Gut/digestive health

Tick tock: Meal timing and chronobiotics supplementation could play crucial role in combatting obesity and cardiometabolic diseases

01-Nov-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Supplementation of certain dietary compounds, such as chronobiotics, polyphenols and prebiotics, to directly modulate and improve circadian rhythmicity could be a key strategy in combatting obesity and cardiometabolic diseases, according to a Singapore-based...

VitamINSIGHTS

No compromise: Singapore nutra market leans towards premium, science-backed products – exclusive insights from Swisse, QN Wellness

01-Nov-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Singapore’s nutraceutical market is showing a preference for premium, science-backed products, with consumers refusing to compromise on quality and efficacy, even under the pressure of inflation.

Probiotic BG01-4 relieves constipation and discomfort in GI disorders

30-Oct-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Probiotic BG01-4 improves specific symptoms of constipation and related GI dysfunction in people with self-reported functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID), which affects a significant percentage of the global population, a new study concludes.

Holistic approach: New Singapore e-pharmacy aims to break the mould with strong supplement focus

24-Oct-2023 By Tingmin Koe

A newly launched e-pharmacy, Glovida-Rx, is on a mission to provide holistic healthcare in Singapore, with pharmacists advising consumers on the use of both health supplements and pharmacy medications.

Hemp for active nutrition: Regulatory support and debunking of myths ‘crucial’ to unlock potential

18-Oct-2023 By Pearly Neo

Stronger government regulatory support and the ‘debunking’ of myths surrounding hemp are still at a ‘crucial’ stage in Asia, the success of which is key to unlocking its active nutrition potential.

China HMOs approvals: Two MNCs and one local giant get the green light from regulators

17-Oct-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are now officially permitted for use in China’s infant formula, with two multinationals, namely IFF and dsm-firmenich, as well as local dairy giant Mengniu, announcing that they have received approvals in the past week.

Improving outcomes: Vitamin, probiotic supplementation pre-conception has major potential to boost long-term infant health

17-Oct-2023 By Pearly Neo

Nutritional supplementation taken at the stage of pre-conception by a mother has major potential to improve the long-term health of children, according to results from cross-country research.

Synbiotic supplementation combined with increased dietary fibre intake could amplify weight loss effects – Hong Kong RCT

16-Oct-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

A high-fibre diet combined with synbiotic supplementation is effective in tackling obesity and reducing risk of metabolic syndrome, say Hong Kong researchers.

Is personalised nutrition truly the future? Suntory on the challenging journey to ‘full personalisation’

16-Oct-2023 By Pearly Neo

Global megabrand Suntory has highlighted consumer confusion and production time as some of the key challenges standing in the way of achieving ‘full personalisation’ in the nutrition and food manufacturing spaces.

Infant nutrition innovation: Focus on giving the best benefits, not just innovating with new ingredients – Bayer Consumer Health R&D chief

12-Oct-2023 By Tingmin Koe

It is more important to focus on providing the best benefits, and not fall into the trap of innovating with new ingredients for the novelty factor, when developing new nutrition products for infants, says the global R&D head for VMS / Nutrition Health...

Hydration and hemp: Kommunity Brew sees innovation potential in Australia’s healthy beverage space

05-Oct-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Australia’s Kommunity Brew believes that hemp has the potential to feature more widely in its NPD and innovation strategies, amidst the addition of more local acquisitions to its healthier beverage portfolio.

NZ’s Gutsi launches gut supplement protocol targeting the ‘empowered and informed consumer’

04-Oct-2023 By Si Ying Thian

New Zealand probiotic firm Gutsi has launched a 60-day Gut Reset Kit, hoping to make practitioner-grade supplements more accessible to consumers.

GALLERY: The 10 most-read APAC health and nutrition stories in September 2023

03-Oct-2023 By Tingmin Koe

From the announcement to the list of NutraIngredients-Asia 2023 winners to China's new function claims system and South Korea's health functional food import trends, here are the most-read stories in September 2023.

‘Revive with exports’: Japanese associations gearing up for functional foods export opportunities

02-Oct-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Several Japan health foods associations are gearing up for export opportunities for Foods with Function Claims (FFC), such as providing export consultation services and establishing networks with regional dietary supplement associations.

Human milk inspired: Danone to launch new infant formula containing novel milk droplet in China – Growth Asia exclusive

26-Sep-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Danone is launching a new infant formula containing milk droplets that closely mimic the structure found in mothers’ milk in China this year, VP and head of Danone Early Life Nutrition revealed at our Growth Asia Summit 2023.

And the winners are…Check out who took the top prizes at the NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2023

26-Sep-2023 By Gary Scattergood

We have announced the winners of the 2023 NutraIngredients-Asia Awards, held to recognise the brightest and best products, ingredients and initiatives across the nutrition industry.

Research hints at crucial link between the gut microbiome and adult dermatitis – Chinese study

20-Sep-2023 By Si Ying Thian

New research on adult atopic dermatitis (AD) suggests that relationship between the gut microbiome and AD is key to developing beneficial treatments.

