Botanicals & Herbals

Nutrition Asia video series

VIDEO: Functional foods in South East Asia - trending ingredients, pressing consumer needs and 'preposterous' health claims

23-Jan-2017 By Gary Scattergood

In the first of our Nutrition Asia video series we take a deep dive into South East Asia's functional foods industry to gauge the state of the market and assess how it can meet the health needs of consumers across the region.

Government funding and nutritional composition leads to high functional food hopes for Malaysian red seaweed

19-Jan-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Tropical red seaweed, G. changii, can become an important functional food ingredient and is a prime crop for large-scale commercial farming, according to new research from Malaysia.

Soft gold? Cordyceps have strong functional food potential if supply constraints can be overcome

18-Jan-2017 By Millette Burgos

While long treasured for its medicinal properties in Asia, a new Taiwanese review has drawn attention to four species of the fungi Cordyceps, highlighting the mushrooms’ potential as a functional food targeting metabolic, liver, sexual, and bone/joint...

Bitter orange extract shows promise as a protector against liver damage

12-Jan-2017 By Millette Burgos

Bitter orange extract (Citrus aurantium) has been found to help protect the liver against injury caused by bile duct obstructions or defects due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities.

Chicory extract found to improve memory loss in mice: China study

12-Jan-2017 By Millette Burgos

Chicoric acid (CA), a nutraceutical component from the chicory plant, could slow down memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, a study revealed.

‘More evidence’ of green tea’s slimming potential needed to boost products beyond Japan

10-Jan-2017 By Gary Scattergood

The status of green tea as a slimming ingredient in Japan should provide inspiration for companies elsewhere who are looking to use the product across the weight loss category, according to new market research.

Functional foods from cauliflower waste could help tackle hypertension and diabetes: China study

10-Jan-2017 By Millette Burgos

By-products from cauliflower could be recycled and turned into functional foods to help combat diabetes and hypertension, a new study from China suggests.

Green tea extract an ‘effective treatment’ for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Study

09-Jan-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Treatment with green tea extract (GTE) has been found to reduce hepatic inflammation in mice with the fatty liver disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Asian VC invests €33m in Indian botanicals specialist; acquisitions targeted

02-Jan-2017 By Shane Starling

Indian-based but global-facing herbals player OmniActive Health Technologies has won a $35 million (€33m) investment from venture capitalist Everstone Group, as it pursues expansion and acquisition targets.

2016’s top APAC regulation and policy stories revealed: Japan, China, India, Australia and South East Asia in the spotlight

21-Dec-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Food and nutrition firms in APAC have to contend with a diverse and at times contradictory regulatory landscape across the region, with rules and laws being amended or introduced all the time. And 2016 was no exception.

Japanese researchers decode genome of key TCM ingredient Chinese liquorice

20-Dec-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Scientists in Japan have decode the genome of Chinese liquorice – a key ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine – raising hopes that it can be grown sustainably in the country for nutraceutical and medicinal use.

The top five APAC research stories of 2016, featuring tea, TCM, astaxanthin, vitamins and Himalayan fruits

14-Dec-2016 By Gary Scattergood

From the liver benefits of fermented tea, to the anti-fatigue attributes of astaxanthin, these are the top five research stories that have gained the most traction with readers in 2016.

US manufacturer Mannatech launches its supplements in China via e-commerce

13-Dec-2016 By Gary Scattergood

US supplement firm Mannatech is now selling its products in China via e-commerce at www.MeiTaiChina.com.

The seven top Asia Pacific food and nutrition trends of 2016

12-Dec-2016 By Gary Scattergood

As 2016 draws to a close, we highlight the top seven most-read APAC food and nutrition trends stories, featuring exclusive market and consumer insights from Japan, South East Asia, India, Australia and China.

India’s new functional food and supplements rules: The key requirements every firm needs to know

07-Dec-2016 By Gary Scattergood

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued its long-awaited rules for functional foods and supplements – publishing a 79-page set of criteria on its website.

