Research

Guest Article

The gut's impact on a good night's sleep

27-Jul-2021 By Guus Kortman, Gut Microbiologist, and Andrei Prodan, Data Scientist at Nizo

With sleep being rated as a top health priority for consumers across the globe in 2021, NutraIngredients speaks to an expert about the research linking the gut microbiome to this health goal.

Research reveals Gen Zs want healthy snacks that prioritise their mental health instead of calories

27-Jul-2021 By Gill Hyslop

Research commissioned by EIT Food has found that young Europeans want an overhaul of how they access, discuss and learn about healthy food.

Child's microbiome can predict onset of coeliac disease

14-Jul-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Long-term research has identified substantial microbial changes in the intestines of infants before developing coeliac disease, suggesting scientists may be able to predict who will develop the disease months before the onset.

Study reports health benefits of morning chocolate

28-Jun-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Eating chocolate in the morning may help burn body fat, decrease glucose levels, and improved microbiome health, thanks to the flavanol content, according to a new study.

Fish supplements with collagen offer hope for metabolic syndrome management

03-Jun-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Fish-derived supplements, particularly those containing collagen, have potential beneficial properties for managing type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome via modulation of the gut microbiome, according to a new study in mice.

Danone awards $50K for yogurt, probiotics & gut microbiome research

03-May-2021 By Stephen Daniells

The mechanisms of probiotic and prebiotic function in the gut microbiome as a mediator of cardiovascular disease and early-life microbiota components that may prevent obesity in children are the two research projects on the receiving end of the Danone’s...

Orange flavonoid consumption increases muscle and reduces fat in athletes, says study

13-Apr-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

A natural orange extract can improve muscle growth and performance in athletes, according to an eight week double-blind, parallel and randomised trial.

Research links Dutch Healthy Diet to lower risk of depression

25-Mar-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Adherence to a Dutch Healthy Diet could be linked with a lower risk of developing depressive symptoms, according to research which compared the impact of popular dietary patterns.

Market check: Folic acid supplements for pregnant women meet requirements

15-Mar-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

A new analysis of folic acid supplements available on the Spanish market for pregnant women has found supplements are consistent with declared dosages and meet legal requirements for stated health claims.

Meta-analysis spotlights CBD’s stress relief capacity

04-Feb-2021 By Lynda Searby

In the last two years there has been a great wealth of evidence to support the use of CBD for anxiety and stress, according to a meta-analysis by Nutrition Formulators.

Researchers find probiotic reduces antibiotic use in prostate infections

29-Jan-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Lactobacillus paracasei can help prevent symptom recurrence and improve the quality of life in patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis therefore reducing antibiotic use, according to a new study.

Finnish study paves the way for health-driven blackcurrant NPD

04-Dec-2020 By Lynda Searby

New findings from Finnish researchers suggest that a blood glucose response benefit can be derived from eating a smaller portion of blackcurrants than previously thought, and from blackcurrants with added sugar.

Study links microbiome diversity to active vitamin D level

03-Dec-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

The gut microbiome's diversity is strongly linked to levels of active vitamin D in older men, according to new research, suggesting that the body's ability to metabolise vitamin D may be more important than the amount stored.

Gut virus research receives prestigious funding

01-Dec-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

A new €910,000 cash boost from The Wellcome Trust will see researchers at APC Microbiome Ireland investigate the role of bacteriophages in the gut microbiome.

L-carnitine supplementation beneficial for reducing waistline and blood pressure – Meta-analysis

01-Oct-2020 By Tingmin Koe

L-carnitine supplementation has been shown to help reduce waist circumference and systolic blood pressure among people suffering from a range of health conditions, including diabetes and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, according to a meta-analysis.

Vitamin D and K status linked to reduced mortality risk, say researchers

10-Sep-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Combined low vitamin D and K status are associated with increased all-cause mortality risk and possibly with cardiovascular events, according to a newly published cohort study.

Indian botanical shown to strengthen adaptive immunity in 30 days trial

02-Sep-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Green chiretta, otherwise known as andrographis paniculate, a plant native to India and Sri Lanka, has shown to strengthen the body’s adaptive immunity against pathogens in a 30-day clinical trial.

Study argues vitamin D has no benefit for severe asthma attack

27-Aug-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Vitamin D supplements do not prevent severe asthma attacks in at-risk children, contrary to previous findings, according to the first placebo-controlled clinical trial to test this relationship.

Scientists create comprehensive database of bacterial genomes

29-Jul-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

An international team of scientists has collated all known bacterial genomes from the human gut microbiome into one 'unparalleled' large database.

New evidence: Late night protein won't help control blood sugar after breakfast

14-Jul-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Two new studies have shown that late night consumption of protein doesn't help control glyceamic response to the following morning's breakfast, with one showing it may even have a negative effect.

Bacteria in newborn's stool may indicate risk of obesity

14-Jul-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

The bacteria found in a baby's first stool can predict its likelihood of becoming overweight by the age of three, according to a new prospective, population‐based study, suggesting a child's risk of obesity may to start during pregnancy.

Expert view: Genetics-based nutrition is risky business

09-Jun-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Although genes do have some bearing on obesity risk, they are only one small element of a much wider picture so genetics-based advice alone has the propensity to do more harm than good, according a recent online conference hosted by the American Nutrition...

PREDICT study provides personalised nutrition revelations

08-Jun-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

The ground-breaking preliminary results from the largest ongoing study of individual responses to nutrition have been unveiled in an online conference from the American Society of Nutrition (ASN).

Study emphasises importance of differentiating between vitamin K1 and K2

01-Jun-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Intake of vitamin K2 is linked with a lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), but K1 is not, according to a newly published observational study.

