News, Analysis & Insights on Nutrition, Supplements, and Health
Kirin has outlined a series of initiatives that will combine its strengths, as well as that of subsidiaries FANCL and Blackmores, in achieving a revenue of 300bn yen (US$1.95bn) for its health science business by 2030.
India-based Arjuna Natural says that its ashwagandha extract can help reduce stress and anxiety even at low dose.
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.
Nutrachampion podcast
Wellness and functionality are increasingly incorporated into food and beverages as well as the oral skincare space as companies seek to provide “value for money” products and tap on the first-mover advantage.
Singapore’s nutra and wellness firm CW is actively expanding its portfolio as it urges a more holistic approach to weight management, amid increasing number of young consumers affected by body image concerns.
Amway is building its first organic farm in Sichuan, China, to support a growing demand for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) products.
See new developments from health and nutrition brands across Asia-Pacific, including Australian brand JSHealth’s brick-and-mortar retail debut in the Asian market, Berocca’s recent new product development concepts, and how a2 Milk plans to grow in...
Glutamine supplementation in doses of more than 30mg/day for less than two weeks improves gut health by reducing gut permeability, according to systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs conducted by researchers.
JSHealth, which specialises in beauty-from-within supplements and has grown rapidly across its domestic Australian market, is making its Asia retail debut in Singapore via a deal with retailer Watsons.
As consumer demand for novelty and health-focused offerings continues to grow, Japanese brands are finding renewed optimism to bring authentic and innovative products into the Asia Pacific market.
A Singapore-based company specialising in pre-, pro-, and postbiotics supplement has added fermented food and mouthwash to its range, as it attempts to provide “complete protection” for the entire gastrointestinal tract.
Behind the Big Story
Central Retail Corporation’s vitamins and supplements retail arm Tops Vita has revealed top tips for vitamins and supplements marketing, as well as its growth plans for 2025.
Bayer’s CEO has outlined key growth strategies for its consumer health business, such as increasing sales volume by introducing new products to the market quicker.
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.
This round-up looks at the latest health and nutrition research findings, including the effects of probiotics, vitamin D, and curcumin supplementation on blood glucose control, and how a South Korean firm is studying the use of propolis on cognitive health.
Indian conglomerate Essel Group, owner of Zee TV, is actively building its newly established direct-selling business with the launch of its first nutraceutical product designed for blood sugar control.
Amazon continues to drive probiotic and prebiotic supplement sales growth, but shifting trends suggest that TikTok is driving search and social engagement around the topics, particularly for younger demographics.
A study has found that increased dietary intake of magnesium and fibre is associated with reduced likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Kuwaiti women, underscoring the need to encourage diets rich in these nutrients.
Vitafoods Asia 2024
Supplements for sleep support are moving beyond melatonin or GABA pills designed for the general population, as companies place greater attention on insomnia and menopause, and designing non-pill products, such as meal replacement powders.
Vitafoods Asia 2024
Korean company Seoul Propolis is exploring novel uses of propolis, such as its effects on cognitive health, amid an ongoing trend where natural and functional foods are sought after.
Here is a round-up on the latest nutraceutical trends in Asia-Pacific, including insights from Lonza on growing joint health interest among younger consumers, Haleon seeing China consumers increasing vitamin spendings in e-commerce, and popular demands...
Switzerland-headquartered Lonza pinpoints opportunities in tailoring joint health products to appeal to younger consumers, who are increasingly looking for supplements to address their active lifestyle needs and concerns about future problems.
Blackmores is capitalising on white spaces in vitamins and dietary supplements (VDS) for sleep support, as it believes that nutritional interventions need to play a “much bigger role” in the holistic management of this growing problem.
Aker BioMarine is hoping to secure a Food with Function Claim (FFC) in Japan in relation to krill oil and skin health in a move it hopes will significantly boost its business within a booming category in the country.
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.
Extensive functional food and beverage innovation in Japan is a great platform for showcasing new concepts that could be adopted by partners overseas, says Morinaga.
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...
The supplementation of a Lactobacillus strain could lengthen sleep duration by about an hour in healthy adults under mild stress, say findings of a 28-day clinical trial that took place in China.
Japanese consumers are increasingly seeking evidence-based products with a particular focus on healthy ageing, cognitive health, menopause and vitality, and are increasingly willing to embrace new format innovations, says Kaneka.
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.
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.
A̅repa is conducting further research on how a novel molecule discovered from New Zealand blackcurrants, which it has also patented, could benefit mood and cognition in healthy populations.
Spain-based Eggnovo has set its sights on the beauty-from within and joint health markets in Asia, believing that its collagen upcycled from eggshells can provide consumers with a versatile option that is required in much lower doses than regular collagen.
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.
We look at the latest regulatory announcements across Asia-Pacific's health and nutrition sector, including the New Zealand government's plans in designing a new bill to regulate natural products, China's policy draft for allowing health foods in the...
Our Microbiome Innovations APAC editorial webinar will take place on Tuesday (November 5), 3pm Singapore time, and registration is FREE.
Taking 1,500mg of curcumin daily for 12 months has been shown to improve insulin, fasting blood glucose levels and body mass, based on a clinical study conducted in Thailand.
Vitafoods Asia 2024
Dong-A Pharmaceutical is now looking to grow its exports markets, focusing on kids and beauty-from-within supplements in South East Asia, the company told us in Vitafoods Asia held in Bangkok.
Vitafoods Asia 2024
Mibelle is expanding into the skin brightening nutricosmetic sector with the launch of an apple mint leaves extract.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the nutraceuticals industry could become a ‘crucial’ component of innovation and regulatory compliance processes, but care must be taken regarding the information that is fed into the technology.
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.
Behind the Big Story
Swisse Wellness is adding new dosage formats to its vitamins, minerals, and supplements (VMS) range in Australia, with orally disintegrating tablets targeted at the younger demographic its latest endeavour.
Cargill is building on its decades-long experience in infant nutrition and know-how on flavours to grow its specialised nutrition business, a focus area for the company’s next stage of development.
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.
A recent study by Chinese researchers has found that iron metabolism is linked to the onset of psoriasis, and that the intake of zinc and selenium could lower the risk of atopic dermatitis.
A recent study by Chinese researchers has found that iron metabolism is linked to the onset of psoriasis, and that the intake of zinc and selenium could lower the risk of atopic dermatitis.
Australia-based Cauldron Ferm has received funding from the Queensland Government to develop a first-of-its-kind precision fermentation facility in Mackay, which is expected to reduce costs and raise production capacity significantly.
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.