Promotional banner for Vitafoods Europe in Barcelona, May 5–7, 2026, featuring booth 3K104 details and two people smiling beside Novonesis logo.
March in Review Nutrition Insight

March in review: Gut microbiome advances, weight loss innovations & Expo West 2026

March saw developments in AI-driven microbiome testing, postbiotic developments, and nutraceutical solutions for GLP-1 nutrient gaps. Meanwhile, industry challenges in supply chain disruptions, growing labeling scrutiny, and a demand for transparency accelerated innovations in nutrient-dense formulations, from supplements to functional foods and ready meals. In our March review, Nutrition Insight dives into some of the month’s biggest stories, including our live coverage at the Natural Products Expo West 2026 trade show and how nutrition and supplements can solve nutritional gaps linked to GLP-1 use and rapid weight loss. 
woman taking omega 3 supplement from jar
From heart health to longevity: Sustainability drives fermentation-powered omega-3 innovation
Omega-3s are gaining traction for their multiple health benefits and role in biological aging. The fatty acid has also gained popularity in the vegan community, leading the industry to explore new sources, formats, and tastes. Meanwhile, purchasing decisions are increasingly centered around ethical sourcing and ingredient transparency.Nutrition Insight sits down with experts from dsm-firmenich, Aker BioMarine, Sirio, and GC Reiber VivoMega to discuss the latest trends in omega-3 and industry developments.
A woman with nice hair smiles in the sun.
Webinar preview: Monteloeder spotlights the next frontier of nutricosmetics
The beauty-from-within sector is undergoing a rigorous scientific upgrade. No longer satisfied with vague promises of “radiance,” B2B formulators and brand owners are pivoting toward structural integrity — treating the scalp and skin as dynamic, living scaffolds rather than mere canvases.
Glowing teal brain illustration made of connected nodes and lines, representing neural activity and cognitive health, paired with messaging about Magtein® magnesium L-threonate and improved brain bioa
Better Magnesium for a Better Brain
Magtein® magnesium L-threonate is a patented magnesium ingredient demonstrated in multiple studies to cross the blood-brain barrier and deliver significantly higher brain bioavailability than most other forms of magnesium. Download our white paper to discover how Magtein® supports healthy cognitive vitality, memory, mitochondrial energy, sleep, stress resilience, mood, and more.

This Technical Paper is brought to you by ThreoTech.
Sirio LifeChews Webinar
Introducing LifeChews® and the Next Generation of Plant-based Supplements
As consumer expectations evolve, delivery formats are changing too. Taste, texture, and convenience are now key drivers of supplement choice—and brands that innovate in delivery formats gain a clear competitive edge.This webinar introduces LifeChews®, a next-generation plant-based chewable gel tablet that combines an engaging consumer experience with strong formulation performance, including the ability to carry oily and complex actives.Learn how delivery formats are evolving, informed by data from Innova Market Insights. Explore how LifeChews® works from a scientific and formulation perspective, and discover ready-to-launch LifeChews® concepts designed to help brands differentiate, accelerate development, and bring new ideas to market faster.
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Expo West 2026: Biostrips presents oral dissolving strips to counter pill fatigue in supplements
Amid a growing “pill fatigue” among supplement consumers, Biostrips offers an alternative delivery method — sugar-free, vegan oral strips that dissolve on the tongue. These are designed for efficient delivery with microencapsulation. At Expo West 2026, the company’s CEO and founder, Joanna Bacchus, introduced its strips for glucose support, hormone health, clean energy, and immune support and discussed the potential for these delivery methods to access new market segments, such as supplements for toddlers and pets.

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Nutrition in medicine: Plant-forward diets top supplements against chronic...
Young female nutritionist with clipboard and healthy food writing diet plan in office
A new summary of the presentations at the 2025 International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine (ICNM) has been unveiled. It includes the latest findings by 25 leading nutrition experts on health issues, such as breast and prostate cancers, menopause, and Alzheimer’s disease. 
Vitamin D supplementation may help rebalance gut immunity in IBD
woman holding vitamin D supplements in the sun
Vitamin D supplementation may influence how the immune system responds to gut bacteria in people suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), according to a study. IBD affects millions of people globally, and the study authors say the findings provide new insights into how the gut microbiome and immune system interact in this chronic condition. The disease includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and is partly driven by the immune system’s reaction to bacteria.
Solabia Nutrition review suggests olive leaf extract as safe alternative to...
Olive tree branch as sun sets
A narrative review has highlighted Olecol as a natural alternative to Monacolin K for blood lipid management. The olive leaf polyphenol extract has been shown to be effective in improving cholesterol levels and reducing cardiovascular risks.
IFF isolated soy protein gains first heart health claim in Australia and New...
Doctor wearing stethoscope points to a heart model with pen and holds a spoon of powder with the other hand
IFF isolated soy protein has gained its first health claim in Australia and New Zealand. The recognition opens heart health growth opportunities for local food and beverage manufacturers to make products supporting healthy blood and cholesterol levels. 
Nutriswiss trial removes 99.99% of cereulide from contaminated ARA oil in...
Nutriswiss technology
Oil refining specialist Nutriswiss says its trials are showing “highly promising results” on eliminating cereulide toxins from arachidonic acid (ARA) oil, used in infant formula. Detection of this bacterial toxin in products triggered a wave of voluntary global recalls earlier this year. The source of contamination was traced to ARA oils containing the cereulide-producing Bacillus cereus strain. The toxin can cause sudden nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain 30 minutes to six hours after ingestion. 
How GLP-1 weight loss drugs are shaping the future of European food demand
Person injecting weight loss medication into their stomach.

