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Unpacking how AI reshapes nutrition innovation from discovery to commercialization

AI has made its mark on the nutrition industry, from consumers increasingly using the technology for personalized advice to businesses leveraging it in product development and marketing. In this first installment on AI’s role in nutrition, Nutrition Insight explores the tool’s potential from new ingredient discovery to commercialization with experts from AI-powered nutraceutical suppliers Brightseed and Nuritas, as well as marketing and AI strategy experts. 
woman checking nutritional data on large screen
Fuel for active nutrition: AI and tech power personalized product innovations
Active nutrition is seeing an increased integration with AI and tech devices among consumers, such as wearable devices, to optimize health and nutrition. The increased access to consumer data brings opportunities for the industry to customize nutrition with personalized innovations. Nutrition Insight sits down with experts from ADM, Balchem, Lactalis Ingredients, Sirio, and BioViVo Sciences to discuss how technology and AI are reshaping the industry. We also discuss the most trending formats for active nutrition and how to overcome formulation hurdles.
Bowl of beans
Plant-based whole food proteins blunt post-workout muscle synthesis, study finds
According to clinical findings, consuming a plant-based, whole-food protein meal or nutritionally identical plant protein shake immediately after weight training stimulate similar muscle-building responses. However, both yielded significantly lower muscle-protein synthesis than a post-workout meal of 20 g of lean pork. Participants in the randomized controlled trial consumed either rice and beans or a protein shake containing crystallized amino acids, maltodextrin, cellulose, pectin, and soy oil. Each contained exactly 20 g of protein.
Beyond Leaf & Root logo in dark green over a pale green illustration of a plant with leaves and exposed roots.
Beyond Leaf & Root
Beyond the root vs leaf debate lies a deeper question: how should Ashwagandha be evaluated? This whitepaper examines standardized ashwagandha root and leaf extract through the lens of safety, characterization, and clinical relevance. Download now to explore the science driving responsible botanical innovation.

This Technical Paper is brought to you by Arjuna Natural Pvt. Ltd.
Whey Collagen The Protein power couple
Whey & Collagen: The Protein Power Couple
A perfect match. Whey and collagen blends are stepping into the spotlight, driven by economic strains in the whey market but also by the undeniable, increasing awareness of collagen peptides and their benefits. Discover how the right blend can offer comprehensive joint support, promote holistic well-being—spanning beauty from within, gut comfort, and even improved sleep—or drive metabolic wellness through effective glucose spike management and natural GLP-1 production.
By adding value through price optimization, formulation advantages, and additional health benefits, blending whey protein with premium, science-based collagen peptides such as Peptan® or Nextida® GC holds the potential to be a game-changer. Whether you are developing sports nutrition beverages, functional foods, or holistic health supplements, this session will reveal how leveraging this dynamic mix can help your products stand out on the shelf.
Marina Crocker, Hilmar
Hilmar: Tight supply and growing demand boost US whey protein competitiveness in Europe

Marina Crocker, senior director of Product Category and Marketing at Hilmar, highlights how a tight global supply and rising demand have improved the competitiveness of US whey proteins in Europe. As a result, the company debuted as an exhibitor at Vitafoods Europe this year, showcasing protein coffee and functional drinks. Crocker links the growing demand to GLP-1-driven protein consumption and increasing interest in protein-fortified foods and beverages.

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SuanNutra to acquire IFF’s natural ingredients, vitamins & minerals businesses
Ginkgo biloba supplements
Functional ingredients supplier SuanNutra has signed an agreement to acquire a portfolio of specialty natural ingredients businesses from IFF. The businesses will merge with SuanNutra’s existing Spain-headquartered operations to become a global natural solutions group. Expected to close by the end of 2026, the transaction is subject to regulatory clearances and customary closing conditions. While financial terms are not disclosed, official communications from IFF report that the acquired portfolio generated approximately US$170 million in revenue in 2025.
AHA identifies safe caffeine threshold, flags above-limit cardiovascular risks
Woman drinking coffee in café
The American Heart Association (AHA) has published a scientific statement reviewing caffeine’s safety profile in existing research. It linked consuming up to 400 mg of caffeine per day to potentially lowering the risk of multiple cardiovascular conditions, including stroke, heart failure, and heart disease. However, exceeding that caffeine threshold may result in irregular heart rhythm and increased blood pressure. Energy drinks are examples of such drinks that contain high caffeine levels and may therefore bring negative health effects on cardiovascular health, warns the organization.
Solaray unveils healthy aging supplements for cellular, muscle and bone health
Solaray Unlimit longevity supplements
As consumers seek solutions for the biological mechanisms underpinning health span, Solaray has launched its new eight-product longevity supplement platform, Unlimit. Complementary products within the line are designed to support three core health areas of longevity: cellular energy, muscle health, and bone density. Rather than “chasing trend-driven formulas,” Solaray says its formulas target key indicators researchers point to when describing how the body changes with age.
Samyang Roundsquare debuts Spindle supplement with gut-muscle axis postbiotic
Spindle Muscle+ supplement
South Korea’s Samyang Roundsquare has launched its metabolic health brand Spindle, marketed as the first postbiotic supplement targeting muscle building through the gut. Its flagship product, Spindle Muscle+, is formulated with Akkermansia MYO, a clinically studied, pasteurized form of Akkermansia muciniphila bacteria that supports muscle strength via the gut. The company positions the supplement as a “fundamentally new perspective” on bodybuilding, which has traditionally focused on eating more protein and lifting more weight.
Nestlé Purina invests CHF520M in Italian pet nutrition facility amid booming EU...
cat eating wet food
Nestlé has announced a CHF520 million (US$641.9 million) investment in a pet food plant in Mantova, Italy. The facility will start manufacturing super-premium wet foods for cats and dogs in 2029 to meet growing demand for pet food across Europe. The new facility will combine a wet food plant and a logistics platform for Purina and other Nestlé brands. It will have the capacity to serve approximately 111 million cats and 91 million dogs in Europe. This plant brings Purina’s Europe sites to 15.
IFT FIRST 2026 review: Clean label reformulation moves beyond ingredient swaps
IFT FIRST 2026 opening presentation.