Newly identified ‘metabolic signature’ can determine adherence to Mediterranean diet, help predict CVD risk

28-May-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

A newly identified “metabolic signature” can evaluate an individual’s adherence and metabolic response to the Mediterranean diet and help predict future risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to new research.

COVID-19: Internet 'rife with misinformation' about Vitamin D, say scientists

22-May-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Reports arguing high dose Vitamin D supplementation could treat COVID-19 are based on speculation and are a risk to public health, warns a team of scientists from across the globe.

Researchers create accurate blood test to track fatty acid intake

20-May-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Researchers have developed a reliable and accurate blood test to track fatty acid intake - a tool that they say could guide public health policy on healthy eating.

The healthiest way to get your caffeine fix? Scientists suggest a filtered brew

27-Apr-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Researchers have announced what they believe to be the healthiest way to drink coffee, after conducting an observational study of over 500,000 people examining the links between brewing method and risk of heart attack.

Diet and gut health are crucial modifiable risk factors in coronavirus severity, says professor

24-Apr-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

The professor behind the COVID Symptom Tracker app - said to be the biggest ever citizen science project in health - predicts that diet and nutrition will soon be recognised as an essential element of immunity and a big modifiable risk factor in the fight...

Mice study: Green tea shows promise for food allergies

14-Apr-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

The consumption of green tea may help suppress the immune response which causes allergies, according to a new Japanese study in mice.

Preliminary study finds fruit peel compound could reverse neuron damage

07-Apr-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

A new study in mice has concluded that a compound found in the peels of fruits such as apples and prunes, and some herbs, can reduce and even reverse damage to brain cells in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Mate tea and caffeine reduce weight gain, rat study concludes

02-Jan-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

A new study in rats concludes that caffeine may offset some of the negative effects of an obesogenic diet by reducing the storage of lipids in fat cells and limiting the production of triglycerides.

Expert reaction: Could chilli pepper reduce mortality rate?

18-Dec-2019 By Nikki Hancocks

A ‘high quality’ observational study has concluded regular consumption of chilli pepper is associated with a lower risk of death but experts have questioned the causality in the results.

From the editor's desk

Wild ride over past decade shapes view of coming frenetic year

11-Dec-2019 By Hank Schultz

The dietary supplement industry is a crazy quilt that marries the sublime to the ridiculous and includes players of the highest moral and intellectual standards as well as those participating in the basest grubbing for money.

From the editor's desk

While unlikely, new framework for disseminating study results would improve DSHEA

15-Nov-2019 By Hank Schultz

The turmoil surrounding the CBD question has obscured other important debates, such as how to alter DHSEA is such a way that more scientific information can be conveyed to consumers.

Probiota Asia 2019

More validation, standardisation, and mechanism of action studies needed to address gaps in probiotics research

07-Nov-2019 By Guan Yu Lim

There is a need for more validated, standardised, randomised control trials (RCT) studying the mechanism of action in probiotics research.

Probiota Asia 2019

Probiotic research booming in Asia with China and Iran leading the charge

23-Oct-2019 By Tingmin Koe

A growing number of clinical studies focusing on probiotics is seen in Asia, with China and Iran seeing exponential increase in recent years, according to an International Probiotics Association-backed review.

From the Editor's Desk

Probiotics under fire: ‘When a doctor treats himself, he has a fool for a patient’

18-Oct-2019 By Stephen Daniells

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal has caused consternation among stakeholders in the probiotics space. Why? Well, for an article written by an MD and cancer researcher it’s as unscientific as it is potentially damaging.

Personalized nutrition has taken giant steps in seven years, observer says

16-Oct-2019 By Hank Schultz

True personalized nutrition and health care was a promise seven years ago. Now it’s a reality, and is moving into the implementation phase, an observer says.

From the editor's desk

Matching performance to promises holds key to personalized nutrition success

16-Oct-2019 By Hank Schultz

The personalized nutrition revolution holds huge potential for the dietary supplement industry. But matching promises to performance will be the key to keeping that goose alive until it can deliver the golden eggs.

Coastal dwellers low in omega-3s despite affluence, access to fish, survey finds

08-Oct-2019 By Hank Schultz

Even Americans living in an affluent coastal town with good access to fresh seafood are deficient in omega-3s, a new survey has found.

Bias inherent in company funded research calls value of evidence into question, critic maintains

01-Oct-2019 By Hank Schultz

The results of company funded research are so predictable that the value of the studies is greatly reduced, a prominent critic of the practice says.

Supp.AI aims to streamline drug-supplement interaction data

24-Sep-2019 By Danielle Masterson

‘Natural’ doesn’t always mean ‘safe’, and often herbal and botanical supplements have their share of side-effects, especially when combined with medications.

‘Fundamentally flawed’: NZ industry body demands research paper’s removal from med journal

24-Sep-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Trade body Natural Health Products New Zealand has called for the removal of a research paper which claimed that six out of 10 of the country’s best-selling fish oil products contained less omega-3 fatty acids than what was stated.

From the editor's desk

Does bias against company-funded research really serve consumers?

20-Sep-2019 By Hank Schultz

Companies that foster science in the dietary supplement industry can labor under the prejudices of those who say that any industry funding of a study must necessarily taint the results.

‘At best dubious?’ Researchers pour cold water on glucosamine CVD study

03-Jul-2019 By Richard Whitehead

The authors of a recent study, which looked at how glucosamine - a supplement that is normally taken to help joint pain - could lower the risk of heart disease, should also reveal the association of other supplements with cardiovascular events or death.