Gut Health

Far from risking the inherent indulgence of baked goods, Puratos believes health is at the heart of consumer trends for 2024

05-Dec-2023 By Gill Hyslop

From the launch of the first branded health-focused bread in the 1920s to the development of a fibre-packed sourdough ingredient in 2021, Puratos has been at the forefront of the health trend. It’s part of the company’s DNA.

"The Ozempic era is here to stay,” Supergut positions gut-health brand as GLP-1 compliment

29-Nov-2023 By Ryan Daily

Supergut is expanding its gut-health brand to a wider audience with its launch in Sprouts in the new year and as it looks to compliment GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, brand CEO and founder Marc Washington told FoodNavigator-USA.

ADM: ‘Postbiotics aiding the convergence between foods, beverages, & supplements’

16-Nov-2023 By Stephen Daniells

With 9% growth predicted from 2021 to 2026 and the surging consumer interest in non-pill delivery formats, postbiotics could be primed to rival probiotics in a few years, according to ADM’s Vaughn DuBow.

Will Ozempic be the catalyst to a healthier food, beverage industry?

08-Nov-2023 By Ryan Daily

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have garnered consumer attention for their ability to curb unhealthy food and beverage cravings, leading to weight loss, as large CPG companies and major retailers might be able to use the moment to refocus on providing...

Olipop gets prebiotic verified via NutraStrong certification

30-Oct-2023 By Claudia Adrien

Olipop is the first beverage to join the NutraStrong prebiotic verified product certification, which is administered by SGS Nutrasource Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Services. The new program was developed in collaboration between the Global Prebiotics...

Chicory root fibre increases good gut bacteria regardless of food application, research asserts

21-Sep-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new randomised controlled trial identifies that chicory root fibres can selectively increase Bifidobacterium species within the human gut, regardless of food application and matrix, to achieve associated health benefits.

Belliwelli’s ‘goal is to make gut health mainstream,’ expands nationally in Target locations

07-Sep-2023 By Deniz Ataman

On Sept. 17, the gut-friendly snack bar brand BelliWelli will be available in 1,554 Target locations nationwide -- adding to the more than 1,000 new doors the brand expanded into in the past year, Katie Wilson, CEO, Belliwelli told FoodNavigator-USA.

Trendspotting in 2023: Belly benefitting snacks, Bircher muesli, BBQ chicken breast & bone broth chips, Oktoberfest beer and superfood baking kits

06-Sep-2023 By Gill Hyslop

NutriLeads’ upcycled carrot prebiotic fiber BeniCaros delivers functional benefits without formulation headaches, side effects common with competing ingredients

30-Aug-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Consumers looking for functional benefits ranging from gut health and immunity support to general well-being increasingly are drawn to products with prebiotics – but formulation challenges related to most prebiotics’ bulk and negative side-effects, including...

Carbonated soda market goes with its gut in responding to consumer demands

25-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

In an effort to reduce their sugar intake, many consumers are shaking up how they drink soda, opting for lower or no-sugar options with key functional benefits like gut health over the traditional sugary sodas, Salomi Naik, head of innovation at Ai Palette,...

ELAVI expands its gut-friendly portfolio with plant-based cashew butter jars

21-Aug-2023 By Deniz Ataman

On trend with the healthy indulgence movement, ELAVI launches its low sugar, gut-friendly and plant-based cashew butter jars, adding to its existing portfolio of nut butter packets and snack bars.

Probiotics offer promise in reducing microplastic toxicity, review concludes

12-Jul-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A new review has concluded probiotics may overcome the toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics and microplastics in humans.

From savings to sales: How ELAVI built its gut-friendly snack bar business

10-Jul-2023 By Deniz Ataman

Discovering a white space for nutritious and functional protein snack bars while working several jobs in fitness and in corporate marketing, Michelle Razavi and Nikki Elliott launched ELAVI's collagen protein bars months before the pandemic. Driven...

New study links consuming live microbes in food with better health

15-Jun-2023 By Olivia DeSmit

People who consumed foods with medium and high levels of live microbes had better health markers, including decreased blood pressure, BMI and insulin levels, says a recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition.

Insights from Vitafoods

Prebiotic power: five-year research journey concludes “distinct effect” of cranberry polyphenols

16-May-2023 By Olivia Brown

In a Vitafoods presentation, Yves Desjardins, PhD, professor at Laval University in Quebec, discussed soon-to-be published findings on the observed prebiotic effects of cranberry polyphenols.

Danone North America sponsors ‘ground-breaking’ research into next-generation probiotics

15-May-2023 By Teodora Lyubomirova

Through its annual fellowship grant program, the company has backed two innovative studies into the gut microbiota, including a gut-on-a-chip project that has the potential to break new ground in the field of next-generation probiotics.

Closing the nutritional gap: How Royal DSM wants to improve plant-based dairy

24-Apr-2023 By Teodora Lyubomirova

As the market matures, producing dairy alternatives that are nutritiously similar to traditional dairy is no longer optional, according to the ingredients specialist.

