Promotional banner for Vitafoods Europe in Barcelona, May 5–7, 2026, featuring booth 3K104 details and two people smiling beside Novonesis logo.
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HTBA to unveil GLP-1 support ingredient for muscle health and energy at Vitafoods Europe 2026

HTBA (HealthTech Bio Actives) will unveil a new GLP-1 companion ingredient at the upcoming Vitafoods Europe 2026 trade show (May 5–7). The dual-effect ingredient, Leanara, supports muscle mass and energy levels. The ingredient combines HTBA’s proprietary bioflavonoids with bioavailable vitamin B12 to support lean muscle development, reduce fatigue, and optimize metabolism. Visitors to the trade show in Barcelona, Spain, can taste Leanara in mango-flavored powder sticks, along with the company’s citrus flavonoids and active forms of vitamin B12. 
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Next-gen hydration: Functional beverages tap into holistic health
Hydration has evolved from simply drinking to quench thirst to a holistic health approach. Functional beverages formulated to optimize cognitive health, sports performance, and beauty are emerging as convenient on-the-go health solutions. Nutrition Insight speaks with experts from dsm-firmenich and Sirio to dive deeper into what consumers expect from functional beverages, must-knows for formulators, and the most sought-after vitamins and minerals filling different health purposes.
woman drinking juice-based functional beverage
The Cycle launches functional beverages to support women’s hormonal health
Ready-to-drink beverage brand The Cycle is launching hydration blends tailored to women’s different stages in the menstrual cycle. The Peri Comfort and Meno Comfort drinks are expanding on the brand’s portfolio, now totaling four beverages — one for each week throughout the month’s hormonal stages. Building on the brand’s existing Pre-Period Comfort and Period Comfort drinks, the new beverages contain botanical ingredients in a juice-based, non-sparkling drink. The brand aims to move hormonal health from the supplement aisle into functional beverages.
Spilled bottle of colorful capsules and tablets with overlay text “European legislative framework: Food supplements and novel foods”
Is your health and nutrition supplement ingredient EU-market ready?
Hundreds of ingredients – from everyday botanicals to new vitamin forms – require EU authorization before reaching consumers. Yet many brands find out too late. This insider guide shows how to assess Novel Food status, navigate EFSA approval and avoid costly mistakes – so you can fast-track compliance and beat competitors to market.

This Technical Paper is brought to you by FoodChain ID.
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Innovating Skin Supplements: New Folate Evidence for Beauty from Within
Whether you're developing new concepts or improving existing skin health portfolios, this webinar will offer the scientific rationale and strategic insights necessary to innovate confidently. While topical solutions are most common, new research highlights a powerful complementary approach: skin health from within.   This webinar explores how active folate is emerging as a revolutionary ingredient in next-generation skin supplements designed to combat photoaging at the cellular level.

Attendees will learn about the latest study results revealing the biological roles of folate in DNA synthesis and repair, methylation processes, and antioxidant defenses, all of which are directly linked to skin resilience and longevity. We will also highlight market trends and opportunities for differentiation in the rapidly growing nutricosmetics industry.
Promotional banner for Tirlán at Vitafoods Europe featuring a female boxer training, with event details including stand number 3J240 and dates 5th–7th May 2026.
Meet the Tirlán team at Vitafoods this May
Meet Tirlán at Vitafoods this May on stand 3J240 to discover high quality dairy proteins and plant based ingredients. From performance nutrition to everyday wellness, our portfolio supports taste, texture, and nutrition, helping brands develop great-tasting, functional solutions that meet evolving consumer needs across global markets.