Rising demand for probiotics for cognitive support, with gut health still mainstay – Life-Space

20-Sep-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Life-Space says rising consumer awareness is leading to growth for probiotics for cognitive function, but maintains that gut health concerns are still the main sales driver.

Lactoferrin for sports: TurtleTree to commercialise precision fermentation ingredient in Singapore, US

19-Sep-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Singapore-headquartered TurtleTree is targeting sports nutrition success with its lactoferrin ingredient, with commercialisation in the US and Singapore expected this year and next year respectively.

Human gut-derived multi-strain probiotics found to be effective in alleviating IBS symptoms and improving quality of life – study

18-Sep-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Multi-strain probiotics obtained from the human gut have shown promising effects in reducing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) disease severity, and should be further studied as a potential treatment for the condition, say Korean researchers.

VitamINSIGHTS

Can Japan’s Foods with Function Claims keep up with demand for more science and ethical advertising?

13-Sep-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Japan’s vibrant Foods with Function Claims (FFC) sector will need to keep up with the demand for rigorous scientific evidence and ethical advertising for it to continue its phenomenal market growth, say experts from the country’s health foods associations.

Thailand’s 3C Group targets child nutrition, gut health and immunity categories

12-Sep-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Thai nutraceutical firm 3C Group aims to boost the growth of the local prebiotics sector, which it says is significantly less recognised than probiotics, through their application in functional products targeting children and people with gut issues.

Probiotic L. reuteri intake found to significantly increase H. Pylori bacteria eradication rates – Malaysia RCT

11-Sep-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Malaysian researchers say that intake of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17648 leads to higher eradication rates of H. pylori bacteria, making the probiotic an effective adjunct treatment.

Beyond Chinese diaspora: TCM firm Eu Yan Sang pursues new audience in North America’s health and wellness market

06-Sep-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Singapore-headquartered Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) company Eu Yan Sang is actively pursuing growth in North America’s health and wellness market by targeting not just the Chinese diaspora, but also those who are willing to give the category a...

Educational objective: Driving healthcare practitioner awareness of the microbiome crucial for success – Biome Australia

04-Sep-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Precision probiotics firm Biome Australia says that giving practitioners a foundational understanding of microbiome modulation, before reinforcing efficacy via clinical trials, will be key to its ongoing growth objectives in the market.

Halal-friendly postbiotics: Malaysia firm makes products solely from plant-derived bacteria and non heat-killed tech

29-Aug-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Malaysian newcomer postbiotic firm My Myracle has commercialised a series of postbiotics using solely bacteria from plants instead of other common sources, such as faeces of healthy individuals or animals. It says that using plant-derived bacteria is...

Core approach: Apple phenolics specialist expanding supermarket presence with Coles deal

29-Aug-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Australia’s Renovatio recently secured a distribution deal with Coles supermarkets, and has outlined wider offline expansion plans as it seeks to increase visibility and accessibility.

Singapore’s AMILI making inroads into Indonesia with localised gut health solutions

22-Aug-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Singapore-based precision gut microbiome company AMILI is aiming to expand its footprint regionally, on the back of recent funding and positive responses from the local market.

Beefing up on sustainability: NZ firm ‘upcycles’ male calves into protein-rich beef bar

16-Aug-2023 By Si Ying Thian

New Zealand’s Alps 2 Ocean Foods is launching a protein-rich and nutrient-fortified beef bar made from male calves that are otherwise killed shortly after birth or made into lower-value ground beef – a move that the firm believes is more sustainable for...

US expansion fuelled by demand for ‘natural solutions’ and consumer receptivity – HK’s TCM supplements brand

16-Aug-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Hong Kong-based NOOCI has launched in United States first through its website and an online distribution platform and is expanding offline via its practitioner’s programme – with over 100 practitioners across the country signed up thus far.

Data delivery: Larger databases key for personalised nutrition to bloom, says Amway, Amorepacific-backed start-up - LISTEN

16-Aug-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The ability to establish a large database of human health data is key for the personalised nutrition sector to flourish, says the co-founder of HEM Pharma – a South Korean start-up which counts industry big names, including Amway, Amorepacific, CJ Cheiljedang,...

Science shorts: Probiotics for diarrhoea, reduction of visceral fat and choline for cognitive health

11-Aug-2023 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up looks at the latest health and nutrition research, including the benefits of probiotics supplementation in shortening diarrhoea duration in kids, reducing visceral fat in overweight individuals, and how egg yolk choline could offer cognitive...

Bifidobacterium animalis probiotic shown to shorten duration of diarrhoea in kids – China RCT

10-Aug-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The supplementation of probiotics from the Bifidobacterium animalis strain has shown to shorten the duration of acute diarrhoea and hospital stay in kids, new findings from China have shown.

