Hot Right Now: News on hemp, omega-3, probiotics and nutricosmetics come out tops on social media
Mounting research on vitamin C's role in cancer and infection may change treatment methods
A growing body of research around vitamin C's role against cancer and infectious diseases is gaining prominence, increasing the vitamin's therapeutic potential for use in medical treatment.
Scientists and doctors in APAC, North America and Europe have been conducting trials on the effects of vitamin C on tumours, as well as patients undergoing chemotherapy.
According to Otago University's Professor Margreet Vissers, this coincides with an improved understanding of vitamin C over the last 10 years, especially with regards to pharmacokinetics (the metabolic process) of how it works in the body, as well as its potential in treating cancer, and infectious diseases like pneumonia and sepsis.
Will hemp replace fish as the king of omega-3?
As decades of unjustified prohibition and persecution continue to lose their grip, hemp is rapidly regaining the popularity it held for millennia as a primary and sustainable source of life's necessities — including omega-3 and 6 fatty acids.
From a nutritional standpoint, the leaves, flowers and seeds of hemp plants provide essential organic nutrition that cannot be obtained elsewhere. Interest in the oil from its flowers and seeds is at an all-time high, showing no sign of slowing down.
Hemp seeds are incredibly nutrient-dense. Besides containing arguably the highest-quality protein in concentrations that exceed that of most other food sources, hemp seeds rule the world when it comes to polyunsaturated fatty acids like omega-3 and 6, among others.
Vegan probiotic yoghurt: Israeli start-up driving APAC ambition with proprietary formula
An Israeli start-up is using a proprietary formula to develop a range of vegan-friendly, allergen-free and dairy-free probiotic products alternatives in Asia-Pacific and Europe.
Yofix Probiotics, which recently began selling ONLY, its dairy-, soy- and gluten-free yoghurt, in Israel, says it uses no additives, processed ingredients, or artificial flavours or colours in the product.
Instead, it relies on the fermentation of what it calls its Bio 5 Formula — a proprietary mix of coconut, oats, lentils, sesame, and sunflower seeds — to produce the yoghurt, which currently comes in three flavours: apple and cinnamon, banana and maple, and berries.
Science and nature: Mibelle makes move into nutricosmetics and health food segments in APAC
Swiss cosmetics firm Mibelle AG Biochemistry is targeting expansion in the health supplement space in APAC, after a successful entry into the beauty-from-within category.
The company — founded in 1991 as a business unit of Switzerland's largest cosmetics manufacturer, Mibelle Cosmetics — had been developing ingredients exclusively for use in beauty and skincare products before making its move into the nutricosmetics segment.
Based on its tried and tested concept of combining naturally derived compounds with extensive scientific research, Mibelle Biochemistry recently developed three novel ingestible ingredients, each meant to target a key aspect of the ageing process, namely: hair loss, collagen production, and skin stem cell vitalisation.
Improved omega-3 innovation and marketing required to turn awareness into usage: BASF
The omega-3 category is set for further growth, but brands must overcome several pertinent challenges in order to ensure such products reach those who need it most.
BASF Human Nutrition's global head of marketing, Goh Lay Kwan, was addressing delegates at the first NutraIngredients Omega-3 Summit, held in Singapore from February 20 to 22.
She started by saying China and the rest of APAC were responsible for much of the recent growth in the category. While the US is responsible for 30% of global market sales, China and Europe are now tied at 20%.
