The functional food ingredients market in Asia Pacific is being tipped to rise from $2.85bn at the end of 2016 to $5.04bn in 2026 with probiotics projected to be the fastest growing segment over the forecast period
In the first of a two-part interview, DuPont’s Asia president for health and nutrition Dr Li Yongjing discusses the initial turbulence created by the ongoing merger with Dow, and explains why he believes the new relationship will make the firm better...
Asia’s functional foods and supplements industry needs to stop making unfounded health claims, while also better educating policy makers about the sound science behind its reputable products.
The use of a modified alginate and hi-maize starch encapsulation technique could help to increase the survival rate of probiotics, say Thai researchers.
Probiotics given to liver cirrhosis sufferers boosted neopterin levels and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, but had no significant effect on white blood cells’ ability to consume bacteria, the original aim of the study.
With FI Asia taking place this week in Jakarta with 15,000 visitors, 650 exhibitors and a host of industry experts in one place, we caught up with Olav Masseling, brand director at event organiser UBM to talk about the Asia market, the major trends are...
'The race is on in this industry to take positions for future growth of probiotics.'
Danish probiotics and enzymes leader Chr Hansen has paid €73m in cash to acquire the Lactobacillus rhamnosus-based LGG suite of probiotic strains from Finnish dairy group, Valio.
Calanus oil is a highly bioavailable source of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, says a new study that supports its potential as a suitable alternative source of omega-3s.
Australia’s natural nutrition and complementary health industry has received a “once in a lifetime” boost after the government gave the green light to a raft of changes to how businesses will be regulated.
Intake of green soybean extract could help reverse cognitive dysfunction and its associated accumulation of beta-amyloid proteins in the brain, say researchers.
The controlled release of tea polyphenols into finished food products could help create new functional foods and reduce oxidation without the need for synthetic antioxidants, say researchers.
Global and local players in Asia’s heart health sector are adopting radically different strategies – but dubious health claims from some of the latter threaten to undermine the market, according to an industry analyst.
A high percentage of children and teens in southern Australia may be deficient in vitamin D, putting them at increased risk of bone fractures and higher long-term risk of osteoporosis, warn researchers.
Asia has a chance to tackle obesity through a more personalised approach to weight management providing it avoids the mistakes made in the West where not enough attention was paid to the needs of the individual, according to Nestlé’s nutrition head.
India’s “shockingly low” level of EPA and DHA intake is storing up a potential health crisis, especially because life expectancy and therefore the rate of chronic illness is forecast to rise considerably over the coming decades.
Indian consumers are increasingly aware that all fats are not bad, are demanding more products that offer “complete wellness” and are becoming increasingly opening to exploring alternative proteins and natural sugars.
Implementing stringent safety and quality regulations, tackling micronutrient deficiencies and maximising the opportunities from inward investment need to be three of key priorities for the food industry in India, amid projections of a doubling of production...
A study of wild edible fruits found in the Himalayas indicates they are a rich source of antioxidants, with researchers concluding they can help meet the nutritional needs of the local population and play a crucial role in nutraceutical development.
Studies at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and the UKM Medical Centre show that Malaysians in their 30s are now more likely to have arteries similar to a person aged 70 due to their lifestyles.
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.
Fish sauce fortified with thiamine could help fight cases of beriberi in Southeast Asia – a public health concern caused by thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency.
The Australian Diabetes Society president has said people with type 2 diabetes should be wary of social media hype about the benefits of going on the paleo diet, arguing there have been no trials going beyond 12 weeks.
Australian governments must wean patients off expensive hospital treatment by investing more heavily in preventative medicine and risk management, according to a senior health official, at a time when lifestyle diseases are putting a serious strain on...
A focus on functional health benefits has allowed India to become the world’s largest market for malt-based hot drinks, according to Euromonitor International.
A naturally occurring resveratrol analogue known as oxyresveratrol could provide industry with better water solubility whilst maintaining potential health benefits, say researchers.
It is may be possible to improve the lipid composition of poultry and pork to contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acids, say researchers.
The use of diet and functional foods to alter the microbiota and impact the gut-brain axis could be a promising strategy for people with autism spectrum disorder, say researchers.
The antipodean food regulator has released a consultation paper on its review of a decision to permit the voluntary addition of vitamin D to breakfast cereals.
A renewed focus on multiple short term and long term strategies is needed to battle the high prevalence of iron deficiency and anaemia in South East Asia, research warns.
Botanical products and herbal supplements containing Korean Angelica gigas have been highlighted as a potential source of dangerous aflatoxins by new research.
Extracts of Citrus junos Tanaka (known as yuzu) peel could be used in functional foods for people with diabetes and pre-diabetes, according to the findings of a new trial.
