Japan focus: Kirin taps on hop bitter acids for brain health, Ajinomoto's sports nutrition priorities for Tokyo Olympics

By Tingmin Koe

- Last updated on GMT

See the latest developments in Japan's health foods and supplement industry. ©Getty Images
See the latest developments in Japan's health foods and supplement industry. ©Getty Images

Related tags Japan Kirin Ajinomoto study

This round-up looks at the new developments in Japan's health foods and supplements industry, including Kirin's NPD using matured hop bitter acids and Ajinomoto's plans to seize business opportunities ahead of the upcoming Tokyo Olympics,
Brain hop: Kirin to develop products containing mature hop bitter acids for cognitive benefits

Kirin is planning to develop food and beverage products that contain its proprietary ingredient, matured hop bitter acids​, which the firm says have shown cognitive benefits.

Hops is used as a raw material for beer for more than 1,000 years and have a number of known health benefits including improving sleep and decreasing bone density.

Kirin Holdings together with Dentsu, recently established a joint venture INHOP Co, to tap on new scientific health evidence of Kirin’s mature hop bitter acids.

Tokyo Olympics a ‘big business opportunity’ for Aijinomoto’s amino acid nutrition portfolio

The upcoming Tokyo Olympics has been touted as a ‘big business opportunity’​ for Aijinomoto’s amino acid nutrition portfolio.

The Tokyo summer Olympics 2020 will officially kick off from July 24.

In response to NutraIngredients-Asia​ queries, company spokesman Daisuke Nakamiya said that in preparation for the games, the firm had started extensive product advertisement and in-store sales promotions.

Flavonoid from citrus fruits may help prevent kidney disease progression – Japan study

Researchers from Japan have found a promising flavonoid in citrus fruit​ that could help prevent the progression of kidney disease.

They had developed a mouse model where the mice were engineered with a light-emitting gene that glowed to help monitor inflammation in kidney disease progression. In the research, they found treating these mice with glucosyl-hesperidin (G-Hes) caused a decrease in inflammation within the kidneys.

The findings were published in the journal, Scientific Reports​.

Healthy Ageing APAC Summit 2020: Brands Suntory, Blackmores, Herbalife, Nippn, Amado and Cerecin confirmed

The first wave of speakers​ has been announced for this year’s Healthy Ageing APAC Summit, with experts from blockbuster brands Brands Suntory, Blackmores and Herbalife among the confirmed speakers.

These global food and supplement giants will be joined by Japanese functional food innovators Nippn, Thai beauty and wellness brand Amado and US-headquartered medical nutrition pioneers Cerecin.

The event returns to Singapore’s Hilton hotel from July 7-9.

Sobar so good? Protein bar which aims to reduce alcohol absorption set for Asian markets

California-based Zeno Functional Foods announced it has plans to enter several Asian markets​ in late 2020 with its protein bar, Sobar, which claims to reduce alcohol absorption.

Dr Joseph Fisher, president at Zeno Functional Foods, said the motivation behind developing the product was after drinking on an empty stomach at a wedding.

"After that experience, I thought that there was a huge need for a specialised, low-calorie snack that could efficiently and effectively reduce alcohol absorption​," he explained.

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