Beyond The Headlines: Brain health and the Mediterranean diet, Balchem partners with FC Bayern’s women’s team

This week in nutrition news, the American Stroke Association (ASA) unveiled a study linking improved brain health with the Mediterranean diet. At the same time, Balchem partnered with FC Bayern’s women’s soccer team, and Solar Foods revealed that its carbon-derived protein Solein may soon enter the European market.

Nutrition news

A study set to be presented at the ASA’s International Stroke Conference 2025 linked adherence to the Mediterranean diet to better brain health among Hispanic and Latino adults. The researchers observed improved white matter integrity and reduced brain structural damage, independent of cardiovascular risk factors. The study, which analyzed dietary habits and MRI scans, suggested that even small dietary improvements positively impacted brain structure and highlighted the Mediterranean diet’s role in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.

Balchem, a global leader in specialty ingredients, signed a multi-year partnership between its patented vitamin K2 brand, K2Vital, and FC Bayern women’s soccer team. The partnership makes K2Vital the German team’s official and only bioscience partner, which Balchem said marks a key milestone in its strategy to bridge B2B and B2C markets.Balchem partnered with Germany’s FC Bayern women’s soccer team to promote K2Vital. The company said the collaboration will raise awareness of vitamin K2’s health benefits through in-game branding and educational campaigns. Balchem also spotlighted the growing visibility of women’s soccer and its expanding audience’s potential for promoting healthier lifestyles while supporting well-being, diversity, and empowerment.

Business news

Finnish food technology company Solar Foods revealed it has moved closer to introducing Solein to the European market after addressing inquiries from the European Food Safety Authority regarding its safety. According to the company, Solein is a sustainable protein produced by fermenting microbes with air and electricity to create a nutrient-rich and sustainable protein from carbon. Solar Foods expects to receive EU approval in 2026. Solein was granted regulatory approval in Singapore in 2022 and earned GRAS (generally recognized as safe ) status in the US in 2024.

FrieslandCampina Ingredients received approval from Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration for its milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) ingredient, Vivinal MFGM, for use in infant milk formulas and food products following a three-year evaluation. The company stated that Vivinal MFGM, a whey protein concentrate, contains bioactive components that support cognitive development and reduce the risk of infections. A recent in vitro study also showed its antiviral effects against respiratory syncytial virus, commonly referred to as RSV.The Bébé Foodie app helps parents in the transition to solid foods for new parents (Image Credit: Bébé Foodie).

Sabinsa acquired the Ayurvedic brand Nature’s Formulary and appointed its founder as CEO of Sabinsa’s Consumer Goods Division. Sabinsa said the acquisition aims to strengthen leadership in the natural products industry by integrating Nature’s Formulary’s expertise with Sabinsa’s research capabilities. The companies said the acquisition also leverages Nature’s Formulary’s presence in health food stores to enhance brand visibility and promote holistic health through Ayurvedic products on a larger scale.

Product launches

Vega, a leader in plant-based protein products, unveiled its recent rebrand with updated packaging and formulations. The company said its refreshed product line supports various fitness stages and offers enhanced formulas for energy, endurance, and recovery — all using clean, plant-based ingredients. New additions include Protein + Creatine, Pre-Workout Energy, and Ready-To-Drink Plant-Based Protein Shake. The packaging features celestial-inspired colors, and the rebranded line aims to empower athletes and support peak performance.

A recent study found that people with depression tend to crave carbohydrate-rich foods, including sweets.Certified nutrition consultant Lucie Thomé introduced Bébé Foodie, an app designed to support diverse baby food preferences and help parents navigate feeding decisions. The app addresses the stress many parents face when introducing solids and offers customizable solutions for a variety of feeding approaches. The app also features an evolving dashboard, allergen introduction timelines, a food tracker to monitor progress, over 200 recipes, and expert-backed tips. Initially focused on babies up to 12 months, Bébé Foodie said it plans to expand to toddler feeding and introduce AI-driven features.

Scientific studies

The LifeVantage Corporation revealed it completed an international in vitro cell study on its MindBody GLP-1 System (MB System), which investigated its effects on activating GLP-1 production. Designed to meet global regulatory requirements, the company said its international formula looks to deliver benefits similar to the US version. The study examined key genes involved in GLP-1 production using ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and fluorescent microscopy to confirm the formula’s effectiveness in enhancing GLP-1 levels. LifeVantage stated it plans to launch the MB System internationally in March 2025, following its successful US.debut. Additional research findings are set to be unveiled at the company’s Global Convention in April 2025.

People with depression, while often experiencing reduced appetite, tend to crave carbohydrate-rich foods, especially sweets, according to a recent study by the University Hospital Bonn and the Tübingen University Hospital in Germany. The craving for carbohydrates, including energy-dense foods like milk chocolate, was linked to the severity of depression and anxiety symptoms rather than a larger appetite. Published in Psychological Medicine, the results reveal that patients with depression showed less preference for fat and protein-rich foods compared to healthy controls. The researchers emphasized that these findings suggest that future treatments could explore dietary therapy or gut-brain connection therapies, such as probiotics, to improve depression symptoms.