Star power? Actress-owned health food brand LYASNU eager to break into SEA markets following record sales in South Korea

09-Aug-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

South Korean brand LYASNU has attributed the popularity of its enzyme powder sticks to young consumers with digestion troubles, whom it seeks to further appeal to with new products targeting facial puffiness, immunity improvement and fatigue relief.

Holistic microbiome: South Korea’s BIFIDO to beef up R&D on cognitive and oral health

08-Aug-2023 By Tingmin Koe

South Korean firm BIFIDO INC says it will focus on oral microbiome and gut-brain axis research in response to post-COVID demands and prevailing evidence on probiotics’ benefits for areas beyond gut health.

Calorie crash: Kirin launches immune care postbiotic drink in Japan with 50% less calories

08-Aug-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Kirin has introduced a version of its immune care postbiotic drink with 50% less calories, claiming to make it more accessible for health-conscious consumers without compromising on taste.

VitamINSIGHTS

Exclusive China analysis: Consumers spending cautiously but supplement sector holding up well

02-Aug-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Chinese consumer spending on health supplements is holding up, against the backdrop of slow economic recovery and dampened spending spanning luxury goods, beauty, and apparel, industry experts have told us.

Brand new: DrinkAid, Amazin’ Graze, Amway in the spotlight

21-Jul-2023 By Tingmin Koe

See the latest developments from health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including anti-hangover supplement DrinkAid’s debut in pharmacy retail, granola maker Amazin’ Graze using probiotics for new product development, and Amway China’s plans...

Beyond protein powder: Malaysia’s Amazin’ Graze tapping on health benefits of probiotics to drive growth

18-Jul-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Malaysian brand Amazin’ Graze’s says the addition of probiotics into its protein powder line-up has provided a more ‘complete nutritional profile’ as consumers look for a wider range of health benefits.

Eyes on the prize: A closer look at the omega-3 finalists for NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2023

13-Jul-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Omega-3 product innovations from GNC China, South Korea’s Nlize, and UK-based WHC Labs have made it into the finals of NutraIngredients-Asia Awards 2023.

China’s online health supplements: Calcium popular on CBEC while probiotics took lead on domestic e-commerce in Q1

12-Jul-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Calcium was one of the bestselling health supplement on cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) in China, while the top spot went to probiotics on domestic e-commerce platforms during Q1 this year.

GALLERY: The 10 most-read APAC health and nutrition stories in June 2023

10-Jul-2023 By Tingmin Koe

From H&H Group's appointment of a new CEO to South Korea's nutraceutical industry trends and developments, here are the most-read stories in June 2023.

Gut feeling: Fonterra’s new venture arm eyeing China and US investments for microbiome personalised nutrition solutions

10-Jul-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Fonterra says the microbiome is increasingly taking the centre stage when it comes to human health, with its new nutrition science venture arm identifying China and US as key investment targets for personalised solutions.

Bayer Consumer Health looks to tie-up precision health innovation with existing supplement brands

05-Jul-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The Consumer Health Division of Bayer is looking for a tie-up between its flagship health supplement brands and its newly formed precision health group – which it believes will occupy 10 to 20 per cent of the consumer health care industry within the next...

Double functionality: Kirin and Kellogg’s join hands for new cereal product with gut health and immunity benefits

05-Jul-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Kirin Holdings and Kellogg’s Japan have co-developed a functional food with “double health claims”, which could also serve as a meal substitute, to meet the rising demand for products that improve intestinal environment and provide immune support at the...

Trend tracker: New Zealand's pharmacy retail, China's electrolyte drink and South Korea's probiotic market

30-Jun-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Here is the round-up of the latest nutraceutical trends in Asia-Pacific, including how pharmacies are increasingly preferred over supermarkets for natural health products purchase in New Zealand, the growth of electrolyte drinks sector in China, and the...

High dose of vitamin D supplementation did not alter gut microbiome – Australia five-year trial

29-Jun-2023 By Tingmin Koe

A five-year long trial from Australia has shown that taking large amounts of vitamin D at 60,000 IU each month will not affect the gut microbiota – a result that is in contrary to findings from a number of previous studies.

Brand new: Youvit, Biostime, Wellversed in the spotlight

23-Jun-2023 By Tingmin Koe

See the latest developments from health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including Youvit's plans in developing new product formats with investment from Unilever, the formulation of Biostime's China-approved infant formulas, and Turkish...

Over the wall: Turkey’s Sunny Fruit seeks to break into China market after pro-, prebiotics launch

22-Jun-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Turkey-based organic snacks brand Sunny Fruit is focusing on extending its functional dried fruits range, following the debut of its prebiotic- and probiotic- fortified products, with cracking the China market its number one priority.

New formats, new markets: Indonesia’s Youvit on a roll in wake of US$6 mn Unilever-led funding boost

21-Jun-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Indonesian supplement brand Youvit is innovating with new product formats after expanding significantly in the Malaysian market on the back of funding led by the venture capital and private equity arm of Unilever.