Danone North America on gut health and the microbiome: 'They have a bigger role than we thought'

06-Apr-2023 By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

The gut microbiome is one of the most important factors in shaping human health. But how is our knowledge around the microbiome developing and changing in today’s landscape? Danone North America’s Miguel Freitas talks the challenges and opportunities...

Natural Products Expo West

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Innovations meet rapidly rising demand for prebiotics, probiotics and gut health+

03-Apr-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

At Natural Products Expo West this year, walking down an aisle without seeing a callout for prebiotics or probiotics was nearly impossible as more players race to meet consumer demand for each, which research from Coefficient Capital shows is climbing...

Low dose resistant potato starch shows prebiotic effects in new study

30-Mar-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A new clinical trial has concluded that Solnul, a resistant potato starch (RPS), has prebiotic effects at low dosages, stimulating increases in beneficial health-associated bacteria and reducing diarrhoea and constipation when compared to a placebo group.

What is next for probiotics? Consumers seek transparency, science-backed validation

29-Mar-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Increasing interest in health benefits from probiotics, prebiotics and their synergies is opening new markets for functional foods and beverages, but for products to take full advantage of these opportunities, they must meet consumers’ rising bar for...

Can prebiotics and probiotics beverages grow together? Brew Dr. CEO says yes

24-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

Oregon-based organic kombucha brand Brew Dr. is going "a little bit bolder, a little bit bigger" with its new branding and flavors as the company looks to expand household penetration amidst a growing competitive landscape in the functional...

AnaBio Technologies unlocks shelf-stable probiotic beverage market with heat-resistant, moisture-stabilizing micro-encapsulation technology

22-Mar-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

A patented micro-encapsulation technology from AnaBio Technologies promises to protect and stabilize probiotic bacteria from short bursts of high temperatures and moisture up to 12 months – unlocking an unmet demand in the fast-growing shelf-stable functional...

Study supports Seed's DS-01 Synbiotic protective effects against alcohol, antibiotics

13-Mar-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Seed’s DS-01 synbiotic may protect the gut microbiome from dysbiotic stressors such as alcohol and antibiotics, according to a new SHIME study.

Sonomaceuticals upcycles Chardonnay pomace into health benefits

08-Mar-2023 By Asia Sherman

Two wine industry veterans are channeling research and leftover grape pomace into a superfood ingredient chocked full of bioactive compounds for gut and heart health.

Got functional milk? DFA launches ‘first-ever’ probiotics-fortified UHT milk as an affordable alternative to kefir, kombucha

02-Mar-2023 By Teodora Lyubomirova

Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) believes the product, developed alongside Good Culture, is the first lactose-free, long-life fluid milk on the US market to combine the nutritional benefits of dairy with microbiome-boosting probiotics.

Biotech specialist’s healthy gut fibre backed by preclinical data

14-Feb-2023 By Gill Hyslop

A study published in the Journal of Food Bioactives confirms the plant compounds in hemp hull – discovered by Brightseed’s first-of-its-kind AI platform, called Forager AI – play a role in maintaining a healthy gut.

NutraCast: Seed on synbiotics for kids and predictions for gut microbiome research

03-Feb-2023 By Danielle Masterson

Infancy is commonly recognized as a critical time period for microbiota to colonize the gut. And when it comes to adults, it seems there is a new probiotic launched everyday. But what about those in the middle? What do we know about the gut microbiomes...

NutraCast: The power of resistant starch—beyond gut health

27-Jan-2023 By Danielle Masterson

Resistant starch has received a lot of attention for its potential to exert a healthy impact on the gut and Supergut is adding to that by offering insights through its research.

AB-Biotics targets food and beverage market with microbiome solutions: ‘Every moment of consumption will be an opportunity’

27-Jan-2023 By Katy Askew

Spanish biotech company AB-Biotics suggests that spiking interest in fermented foods and microbiome health represents a significant opportunity for the food and beverage industry. We caught up with Executive Director Sergi Audivert to learn more about...

Polyphenols for the mind: review stresses “urgent need for more precise microbiome sequencing”

03-Jan-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new review observes that polyphenols influence the gut microbiota by shifting populations to beneficial strains, thereby influencing the microbial metabolites produced and influencing the central nervous system via the gut-brain axis.

Danone supports research exploring COVID-19’s microbiome impact: ‘Food and nutrition can have an important role’

09-Dec-2022 By Katy Askew

Research from scientists at Rutgers University and supported by Danone has focused on the impact COVID-19 has on the microbiome, the collection of microorganisms that live in and on the human body. The findings could feed into Danone’s R&D efforts...

Better brains, better guts: Natural Grocers picks out trends for 2023

06-Dec-2022 By Hank Schultz

Omega-3s and gut health ingredients will see greater demand in 2023, according to new projections by supplement retailer Natural Grocers.

