Functional Beverage

Science brief

Study confirms safe doses of cocoa flavanols for supplements & fortified products

11-Nov-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Consuming up to two grams per day of cocoa flavanols for 12 weeks is well tolerated in healthy men and women, says a new study from scientists from Mars Inc. and the University of California, Davis.

Whey plus HMB boosts recovery more than whey alone: Study

27-Oct-2015 By Louise Reid

Adding the amino acid derivative beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) and the disaccharide sweetener isomaltulose to whey protein powder improves recovery from demanding exercise, researchers have found.

Beetroot juice can battle altitude sickness: Himalayan study

15-Oct-2015 By Louise Reid

Consumption of nitrate-rich beetroot juice may restore reduced blood vessel function in healthy subjects at altitude, researchers have said.

Dutch supplier unveils egg protein with pre-diabetic positioning

14-Oct-2015 By Hank Schultz

Dutch company Newtricious is bringing a new egg protein hydrosolate ingredient market with data backing its cardiovascular and metabolic health benefits.

‘Palatinose is an innovative solution meant to provide new concepts,’ says Beneo

01-Oct-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Beneo’s isomaltulose ingredient is winning over endurance athletes with its steady carbohydrate energy supply, but what next for the ingredient, and what about reports of GI discomfort?

Peptan collagen shows skin health benefits from within

29-Sep-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Oral supplementation with collagen peptides may boost skin hydration by almost 30%, according to data from two double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials on Asian and Caucasian women with different skin types.

Polyphenol-rich juice shows blood pressure benefits: RCT

28-Sep-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Six weeks of consuming a polyphenol-rich juice may slash blood pressure, with the effects even more pronounced in those who need it most – hypertensives, says a new study.

Faster sprints and better decisions: Beetroot juice backed for increased sports performance

21-Sep-2015 By Nathan Gray

Drinking high nitrate beetroot juice could improve both sprint performance and decision-making during prolonged intermittent exercise such as rugby and football, and could help players at the Rugby World Cup, say researchers.

Botanicals giant refines fruit & veg extracts range for food supplements

04-Sep-2015 By Shane STARLING

French botanicals leader Naturex has emphasised its ambition to be the “world leader in the specialty fruit & vegetable category” by launching an extract range targeting food supplements including gummies.

‘Crowdfunding Jedi’ takes on Soylent with Ambronite, the ‘world's first organic drinkable supermeal’

04-Sep-2015 By Elaine Watson

Food is fun, says the self-described ‘serial optimist’ and ‘crowdfunding Jedi’ behind 500-calorie vegan ‘drinkable supermeal’ Ambronite. But not every eating occasion can be an epic, Mediterranean-style gathering fueled by wine and great conversation,...

Coffee polyphenol may help manage blood sugar in healthy people: Study

26-Aug-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Polyphenols from coffee may improve blood sugar levels and boost endothelial function in healthy men, says a new study from Japan.

Pre hypertension link to risk in young adults widens scope for grape seed extract, Polyphenolics says

25-Aug-2015 By Hank Schultz

High blood pressure has been called the silent killer, and a recent study indicates its effects may be more widespread than previously believed. It creates a market opportunity for those few dietary supplement ingredients that have data backing their...

Probiotics won’t help you lose weight, say researchers

12-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Probiotics are not effective for weight loss, say researchers behind a review of current data.

In the year 2020: Global nutraceuticals market to be worth €35bn; 7% annual growth forecast

10-Aug-2015

Botanicals are the fastest growing nutraceutical ingredient class in a category being driven by ageing populations around the world, a report has found.

Could beetroot juice help you exercise for longer?

30-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Chronic consumption of beetroot juice may improve cardiovascular health and potentially delay the onset of fatigue in healthy people, says a new study.

Soluble fibers may curb hunger and counter inflammation in overweight people: Human data

21-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Prebiotic supplements may reduce appetite, food intake, and inflammation in overweight adults, says a new study from France.

VitHit vitamin drink takes simple health message global

08-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Simple health branding and attractive flavours are what will take vitamin drink VitHit global, its founder and director says.

‘Encouraging’: Tart cherries may protect marathon runners from upper respiratory tract symptoms

02-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Juice made from Montmorency cherries may reduce the development of upper respiratory tract symptoms (URTS) after running a marathon, suggests data from a pilot study.

“Our aim with this cooperation is to get food products made with ‘algility’ microalgae into consumers’ hands faster.”

Roquette boosts algae project with beverage partner

01-Jul-2015 By Shane STARLING

French supplier Roquette has inked a deal with a food and beverage innovator it met at the SIAL food industry trade show last year to develop products for its nascent chlorella microalgae offerings.Fellow French firm Algama won an award for innovation...

patent watch

Nestlé files patent for pregnancy probiotic

29-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Nestlé has filed a patent for probiotics to be taken during pregnancy and lactation, which it says help reduce the risk of allergies for the infant.

Academics seek industry partners for electrospun nanofiber delivery

17-Jun-2015 By Nathan Gray

UK-based researchers are seeking industry collaboration and inspiration for work creating electrospun nanofibres that could provide improved products and ingredient delivery systems for foods.

Patent watch

Abbott Labs files patent for ‘better tasting’ nutritional powders

09-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Abbott Laboratories has filed an international patent for a process it says allows it to produce better-tasting powders with improved nutrient content.

