Microbiome

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.

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.

Menopause: Women’s health at risk due to avoidable nutrient deficiencies

11-Sep-2023 By Olivia Haslam

“Menopause is a perfect storm of nutritional challenges,” nutrition experts explain in a new report by the Health & Food Supplements Information Service (HSIS), with research revealing nearly half of women are worried their diet won’t support them...

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.

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.

Next-gen probiotic gets FDA no objection GRAS

02-May-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Netherlands-based Caelus Health has received a letter of no objection from the US FDA regarding the GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status for a next-generation microbe.

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...

Probiota Americas 2023: Deadline for Pioneers and Scientific Frontiers this week

05-Apr-2023 By Stephen Daniells

The deadline for submitting entries for the 2023 Probiota Pioneers (microbiome focused start-ups) and our Scientific Frontiers posters is this week: April 7, 2023

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...

Strong partnerships drive innovation in personalized nutrition

16-Mar-2023 By Danielle Masterson

With consumers demanding greater control over personal health and wellbeing, we’re seeing a new wave of strategic partnerships that leverage tech and nutrition know-how to take the market next level.

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.

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.

Insights from Probiota 2023

VIDEO: Postbiotic scientific discoveries boost consumer awareness

28-Feb-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Postbiotics are increasingly seen as an ideal focus for innovators in the world of microbiome modulation but hurdles are created by the lack of use of the word, by both consumers and the industry itself, according to industry experts at Probiota.

Insights from Probiota 2023

Probiotic players must lobby for change as consumers want transparency and education, experts say

13-Feb-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Consumers are keen to learn about probiotics and see the word on packaging, but EU regulation still leaves industry's hands tied with no harmonisation and poor institutional education.

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.

Nestlé microbiome breakthrough identifies weaning opportunity: ‘This paves the way for solutions supporting children's growth and development’

21-Nov-2022 By Katy Askew

Nestlé scientists are among a team that has detected novel gut bacteria present in the transition from infancy to early childhood. The Swiss company tells FoodNavigator it hopes the discovery will advance innovation that supports childhood development...

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.

Talking precision nutrition with Dr Dariush Mozaffarian: 'The microbiome is going to be the absolute foundation of personalized nutrition'

14-Sep-2022 By Elaine Watson

Precision nutrition: What is it? And could it be a gamechanger that could move the needle on public health, or is this just about pricy biomarker testing kits and apps enabling a small group of affluent and highly engaged consumers get even more granular...

‘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.

Scientists working to ‘reverse’ food allergies with microbiome breakthrough

31-Aug-2022 By Katy Askew

A bacterial compound called butyrate could hold the key to reversing food allergies, scientists have found.

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.

Danone supports microbiome research ‘critical’ for future innovation

09-Jun-2022 By Katy Askew

Danone marked a ‘decade of commitment’ to exploring the link between human health and the microbiome through its latest Fellowship Grant Program. We caught up with Dr Miguel Freitas, VP of Scientific Affairs, to find out more about what we’ve learnt over...

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...

WATCH ON DEMAND: Feeding the gut microbiome: from pre-, pro-, and postbiotics to resistant starch

06-Mar-2022 By Elaine Watson

While scientists are still unlocking the secrets of the gut microbiome, consumers increasingly understand that what we feed the armies of microbes that line our digestive tracts may be intimately connected to our physical – and mental - wellbeing. So...

Introducing the FoodNavigator-USA Positive Nutrition virtual summit: From feeding the gut microbiome to plotting the next 10 years in plant-based protein

17-Feb-2022 By Elaine Watson

What up-and-coming plant proteins are the most exciting? Chickpeas? Hemp? Canola? Barley? Pongamia? What do we really know about the best overall dietary pattern to support a healthy gut microbiome? And how do we educate consumers about the benefits...

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...

WATCH: Nutrasource CEO on probiotics, clinical trials and the ‘who cares?’ factor: ‘So you’ve changed the gut microbiome… but what’s the benefit?

18-Nov-2021 By Elaine Watson

While scientists are still unlocking the secrets of the microbiome, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the billions of bugs in our bodies are intimately connected to our health and wellbeing. But how far have we come since Jamie Lee Curtis first introduced...

Kingdom Supercultures raises $25m to expand Non GMO suite of microbes to unlock new flavors, textures, and functionalities in food & beverage

05-Oct-2021 By Elaine Watson

Kingdom Supercultures – a Brooklyn-based startup specializing in building novel combinations of microbial cultures it claims can improve the flavor, texture and functional properties of everything from plant-based dairy products to kombucha - has raised...

Researchers say individualized fiber recommendations may soon be possible

02-Sep-2021 By Hank Schultz

As more evidence accumulates on the specific health effects of whole and isolated dietary fibers it may become possible to recommend a personalized suite of ingredients for IBS patients, a new review argues.

‘Timely, interesting and important’: Study links gut microbe metabolism to longevity

02-Aug-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Unique bile acids produced by a distinct set of gut microbes may contribute to longevity by inhibiting the growth of gut pathogens, says a new study with 160 people over 100 years old in Japan.

Biohm Health claims data validates questionnaire that reveals consumers’ likely gut dysbiosis

13-May-2021 By Hank Schultz

Biohm Health, a company founded on the science relating to the importance of the fungal components of the gut microbiome, now has a testing tool that consumers can use to do their own assessments.

Investing in the Future of Food: Manna Tree investors seek emerging brands focused on human health

03-Mar-2021 By Elizabeth Crawford

As the ongoing pandemic accelerates consumer interest in the role of nutrition in wellness and underscores the supply chain’s fragility, the investors at Manna Tree Partners are looking for at least three growth stage companies that are revolutionizing...

Microbiome impacts COVID-19 severity and duration, study suggests

13-Jan-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Gut microbiota composition may be associated with the severity of COVID-19 and the risk of on-going symptoms, according to a newly published observational study.

‘Any company that is not doing personalization is going to die’: Viome founder

16-Dec-2020 By Stephen Daniells

“Every person in the next five years is going to ask for foods that are personalized for them, and every ingredient is personalized for them,” said Naveen Jain during a recent webinar hosted by NutraIngredients-USA.

Danone N.A. accepting applications for Gut Microbiome, Yogurt and Probiotics Fellowship Grant

16-Dec-2020 By Stephen Daniells

In its ninth year, the 2020-2021 Danone North America Gut Microbiome, Yogurt and Probiotics Fellowship Grant will award two $25,000 grants to graduate students exploring links between the gut microbiome, probiotics and yogurt and human health and wellness.

What does a ‘healthy gut microbiome’ look like? In conversation with Danone VP scientific affairs, Dr Miguel Freitas

13-Dec-2020 By Elaine Watson

What does a ‘healthy gut microbiome’ look like? And is an ‘unhealthy’ microbiome a corollary of poor health, or directly responsible for certain health conditions? If the latter is true, to what extent can we address these health problems by modulating...

ADM shares top 5 food trends for 2021: ‘It’s going to be a year of innovation, marked by significant breakthroughs in nutrition’

27-Oct-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Influenced by feelings of stress and anxiety, shifting priorities caused by the ongoing pandemic, and changes in social connectivity, consumers are taking a more holistic and proactive approach to health and wellness, according to a new report from ADM....