Antioxidants/carotenoids

Ingredient Identity helps Indian firm expand in North and South America

19-May-2017 By Hank Schultz

Consulting firm Ingredient Identity is working with Bio-gen Extracts, an Indian ingredients supplier, to aid that company’s expansion into the United States and other global markets.

Supplement brands clamour to meet demand for health and convenience in Australia, NZ with NPD boom

17-May-2017 By Cheryl Tay

Innovation is booming in Australia and New Zealand’s vitamins and dietary supplements sector with companies rolling out scores of new products over the past five years, according to new research.

Antioxidant-rich grape powder protects brain from damage caused by high fat and high sugar diets: Study

17-May-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Antioxidants from grape powder helped ease hyperglycaemia-related cognitive dysfunction in aged rats, a study discovered.

Probiotic proliferation: Australian and New Zealand consumers increasingly open to new health benefits

16-May-2017 By Cheryl Tay

Australian and New Zealand probiotic product launches have rocketed by 200% in the past three years, with immunity claims becoming widely accepted by consumers alongside traditional gut health benefits.

Cinnamic acid and diabetes: Clinical studies needed to assess bioavailability concerns

02-May-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Cinnamic acid’s potential for diabetes management has been highlighted in a new review, but concerns over bioavailability are still hindering its use in nutraceuticals.

Chinese herb has anti-ageing potential due to potent free radical scavenging powers

20-Apr-2017 By Millette Burgos

The Chinese herb Chuanmishen violaceum (CVPS) helped improve antioxidant activity and increased free radical scavenging capabilities in tests on ageing mice, revealing it’s suitability for anti-ageing products.

Halal astaxanthin: AstaReal targets South East Asia growth after receiving certification

11-Apr-2017 By Gary Scattergood

AstaReal is now offering Japan-made natural astaxanthin ingredients that are halal certified.

Fish oil helped protect liver from injury caused by anti-TB drugs: Study

28-Mar-2017 By Millette Burgos

Cod liver fish oil showed considerable protective properties for livers damaged by anti-tuberculosis (TB) medication, a new study discovered.

Bioactive flavonoid from apple trees eases asthma symptoms: Taiwan study

17-Mar-2017 By Millette Burgos

Phloretin from apple trees helped ease asthma symptoms in a mouse study, pointing to the bioactive flavonoid’s therapeutic potential, according to researchers in Taiwan.

Gallery: Six of the top functional foods, health and supplement products launched at FoodEx Japan

13-Mar-2017 By Millette Burgos

This year’s FoodEx Japan show featured well over 3,000 exhibitors, from more than 80 countries, and attracted over 80,000 delegates.

Botanical formula suppresses liver cancer tumour growth: Taiwan mouse study

09-Mar-2017 By Millette Burgos

Zuo-Jin-Wan, a two-herb formula consisting of Coptis chinensis and Evodia rutaecarpa, helped suppress human cancer cell growth implanted in the livers of mice, a new Taiwan study showed.

Thailand’s top three supplement and functional food trends as beauty bubble begins to burst: Infographic

06-Mar-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Healthy ageing, natural supplements and personalised nutrition: these are three emerging trends in Thailand offering ample opportunities for industry growth.

Anti-inflammatory properties of Asian fungus alleviates lung injury, mouse study reveals

01-Mar-2017 By Millette Burgos

The medicinal fungus Sanghuangporus sanghuang (S.sanghuang) helped reduce inflammation associated with acute lung injury in mice, a new study reports.

Nutraceutical benefits of Chinese artichoke underlined for people with diabetes and CVD

26-Feb-2017 By Millette Burgos

The nutraceutical and health benefits of Chinese artichoke have been emphasised by new research, which for the first time highlighted nine compounds with important biological activities.

The five market trends making APAC the world’s growth hotspot for nutraceuticals

26-Feb-2017 By Gary Scattergood

The global nutraceuticals market is expected to reach a value of $302,306m by the year 2022, on the back of CAGR of 7.04%. But, according to new research, APAC is poised to outstrip the global growth average.

Berries from Tibetan Himalayas have ‘great functional food potential’: China research

23-Feb-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Anthocyanin-rich berries from Vaccinium glaucoalbum, a perennial evergreen shrub found in the Tibetan Himalayas, have great potential for functional food and nutraceutical products, according to researchers in China.

Carbs ‘better than antioxidants’ to boost immunity and recovery after exercise: Australia review

20-Feb-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Consuming carb-heavy bars or gels either during or immediately after intense exercise helps cut immune disturbances and can aid the body’s recovery, but there is insufficient evidence to support the use of ‘immunity boosting’ supplements such as antioxidants,...

Singapore centre seeks to increase science standards for home-grown supplements, TCM and food firms

16-Feb-2017 By Millette Burgos

A recently established Singapore centre is seeking to increase the standard of evidence-based data for SMEs in the supplements, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and functional foods space.

Boosting Singapore's brain health: ‘We’re trying to change the slope of cognitive decline’, says supplements boss

15-Feb-2017 By Millette Burgos

A new cognitive health supplement firm which recently opened a base in Singapore is targetting consumers in their 40s as it seeks to expand across the region.

Vitamin vending machines: Is this the future for supplements retailing in APAC?

14-Feb-2017 By Millette Burgos

The man who has launched Australia’s first store selling vitamins solely via vending machines wants to launch hundreds more in locations across the country, while also expanding to overseas markets such as China, Singapore, India and New Zealand.