Chinese partnership seeks to raise funds for US cannabis supplement sector

06-Dec-2016 By Gary Scattergood

A Chinese financial website and a private equity fund have sealed a deal to raise capital form mainland China to invest in the US cannabis supplements and functional beverage sectors.

Focus on food synergies to boost bioavailability, urge researchers

05-Dec-2016 By Nathan Gray

A greater emphasis should be placed on enhancing the bioavailability of key nutrients in foods by focusing on synergies to help fight under nutrition, say researchers from the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Curcumin supplementation shows benefits for people with severe depression: Study

25-Nov-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Supplementation with curcumin has been found to be effective in reducing depressive and anxiolytic symptoms in people with major depressive disorders.

UAE orders withdrawal of further three ‘herbal supplements’

22-Nov-2016 By Gary Scattergood

The UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention has banned a further three ‘herbal supplements’ and warned they could endanger the lives of patients.

Study shows how stevia may harness additional commercial benefits

21-Nov-2016 By Gary Scattergood

A new study has highlighted some of the lesser-known properties in stevia - one of which has anti-obesity potential - that could provide extra commercial benefits in addition to its sweetening power.

The Daily Wellness Company readies for China launch with major authentication deal

16-Nov-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Hawaii supplement firm The Daily Wellness Company is preparing to launch its first products in China in early 2017 – and has signed a deal with TruTag technologies to authenticate its products.

The top trending Ayurveda ingredients right now…and why they are destined to remain niche products in the West.

14-Nov-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Tulsi, ashwagandha and cardamom are three of the hottest Ayurvedic ingredients right now, but the likelihood of them gaining mass appeal in Europe and the US is limited by scepticism of complementary medicine, it has been claimed.

Medlab announces first Australian cannabis trial for cancer pain as nutraceutical sales soar

10-Nov-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Australian company Medlab Clinical Limited is preparing to start Australia’s first clinical trial using cannabis for oncology patients suffering intractable pain.

Arbonne to make Asia debut in Taiwan with 10 nutrition products

09-Nov-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Direct sales firm Arbonne is to officially launch in Taiwan this week, initially with a range of 10 nutrition products alongside its skincare offering.

Australian cannabis-based supplements set for European market amid global expansion drive

01-Nov-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Australian manufacturer of pharmaceutical grade cannabis and hemp-based products Creso Pharma has sealed deals to launch its nutraceuticals in two European markets.

‘Critics think it's snake oil medicine’: Call for more TCM research to prove doubters wrong

31-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

More clinical trials are needed to build up a catalogue of evidence-based findings to enable Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to play a bigger role in Singapore’s healthcare system.

Assam herbs ripe for nutraceutical and functional food development: Study

26-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Twelve edible herbs from Assam, India, are “alluring candidates” for nutraceutical and functional food developments, according to study which highlights their antioxidant capacity.

Sri Lankan firm Apeiron partners with POS to develop plant extract manufacturing site

25-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Canadian company POS Bio-Sciences is partnering with Apeiron Lanka Limited in Sri Lanka to develop a manufacturing facility to extract essential oils. 

Two supplements to go under the spotlight in diabetes clinical trial

17-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Researchers are to investigate whether two commonly used dietary supplements can help prevent diabetes.

Neem plant compound could suppress development of prostate cancer: Singapore study

12-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Nimbolide, a bioactive terpenoid compound derived from Azadirachta indica, more commonly known as the neem plant, could reduce the size of prostate tumours by up to 70 per cent and suppress its spread or metastasis by half, say Singapore academics.

Arjuna to launch amla Indian gooseberry ingredient at Europe showcase

10-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Arjuna Natural Extracts Ltd is seeking to tap into the Indian gooseberry superfood trend with the launch of a new amla ingredient – TRILOW.

Taiwan kakorot firm Aquavan eyes international expansion

05-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Taiwan botanical manufacturer and supplier Aquavan is targeting international expansion after establishing an ingredients offshoot to complement its finished products offering.

Green tea compound ‘counteracts’ overeating effect of high-fat diet

03-Oct-2016 By Nathan GRAY

Consumption of the green tea compound EGCG could help to stop daytime overeating brought on by a high-fat diet, claims research backed by Abbott Nutrition.

