Beyond The Headlines: Danone invests in microbiome research, Clasado Bioscience validates Bimuno GOS benefits

12 Jan 2024 --- This week in nutrition news, Danone North America disclosed that it would award two US$25,000 grants for microbiome research. Also, Clasado Biosciences and the Primary Care Society for Gastroenterology (PCSG) unveiled results of real world evidence (RWE) study on the health benefits of Bimuno GOS. Meanwhile, Feeding America commended the USDA’s plans to increase the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) electronic benefits transfer (EBT) benefit for children during the summer.

Nutrition news
Danone North America revealed it will award two US$25,000 grants to graduate students for research on the gut microbiome, yogurt and probiotics, with a focus on their role in human health. The company stated that the gut microbiome is known to influence gastrointestinal (GI) health, brain function, the immune system and even circadian rhythms and is linked to chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Moreover, it said that the numerous gut-axes connections underscore the importance of gut microbiome research that explores the “healthy” human microbiome and its relationship with food

At the same time, Clasado Biosciences, in collaboration with the PCSG, has published an RWE study on its prebiotic ingredient, Bimuno GOS. The study looked at the benefits of Bimuno GOS on GI symptoms and sleep quality, particularly in individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and sleep disturbances. The results show significant improvements in GI health and sleep, validating Bimuno GOS’s efficacy in real-world scenarios alongside clinical trials. The company emphasized that the study involved qualitative feedback from over 1,170 Bimuno users and reinforced the importance of RWE studies in understanding the practical benefits of prebiotics and their potential to enhance the gut microbiome and overall health.

The USDA’s new Summer EBT — an electronic system that allows SNAP participants to utilize the program’s benefits — will look to address child hunger by providing over 20 million children with access to nutritious meals during the summer, a critical time when they lose access to school meals. Set to launch in 2024, the program will be implemented in at least 35 states, five US territories and four tribes, with potential expansion in 2025. The program will offer grocery benefits, empowering families to select appropriate foods. This initiative comes in response to the growing issue of child food insecurity in the US, which saw a 44% increase in 2022, affecting one in five US children. Feeding America — an organization that has advocated for the program for over a decade — applauded the bipartisan Congressional support and the efforts of USDA and state agencies.

The USDA’s summer EBT program will address hunger and malnutrition for over 20 million US children.

Business news
TSI Group has received the 2023 Innovator of the Year Award from Complementary Medicines Australia for its FZZR Technology, a novel supplement delivery form. According to TSI Group, FZZR Technology offers a fun, convenient consumer experience, allowing supplements to be consumed as a drink or directly in the mouth, while addressing challenges in non-pill formats, such as low active ingredient content and weak shelf life, by allowing higher active ingredient input and multiple health function loading. FZZR can combine up to 12 different active ingredients in a single sachet, enhancing customer experience and convenience.

Green Chef launched a new menu focused on gut and brain health, featuring meals rich in fiber, antioxidants and healthy fats to boost energy, immunity and digestion. Customers can select this lifestyle preference in their profiles for a tailored recipe selection. Additionally, Green Chef said it is offering one-on-one nutrition coaching with registered dietitians to support personalized wellness plans and goals. The upcoming wellness-focused bundles will include snacks and beverages like Blueberry Lavender Kombucha and Chocolate Butter Ancient Grain Granola. The menu also includes a variety of cuisines and chef-crafted recipes like honey garlic chicken and maple butternut squash risotto with the goal of catering to dietary preferences and supporting long-term health goals. The company said it can also accommodate specialized diets, such as keto, gluten-free and plant-based.

Scientific studies
In collaboration with the US FDA, Rheonix has published data confirming the detection of Cyclospora cayetanensis (C. cayetanensis) in produce using the fully automated Rheonix C. cayetanensis assay that it developed under a research collaboration agreement with the FDA. The study, published in Microorganisms, shows that this automated assay effectively detects C. cayetanensis in high-risk fresh produce like herbs, leafy greens and berries, significantly reducing hands-on time. This development is crucial in light of increasing cases of cyclosporiasis in the US, which has been linked to both imported and domestically grown produce.

Combining nutrition education with creative arts and dance or movement therapy could have health benefits for postmenopausal women.A pilot study from Drexel University, Pennsylvania, US, found that combining nutrition education with creative arts therapies, including art therapy and dance or movement therapy, can improve the psychosocial well-being and cardiovascular health of overweight, postmenopausal women. The study, published in Art Therapy, involved a small group of participants who underwent an online 16-week program focused on enhancing quality of life, emotional regulation, body image and stress management. The program alternated weekly between nutrition and creative arts therapy sessions. Participants reported significant improvements in these areas and also showed reductions in BMI and blood pressure. While acknowledging the small sample size and the need for further research, the researchers stated that the findings suggest that an integrative approach can be beneficial for the physiological and psychosocial well-being of postmenopausal women at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Researchers at the University of Tsukuba in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan, developed a new method to estimate the chemical attributes of spice extracts, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, by measuring fluorescence and analyzing the data with machine learning. The researchers said that traditional methods struggle with variations in extraction efficiency of active components, but this new approach offers a highly accurate, simple and rapid estimation of total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, as well as antioxidant capacity. The study, published in Food Chemistry, emphasized the method’s accuracy, which uses measurements from multiple concentrations, as opposed to the conventional concentration dilution, which often fails due to the varying amounts in plant extracts. By integrating data from four different dilution levels into the machine learning process, the method may effectively estimate crucial indices for evaluating spice extracts.

By William Bradford Nichols