Gut/digestive health

Detrimental to digestion? Tea consumption linked to GERD in East Asians: Chinese review

26-Feb-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Tea consumption may increase the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in East Asian populations, according to a meta-analysis by Chinese researchers.

Vegan probiotic yoghurt: Israeli start-up driving APAC ambition with proprietary formula

26-Feb-2019 By Cheryl Tay

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.

Strain gain: Microbiome research uncovers 100 new species with commercial and therapeutic opportunities

25-Feb-2019 By Cheryl Tay

New research on the human microbiome has led to the discovery of over 100 new species of bacteria, increasing the potential for treatment and commercialisation in the gut health space.

Indigenous microbiome: Monash University Malaysia to research gut health of Orang Asli tribes

13-Feb-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Researchers at Monash University Malaysia have embarked on a study to investigate the association of cultural practices and diet with the gut and oral microbiome of indigenous peoples in Malaysia.

Psychobiotics in South East Asia: Bened powering through with expansion plans for proprietary ingredient

12-Feb-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Bened Biomedical is moving ahead with its expansion plans, most recently signing a multi-year agreement for its proprietary psychobiotic PS128 with Malaysian pharmaceutical firm Nuvanta.

GALLERY: The 10 most read APAC health and nutrition stories in January

11-Feb-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Here's a recap of our 10 most read nutrition stories in January, featuring regulatory updates from China and Australia, Nestlé's moves in the A2 milk market, the top APAC supplement trends to watch this year, and more.

Science Shorts: Check out the latest research on omega-3, food allergies, probiotics, and weight management

07-Feb-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Read about the latest omega-3 tech for expectant mothers and their offspring, what triggers FPIES, probiotics' gut and mental health benefits, and why breakfast may not affect weight management.

Probiotics and pathogenesis: How certain probiotic strains may benefit IBD patients

07-Feb-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Certain probiotics may have a pathogenesis-specific effect on inflammatory reactions in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, according to a Chinese study.

Probiotics post-natural disasters: Proprietary Morinaga product aids mental health of flood victims

06-Feb-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Morinaga Milk has announced study results showing that its proprietary probiotic, Morinaga Bifidobacterium infantis M-63, has beneficial effects on the mental health of flood victims.

Commercialisation on the cards after Australian faecal microbiota transplantations show ulcerative colitis benefits

05-Feb-2019 By Gary Scattergood

Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can successfully treat patients with ulcerative colitis, new research from the University of Adelaide shows, with the findings leading to a commercialisation agreement.

Yakult debuts with zero-fat probiotic drink in Denmark

05-Feb-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Japanese probiotic firm Yakult recently debuted in Denmark, as it sought to expand its European business.

Aged garlic for healthy ageing: Australian study reveals heart health benefits of supplement

05-Feb-2019 By Cheryl Tay

A recent Australian RCT has reported the positive effects of aged garlic extract on hypertension and other cardiovascular health markers and age-related conditions.

Medlab-API deal to drive 'serious' nutraceutical commercialisation through Australian pharmacies

04-Feb-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Australian medical R&D facility Medlab Clinical will see its nutraceutical product range sold at Priceline Pharmacy, one of the country's largest pharmacy groups, thanks to a deal with Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API).

Brand New: The latest on sports nutrition in China, hemp supplements in Australia, and probiotics in Japan

01-Feb-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Read the latest news on aland's sports nutrition plans, Bod Australia's booming CBD and hemp business, Nissin's shift from cup noodles to nutricosmetics, and more in this month's brand round-up.

Japan Focus: Omega-3, nutricosmetics, and aphrodisiac controversy in this month's review

31-Jan-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Read about the how omega-3 can benefit eye health, what companies are doing in the nutricosmetics and functional beverage spaces, and how one lingerie brand landed in hot soup for selling a 'date rape drug' in our latest Japan news line-up.

Shelf-stable and local trials: Kerry outlines plans for its APAC probiotics business

31-Jan-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Incorporating probiotics into new applications and conducting local clinical research are among Kerry's plans to beef up its APAC probiotics businesses.

Marinova debuts proprietary fucoidan blend in clinical trial while eyeing sports nutrition entry

30-Jan-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Marinova has commenced a clinical trial to investigate the gut health benefits of its bioactive seaweed extract, Maritech fucoidan, on elite athletes, with the broader goal of entering the sports nutrition market.

Healthy Ageing APAC Summit: Industry-leading event returns to Singapore after hugely successful year one

30-Jan-2019 By Gary Scattergood

FoodNavigator-Asia and NutraIngredients-Asia are delighted to announce that the Healthy Ageing APAC Summit will return to Singapore in July, after a hugely successful first event in 2018.

