Probiotics are best known for their digestive health benefits, but research is pointing to benefits in unexpected areas. Shane Starling met with Yakult’s Netherlands-based science manager, Dr Jia Zhao, after she spoke at a recent conference on functional...
Double encapsulation of bacterial strains with potential probiotic activity may enhance the shelf-life and offer protection against harsh stomach conditions, says a new study.
Probiotics pioneer Yakult says preliminary research indicates the interrelationship of the nervous systems of the gut and the brain could confer cognitive benefits when probiotics are consumed.
One of the world’s leading probiotics specialists says consumers are interested in probiotic cheese products but cheese manufacturers and probiotic suppliers need to get their scientific house in order and clarify their marketing messages.
Probiotics have had a rapid rise to public prominence in North America since Danone launched probiotic drinkable and spoonable yogurts on the US market in 2005, but probiotic cheeses have won little favor, according to Euromonitor research.
Supplements of vitamin D at ‘critical time periods’ may be key to reducing the risk of multiple sclerosis, according to a new study from the UK and Canada.
An ever tighter focus on the ability of gut microflora to affect metabolism and control weight is the result of a new agreement signed between Nestlé’s northern France-based Research Centre and Imperial College London.
Unilever has teamed up with Finnish dairy and ingredients supplier, Valio, to launch a probiotic spread in Germany and Sweden with “strengthening natural defences” as the central selling point.
A novel mixture of prebiotic galactooligosaccharides may selectively boost levels of friendly bacteria in the gut, and ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, says a new study.
Identifying the bacteria in a food product – be they probiotic or pathogenic – may be as easy as reading a bar-code, according to a novel technique called optical mapping.
The probiotic strains Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 are safe and well-tolerated, according to a new study from New Zealand.
The whey protein beta-lactoglobulin may spontaneously bind the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and offer nano-encapsulation potential for formulators.
Probiotic firm Yakult is preparing a major new education campaign in the US, which it hopes will help raise consumer awareness of the benefits of probiotics.
The probiotic straw is a concept that has been a long time coming but one which may be about to move from its current niche status into the mainstream, according to Swedish probiotics supplier, BioGaia.
The latest batch of European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) opinions has surfaced with the assessor giving the thumbs up to three claims revolving around calcium, vitamin D and bone health.
Daily supplements of a probiotic strain of Lactobacillus rhamnosus may reduce the incidence of childhood eczema by about 50 per cent, according to a new study.
The market predictions for omega-3 products are endlessly buoyant but a closer look at the state of play reveals very few omega-3 functional foods and beverages have moved beyond niche sales levels.
Fortification of Cheddar cheese with vitamin D3 may be an effective means of raising vitamin D levels in the population, suggest new results from Canada.
Muller UK has sent a shot across the bows of an apparently booming sector of the fatty acids industry by removing the omega-3 component from its Vitality yoghurt range.
Danisco is launching a new protobiotic fortification for milk products in North America, which targets the market for immune-boosting children's products.
Swedish probiotics specialist Probi has signed two deals to
distribute probiotic supplements in eastern Europe, a region it
believes possesses "huge potential".
Italians and women are the most interested western Europeans
in digestive health claims while Dutch are the least, according to
new consumer research funded by French fibre specialist Syral.
The prebiotic inulin may enhance the texture of probiotic
ice-cream, resulting in a potentially health friendly summer snack,
according to new research.
Specialty ingredients supplier Glanbia Nutritionals has launched
its first omega-3 ingredients in Europe in a move that will see it
target functional foods and beverages.
Unilever has joined the growing number of manufacturers exploring
new ways of delivering probiotics by launching an iced lolly aimed
at children in the UK.
Adding probiotic bacteria to cheddar may lead to the formation of
blood pressure lowering proteins, giving the cheese an added health
punch, report Australian researchers.
The headlines are sensationalist: twenty-four people have died in a
probiotic trial. Therefore, probiotics may be fatal. Throw those
yoghurt shots away!
The US arm of Danone could be forced to make a multi-million dollar
refund to its customers over allegations that it has used
fraudulent health claims to sell some of its Activia and DanActive
branded yoghurts.
Strains of probiotic bacteria can affect metabolism, says a new
study from Nestle and Imperial College London that could help the
development of new probiotic products tailored for individuals.
Chr Hansen has signed a conditional agreement to buy Swedish Arla
Foods' subsidiary Medipharm, a deal which will strengthen the
Danish firm's probiotic activities.
Experts at a Nestle-sponsored symposium on probiotics and
children's health have urged paediatricians to pay attention to
emerging research on so-called good bacteria, although more
research is needed on the mechanisms behind...
Chr Hansen has introduced a new probiotic mix for children, which
the firm is marketing in an easy-to-use format that can be added
directly to foods and drinks as a dietary supplement.
Morinaga Milk Industry announced this week that it has obtained
self-affirmed generally recognized as safe (GRAS) certification for
one of its probiotic ingredients to tap growing demand in the US
for functional benefits in products.
International dairy and nutritional ingredients group Glanbia is
making its way into the North American omega-3 market with the
acquisition of the Canadian nutritionals business, Pizzey's
Milling.
The European food and beverage probiotics market is expected to
more than double by 2013, according to a market report, with the
proposed EU health claims rules presenting "untapped" potential.
A cheese containing a Chr Hansen probiotic has been launched in
Italy, a move which reinforces the growing trend for
companies to use probiotics outside of the traditional yoghurt pot.
The sensory aspects of cheese could be boosted by the addition of
prebiotic ingredients, in addition to improving the nutritional
profile of the product, suggests new research.
Probiotic-containing drinks may help reduce diarrhoea among older
people receiving antibiotics, reports new research that could offer
savings to public health services.
Probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and then for the infants
after birth could reduce the incidence of eczema, suggests a new
clinical trial from Sweden.
