Dr Megan Rossi explains that increasing dietary fibre feeds gut bacteria and promotes short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as acetate, propionate and butyrate, which support gut, metabolic and immune health. Thomas Gurry of Myota adds that rapidly increasing fermentable or prebiotic fibre can increase microbial activity and gas production, potentially causing bloating and gastrointestinal discomfort while the gut microbiome adapts.
A new study suggests sulfate- and magnesium-rich mineral water may provide short-term improvements in chronic constipation and bowel function. Researchers found greater improvement after two weeks, although between-group differences were not significant after three weeks, highlighting the need for further research.
A study from Asahi Quality and Innovations in Japan found that a single dose of heat-treated Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305, a postbiotic, increased brain alpha activity and improved parasympathetic nervous system function in healthy adults, suggesting relaxation and reduced stress. The double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 28 participants showed significant improvements in mental stress scores and increased serotonin secretion, indicating a gut-brain mechanism. The findings highlight CP2305 as a promising functional food ingredient for mental health, though further research is needed to clarify mechanisms and broader applications.
India’s upstream probiotic sector may be nascent as compared to other Asia-Pacific countries such as China, Japan and South Korea, but the recent Vitafoods Asia 2026 showed a growing presence of Indian probiotic firms ready to introduce their innovations beyond the domestic market.
At the Regenerate Symposium in Halifax, Canada, earlier this month, researchers shared how they are looking beyond fish oil to alternative omega-3 sources, aquaculture solutions, and emerging science on plant-based omega-3 conversion to help close the EPA and DHA intake gap.
Opening the annual meeting of the Botanical Safety Consortium (BSC) on Monday, Hellen Oketch-Rabah, deputy director of the FDA’s Office of Dietary Supplement Programs (ODSP) and member of the BSC Steering Committee, underscored the urgent need to develop robust safety tools for botanical compounds that are intended for human consumption.
California Governer Gavin Newsom has signed AB 2030 into law, imposing new age restrictions on a broad array of dietary supplements marketed or represented for weight loss or muscle building as part the state’s holistic healthcare strategy.
A new biotechnology facility with advanced precision fermentation capabilities has opened in Clermont-Ferrand, France today (Sept. 29) to help start-ups scale from the lab to mass market production.
Postbiotic pioneer Nordic Rebalance has partnered German healthcare firm vitOrgan in its first B2B move overseas, plus it has launched the consumer facing brand OatBiotics as it looks to expand local D2C awareness.
A new Frost & Sullivan report commissioned by Food Supplements Europe (FSE) estimates that targeted omega-3 EPA+DHA, phytosterols and beta-glucan supplementation could generate billions in potential cardiovascular disease (CVD) societal savings across the EU and UK. Patrick Coppens, FSE director of regulatory affairs, said the findings highlight the potential role of evidence-based supplementation in cardiovascular risk reduction, alongside healthy diets, physical activity and appropriate medical care.
The Sports & Active Nutrition Summit USA (SANS USA) will move to Dallas in 2027 after two sold-out years in San Diego, expanding its agenda to cover metabolic health, weight management, and the intersection of sports nutrition, active lifestyles, and healthy aging.
Functional mushrooms continue to evolve from a niche immune-support ingredient into the broader wellness ecosystem, spanning cognitive health, mood support, active nutrition, healthy aging and overall wellness. According to SPINS data for the 52 weeks ending Sept. 6, 2026, across Natural, Conventional Multi-Outlet, and Amazon, functional mushroom sales reached $494.7 million, growing 23.2% in dollars and 34.8% in units, with a two-year dollar CAGR of 20.4%, highlighting continued consumer demand and expanding adoption across the broader wellness market.
The ASA has ruled that Whitworths made unauthorized health and disease-risk claims in its nut advertising, highlighting the importance of complying with the GB Nutrition and Health Claims Register and CAP Code. The ruling underscores the growing regulatory risks for food brands using health, nutrition and disease-prevention messaging in marketing.
September’s new product launches reveal trends for beauty-from-with, innovative peptides, and formats which aim to improve consumer experience and encourage consistency.
From skin booster injectables to ampoule serums and facial creams, PDRN, or polydeoxyribonucleotide, first made popular by the South Korean brand Rejuran as an aesthetic injectable, is finding its way into oral beauty supplements. Would it follow the likes of collagen and hyaluronic acid to become the next hero ingredient in beauty-from-within supplements?
The National Advertising Division (NAD) ruled that Alice Mushrooms could only support a qualified calming claim for its Zen-X chocolate based on saffron, as evidence for L-theanine and kanna was insufficient to substantiate broader product claims.