China Focus: Regulatory trouble, Nestlé's A2 ambition, and the trends transforming China's supplement sector

25-Jan-2019 By Cheryl Tay

In our latest China round-up, authorities continue to crack down on Chinese supplement and health food firms, probiotics and e-commerce rule the country's supplement scene, and Nestlé pushes forth into China's A2 milk market.

Honey and TCM: Singapore brand unites tradition and modern science to market functional products

22-Jan-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Singapore brand 13 Honey is using a TCM-based approach to honey production to develop products it claims can help alleviate a wide range of health conditions.

Trend Tracker: APAC trends and emerging markets, e-commerce in China, and why you should attend NutraIngredients' first Omega-3 Summit

18-Jan-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Read what industry experts have to say about 2019's top supplement trends and emerging markets in APAC, the latest in China's e-commerce sector, and why you should register for our upcoming Omega-3 Summit.

Probiotic bangers: South Korean research reveals how sausages may hold functional food potential

18-Jan-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Sausages fermented with an encapsulated probiotic, Bifidobacterium longum, can provide not just improved eating quality but also nutritional quality, according to a South Korean study.

Probiotic supplementation may protect premature infants from NEC: Australian population study

16-Jan-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Probiotic supplementation may protect pre-term infants from necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) by increasing the abundance of Bifidobacterium in their gut microbiota, say researchers in Australia.

Chinese boom: How probiotics and e-commerce are changing China's supplement industry

16-Jan-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Probiotics and e-commerce are two of the most prominent priorities for Chinese consumers when it comes to dietary supplements, according to a Mintel report on 2018's top supplement trends in China.

Botanical boost: Traditional herbs and sports potential to fuel Indian beverage firm's global expansion plan

14-Jan-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Indian functional beverage firm Sipwise is hoping to drive its global ambitions with heavy investment in R&D and a variety of innovative functional drinks in the pipeline.

Science Shorts: Synbiotics' multiple health benefits and nuts' healthy ageing effects among the latest scientific findings on nutrition

10-Jan-2019 By Cheryl Tay

In our newest science review, we explore the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiseptic properties of synbiotics, how endurance exercise can improve vitamins' impact on metabolic syndrome, and why seniors should embrace nuts for healthy ageing.

Japanese Aojiru leader Yamamoto Kanpoh targets Korea and Australia entry for functional beverage

10-Jan-2019 By Tingmin Koe

Yamamoto Kanpoh Pharmaceutical, the Japanese manufacturer of functional beverage Aojiru, is targeting the Korean and Australian markets as part of its expansion plans.

Synbiotics may have dose-dependent effect against IBS symptoms: South Korean RCT

08-Jan-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Synbiotics can alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms and fatigue associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), depending on the dosage administered, according to a South Korean RCT.

Exclusive insights: Three markets to watch for APAC supplement industry growth in 2019

08-Jan-2019 By Cheryl Marie Tay and Tingmin Koe

With its booming population and growing middle-income group, APAC is the region to watch for supplement and health food growth. In our exclusive feature on which markets to keep an eye on, we feature sports nutrition in China, probiotics in South East...

Five trends that will shape APAC's nutraceutical and supplements industry in 2019

07-Jan-2019 By Cheryl Tay ,Tingmin Koe

As we enter 2019, we spoke to brands and industry experts, who revealed five key trends expected to shape APAC's supplement and nutraceutical sector in the coming year.

GALLERY: The 10 most read APAC health and nutrition stories in December

07-Jan-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Here's a recap of our 10 most read nutrition stories in December, featuring infant nutrition in India, sports nutrition in APAC and the US, the continued popularity of Aussie supplements in China and more.

Synbiotics against sepsis: Can treatment help prevent enteritis and pneumonia?

04-Jan-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Prophylactic synbiotic therapy could prevent the incidence of enteritis and ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients with sepsis, researchers in Japan have discovered.

Prebiotics' and probiotics' anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties useful to NAFLD patients: Iranian study

02-Jan-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Daily prebiotic and probiotic supplementation can decrease inflammation and increase antioxidant capacity in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients, according to an Iranian population study.

Probiotics present 'new way' to fight Staph infections: US, Thai researchers

19-Dec-2018 By Cheryl Tay

A certain strain of probiotic Bacillus bacteria can help eliminate the harmful bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, according to a joint population study by US and Thai researchers.