Food Ingredients First

Clean label innovation at IFT FIRST 2026 in Chicago, US, last week, was widely framed as a systems problem rather than a simple exercise in removing undesirable ingredients. Manufacturers face pressure to reduce synthetic preservatives, nitrites, phosphates, sodium, or sugar. But the replacement formulation must still control pathogens, survive processing, maintain shelf life, and deliver the expected taste and texture.
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Tech & Innovation
Experts urge longer EU funding horizons to boost food and...
A Finnish longitudinal study has found that public research, development, and innovation (RDI) subsidies have a significant impact on companies’ innovations. It underscores that the results are seen in the long term. Nutrition Insight speaks to the study lead from the University of Oulu to discuss how the findings are relevant for food and nutrition innovation, especially since governments in Europe find it challenging to justify long-term public funding due to expectations of fast results. 
obese woman looking out the window
Nutrition & Health News
Brain protein may be key link between obesity, aging &...
US researchers have received a US$410,000 grant from the National Institute on Aging to investigate whether obesity speeds up brain aging and its impact on memory loss and brain-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s. Nutrition Insight sits down with the study lead researcher, Timothy Jarome, professor at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ School of Animal Sciences at Virginia Tech, to discuss what drove him to research this issue and its importance amid an increasingly obese population.
Unhappy sad middle aged woman sitting on bed at home
Nutrition & Health News
Can creatine treat depression? Review reveals mixed findings
A scientific literature review has found mixed results in creatine monohydrate’s potential to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), suggesting it could serve as an adjunct treatment. However, the evidence is not settled. The researchers from the University of Ottawa in Canada analyzed five randomized controlled trials conducted across Brazil, India, Israel, South Korea, and the US. 

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Beauty-boosting nutritionJul2026

Innova Market Insights data reveals that consumers are increasingly prioritizing skin health, with many already using supplements to support it. This growing interest is driving innovation in the beau...

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Gut friendly fiber Jul 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates an 11% average annual growth in sports nutrition and supplement launches featuring fiber ingredients, high/source of fiber claims and/or digestive health claims, between April 2021 and March 2026. Sports bars led the top subcategories, followed by probiotic supplements, while sports protein-based RTD launches are emerging. Oligofructose was the most widely used fiber ingredient, while tapioca fiber and chicory root fiber are gaining ground.

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Cognitive supplement trendsJul 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that cognitive supplement launches are on the rise, with 4% increase in growth from April 2021 to March 2026. This relates to consumers’ interest in improving focus, and especially brain health claims, which were gaining momentum in women’s supplement claims.

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Marina Crocker, Hilmar
Video04:53
Hilmar: Tight supply and growing demand boost US whey protein competitiveness in Europe

Marina Crocker, senior director of Product Category and Marketing at Hilmar, highlights how a tight global supply and rising demand have improved the competitiveness of US whey proteins in Europe. As a result, the company debuted as an exhibitor at Vitafoods Europe this year, showcasing protein...

Dr. Torsten Grothe, Mibelle Biochemistry
Video05:11
Mibelle Biochemistry: Water-soluble collagen booster expands skin health from within applications
Jordi Riera, Kaneka Probiotics
Video09:21
Kanaka Probiotics: KABP-051 and the future of weight management and psychobiotics
Whey Collagen The Protein power couple
Webinars39:17
Whey & Collagen: The Protein Power Couple
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