As NutraIngredients celebrates 25 years, Global Editor-in-Chief Stephen Daniells looks back at the 20+ years he has been with the publication. From the early days of digital publishing to the rise of social media, podcasts, video and now AI, Daniells has had a front row seat to two decades of change in both the industry and the media landscape covering it.
Terry Lemerond, founder of EuroPharma and a pioneer in the dietary supplements and natural products industry, passed away on September 3, 2026. Remembered as a visionary innovator, tireless advocate, and mentor, Lemerond was known for introducing clinically researched ingredients to the U.S. market, formulating over 500 products, and supporting quality research and education throughout his decades-long career. He built several influential companies, championed independent retailers, and inspired many with his commitment to credible, science-based health solutions and personal empowerment. Lemerond’s legacy continues through the employee-owned EuroPharma and the many industry leaders and consumers he influenced.
Misleading claims about food are widespread on social media, with supplements emerging as the most frequently identified theme, according to a new analysis conducted by Infoodmation.
New research from the DANCODE trial found that daily vitamin K2 and D3 supplementation, featuring Balchem’s K2VITAL™ DELTA vitamin K2 MK-7 ingredient, was associated with 21% less progression of coronary artery calcium over two years compared with placebo. The study included 398 participants across three Danish hospitals and also found slower progression of calcified plaque and changes in biomarkers linked to vitamin K and D activity. Researchers say larger, longer-term studies are needed to understand what these findings could mean for cardiovascular health.
Researchers in Spain found that olive industry by-products, including olive brine and alpechin, can be used to recover phenolic compounds with strong antioxidant activity. The findings highlight their potential as a source of natural antioxidants for functional foods, nutraceuticals and cosmetics, while also helping reduce the environmental impact of olive waste.
The Council for Responsible Nutrition’s inaugural SciComms Connect symposium will address the challenges of translating growing research and investment in women’s health into credible supplement products and consumer messaging.
A New Jersey legislator has introduced Assembly Bill A5487 to prohibit the sale of certain weight loss and muscle building supplements, including those containing creatine and green tea extract, to minors, requiring age verification and imposing fines for violations. This measure is part of a broader trend of state-level proposals, many linked to the STRIPED initiative, aiming to restrict youth access to specific supplements, despite industry pushback and mixed scientific evidence regarding their link to eating disorders. Federal efforts, such as H.R. 7366, seek to prevent states from enacting stricter laws than federal regulations, but progress remains uncertain. New York is the only state to have passed such a restrictive law so far.
Phytoestrogens represent a promising, non-hormonal strategy for improving post-menopausal health, with mechanisms of action including microbiome modulation as well as antioxidant and epigenetic pathways, but personalized formulations are needed to advance the efficacy of these interventions, according to a new research review.
A randomized controlled trial found that daily ginger supplementation may improve cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) and reduce oxidative stress in healthy adults. The findings suggest ginger could support reverse cholesterol transport and cardiovascular health, although larger studies are needed to confirm the benefits.
New Zealand’s Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard has proposed to loosen requirements for dietary supplements meant for export, such as allowing these products to make therapeutic claims in line with importing countries’ requirements—a move which the local industry believes would be a game-changer.
Australia-based Elixinol Wellness Limited says there is strong global strategic interest and capital is already flowing into the personalized, subscription health and supplement space, as reasons for wanting to acquire Vitable.
Ancient Nutrition is working with Rodale Institute to build a regenerative supply chain by supporting farmers upstream, addressing challenges such as ingredient availability, processing capacity, and certification.
Brands must rethink brand trust as AI, misinformation, cultural shifts and changing health-information habits reshape how consumers evaluate health and nutrition products. Experts say evidence, transparency, credibility, AI search visibility and third-party validation will be essential for nutrition brands seeking to build trust and remain discoverable in the age of AI.
Analysis of Romanian geriatric patients found that vitamin D deficiency was associated with poorer cognitive performance and greater frailty. Patients who had co-deficiency of vitamin D and vitamin B12 showed the most pronounced cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms.
Mibelle Biochemistry believes its beauty-from-within portfolio can meet the continuous demand and evolving consumer needs for this category in South Korea
Amway and two affiliates have agreed to pay $225 million to settle allegations from the FTC and the state of Washington of using deceptive and unfair tactics, including misleading earnings claims and pressuring recruits to buy products unlikely to be resold. The settlement, the largest ever against a multilevel marketing company, will compensate affected Independent Business Owners (IBOs) and requires Amway to implement reforms such as stricter sales requirements, reduced recruiter compensation for unsold products, and independent audits. Amway denies the allegations but agreed to the settlement to move forward.
Industry leaders at FNIS discuss what the nutra industry needs to rethink, from social media and influencer culture to regulation, consumer trust and chasing the latest trends.
Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) has updated its regulatory framework for dietary supplements, adding new authorized ingredients, establishing dosage limits and introducing new health claims that manufacturers can use on supplement labels.
A 60-day laboratory study found that ColonX, a porcini mushroom (Boletus edulis) β-glucan-based prebiotic from GreenBiom, increased beneficial Bifidobacterium bacteria in a post-antibiotic gut microbiome model. The mushroom prebiotic also increased fermentation-related organic acids without increasing E. coli, suggesting potential to support gut microbiome recovery after antibiotics.
International food ingredients corporation Kerry has launched its probiotic brand Bio-K in the UK and Ireland, bringing the company’s most researched probiotic products to the British Isles.
Three female entrepreneurs who entered the menopause wellness market before it became mainstream are making a significant investment in gold-standard scientific evidence in order to differentiate in a surging market.
The Australian health supplement industry has expressed disappointment at the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) decision to remove Andrographis paniculata’s use in listed medicines, questioning why stronger, front-of-pack warnings were not implemented.
Environmental advocates have linked the removal of krill oil supplements from Coles and Woolworths, two of Australia’s largest supermarket retailers, to a broader campaign against products to be “unsustainably sourced” from Antarctica. However, some industry players involved said that the removal had happened much earlier due to other reasons.
A pilot randomized controlled trial found that eight weeks of supplementation with ProGo, an upcycled salmon protein hydrolysate, led to improvements in systemic inflammation, glycemic control, and body composition in overweight adults, compared to whey protein isolate. ProGo supplementation increased hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and ferritin, and was associated with better hair, nail, and skin health, as well as reduced HbA1c, fasting glucose, and body fat measures. These effects, not observed with whey protein, suggest ProGo’s benefits are bioactive rather than purely nutritional. The findings highlight ProGo’s potential to support healthy aging across multiple biological domains.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published its first positive safety opinion for a CBD novel food application, marking a turning point for the industry after years of regulatory uncertainty.
Five days after the Kremlin seized control of Nestlé Russia, analysts, industry leaders and the Swiss government are assessing the implications for the food and beverage giant, foreign investors and the future of multinational business in Russia.
This week’s brief tracks news that highlights the importance of demonstrable safety, verified ingredient authenticity and precise consumer targeting, particularly in rapidly evolving categories such as women’s health and healthy aging. Featured news includes: Australia’s TGA will remove Andrographis paniculata from permitted supplement ingredients by September 2026, following reports of unpredictable severe allergic reactions. Botanical ingredient adulteration remains a persistent issue, with adulteration rates highest for gingko and other herbs due to supply chain pressures and economic factors, despite industry efforts to improve quality control. Meanwhile, perimenopause is emerging as a distinct supplement category, with brands like Ritual launching targeted, hormone-free formulas designed to address the broader physiological changes women experience during this life stage.
A study in semi-professional female soccer players found that four months of DHA and whey protein supplementation increased the HS-Omega-3 Index from 5.3% to 9.1% and was associated with changes in erythrocyte membranes, potentially supporting red blood cell deformability, microvascular perfusion, tissue oxygenation and endurance. While sprint, jump and anaerobic threshold performance did not significantly improve and menstrual symptoms remained unchanged, the findings highlight a potential role for omega-3 fatty acids, DHA, oxygen transport, erythrocyte function and endurance performance in female athletes.
Plug and Play’s latest report highlights a rise in data-driven diagnostics, AI-powered personalization, and platforms spanning inflammaging, metabolic health, the gut-brain axis, and the gut-skin axis.
Fermentation solutions specialist FermBase by Cremer is launching a new line of standardized trace element blends to streamline fermentation-based production.
With 40 million UK citizens heading for chronic disease by 2040, health has become a central focus for consumers, with 89% of households now prioritizing health and well-being, according to data from NielsenIQ (NIQ).
Australia has stopped the use of Andrographis paniculata in listed medicines, starting from September 17, 2026. Existing products can still be sold in the market, although the TGA has strongly recommended that sponsors cancel their products' ARTG listing or recall their products.
See new developments from health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including insights from interviews with senior execs from Kalbe, Suntory Beverage & Food Health Enrichment (SBFHE), as well as Nestlé’s sale of its mainstream vitamins brands.
Industry leaders at the Future Nutra Innovation Summit weigh in on what will shape the next five years of nutraceutical innovation, from AI and nature to new formats and fermentation. Their insights point to an industry increasingly focused on convergence, while keeping quality and consumer needs at the center.
A new study showed that beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) showed beneficial effects on muscle protein synthesis and breakdown in older adults consuming whey protein, and revealed sex-based differences.