Food Ingredients First

Economists at ING have released a new report on the expected impact appetite-suppressing weight loss medications will have on European food demand. The insights reveal how much GLP-1 drugs will influence and reshape the industry in the years to come. GLP-1 drugs are widely discussed as potentially transformative for food consumption, but their near-term impact in 2026 is minimal, says ING. Even though users typically reduce calorie intake by 15–20%, low adoption rates (nearly 2% of European adults and 12% of Americans) mean total food demand is only reduced by about 0.25%, which the bank suggests isn’t yet a major concern for F&B companies.
Highlighted features
Diagram of digestive tract
Research & Development
Ingredion and Holobiome map gut microbiome to unlock...
Ingredion has partnered with Holobiome to use AI and its database of two million bacterial genomes to predict how specific ingredients will interact with human health before clinical trials. The research expands beyond digestion to explore how sweeteners, plant proteins, and texture solutions influence the gut-brain axis, including sleep and mental health.
Meeting with scientists and business people
Business News
Novonesis growth forecast: Biosolutions in HMOs, precision...
After strong 2025 financial results for the Novonesis Human Health division, the company believes it is on track for continued growth over the next five years. The biosolutions specialist is betting on ingredient categories like precision proteins, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), and solutions in women’s health, mental wellness, and metabolic health. Nutrition Insight discusses how the division’s 2025 organic growth fits in Novonesis’ five-year strategy and larger market trends with Henrik Jørck Nielsen, EVP of Human Health Biosolutions & Strategy. 
nutritionist showing AI meal plan on tablet to senior patient
Nutrition & Health News
World’s first AI chatbot safety guide underway for people...
International experts are working on the world’s first safety guide for public use of AI health chatbots. With the rise of Large Language Models, millions of people are already turning to systems like ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude, and Gemini to interpret symptoms and simplify medical jargon. People are also increasingly seeking nutrition and natural solutions over solely relying on medical support to accompany them on their health journey, as seen in the Food is Medicine movement. This may prompt them to seek nutrition advice through chatbots if medical experts cannot answer their questions, as in the US, they receive minimal nutrition training. 

Nutrition focus

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Sports recovery solutionsApr2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that consumers are eager to use recovery products when going to the gym. Consumers are especially interested in using nutrition-fortified foods and drinks, as wel...

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Product innovation

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Next-gen hydration Apr 2026

Innova Market Insights data shows that hydration is taking centre stage in supplement and sports nutrition innovation. Launches with hydration support claims have grown by an average of 26% per year between 2021 and 2025. Meanwhile, 30% of consumers globally reported purchasing a supplement with hydration benefits in the past year.

Trend analysis

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Future of pet nutritionApr 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates a 26% compound annual growth rate in global pet food launches between 2021 and 2025. According to their Top Global Trends 2026 in Pet Food, wellness is a key focus, and product attributes are driven by pet owners’ interest in clean label, health ingredients, and more.

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Video05:46
Expo West 2026: Biostrips presents oral dissolving strips to counter pill fatigue in supplements

Amid a growing “pill fatigue” among supplement consumers, Biostrips offers an alternative delivery method — sugar-free, vegan oral strips that dissolve on the tongue. These are designed for efficient delivery with microencapsulation. At Expo West 2026, the company’s CEO and founder, Joanna...

Amey Desai, Seppic
Video09:55
Seppic presents holistic health solutions for longevity and beauty at Expo West 2026
Milton Folk, Prinova, Expo West 2026, Gummy Multivitamin, Functional Nutrition, On-The-Go Supplements, Clean Label Ingredients, Delivery Formats, New Product Development, Orange Burst Gummy, Cognitive
Video03:52
Expo West 2026: Prinova unveils on-the-go multivitamin gummy for functional nutrition
Katy Kinsella, Kerry
Video07:06
Expo West 2026: Kerry showcases probiotics and postbiotics for gut and skin health
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