News, Analysis & Insights on Nutrition, Supplements, and Health
The extract of Garcinia cambogia, a plant commonly used for weight management, can no longer be made into health functional foods with other ingredients that similarly have body fat reduction functions, says South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety...
A study in China finds that higher intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) was associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD), whereas moderate consumption of natural juices (NJs) had...
South Korea could see the use of functional ingredients for relieving leg swelling and intestinal discomfort, following the release of new regulatory guidelines.
Probiotic supplementation can significantly improve bone health, according to researchers in China.
Kewpie is working with nutrition societies and academic professors to address misinformation regarding food and nutrition that is spreading on the social media.
South Korea’s Rael, which made a name for itself with organic sanitary pad products, is seeing growth opportunities in the area of holistic menstrual cycle care, including supplements.
A new study has found a close association between low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets, food insecurity, and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) among the South Korean population.
Amway is building its first organic farm in Sichuan, China, to support a growing demand for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) products.
The a2 Milk Company is doubling down on its senior nutrition business in China as it explores different ways to maximise the market’s potential.
Swisse and Biostime owner Health and Happiness (H&H) Group’s Q3 results showed that China, its largest market, has been struggling with continued declines in sales across infant formulas and offline pharmacies.
A patented blend of tamarind seeds and turmeric root extracts has received approval from Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) in making three types of joint health related claims.
Milk thistle, vitamin C and E are the top three most trusted among China’s night owls when it comes to liver care supplements, says a whitepaper recently released by BYHEALTH and the Tmall Innovation Center (TMIC).
The supplementation of a whey-derived peptide has been shown to lower self-perceived levels of stress among middle-aged adults, according to a six-week study conducted by Kirin Holdings.
Japanese cosmetics manufacturer ALMADO has launched its first Foods with Function Claims (FFC) product that contains eggshell membrane and GABA, targeting consumers with concerns regarding sleep, dry and ageing skin, and muscle loss.
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.
China health supplements giant BYHEALTH continues to see weak performance as net profits fell 106.30 per cent in Q3 of 2024, resulting in a net loss of RMB$22.42m (US$3.15m). The company reported a net profit of RMB$355.7m (US$49.5m) during the same time...
Japan is seeking to alleviate the impact of global warming on its domestic food supply chain after new data showed how rising temperatures are hitting crops and increasing food loss.
High caffeine consumption at 6mg/kg body weight significantly enhances skeletal muscle reactivity at rest, but did not improve anaerobic performance, according to a randomised crossover trial.
Japan firm Euglena Co Ltd, which specialises in health supplements and cosmetics developed using the microalgae euglena, has launched a urine test kit which it said could detect the levels of 11 items, including calcium and zinc.
The dietary supplement industry continues to closely monitor the evolution of tariff policies between China and the United States, pending the outcome of the U.S. presidential election.
South Korea’s food and drug regulator has banned almost 20 supplements that claim to support memory and concentration from the US, Japan and New Zealand as they contain ingredients regulated as pharmaceutical drugs in the country, say officials.
Vitamin D is an “effective adjunctive” for blood glucose management in people suffering from type II diabetes, says a new meta-analysis that looks at the results of 39 randomised controlled trials.
South Korean firm FromBIO aims to venture into more markets in South East Asia (SEA) by capitalising on its ability to produce health functional foods in myriad formats, as well as endorsements by Korean celebrities popular in the region.
A study published in Scientific Reports compared the gut flora species composition and abundance in children who were early sleepers to that of late sleepers.
South Korea is looking to improve the Children’s Diet Safety Index in its rural areas, after seeing poorer results compared to urban cities and the national average.
Women who included zinc in their diets had lower odds of having endometriosis, according to a study that examined thousands of consumption patterns among Americans.
South Korean firm Ildong Bioscience says that raising consumer awareness and the entry of more players may be crucial for pushing the growth of postbiotics in the local market.
Hong Kong consumers spend an average of HK$781.59 (US$100.53) on health supplements each month, say findings of a new survey commissioned by the Hong Kong Health Food Association (HKHFA).
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.
Taiwan-based Han-Sient believes it has struck gold with its patented technology to produce guava leaf extract for blood sugar control and fat-burning, eyeing the diabetic and weight loss markets in South East Asia as its next major expansion step.
Clinical trials that assess the effects of Foods with Function Claims on the gut microbiome and blood glucose levels are the most requested by industry players, says a contract research organisation that has conducted trials for Kirin and Suntory.
LG Household & Health Care (LG H&H)’s Vital Garden has released an edible retinol supplement to keep up with global beauty-from-within trends and boost the competitiveness of its health food business.
China may allow health foods in the form of chocolates, candies, jellies, and beverages to go through the official health foods filing process.
Vitafoods Asia 2024
South Korea’s Natural Good Things (NGT) is eyeing an expansion across Asia with its Active Enzyme sticks after successfully making a name for itself in the domestic women’s beauty and wellness market.
Seoul-headquartered Chong Kun Dang has released a dual-format hangover relief comprising liquid and tablets, which the firm says is the first of its kind to be available at convenience stores.
The consumption of matcha green tea powder over 12 months has shown the tendency for improved sleep quality among seniors, according to a trial conducted in Japan.
Japan’s Daiichi Sankyo Healthcare Co Ltd has acquired sports nutrition brand DNS as it continues to grow its portfolio from pharmaceuticals to functional foods, oral and skin care.
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.
South Korean firm Clio has debuted its ingestible beauty brand, TRUE RX, in drugstores across Japan, underlining its expansion endeavours in this market beyond the cosmetics sector.
Cell Biotech-owned supplement brand DUOLAC expects its recent entry into Taiwan’s major supermarket chain to accelerate expansion in the greater China region, amid strong efforts to promote Korean probiotics globally.
A new consumer survey conducted by Suntory found that fatigue, anxiety, and bad skin conditions were the most common health issues for Japanese aged 18 to 34.
Japanese firm Fordays aims to build on the success of its nucleic acid-based supplements, which it claims to be particularly beneficial for immunity, infant growth and ageing woes, and extend its reach to more markets in Asia and globally.
China’s growing liver health supplement category is being driven by consumers seeking products for detoxification, skin brightening, and less so for anti-hangover.
Dietary supplement giant BYHEALTH is channelling efforts to developing and launching products to meet the evolving needs of Chinese female consumers, which constitute a major portion of vitamin and dietary supplement (VDS) users in the country.
FrieslandCampina Ingredients says infant formula with premium, multi-benefit ingredients and easy-to-consume supplements for children are continued avenues for growth in Asia.
China’s demand for coenzyme Q10 remains high but gross margin from the business is at the lower end, says Kingdomway, also the owner of health supplement brand Doctor’s Best.
The supplementation of a synbiotic has shown to increase resting energy expenditure in overweight or mildly obese adults, according to a clinical trial funded by Japan confectionery company Ezaki Glico.
Formula giant Feihe’s half-year profit for FY24 is up 18.1 per cent on the back of increased marketing activities which is said to have acquired over 1.4 million new customers.
There are extensive opportunities for 'holistic product innovation' across three key areas of women’s health: menstrual health, prenatal nutrition, and menopause, says Mintel.
Malaysia’s Medika Natura, which specialises in health supplements made using local botanical extracts, is expecting to sell its products in South Korea next July through an exclusive partnership with NS Home Shopping.