Brightseed to debut dietary fiber with bioactives for gut health in protein crisp

26-Oct-2022 By Asia Sherman

Biotech company Brightseed has launched Brightseed Bio 01 – a novel bioactive-enriched, A.I.-powered dietary fiber sourced from hemp hulls that promotes gut health in food and beverage applications.

‘Love wheat again…’ Revival Einkorn launches mission to make ‘easy to digest’ ancient grain a household name

10-Oct-2022 By Elaine Watson

Revival Einkorn – a new organic consumer brand dedicated to einkorn, a protein-packed ancient wheat variety with a gluten profile billed as ‘easier on the gut’ than modern wheat – is making its debut direct to consumer and in the pasta aisle at natural...

Immune support still top of mind for functional beverage consumers, report finds

10-Oct-2022 By Hank Schultz

Immune health continues to be a primary concern for consumers of functional beverages, according to a new report from Irish ingredient supplier Kerry. The study also found that consumers are increasingly blurring the distinction between the benefits...

Review finds strong support for effectiveness of postbiotics

05-Oct-2022 By Hank Schultz

A new review has found strong evidence for the efficacy of postbiotics, especially for use in the developing world where gastrointestinal complaints often have deadly outcomes.

Ombre moving microbiome home tests and probiotic supplements into retail

19-Sep-2022 By Asia Sherman

Personalized nutrition company Ombre is retail ready, preparing to launch its microbiome home test kit and targeted probiotic supplements to a wider market at Natural Products Expo East later this month.

‘Total microbiome company’ is bringing microbiome innovation to the masses

08-Sep-2022 By Danielle Masterson

BIOHM has unveiled a number of services for gut health companies and developers looking to advance their offerings.

Probiotic L. plantarum may have beneficial anti-obesity effects, for mice at least

06-Jul-2022 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplementation with a specific strain of Lactobacillus plantarum may help reduce body weight and a range of other measures including blood lipid levels and liver enzymes, says a new study with mice.

Experts offer first estimate of live microbes in food to move towards dietary recommendations

01-Jun-2022 By Asia Sherman

A team of food science and nutrition experts has classified 18 years of dietary data to estimate the consumption of live microbes by children and adults in the United States. The end goal: to define the health benefits of dietary microbes and inform science-based...

IFIC: More Americans seek pro- and prebiotics, but confusion about sources abounds

20-Apr-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

More Americans are trying to consume probiotics and prebiotics than a year ago, but many are confused about the best sources for each and the relationship between them, fermentation and strain-specificity – hindering their goals, according to new data...

De La Calle’s fermented tepache brings Mexican street food culture to US with $7m fundraise

24-Feb-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

With the help of a $7m fundraise, Startup De La Calle is bringing to more Americans nationwide a modern version of the beloved and naturally functional Mexican “street vendor treat” tepache – a probiotic beverage made from fermented organic pineapples...

Danone-led research uncovers how certain diets impact the gut microbiome

28-Jan-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Low-carb diets such as keto and paleo have exploded in popularity among consumers and brands that formulated products to fit the nutritional guardrails of each, but how does drastically eliminating carbs impact the diversity of good bacteria in gut microbiome?

Unilever research tie-up targets ‘mental wellbeing’ ingredients

06-Jan-2022 By Katy Askew

Unilever is partnering with microbiome experts at Holobiome to identify food and beverage ingredients that could positively impact ‘mental wellbeing’ by targeting the gut-brain axis. Unilever Science and Technology manager Dr Simone Pyle tells FoodNavigator...

Plant-based eating is trending in snacks for kids

15-Dec-2021 By Gill Hyslop

Human nutrition specialist ADM has unveiled the next big consumer trends for 2022, among them the dynamic growth of plant-based snacks that deliver nutrition and satiety for kids.

Humm Kombucha secures $8m in funding to fuel expansion plans

20-Oct-2021 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Humm Kombucha has secured an $8m line of credit from Gerber Finance to support its next chapter of growth and future expansion plans.

Good Culture evolves from clean-label cottage cheese brand to 'healing cultured foods company'

19-Aug-2021 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Best known for renovating the cottage cheese category with a clean-label alternative free from additives and made with milk from pasture-raised dairy cows, Good Culture has its sights set far beyond the $1.2bn cottage cheese category to become a fermented...

Did FDA overstep bounds in warning letter on probiotics claims?

07-Jul-2021 By Hank Schultz

A recent warning letter that focused in part on gut health claims points out the chinks in FDA’s policy facade, as it takes the target firm to task over some claims that seem benign in nature.

PepsiCo launches website to make nutrition research more accessible

20-May-2021 By Danielle Masterson

PepsiCo Health & Nutrition Sciences (H&NS) has unveiled a website that offers internal education to healthcare professionals. The hub will serve as a resource hub to aid healthcare professionals in all areas of practice and help them continue...