October in review: Mental wellness and mood-boosting ingredients, Validating probiotics’ effects on the gut-brain axis

In October’s major health and nutrition industry news, we spoke with several leading companies about mental health boosting ingredients and examined a study calling for more rigorous research on probiotic’s effects on the gut-brain axis. 

In our October review, Nutrition Insight looks back at some of the month’s biggest stories, including WHO’s collaboration with TikTok and our webinar with Innova Market Insights on the Top Nutrition Trends for 2025. Meanwhile, we talked with industry experts about the trends driving nutrition innovation at the CPHI 2024 trade show.

October

Boosting mental wellness: Spotlight on psychobiotics, SAMe and natural ingredients

Experts in the nutrition industry noted the rising consumer focus on mental well-being as a daily health priority. Moreover, they highlighted that understanding the connection between mental and physical health is deepening, prompting nutrition companies to innovate new ingredients and products catering to this link. We talked with representatives from Novonesis, Gnosis by Lesaffre and Enovate Biolife, who shared insights on the latest developments and ingredient innovations addressing mental and physical health connections.

Gut-brain axis: Scientists call for rigorous research to validate promising probiotic effects

Researchers revealed promising evidence of probiotics’ impact on mental health through the gut-brain axis, but also emphasized the need for more detailed studies to solidify these findings. A review of randomized controlled trials that used functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods highlighted the variation in study designs and the small sizes of participant groups. Task-based functional MRI showed that probiotics could influence brain activity connected to emotional control and cognitive functions. Furthermore, probiotics may also help restore normal brain functions in individuals with major depressive disorder and irritable bowel syndrome. Additionally, resting-state functional MRI studies indicated enhanced connectivity within mood regulation networks. We discussed the findings with the study’s lead researcher, Annachiara Crocetta from the University of Turin.At CPHI 2024, we talked with Bioberica’s marketing director, Antonio Vendrell, about the company’s focus on “health for all.”

WHO and TikTok partner to promote science-based health information

WHO announced a year-long collaboration with TikTok to provide reliable, science-based health information. The partnership looks to enhance WHO’s global outreach and promote health literacy through digital platforms as part of the organization’s strategy to adapt to an increasingly digitized world. WHO reveals that one in four young adults turn to social media for news. The organization aims to address the misinformation prevalent on these platforms. Through the initiative, creators from WHO’s Fides network, which includes healthcare professionals and content creators, will produce and promote evidence-based content on TikTok to foster informed health discussions and encourage healthy behaviors.

Looking forward: Innova Market Insights unveils the top five nutrition trends for 2025

As the nutrition industry continues to adapt to increasing consumer preferences for personalized, natural and multifunctional solutions that are supported by scientific research and available at affordable prices, we looked at the main insights from our webinar on the Top Nutrition Trends for 2025, conducted in conjunction with Innova Market Insights. The company’s consumer research revealed groundbreaking insights, which were presented by Lu Ann Williams, co-founder and global insights director of the Innova Market Insights and included a panel discussion with Edith Feskens, a professor of Global Nutrition, and Judith van der Horst-Graat, innovation lead Food & Health at Foodvalley. The five key trends identified were Nutrition Forward, Weight Management, Nutrition for All Budgets, Genderized Nutrition and Natural Well-Being.

CPHI 2024: Spotlight on natural nutraceuticals for beauty, stress and sports nutrition

At CPHI 2024, the spotlight was on natural nutraceuticals targeting beauty, stress management, weight management and sports nutrition. Industry leaders, including SuanNutra, ADM, Natural Remedies and Angel Yeast, showcased their latest natural solutions on the show floor. Discussions revolved around innovative products and applications in these key health areas, reflecting the growing consumer demand for natural and effective health supplements. The event provided a platform for these companies to highlight their advancements in nutraceuticals and explore future trends in the industry.We sat down with Aquil Harjivan, head of front-end innovation at Bayer Consumer Health, to discuss the company’s new Age Factor ecosystem.

National School Lunch Week: FRAC celebrates US meal program for students

From October 14–18, the US celebrated National School Lunch Week, focusing on the importance of school meals for children’s well-being and educational success. We spoke with Alexis Bylander from the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) about the federal National School Lunch Program, which provides nutritious meals to nearly 30 million children each school day. Initiated by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, the week promotes the role of healthy school lunches in students’ lives. FRAC used the occasion to advocate for policies ensuring healthy meals for all students, highlighting the vital support school lunches offer, especially for low-income children. Bylander further emphasized the significant impact of school lunches on student behavior, attendance and achievement.

World Food Day: Zero Hidden Hunger EU combats micronutrient deficiencies with new policy lab

On World Food Day, the Zero Hidden Hunger EU project launched a new policy lab to address micronutrient deficiencies in the EU. This initiative, orchestrated by the European Public Health Alliance, brought together policymakers in Brussels to discuss potential solutions. Experts from the project told us about the absence of comprehensive data on micronutrient deficiencies in Europe and emphasized that this lack of data is a significant barrier to tackling hidden hunger. The project looks to estimate the prevalence and health costs associated with these deficiencies and foster a foundational dialogue on this widespread issue.

House of Lords report urges complete ban on junk food advertising

The UK’s House of Lords released a report on the country’s obesity crisis and urged the government to implement stricter regulations, including increased taxes on junk food, and mandated reductions in salt, sugar and calories by large food companies. The report also called for a total ban on junk food advertisements and criticized the food industry’s focus on high-profit, unhealthy products. It also contrasted the ineffectiveness of voluntary health initiatives with the success of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy, which significantly reduced sugar content in soft drinks. The response from academia and the food and beverage sector was generally positive, with experts in nutrition and health advocacy supporting the proposed measures.At SupplySide West 2024, we spoke with Alka Vallabh, the marketing lead at Lonza Capsules & Health Ingredients, about the company’s AromatiQ technology and the company’s latest pet nutrition offering.

SupplySide West 2024 live: Rousselot’s Nextida GC lowers post-meal glucose spikes, new research shows

At the SupplySide West trade show in Las Vegas (October 30–31), Rousselot introduced results from the first clinical trial on its new Nextida GC collagen peptide, which targets post-meal glucose spikes. We talked with Catarina Ferreira da Silva, science integration manager at Rousselot, about the nature of the study’s findings. She explained that the company had long theorized the connection between collagen and glycemic control. The identification of Nextida GC’s unique composition and its clinically demonstrated ability to reduce glucose spikes in healthy individuals represent a significant breakthrough. The study also highlighted Nextida GC’s ability to enhance GLP-1 secretion, a hormone crucial for balancing blood sugar.

Halloween candy danger: Expert issues warning over THC edibles in counterfeit packaging

On Halloween, US health experts highlighted the risks associated with psychoactive cannabinoid snacks, known as edibles, urging parents to exercise caution. These edibles often mimic popular children’s candy packaging, making them hard to distinguish from regular treats. Dr. Candice Foy from Stony Brook Children’s Hospital emphasized the dangers of accidental ingestion by children, who could suffer adverse effects. She noted that THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) products are designed to resemble popular snacks, which increases the risk of accidental consumption due to their deceptive appearance. While it is improbable that these are intentionally given to children, their availability raises the chances of unintentional ingestion. Foy emphasized that safe practices around cannabis edibles are crucial for prevention.