Brand New: Hemp and skincare supplements in Japan, Vitagen Malaysia, and Blackmores feature in our latest brand round-up

12-Dec-2018 By Cheryl Marie Tay

In this month's brand review, we bring you news on Japan's first FOSHU-certified skincare supplement, the rise of Elixinol's hemp supplements in Japan, Vitagen Malaysia's public health education efforts, Blackmores' progress in...

Probiotic supplementation 'eases constipation pain but ineffective' for treatment success: China review

11-Dec-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Probiotic supplementation may alleviate certain constipation pain in children, but has no significant impact on the success of the actual treatment, according to a Chinese systematic review.

Trucking along: Vitagen Malaysia bringing probiotic info to the public amid new research results

07-Dec-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Vitagen Malaysia has launched its Digestive Health On Wheels education initiative to raise public awareness of the importance of gut health, starting with 30 locations in Klang Valley.

GALLERY: The 10 most read APAC health and nutrition stories in November

04-Dec-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Here's a recap of our 10 most read nutrition stories in November, featuring innovations in sustainability, agriculture, and gut health, as well as the latest news on some of the hottest topics in China.

Probiotics' efficacy against necrotising enterocolitis remains unclear: Chinese review

29-Nov-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Probiotics may have a role in fighting necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) in pre-term infants, but more research is needed to set an optimal standard for their application, say researchers in China.

Personalised nutrition in Taiwan: Technology, affordability, and celebrity-backing driving consumer interest

29-Nov-2018 By Tingmin Koe

The understanding and demand for gene testing and personalised nutrition are growing in Taiwan, according to TCI Gene, a Taiwanese firm.

Data supports increased role for probiotics, prebiotics in healthy aging, study finds

28-Nov-2018 By Hank Schultz

Gut dysbiosis is a common feature of the afflictions that come with aging, according a recent Japanese review. The finding opens wider the door for probiotics and prebiotics in a healthy aging positioning.

Japan Focus: Innovations for seniors, gut health on the go and FOSHU-certified skincare supplements in our latest country round-up

28-Nov-2018 By Cheryl Tay

In our latest review of Japan's supplement and functional food sectors, we feature DSM's efforts to support healthy ageing, probiotic-rich convenience snacks, the country's first FOSHU-certified nutricosmetics product, and enzyme supplements...

Kiwi couple outlines global ambitions for allergen-free coconut yoghurt product

27-Nov-2018 By Cheryl Tay

New Zealand brand Raglan Coconut Yoghurt has embarked on its plans to export its flagship probiotic product globally, with Singapore as its first overseas market.

Indian and Korean researchers develop functional probiotic beverage from fermented coconut water

20-Nov-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Researchers in India and South Korea have developed a functional fermented coconut beverage using the bacterial strain Lactobacillus casei L4.

Probiotics and convenience: Japanese firm launches 'on-the-go' functional products

19-Nov-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Japanese firm House Wellness Foods is tapping into the functional food sector's growing trend of healthy convenience with a new range of products featuring its patented lactic acid bacteria strain, heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 (HK L-137).

Probiota Asia 2018

Probiota Asia: How useful are probiotics in the treatment of depression?

13-Nov-2018 By Pearly Neo

Probiotics could play a more useful role when it comes to treating patients with more severe symptoms of depression, as compared to those with less severe scores, said a medical professional.

Gulfood Manufacturing 2018

Morinaga's 41-year-old probiotics product wins most innovative ingredient award at Gulfood Manufacturing

12-Nov-2018 By Tingmin Koe

Morinaga Nutritional Foods (APAC) has been named the Most Innovative Health Ingredient for its probiotic strain Bifidobacterium longum BB536 at the Gulfood Manufacturing Industry Excellence Awards.

Prebiotic plan: Aussie brand looks to psychobiotics to fuel product and market expansion

12-Nov-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Australian brand Uplift Food is seeking to expand its range of products for gut health and cognitive function, basing its formulations on the emerging science of psychobiotics.

Probiota Asia 2018

Moving the probiotics industry forward: Regulations, trial design and cost considerations in the spotlight

08-Nov-2018 By Pearly Neo

Experts gathered to discuss the potential and developments in the probiotics industry, highlighting regulations, trial design and costs as three areas to pay attention to in improving the industry's prospects.

Probiota Asia 2018

How co-culturing probiotics with yeast can aid potency: Probiota Asia

07-Nov-2018 By Pearly Neo

Co-culturing yeast along with probiotics in foods and beverages could help to maintain the potency of the latter during the manufacture and distribution of probiotic products, according to a food science expert.