed with MCT oil, kale, pumpkin seed protein and probiotics, start-up Bear Squeeze wants to be known as a “higher-end, cleaner Soylent,” said co-founder and president Max Baumann.

How did consumers choose from the plethora of protein snacks and beverages in 2017?

20-Dec-2017 By Adi Menayang

Protein remains a key product attribute that keeps bringing in consumer dollars. A new report details how consumers made protein purchasing decisions this past year, and how that may shape trends for the next year.

Is more protein better for muscle recovery? Not necessarily, researchers reveal

22-Nov-2017 By Adi Menayang

Researchers in the UK compared high versus moderate protein intake on recovery after strength training in resistance-trained individuals. They found that, for recovery, more protein isn't necessarily better, hinting that there may be a benefit to...

Consumer online searches for ‘plant-based’ tripled, protein powder dominates category

09-Oct-2017 By Adi Menayang

As more consumers try to add more plants into their diets, plant-based protein is a shining star in the emerging category, making up the majority of both online searches and sales for ‘plant-based’ products, according to one research firm.

Botanical specialist Sabinsa launches first protein ingredient Promond

25-Sep-2017 By Adi Menayang

Jumping on the protein bandwagon, botanical ingredient maker Sabinsa launches almond-based protein powder Promond, its first protein powder ingredient.

Naturex strikes global distribution deal with Mycotech for vegan mushroom protein: 'We could see they had something new'

18-Sep-2017 By Elaine Watson

Natural ingredients giant Naturex has struck a global distribution deal with MycoTechnology, the fungi-fueled start-up behind Pure Taste fermented shiitake vegetable protein: a high-profile new entrant to the ‘alternative’ protein market. 

What are the top selling nutrition bars online? Smaller, newer brands, data reveals

07-Sep-2017 By Adi Menayang

Quest Nutrition bars top other brands in the category by total online sales, while RXBAR tops the list for fastest online sales growth, according to a report by market research firm 1010data.

Consumer demands placing more pressure on flavor, texture of sports nutrition products

19-Jul-2017 By Hank Schultz

Flavor innovation is usually seen as a key component of food product development and of less concern for supplements.  But as sports nutrition brands seek competitive advantages and to bring in fringe, lifestyle-type consumers, flavors are taking center...