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Study finds keto diet improves beta-cell function in type 2 diabetes
keto diet on table
A study has found that the keto diet may improve beta-cell function in type 2 diabetics by reducing beta-cell stress. The findings suggest that people following the high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet have a higher chance of reversing their diabetes, compared to people on a low-fat diet. In type 2 diabetes, the beta cells in the pancreas cannot secrete sufficient insulin to control blood sugar levels. Suggesting a solution, the researchers explain that the keto diet puts the body in a ketosis — burning fat for energy instead of carbohydrates — and shifts metabolism to burn rather than store fat.
Breast milk enables major symbiotic relationship in infant gut microbiome
Close-up of young black mother breastfeeding baby
Researchers have found that sugars in breast milk support a beneficial balance of gut bacteria in infants. They hope that their findings could inform future treatments to support gut health in pre-term babies or those lacking consistent breast milk. 
Researchers link coffee to brain health by changing the gut microbiome
Man holding coffee cup
A clinical trial by APC Microbiome Ireland, the research center at University College Cork, uncovers how regular consumption of both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee can affect the gut microbiome, which in turn may influence mood and stress levels. Specifically, the study reports that drinking coffee significantly improved mood, regardless of caffeine content, and links caffeinated coffee to reduced feelings of anxiety and improved focus. The authors note is the first trail that explores the nuanced mechanisms behind coffee’s benefits on the gut-brain axis. They underscore that, to date, coffee’s benefits for both digestion and mood have been widely studied, but the exact mechanisms behind these effects have remained unclear.
Study shows how microbes boost protein content in fermented foods
Various fermented foods
Researchers studying proteins found in fermented foods like yogurt, cheese, and bread have discovered that a large number and high percentage of proteins created by these microbes contribute to their overall protein content. Bacteria have long been used in traditional fermentation and are commonly linked to the health benefits of gut-healthy foods. However, these new findings more specifically pinpoint their nutritional and functional benefits.
Earth Day 2026: Agroecology and micronutrient supplements power food sovereignty
Senior hands giving a small planet earth to a child's hands
For Earth Day 2026, we explore the importance of agroecological practices that drive enhanced nutrition through diverse diets while uplifting local and indigenous staples. With the theme of “Our Power, Our Planet,” we also examine the links between micronutrient supplementation in agriculture programs for healthy child growth and development. 
Nestlé achieves solid Q1 2026 growth as coffee and snacks drive performance
Philipp Navratil, CEO of Nestle.

Food Ingredients First

Nestlé delivered steady results in the first quarter, with an organic growth of around 3.5%. The FMCG giant’s reported sales were approximately CHF 21.3 billion (US$27.1 billion), a decrease of 5.7% year-on-year. Growth was driven by improving volumes across key categories, with Coffee and Snacks providing the strongest momentum.
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Nutrition & Health News
Industry urges nutrition focus to curb ultra-processed...
Scientists are calling out health-harming corporate tactics amid the global rise in chronic disease. They mainly target the manufacturing and marketing of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) linked to cancer, diabetes, neurocognitive disorders, and infertility. The literature review in the New England Journal of Medicine specifies five commercial products linked to 31% of annual deaths. UPFs contribute to 2.3 million deaths annually, trailing fossil fuels, tobacco, toxic chemicals, and alcohol. The review’s lead author calls for countering health harms by taking lessons from research on the tobacco industry.
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Business News
Key trends shaping health and wellness acquisitions &...
The nutrition industry is experiencing significant consolidations, driven by strong consumer demand for health and wellness solutions. H&H Group, an international health and nutrition company, says these products are remarkably resilient in today’s uncertain economic landscape. In response, companies are increasingly acquiring science-backed, successful brands to diversify their portfolios. Nutrition Insight explores the ongoing consolidation with Jason Wang, CFO & COO at H&H Group, which owns multiple health, human and pet nutrition, and personal care brands. 
Woman cooking healthy meal
Nutrition & Health News
Pharma meets nutrition: How GLP-1s revolutionize healthier...
GLP-1 therapies for weight loss and diabetes management are becoming more accessible and affordable in the US and around the world, driving consumer demand for healthier, nutrient-dense foods. Nutrition experts at Fonterra, Ingredion, Carbery, and the University of California (UC) Davis, US, tell Nutrition Insight how these pharmaceuticals are reshaping food trends to create innovations that cater to new consumer groups beyond GLP-1 users. 

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Performance protein trendsApr2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that consumers are increasingly taking protein to improve their physical health. Protein bars and snacks, as well as powders and shakes, are the most popular form...

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Eye wellness support Apr 2026

According to Innova Market Insights, 16% of consumers globally have actively tried to improve their eye health over the past 12 months. Among these, one in three say that they choose supplements as part of their approach, highlighting a growing reliance on functional nutrition solutions to support vision and long-term eye health.

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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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Promotional banner for Tirlán at Vitafoods Europe featuring a female boxer training, with event details including stand number 3J240 and dates 5th–7th May 2026.
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Meet the Tirlán team at Vitafoods this May

Meet Tirlán at Vitafoods this May on stand 3J240 to discover high quality dairy proteins and plant based ingredients. From performance nutrition to everyday wellness, our portfolio supports taste, texture, and nutrition, helping brands develop great-tasting, functional solutions that meet...

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Morinaga Nutritional Foods: Unlocking the science behind probiotic strains
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Innovating Skin Supplements: New Folate Evidence for Beauty from Within
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R&D program manager explores AI’s role in accelerating nutraceutical innovation
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