Energy

Vitafoods Asia 2017

WATCH - AstaReal's Singapore boss on its latest sports, skincare and delivery system developments

26-Sep-2017 By Cheryl Tay

Recent clinical findings on the sports nutrition and skincare benefits of astaxanthin, as well as new delivery systems for products aimed at older consumers, are helping fuel growth for AstaReal across the region, according to its Singapore president.

FI Asia 2017

Black gold? Rhizome extract said to have anti-ageing and anti-diabetic effects

15-Sep-2017 By Cheryl Tay

Black ginger extract could have important implications for healthy ageing and diabetes, as well as athletic performance.

FI Asia 2017

The four key health concerns driving Chinese consumers to spend more on functional foods

14-Sep-2017 By Cheryl Tay

Demand for functional food and drink has shot up in APAC, particularly in China, where 80% of the population claims to want to make their diets more healthy. And four key health concerns are driving sales.

Vitafoods Asia 2017

APAC's fastest growing functional and fortified food markets revealed

07-Sep-2017 By Cheryl Tay

Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia are tipped to be among the fastest growing functional food and fortified product markets in APAC to 2021, while Japan is witnessing a wave of product innovation on the back of its new Food with Function...

Whey growth factor extract fails to increase muscle strength in experienced resistance trainers: RCT

24-Aug-2017 By Cheryl Tay

Consumption of whey growth factor extract (WGFE) in addition to whey protein isolate offers few benefits to men who are not new to resistance exercise training, according to a study led by the University of South Australia.

Lack of antioxidants increases obesity risk in sleep-deprived men: Korean study

22-Aug-2017 By Cheryl Tay

Low dietary antioxidant intake — coupled with insufficient sleep — could lead to an increased risk of obesity in men, a Korean study has found.

Coffee and anti-ageing: Consumption 'contributes to the prevention' of age-related diseases

10-Jul-2017 By Cheryl Tay

Coffee consumption has been shown to offer anti-ageing benefits and contribute to improved insulin resistance, according to new research from Japan.

Supplements in Singapore: What’s hot and what’s not as sales rise in the City State

20-Jun-2017 By Cheryl Tay

Supplements sales in Singapore rose 4% to $574m by the end of last year, amid growing health concerns and increasing consumer spending.

Supplementation and dietary changes have 'limited effect' on chronic fatigue syndrome

19-Jun-2017 By Cheryl Tay

Supplementation and other dietary modifications have a largely limited effect on chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) symptoms, according to an Australian review.

Energy drink 'risk' revealed for teenagers with genetic heart disease

10-May-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Caffeinated energy drinks can trigger serious cardiac events in young people with a genetic heart disease, Australian researchers claim.

Hong Kong billionaire to pour $25 million into ChromaDex

27-Apr-2017 By Hank Schultz

ChromaDex, an ingredient development and analytical testing firm, has announced a large investment by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-Shing.

Kyowa Hakko launches new amino acid blend, revamps quality message

27-Apr-2017 By Hank Schultz

Kyowa Hakko has launched a new amino acid blend called Setria Performance Blend to capitalize on the growth of the sports nutrition sector.  The launch also coincides with a new emphasis on quality, the company says.

NATURAL PRODUCTS NEW ZEALAND SUMMIT

The top five fastest growing supplement sectors in New Zealand revealed

04-Apr-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Products for joint health have become the fastest growing sector in New Zealand, with 25% value growth in 2016.

'Intervene in the community': Supplements boost nutrition in elderly and help maintain independence, Korea trial reports

09-Mar-2017 By Gary Scattergood

A two-week course of a liquid supplement improved the nutritional status and reduced inflammation in elderly people living in community settings, a new trial from Korea reports.

Revealed: The single biggest Indian health concern offering vast functional food and drink potential…

23-Feb-2017 By Millette Burgos

India’s tired citizens may just be the key to unlock a new market for functional food and drink formulations. 

After Australia backs medical cannabis, is hemp about to approved as a nutrition and food source?

22-Feb-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Industry and academic experts have been responding to Australia’s decision to establish a legal medicinal cannabis trade – with most welcoming it as a positive first step – while others are eagerly awaiting a judgement in April which will rule if hemp...

Five-flavoured omija berry boasts obesity-fighting potential

24-Jan-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Omija fruit ethanol extract may be helpful to fight obesity and related metabolic disorders such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, dyslipidaemia, and insulin resistance, according to the results of a new study on mice fed a high-fat diet.

Student’s start-up supplement bars help reduce anaemia in Indian women

19-Jan-2017 By Gary Scattergood

A fortified iron supplement bar given to women in and around Mumbai reduced anaemia with no reported side effects, according to a study by Duke University researchers and collaborators in India.

'Highly frequent' energy drink consumption associated with mental health problems for teens

18-Jan-2017 By Gary Scattergood

A new study indicates that Korean teenagers who regularly consume energy drinks are at “great risk” of mental health problems, particularly when consumed in combination with junk food, researchers claim.

HIV: Patients reveal the therapeutic foods and supplements they want

17-Jan-2017 By Millette Burgos

Ready-to-eat therapeutic foods designed to boost the nutritional status of people with HIV in Thailand should contain clear health claims, be manufactured in a soft, or liquid form, and be easy to carry, a study conducted by the World Food Programme has...

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.

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.

Declining nutrient intakes still a worry in growing China, researchers say

14-Nov-2016 By Nathan GRAY

Despite economic growth and reduction in income poverty, calorie intakes and nutritional wellbeing are declining in China, warn researchers.

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.

Supplement firm Mannatech prepares for China entry with new e-commerce strategy

07-Nov-2016 By Gary Scattergood

US supplement firm Mannatech is entering the China market via e-commerce - a clear change in tack for the Texas company, which usually focuses on multi-level marketing or direct selling.

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.

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...

Caffeine plus light therapy aids sleep deprived young drivers

10-Aug-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Caffeine combined with artificial bright light improves the driving performance and alertness of chronically sleep deprived young drivers, according to a Queensland University of Technology study.

Nutrition products to help Himalaya hit US$1bn target by 2020

10-Aug-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Bangalore-based firm The Himalaya Drug Company is expanding its “wellness and nutrition” offering as it seeks beak through the US$1bn revenue barrier by 2020.