News & Analysis on Food & Beverage Development & Technology
A study in Japan shows that simultaneous consumption of barley and natto could be a promising nutritional approach for obesity prevention through enhanced conversion of dietary fibre into energy.
The South Korean government has collaborated with industry to launch 19 reduced-sodium and sugar food and beverage products as it seeks to meet national targets.
South Korean firm Brewguru has reformulated its popular ready-to-drink (RTD) highball product and released a new version with lower sugar and alcohol content, capitalising on the flourishing “zero trend” in the country.
Incorporating orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) powder into the rice flour used to make vermicelli could improve its nutritional value, say researchers in Vietnam and Thailand.
Meiji is launching a new product under its WELLCACAO range, which is made with the company’s proprietary cacao-based ingredient that claims to be less bitter and better retain nutrients such as polyphenols.
A recent study has found water-soluble tomato concentrate (WSTC) to have a significant impact on blood pressure regulation, which could contribute to the development of novel dietary approaches for protecting heart health.
Malaysia’s flavour house Matrix has introduced a new white peach flavour to meet rising consumer demand for lighter, fruity options while continuing its foray into the growing savoury segment.
Vietnamese firm Vinh Hoan aims to appeal to children and the elderly who dislike eating fish with its surimi-wrapped dumplings, which are part of its product portfolio targeting the needs of time-strapped consumers.
The supplementation of fermented gold kiwi has been shown to reduce the severity of self-reported gut discomfort, including abdominal pain and heartburn, according to an eight-week trial conducted in South Korea.
Consuming fresh tomato, or Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., could lessen the impact of metabolic syndrome among overweight postmenopausal women, according to an RCT.
Fortifying soy whey with selected strains of Bifidobacteria and propionic acid bacteria can increase vitamin B12 levels in plant-based products, according to an academic from the National University of Singapore.
The use of an oral nutrition supplement for over six months has shown improvements in protein, calcium, and vitamin B12 levels among Singapore’s elderly aged 65 and above, say new findings from a study by Abbott.
There is 'inadequate' intake of calcium in Asia, especially in South Asia and East Asia, based on a new study published in The Lancet that looks at global nutrient intake estimates.
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New research from New Zealand has identified a bioactive from blackcurrants that could boost mood in healthy adults.
Singapore-based Hey! Chips says that its switch in business strategy from overseas expansion to building presence in the local market has enabled it to gain a foothold in the healthy snacking category and a spurt in brand awareness.
Researchers found that astaxanthin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce inflammation and cell stress in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Japanese adults in their 20s and 30s are most interested in personalised nutrition as compared to the other age groups, a survey conducted by Suntory-backed start-up Rem3dy Health has found.
Vitamin D supplementation improved body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and other health markers for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), indicating its potential for managing PCOS-related metabolic dysfunctions, a study finds.
Chinese dairy brand Shiny Meadow has launched an upgraded version of its fresh milk product, which contains higher protein and calcium content, to meet evolving consumer needs.
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There is rising interest in yeast proteins as food and supplement companies look for novel alternatives to soy and pea protein, with companies such as Japan’s iSDG, South Korea’s Orion Corporation, and America’s Swanson making new launches.
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Kerry is using spore-forming probiotic for increasing protein absorption on the back of new scientific evidence.
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Norwegian krill oil brand NYO3 is launching a series of multipurpose krill oil products targeted at women and sports users in China.
Curcumin can fight chronic diseases by reducing key inflammatory markers, offering a promising natural intervention for conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to new research.
Hydrolysed milk formula may prevent certain allergies but increase risk of wheeze as compared to breast milk, according to a new meta-analysis funded by Huhhot Science & Technology Plan and the National Center of Technology Innovation for Dairy in China.
Findings from a Korean study showed that a higher intake of prebiotic and probiotic foods was significantly associated with lower severity of anxiety symptoms.
Chinese low calorie and high fibre konjac rice and noodle manufacturers Ketoslim Mo says emphasising an enjoyable eating experience is just as important to health needs to drive consumer acceptance.