Four nutrition and health trends shaping functional food and drink innovation in South East Asia

03-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Functional food innovation in developed Asian economies is increasingly influencing consumers in South East Asia’s emerging nations, with protein products, superfoods, herbal extract powders and fortified breakfast snacks making their presence felt on...

Mice study on Kemin's spearmint and rosemary extract ingredient supports its learning and memory benefits

03-Oct-2016 By Adi Menayang

In a study funded by manufacturer Kemin and the VA Medical Center in St. Louis, spearmint and rosemary extracts improved age-related oxidation markers in brain tissue of SAMP8 mice.

Root 66? Spearmint’s phenolic matrix mapped

29-Sep-2016 By Kacey Culliney

Mass spectrometry techniques have shed light on spearmint’s complex phenolic matrix, according to ‘tentative’ findings from Italy.

‘Plant insulin’ from bitter melon backed for fight against diabetes

28-Sep-2016 By Nathan GRAY

A commercially available ingredient containing bitter melon peptides could help manage blood sugar by binding to insulin receptors, say researchers.

Algae omega-3 wins €1m+ Oz research boost

26-Sep-2016 By Kacey Culliney

Scientists are using metabolic engineering to scale up omega-3 rich algae production in Australia.

Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease: Could plant-based Traditional Chinese Medicines aid treatment?

26-Sep-2016 By Gary Scattergood

A new study of classical Chinese medical texts has found almost 1500 references to age-related memory impairment similar to Alzheimer's disease, and to several plant-based ingredients that should be assessed further for their treatment potential...

Combining polyphenols boosts anti-cancer properties: Rath rodent review

21-Sep-2016 By Eliot Beer

Combining polyphenols and other compounds can dramatically increase their ability to fight cancers, according to a review from the Dr Rath Research Institute of its own and other studies.

Food affects almond skin polyphenol release: Study

19-Sep-2016 By Eliot Beer

Milk may significantly lower the release of polyphenols from almond skins during digestion, while consuming almond skins with food also has a significant effect on their release, according to a study.

Mango could help maintain gut bacteria at risk from high-fat diets

14-Sep-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Mango consumption could help prevent the loss of beneficial gut bacteria caused by a high fat diet, according to research on mice.

Revealed: How Traditional Chinese Medicine plant compounds kill cancer cells

12-Sep-2016 By Gary Scattergood

A complex mix of plant compounds derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine works to kill cancer cells, and researchers from Australia have shown how.

Ginger and chili peppers could combine to cut cancer risk: China research

12-Sep-2016 By Gary Scattergood

New research from China suggests the pungent compound in ginger, 6-ginergol, could counteract capsaicin's potentially harmful effects. 

Decoding the secrets of Japan’s fucoidan-rich seaweed

12-Sep-2016 By Nathan Gray

Researchers have begun to decode the genetic secrets of mozuku, a famous fucoidan-rich Okinawan seaweed linked to health and longevity.

False claims risk undermining the Asia market for heart health products

07-Sep-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Global and local players in Asia’s heart health sector are adopting radically different strategies – but dubious health claims from some of the latter threaten to undermine the market, according to an industry analyst.

Vinegar a ‘promising functional food’ to combat Asia’s rising cases of type 2 diabetes

07-Sep-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Researchers in Singapore suggest vinegar could be a key functional ingredient to help fight the rising number of type 2 diabetes cases in the region.

Green tea EGCG backed to prevent life-threatening ‘artery explosion’

31-Aug-2016 By Nathan Gray

Drinking polyphenol-packed green tea could help to prevent a deadly condition in the body's main artery, according to new research in rats.

Ginger nanoparticles could help alleviate inflammatory bowel disease: Study

18-Aug-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Edible ginger-derived nanoparticles could alleviate symptoms of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), researchers claim.

Consuming foods with plant sterols plays a role in managing heart health, says Nestlé Malaysia

15-Aug-2016 By Jim Cornall

Studies at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and the UKM Medical Centre show that Malaysians in their 30s are now more likely to have arteries similar to a person aged 70 due to their lifestyles.