Adulteration is one of the most significant and persistent issues facing the botanical industry, and the issue appears to be on the rise, exacerbated by supply chain pressures, trade wars and climate change. At the 74th International Congress and Annual Meeting of the Society for Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research (GA), which took place in Reims, France from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2, Stefan Gafner, chief science officer of the American Botanical Council (ABC), presented data detailing the scale of the problem.
Protein supplementation, depending on the types of protein taken, can affect the plasma levels of different advanced glycation end products (AGEs), according to a new RCT from Singapore.
Researchers from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences found that Balchem’s choline-enriched L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (Optifolin+) significantly increased S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) levels and enhanced DNA methylation in human cell models over 96 hours. Optifolin+, a combination of L-5-MTHF and choline, demonstrated 2.6 times greater bioavailability and 3.5 times faster absorption than standard folic acid in a 2025 clinical study, leading to higher plasma concentrations of active folate. These findings support the ingredient’s potential for improving methyl-donor status and epigenetic health, offering a more effective alternative to traditional folic acid supplementation.
For Dr. Mastaneh Sharafi, SVP of Science and Innovation at Ritual, supporting the next generation of women in science goes beyond simply helping them get a seat at the table. It means understanding where they want to go — and using influence to help them get there.
Functional shot brand The Turmeric Co. has launched an initiative to partner healthcare practitioners across the UK to get its products into the hands of patients who need preventative solutions for inflammation and pain.
In this guest article, Valerie Vercammen, managing director of Be-Sup, the professional association representing the food supplement industry in Belgium, appeals to scientists, policymakers, healthcare professionals and the sector to consider the latest results of Belgium's National Food Consumption Survey, which she emphasizes present "alarming signals concerning the health of the country's population.
Supplementation with a sustained-release ashwagandha for 90 days is safe and effective in improving muscular strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, as well as mental and physical wellbeing in active healthy adults, according to Nutriventia research.
To win in Southeast Asia’s health supplement market, Dr. Rudolf Tjandra, boss of major Indonesian nutritionals and consumer health company Kalbe, believes brands should not only focus on product features but also understand consumers’ purchasing motivation and connect with those needs.
Puredia hopes to raise greater awareness of omega-7-rich sea buckthorn ingredients for beauty supplements on the back of NutraIngredients-Asia Awards win
A large study of 714 mother–infant pairs found that the maternal gut microbiome is the primary source of bacterial strains transferred to infants, with breast milk and the vaginal microbiome playing lesser roles.
Ritual is expanding its women’s health portfolio into perimenopause with a hormone-free supplement featuring clinically studied shatavari extract. The launch reflects growing interest in science-backed solutions designed specifically for the perimenopause transition.
Marketed as a dietary supplement, Happy Caapi is separated from the colorful, cosmic experience associated with the South American plant brew and presented on its own terms as a finished botanical supplement that can help sharpen focus, ease mood and improve nervous system balance. The active ingredients are harmala alkaloids—harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine—extracted as nature’s formulation from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine.
The hemp industry has received a 30-day extension before new federal restrictions, including a 0.4 mg THC-per-container limit, take effect, allowing companies a short period to adjust products or lobby for legislative changes.
There are just a few days left to grab a discounted ticket for NutraIngredients’ Sports & Active Nutrition Summit Europe (SANSE) and Nutra Healthspan Summit (NHS) landing in London this November.
The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has described its recommendation to authroize the country’s first CBD novel food applications as a “major milestone”, but industry observers question whether the move marks a genuine regulatory breakthrough or simply brings a long-running process to a close.
Bio-gen Extracts, which took home the Ingredient of the Year (Sports Nutrition) for its beetroot extract TruBeet, is deepening research on beetroot’s cardiovascular support and, in turn, its benefits for exercise performance.
Brands that can connect the dots between functionality, digitalization and technology, as well as an ecosystem of services and experiences, will stand to win in the longevity and healthspan sector in the long term, according to Euromonitor at the recent Vitafoods Asia 2026.
Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger introduced the Dietary Supplement Innovation Act to reform the FDA’s drug preclusion provision, aiming to provide greater transparency and regulatory certainty for dietary supplement manufacturers. The bill seeks to narrow the FDA’s authority to exclude ingredients based on prior drug research, create clearer eligibility criteria for supplement ingredients, and establish legal avenues to challenge FDA decisions. While trade associations welcomed the bill as a balanced update supporting innovation and consumer access, some experts argue it fails to address key sections of the original DSHEA law that also hinder supplement innovation.
A newly published patent describes a fermentation-based method for producing NAD+ by genetically engineering yeast to enhance its coenzyme output for use in supplements and functional foods.
EFSA has published a positive safety opinion on S-acetyl glutathione (SAG), a chemically modified version of glutathione designed to enhance bioavailability.
