Science shorts: Yakult, Nestle-EpiGen, Bill Gates-backed probiotic firm and science research

Sneeze-stopping citrus: Yakult-funded study finds fermented juice may reduce allergy symptoms​

Eight weeks intake of fermented citrus juice containing lactic acid bacteria has been found to reduce nasal symptoms and increase regulatory T cells (Tregs) in Japanese adults during the peak pollen season.

Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCPsis) is a major health problem that has increased over recent decades and impairs daily activities.  According to Okubo et al​. in the journal Allergology International​, approximately 26.5% of people suffered from JCPsis in 2008.

Researchers from Yakult Central Institute and Shimoshizu National Hospital reported Lactobacillus plantarum​ YIT 0132 (LP0132) helps reduce the symptoms​ of JCPsis and suppresses the decrease in Treg cells.

Nestle-EpiGen joint sarcopenia study: Mitochondria dysfunction in muscles a key cause of sarcopenia​

A Nestle-EpiGen joint study found that mitochondria bioenergetics dysfunction is key in the development of sarcopenia​ and that the condition could be managed by improving mitochondria function.

As compared to previous studies on sarcopenia which mostly relied on blood serum markers to detect a change in muscle function, this study differs by using actual muscle biopsy to detect the changes at the genetic expression level.

This in turn provides a more reliable measurement of changes in the muscle, Dr Neerja Karnani, one of the lead authors of the study and a senior principal investigator at Singapore Institute of Clinical Sciences (SICS) of the research told NutraIngredients-Asia.​

Novel duo: NZ study to assess combined benefits of greenshell mussels and fucoidan​

A study led by researchers from New Zealand will find out the benefits of combining greenshell mussels (GSM) and fucoidan​ via human clinical trials.

Greenshell mussel is a famous local produce from New Zealand, known for its anti-inflammatory benefits, while fucoidan is a compound found in the seaweed Undaria pinnatifda ​native to Japan.​

While there are already supplements containing each of these two ingredients in the market, combining the two together is a novel innovation.  

Ginkgo vinegar suppresses weight gain and reduces the size of fat cells – study ​

A mouse-study has found that ginkgo vinegar intake is able to suppress body weight gain​ caused by a high fat diet and reduce the size of fat cells.

The study, which was conducted by Japanese researchers, was recently published in the scientific journal Nutrients.​

The ginkgo vinegar, a fermented product of ginkgo seed coat, was provided by the Ginkgo Vinegar Research Institute.

Babies and probiotics: Bill Gates-backed probiotic firm to embark on research in Singapore, Hong Kong

Evolve BioSystems, the US-based microbiome firm supported by big name investors Bill Gates and Li Ka Shing, will soon embark on local research​ in the APAC region, namely Singapore and Hong Kong.

The company’s flagship product, Evivo – a B. infantis EVC001 ​probiotic for infants – is already available for sale in the two countries via its Evivo web store since last May.

In Singapore, the company has recently signed an agreement with the Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS) to find out the prevalence of B. infantis ​in the Singapore population.