A new study shows that a probiotic strain isolated from Korean kimchi has beneficial effects on immune regulation, particularly in people with a weak immune system, highlighting its potential as a functional health food ingredient.
Singapore start-up Jiro-Meat is scaling up production of its plant-based meat made from upcycled soy pulp, with the aim of commercialisation within the next six months.
Dutch brand Nightwatch is aiming to ride the plant-based wave in Asia by launching an all-natural, and caffeine-free energy drink for ethically-minded consumers.
The supplementation of the spore-forming probiotic Bacillus coagulans could reduce fatty liver content in patients suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), an eight-week RCT from Taiwan has shown.
Malaysia-based food manufacturer A1 has reformulated and repackaged one of its hero products to appeal to the taste preferences of consumers in the UK, as the firm looks to broaden its reach in Europe.
A supplement formulated with American ginseng, Brahmi, and coffee fruit extract could improve mood and working memory, according to a 28-day trial funded by direct-selling company USANA.
A plant-derived probiotic strain has been found to be effective in reducing body fat, and could potentially be a safer alternative for weight loss management compared to existing drugs, say Korean researchers.
Estonian oat milk brand YOOK is looking to capitalise on the pureness, nutritional value and “superior” taste of its products to break into the Asian and Middle Eastern markets.
Tokyo-based NEXT MEATS’s latest innovation claims to offer several advantages over existing plant-based products, including improved taste and texture despite minimal use of ingredients, and being ambient storage-friendly.
South Korean food major CJ CheilJedang has used new fermentation technology to consecutively launch products with reduced sodium content in response to growing consumer demand for “less burdensome” options.
Assessing obese individuals’ gut microbiota profiles could lead to a more comprehensive understanding of obesity and how to treat those suffering from the condition, according to researchers in China.
Women who took Asparagus racemosus, a shatavari root extract, experienced a reduction in a range of menopausal symptoms, according to a study in the Cureus Journal of Medical Sciences.
A new fixed-dose combination (FDC) of omega-3 and atorvastatin — a medication to treat high blood cholesterol — could improve compliance and convenience among dyslipidaemia patients, according to researchers in South Korea.
Daily intake of 0.4 grams of omega-3 could help more than 95% of diabetics achieve desirable blood sugar levels, according to a Chinese study based on population pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PPK-PD) modelling.
Daily supplementation with B. longum BB536 can suppress common cold-like symptoms in healthy adults, but future studies are required to clarify how it works, according to a new Morinaga-funded study.
Consumption of a probiotic containing B. longum BB536 and B. breve MCC1274A led to significant reductions in abdominal visceral fat and serum triglyceride levels in both healthy and overweight adults, according to a new study.
Green tea intake does not appear to reduce the risk of lung cancer, but researchers say more investigations are needed to understand the potential health benefits of its bioactive compounds.
A meta-analysis conducted by China researchers found that probiotic supplementation could improve body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose, and reduce inflammation among obese and overweight teenagers.
Dietary supplements sales on the re-opened TikTok shop in Indonesia are struggling to get back to previous heights, despite other categories such as FMCG and beauty products soaring.
Emerging technologies such as 3D food printing (3DFP) are unlocking opportunities to develop nutrient-rich and personalised plant-based substitutes for traditional meat, say researchers.
Google searches for nutritional supplements, especially vitamin C and D, in relation to COVID-19 have been found to surge alongside community outbreaks and during the winter season.
Finnish food company Fazer has launched the world’s first chocolate made using ‘protein out of thin air’ in Singapore, citing its high iron and fibre content as attractive for vegan and health-conscious consumers.
A synbiotic formula (SIM01) developed by Hong Kong firm GenieBiome in collaboration with the Chinese University of Hong Kong has been shown to alleviate multiple symptoms of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS), while also benefiting children after their...
South Korean brand Castoma says nanotechnology has enabled the company to shrink down the molecules of curcumin and boost its effectiveness against common stomach problems.