Taiwan fungus provides anti-skin cancer supplement potential, researchers report

07-Feb-2017 By Gary Scattergood

The fruiting body of the Taiwanese fungus Antrodia camphorata possesses anti-skin cancer, antioxidant and anti-melanogenic properties, according to new research.

Traditional Chinese Medicine firms should target international dietary supplements market, China Premier says

02-Feb-2017 By Millette Burgos

China’s Premier Li Keqiang says Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) manufacturers should look to develop mainstream dietary supplements using Western medical knowledge in order to boost export potential.

Curcumin can be ‘as big as omega-3’ with correct science and marketing: OmniActive MD

31-Jan-2017 By Millette Burgos

Curcumin can become as big as omega-3, according to the boss of Indian nutraceutical supplier OmniActive, which has recently received a significant funding boost and made a high-level acquisition.

Waste not want not: Why more needs to be done to maximise the functional food potential of by-products

27-Jan-2017 By Gary Scattergood and Millette Burgos

The functional food and nutraceutical opportunities offered by agricultural waste products in developing countries are not being fully exploited, meaning vital nutrients that could be of immense health and economic benefit are going to waste.

Nanostructured lipid carriers help protect vitamin D from gut environment

27-Jan-2017 By Millette Burgos

A new study reveals vitamin D3 encapsulated in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) could survive in the harsh gastrointestinal environment long enough to deliver this important nutrient to its intended targets.

Herbalife facing investigation over anti-corruption compliance in China

23-Jan-2017 By Millette Burgos

Herbalife has confirmed that it is facing a probe from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding anti-corruption compliance in China.

Chinese firm wins EU ‘supercritical’ astaxanthin approval

13-Jan-2017

Chinese supplier BGG’s has won EU novel foods approval for two astaxanthin forms through its new European HQ in Lugano, Switzerland.

Wild banana ripe for greater functional food and nutraceutical examination: Review

11-Jan-2017 By Millette Burgos

Wild banana (M. acuminata), which has long been used in traditional medicine in South East Asia, is worthy of further investigation to assess its functional food and nutraceutical development on a larger scale, a new academic review suggests.

Orange peel extract from Xinhui and Sichuan boast 'best' anti-inflammatory properties, study finds

06-Jan-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Obtaining dried citrus peel (chenpi) from mandarins or tangerines grown in Sichuan or Xinhui in China can provide potentially superior benefits in nutraceuticals and functional foods compared to conventional sources, a new study has found.

APAC anti-ageing demand driving growth in global antioxidants market

21-Dec-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Demand in Asia Pacific for for anti-aging supplements and products is driving global growth for antioxidants, presenting suppliers and manufactures with a lucrative opportunity to boost sales, new market research suggests.

Underwater shockwaves improve antioxidant levels in yuzu juice: study

19-Dec-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Underwater shockwave pre-treatment improves the antioxidant functionality of yuzu fruit juice, confirming its potential for use in a wide-range of food applications and leading to the possible establishment “of a new field of industrial technology,” a...

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.

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.

Nanoencapsulation stabilises anthocyanins for food and beverage use, China researchers reveal

05-Dec-2016 By Nathan Gray

Loading anthocyanins into chitosan nanoparticles could help improve their stability in functional drinks, say researchers.

Milk containing only A2 protein doubles disease-fighting antioxidant GSH: Study

01-Dec-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Cow's milk containing only A2 protein has been shown to increase the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) that may help strengthen the body's disease-fighting power.

Mulberry extract shows anti-obesity promise by activating brown fat

23-Nov-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Research from China suggests that rutin extracted from mulberries acts as an activator of brown adipose tissue (BAT) to facilitate weight loss.

New study shows astaxanthin is effective against daily mental and physical fatigue

07-Nov-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Japanese nutraceutical firm AstaReal says its astaxanthin has been found to be simultaneously effective against both mental and physical fatigue in a new published study.

Wacker opens Singapore food lab as it seeks to boost nutrition and supplements business

03-Nov-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Wacker has opened its first Asia food laboratory and technical centre in Singapore as it seeks to boost its nutraceutical and nutrition offerings.

Aged garlic shows antioxidant promise, but not cholesterol-lowering potential: Study

24-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Aged garlic has greater antioxidant potential that the raw version, but was found not to lower cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic individuals, a Singapore study has reported.

Big in Japan? Blackcurrants, barley and maple syrup pitch for functional food success in Tokyo

12-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

The sports nutrition potential of New Zealand blackcurrants, the superfood status of Canadian maple syrup and the functional benefits of Canadian barley – these were three of the high-profile pitches at the HI Japan tradeshow from international organisations seeking...

Clinical trial to assess if mangosteen extract can help treat schizophrenia

12-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Researchers have begun clinical trials to assess if an extract from mangosteen can help treat schizophrenia.

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.

Australia leading the way with ‘everyday’ sports nutrition trend

14-Sep-2016 By Nathan Gray

There is a rising trend for a new category of ‘everyday’ sports products, and Aussies can’t get enough of it, says Mintel.

Wild Himalayan fruits provide nutritional and nutraceutical opportunities: Study

17-Aug-2016 By Gary Scattergood

A study of wild edible fruits found in the Himalayas indicates they are a rich source of antioxidants, with researchers concluding they can help meet the nutritional needs of the local population and play a crucial role in nutraceutical development.