The call follows a Public Health England evidence review revealing that excess weight can increase the risk of serious illness from COVID-19, and the subsequent series of measures announced by the UK Government to curb obesity. The California Prune Board (CPB) has urged food manufacturers and retailers to consider the key role prunes can play […]
Thanks to its key role in development, immunity and nutrition, the microbiome—the genetic material of all microorganisms that live in the human body—has attracted a lot of attention in recent years. The gut microbiome in particular, and how it affects overall health, has become a popular topic of scientific and medical research amid growing interest […]
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are the “hot new thing” said an expert recently, as BASF announced the US launch of its 2’-FL (2’-fucosyllactose) ingredient, which is branded Prebilac. The company announced the launch of Prebilac at the recent SupplySide West show in Las Vegas. The ingredient was developed in partnership with biotechnology firm Glycosyn, which […]
The specific strain, Akkermansia Muciniphila, has also been linked to fighting other diseases. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease – may be slowed by specific strains of gut microbes, according to researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel. An ALS-like disease in mice showed slowed progression after they received […]
With metabolic diseases on rise, there is a need to find novel ways to combat them and protect against diet-induced obesity. Recently a team of researchers exploring the role of flaxseed fibers on gut microbiota discovered that the fermentation of the fibers shows potential for improving metabolic health. Prior to initiating the study, the researchers […]
A group of experts have developed criteria for categorising potential risk of illness severity from Shiga toxin/verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (STEC/VTEC). The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) work is in response to a request from the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) for information on STEC in food. STEC produce toxins known […]
Fermented probiotic milk drink, kefir, may have a positive effect on blood pressure by prompting communication between the gut and the brain. The drink, known to help maintain the balance of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system, was at the heart of the rodent study conducted by a research team from the Auburn University in […]
A lack of dietary fibre leads to a rapid increase in gut permeability and changes in microbiota composition in mice, says a new study in Cell Host & Microbe. Mice fed with a low-fibre, Western Style Diet (WSD) for 8 weeks developed increased gut permeability compared with their littermates fed a standard (control) chow diet, […]
Kara Rosen, founder of the organic pressed juice and dairy-free nut milk brand, Plenish, reveals her predictions of the trends set to land in 2018. Go with your gut ‘Think of the gut as the finely tuned engine of a racing car. To get the fastest time on the track, you need the right fuel. […]
Pectin and pulp extracted from passion fruit makes an effective probiotic food carrier, research finds as it demonstrates properties that stimulate probiotic growth and survival in the gut. Brazilian scientists point to this food matrices as a genuine alternative to industrial probiotic foods, which have traditionally been dairy products. By using components of fruit as […]
