Beyond The Headlines: Novo Nordisk invests heavily in microbiome project, Kirin creates electric salt minimizing spoon

24 May 2024 --- This week in nutrition news, the Novo Nordisk Foundation invested millions in a research initiative about microbiome health and Kirin unveiled a tableware device in the form of a spoon that enhances the taste of salt in popular Japanese foods without actually adding any. Meanwhile, a new study by Arla Foods Ingredients reveals why many patients do not complete medical nutrition programs and Danone has selected its recipients for the Annual Gut Microbiome, Yogurt and Probiotic Fellowship program.

Business news
The Novo Nordisk Foundation has committed DKK150 million (US$22 million) for the first phase of the Microbiome Health Initiative, a virtual research center based at the Technical University of Denmark, Copenhagen. The initiative establishes a causal link between the gut microbiome and the development of cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The goal is to generate knowledge that can lead to new prevention or treatment options for people living with, or at risk of, CMD. In Phase 1, which will run from 2024–2028, the initiative will focus on collaborative research projects that investigate the specific effects of these bacteria or metabolites and advance understanding of how microbiome interventions could reduce the risk of CMD or help manage it. 

Kirin has launched a new Health Science device called Electric Salt Spoon, which enhances the salty and umami taste of low-sodium foods with the power of electricity. The tableware-type device is equipped with technology that improves the salty taste perceived when eating low-sodium foods by approximately 1.5 times. The technology was collaboratively developed by researchers from the Meiji University, Miyashita Laboratory of the Department of Frontier Media Science, School of Interdisciplinary Mathematical Sciences. In addition, Kirin is proposing the development of tableware other than spoons and low-sodium food menus and is working with companies and local governments to expand the use of Electric Salt. 

Lansinoh Laboratories will pursue strategic acquisition opportunities to broaden its portfolio into nutrition and wellness solutions that support women throughout their maternity journey. The move will complement the company’s portfolio of post-birth recovery and feeding essentials, providing comprehensive support for moms through conception, pregnancy, postpartum and breastfeeding. In addition, the company has partnered with Wellvest Capital, a contemporary merchant bank specializing in health and wellness, to identify and evaluate potential acquisition targets.Blue Tree Technologies acquired self-affirmed FDA food-safe status for its sugar reduction technology. 

Nutrition supplement producer BrainPromise by EyePromise has launched a consumer contest, “Brain Power Challenge,” to promote brain health awareness and brain nutrition. The challenge offers consumers a chance to test their brain nutrition knowledge. It provides educational and learning resources, including brain facts and an ingredient glossary that defines specific nutrients and their impact on overall brain health, performance and protection.

Regulatory approval
Israeli-based food tech start-up Blue Tree Technologies has obtained self-affirmed FDA food-safe status for its proprietary sugar reduction technology and system, by the requirements laid out by the US FDA for food and food contact materials. The company’s proprietary system physically and selectively removes sugar content from natural fruit juice and milk. Blue Tree Technologies will license its sugar reduction system to juice producers worldwide, providing specific instructions that facilitate the production of a range of healthy sugar-reduced fruit juices and dairy beverages.

Scientific research
A research analysis by Arla Foods Ingredients has provided new insights into why many patients struggle to complete a medical nutrition plan. Data based on 12,000 patients with severe illnesses in 12 countries were studied. Seven in ten were recommended medical nutrition plans, but three in ten of them were not completed. The most common reasons for non-completion of plans were price, difficulty ingesting or digesting products and bodily intolerance. The company also commissioned new qualitative research that focused on the experiences of 40 people with cancer, sarcopenia or gut-related illnesses who had or were following a medical nutrition plan. The researchers explored the taste and texture of products — an aspect of the medical nutrition experience that leads to daily non-compliance.

A research team from the Research Institute for Future Food and the Department of Food Science and Nutrition of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University have developed AkkMore, a novel fungus-based fat replacer that is effective in preventing obesity and metabolic diseases, enhancing gut health, modulating immune response and relieving anxiety. The fat replacer lowers the calorific content of food and extends the shelf life of cream products. In the long term, it can reduce dairy consumption and food waste. Using the thickening, emulsifying and stabilizing properties of AkkMore, the team has developed Cream Mate, an AkkMore-based cream substitute that can be used with traditional cream to reduce the fat and caloric content of desserts while maintaining the taste and texture.

New findings from a study conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota, US and supported by the Barilla Group observe a connection between eating meals with others and overall happiness. The study, published in the journal Family, Systems, and Health, shows a positive correlation between how often people gather around the table during mealtime and enhanced connectedness, reduced depressive symptoms and improved mood across individuals studied in the US, Italy and Germany. More than 1,000 adults from each country participated in an online survey, answering questions about eating customs and habits at home, related feelings, emotions and other well-being outcomes. Roughly 50% of participants said they engage in six or more family or shared meals per week. Dinner was the most prevalent shared meal and the highest frequency of shared meals occurred on the weekends. The highest frequency of shared meals occurred in Italy, with 74% of adults reporting six or more weekly. The findings support the importance of togetherness around the table, from food preparation to eating and cleaning up after the meal.A recent study has observed a correlation between eating meals with others and overall happiness. 

New research from Lifesum reveals that one in six US employees consider themselves addicted to ultra-processed food (UPF), based on a survey of 5,000 people. This is off the back of the world’s most extensive review published in the BMJ, which showed that UPFs are linked to higher risks of cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, adverse mental health and early death. The research underscores the prevalence and severity of UPF addiction within the workplace, highlighting the need for interventions to address unhealthy eating habits.

Sustainability awards
Danone North America has selected the 2023–2024 recipients of the Annual Gut Microbiome, Yogurt and Probiotic Fellowship program, who have been awarded US$25,000 each to research to help further the science about the gut microbiome, yogurt and probiotics. The program empowers creative research and advances microbiome science. Yogurt, probiotics and the gut microbiome have been linked to several health benefits, including brain, digestive and immune function. Recipient Evan Chrisler’s research will examine the effects of the timing of ingestion and type of probiotic on metabolism and immunity. Arushana Maknojia’s research will examine how inflammatory signals from commensal microbes regulate the steady-state hematopoiesis — the blood cell production process. 

ADM and its global regenerative agriculture program were named a finalist in the Enterprise category of Fast Company’s 2024 World Changing Ideas Awards. The company was one of 127 finalists selected from 1,300 entries. ADM is scaling up efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of its operating value chains. The global regenerative agriculture program supports growers in protecting and improving soil health, biodiversity, climate and water resources while supporting farming business development. ADM connects climate-smart producers with downstream CPG brands such as PepsiCo, Nestlé and Carlsberg to help them create more sustainably sourced products and reduce their Scope 3 emissions. In 2023, ADM delivered more than 2.8 million regenerative acres, exceeding its two-million-acre goal and partnered with more than 28,000 growers of corn, soybeans, wheat, peanuts, cotton, sorghum, canola and barley as it expanded its regenerative agriculture efforts to new regions. The company targets 3.5 million regenerative acres in 2024, increasing its 2025 goal from four million to five million globally.

By Inga de Jong