Proteins, peptides, amino acids

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.

Focus on food synergies to boost bioavailability, urge researchers

05-Dec-2016 By Nathan Gray

A greater emphasis should be placed on enhancing the bioavailability of key nutrients in foods by focusing on synergies to help fight under nutrition, say researchers from the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Sports nutrition set for impressive Asia growth as products become ‘lifestyle choices’

28-Nov-2016 By Ravi Chawat

The sports nutrition market picking up the pace in Asia Pacific and can look forward to long-term growth, writes Allied Market Research analyst Ravi Chawat.

Infant and brain health benefits of whey protein underlined by experts at Singapore event.

14-Nov-2016 By Gary Scattergood

The benefits of alpha-lacalbumin in providing effective protein in infant formula, and its role in increasing brain serotonin concentrations, were two of the academic highlights presented at the Alpha Summit in Singapore.

Arbonne to make Asia debut in Taiwan with 10 nutrition products

09-Nov-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Direct sales firm Arbonne is to officially launch in Taiwan this week, initially with a range of 10 nutrition products alongside its skincare offering.

BioCeuticals health portal FX Medicine recognised at industry body awards

31-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Australian nutraceutical firm BioCeuticals has picked up two awards, one for a new health portal, and another for its health and lifestyle brand IsoWhey.

Former Liverpool FC expert helps Herbalife pick up the pace of sports nutrition promotion

24-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Herbalife is launching the Herbalife24 Program for Australia and New Zealand as it seeks to boost its sports nutrition products in the two countries.

The hottest superfood ingredients in Japan right now…and the next ones primed for success

24-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Several superfoods are now becoming mainstream in Japan because consumers are acutely aware of the “nutrient powerhouses” and their functional benefits.

Taurine supplementation improves symptoms for young people suffering first episode psychosis

20-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Research appears to show that supplementation with taurine - an additive commonly found in energy drinks - improves symptoms in young people suffering a first episode of psychosis (FEP).

Soy protein early in life may help prevent bone loss in adulthood

17-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

New research suggests reports that a diet heavy in soy protein isolate during early life can protect against serious bone loss during adulthood. 

Protein score system doesn't give complete picture on collagen, supplier says

10-Oct-2016 By Hank Schultz

According to one supplier, the common way to measure protein quality unfairly disparages collagen, a protein source that is ubiquitous both in the market and in the bodies of mammals.

WADA & Interpol unite to fight doping - protein peptides included

04-Oct-2016

Interpol has teamed up with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to fight the trade in doping products like steroids, hormones and banned performance-enhancing protein peptides that are being purchased usually online by both elite and amateur sportspeople.

Four nutrition and health trends shaping functional food and drink innovation in South East Asia

03-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Functional food innovation in developed Asian economies is increasingly influencing consumers in South East Asia’s emerging nations, with protein products, superfoods, herbal extract powders and fortified breakfast snacks making their presence felt on...

Sports nutrition and healthy ageing will fuel China's industry growth

21-Sep-2016 By Gary Scattergood

The rise of China’s functional food and dietary supplement industry is continuing to outstrip overall economic growth, and will continue to do so with sports nutrition and goods for the elderly likely to drive future increases.

Australia leading the way with ‘everyday’ sports nutrition trend

14-Sep-2016 By Nathan Gray

There is a rising trend for a new category of ‘everyday’ sports products, and Aussies can’t get enough of it, says Mintel.

Decoding the secrets of Japan’s fucoidan-rich seaweed

12-Sep-2016 By Nathan Gray

Researchers have begun to decode the genetic secrets of mozuku, a famous fucoidan-rich Okinawan seaweed linked to health and longevity.

Whey protein may provide benefits for Parkinson’s patients, finds Thai pilot study

07-Sep-2016 By Nathan GRAY

The first placebo-controlled study to test whey protein in people with Parkinson’s disease has found consumption may benefit certain biomarkers.

Chinese plant protein drinks grow as manufacturers look beyond soy

31-Aug-2016 By Nathan Gray

Manufacturers in China should be looking at moving past traditional soy-based drinks by incorporating multiple types of plant protein in functional beverages, says Mintel.

Could fortified beer and lassi tap into Asia’s soaring protein demand?

25-Aug-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Asia’s demand for protein is soaring, but is the Indian market ready for protein-fortified beers and lassi? 

Poor diet and high blood pressure fuelling China’s heart disease epidemic: Study

16-Aug-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Worsening dietary trends and soaring blood pressure levels will contribute to millions of new cases of heart attacks and strokes in China over the next two decades, researchers claim.

More Asia-specific research needed to improve nutrition knowledge

15-Aug-2016 By Gary Scattergood

More high-quality Asia-specific research on local foods and their impact on the population is needed to help improve nutrition and combat the growing number of diet-related illnesses across the continent, a seminar in Singapore has heard.

Most Australian rugby players have ‘nil to limited’ knowledge of beta-alanine benefits

12-Aug-2016 By Gary Scattergood

A study has found the majority of Australian professional rugby and football players taking beta-alanine supplements have little knowledge of its benefits – with less than 20% of respondents taking it frequently enough or in sufficient quantity to meet...

Could seaweed bioactive help fight food allergies?

31-Jul-2016 By Nathan Gray

Bioactives found in a certain form of commercial red algae could help to counter symptoms of food allergies, say researchers.

Superfood potential: Cockroach milk could be ‘fantastic protein supplement’

28-Jul-2016 By Nathan Gray

A ‘highly nutritious’ secretion from cockroaches has potential to be a new superfood ingredient for foods and supplements, say researchers.

Vitafoods Asia heading to Singapore in 2017

25-Jul-2016 By Nathan Gray

Pan-Asian nutraceutical event Vitafoods Asia will move to a new home in Singapore next year, confirm the event organisers.

One in five Aussie sports supplements may be contaminated

18-Jul-2016 By Nathan Gray

A survey of untested sports supplements available in Australia found 19% were contamination with substances banned in sport.

Interview: DuPont’s Asia-Pacific president for health and nutrition

Li Yongjing: ‘Our business improves other people's lives'

11-Jul-2016 By RJ Whitehead

Last month, DuPont became the latest food and nutrition ingredients supplier to open a flagship regional headquarters in Singapore, which is fast becoming a hub in this regard.

INDIA

Seafood by-products could provide novel functional ingredients

28-Jun-2016 By Nathan Gray

Seafood processing by-products are rich sources of valuable bioactive molecules that can provide the nutrition industry with novel functional food ingredients and products, say researchers.

Pure Warrior expands supplement range with amino acid line

15-Jun-2016 By Nathan Gray

Pure Warrior has expanded its line of premium protein supplements to include a new high-performance amino acid range, says brand owner Swisse Wellness.

CHINA

Swisse Wellness links up with Chinese online retailer Tmall

14-Jun-2016 By Nathan Gray

Supplement brand Swisse aims to increase sales and market presence in China with the launch of its flagship store on the Tmall site.