Nestlé files casein infant formula patent for better insulin sensitivity

05-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Nestlé has filed an international patent for an infant nutrition product with casein protein, which it said could be used to prevent metabolic syndrome disorders later in life.

Emerging markets drive global health & wellness growth (but one size does not fit all)

03-Jun-2015 By Shane STARLING

38 ‘developed’ nations delivered 54% of functional food and supplement and other health & wellness (HW) product sales in 2014, but these same nations will account for only 14% of growth between now and 2019.

Naturex makes play for natural sports nutrition consumer

29-May-2015 By Niamh Michail

Boosted by botanicals, Naturex's WinDrink range targets a new breed of consumer who is interested in sports nutrition but wary of complex, synthetic ingredients.

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe 2015

Frutarom backs Peruvian berry in beverages

12-May-2015 By Shane STARLING

Inca berry, cape gooseberry, golden berry. It has many monikers but one primary Andean source in Peru and Swiss supplier Frutarom was promoting it at Vitafoods Europe last week.

Grape-wine extract combination shows BP management potential: Unilever study

11-May-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

A combination of extracts from grape juice and wine may help reduce blood pressure in people with untreated, mildly hypertensive people, says a new study from Unilever.

Gala Awards night at Vitafoods Europe, Geneva, Switzerland

NutraIngredients Awards shine spotlight on nutrition stars

07-May-2015 By Shane STARLING

200 people from the European and international food and nutrition sectors helped 20 finalists and seven winners celebrate at the inaugural NutraIngredients Awards last night at Vitafoods Europe.

Dietary carotenoids linked to lower type 2 diabetes risks in healthy adults

01-May-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

High dietary intakes of alpha- and beta-carotene are associated with reduced type 2 diabetes risk in generally healthy adults, says data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition-Netherlands (EPIC-NL).

Cranberry juice may slash cardiometabolic risk factors: RCT study

30-Apr-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily consumption of a low-calorie cranberry juice may improve certain risk factors of heart disease, including blood pressure and triglycerides, says a new study from the Agricultural Research Service at the USDA and Ocean Spray Cranberries.

Vitafoods investment hunt: 14 start-ups on menu

29-Apr-2015 By Shane STARLING

14 nutrition start-ups are formally seeking investment and partners the day before Vitafoods Europe officially opens next week in Geneva.

Muscle-building supplements linked to testicular cancer risk

14-Apr-2015 By Niamh Michail

An association between muscle-building supplements and testicular cancer is stronger for young men and long periods of use - with a 177% increased risk for those who mix supplements, warn scientists.

Dispatches from Food Vision, Cannes

‘What I already drink – but better!’ What can functional beverages offer consumers?

09-Apr-2015 By Rachel Arthur

Consumers are keen to learn more about beverage ingredients, which is good news for the functional drink category, suggest beverage entrepreneurs.

April 8, 14:00 CET: Experts debate hot issues in NutraIngredients omega-3 forum

Omega-3 hits €25bn but can it keep growing?

03-Apr-2015 By Shane STARLING

Are omega-3 fisheries really under threat? How many functional foods have cracked omega-3 blockbuster status? How is the sector recovering from the ‘Brasky effect’? How are developing markets developing? How is the latest research influencing regulation?...

Nestlé files patent for cocoa extract allergy treatment

03-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Nestlé has filed an international patent for cocoa polyphenols as a treatment or prevention of eosinophilic esophagitis – an allergic reaction of the esophagus.

AFI: 'This is a complement to breast feeding, not a replacement'

Arla's plans to fight malnutrition come under fire

02-Apr-2015 By Niamh Michail

As Danish dairy giant Arla Foods Ingredients (AFI) announces plans to combat malnutrition in Ethiopia by selling ingredients for milk formula, campaigners warn that companies may be profiting from hunger by promoting their products.

What do we know about caffeine and Alzheimer's?

01-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

It is ‘imperative’ more research is conducted on the potential benefits of caffeine in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease, say scientists.

Not just for hippies: Hemp's rising superfood status

01-Apr-2015 By RJ Whitehead

Bursting with nutrients and boasting an impressive growth rate, the future of hemp seed is bright– but what’s the best way for manufacturers to cash in on a product that is connected – mistakenly but understandably – with an illegal drug?

Will you get more polyphenols from blueberry-grape juice or a smoothie?

24-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Greater research into the impact of food matrixes on the bioavailability of polyphenols is needed, say researchers comparing grape and blueberry juice to smoothie.

The science of nutricosmetics: ‘Not all collagen ingredients are created equal’

19-Mar-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Collagen ingredients are driving much of the growth in the global nutricosmetics market, which is predicted to reach US$7.4bn by 2020, but how much science is there to substantiate the claims?

Which protein can help weight loss but keep muscle?

19-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Greater energy from whey protein means greater loss of fat but retention of muscle while dieting, according to research that looked at different protein sources.

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.

Spread protein throughout the day for muscle gain and weight loss: Nestlé study

18-Mar-2015 By Niamh Michail

Balancing protein intake throughout the day - rather than having the bulk as part of an evening meal - helped participants in a study to boost muscle gain by nearly 20% and lose weight, Nestlé researchers have found.

Agave prebiotic significantly increases some faecal friendly bacteria, say researchers

16-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The prebiotic agave fructan significantly increases the faecal count of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli compared to maltodextrin, according to research backed by industry.