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July in Review

July in review: Gray market peptides, teen GLP-1 use & AI-driven nutrition innovation

Metabolic health, supplement safety, AI-powered innovation, and global nutrition security were key topics shaping the nutrition industry last month. Debates over the health impacts of plastic food packaging and ultra-processed foods (UPFs) continued, as scientific research explored the benefits of creatine for mental health. In our July review, Nutrition Insight explores some of the month’s biggest stories, including warnings that gray market peptides are blurring the boundaries between drugs and supplements. 
Happy woman on the beach
Beauty-boosting nutrition shifts from anti-aging focus to longevity and overall wellness
The nutricosmetics industry is transitioning beyond traditional skin care and anti-aging claims as consumers increasingly connect appearance with longevity and overall health. Industry experts highlight opportunities in multifunctional, clinically backed solutions targeting the gut-skin axis, metabolic beauty, and mental well-being. Nutrition Insight discusses emerging opportunities and scientific support in beauty nutrition with Bioiberica, Kerry, AB-Biotics, and Sirio. Monica Gomez Navarro, marketing manager of Branded Ingredients at Bioiberica, says the largest opportunity for beauty-boosting nutrition lies in broadening the conversation beyond beauty alone, and recognizing that “healthy skin is closely connected to overall health and longevity.” 
Researcher with beauty supplement
Monteloeder by SuanNutra champions clinical proof and skin-gut axis in beauty nutrition
Monteloeder by SuanNutra says the beauty-from-within space is becoming more mainstream. The ingredients specialist says solutions are increasingly connected to other health areas, such as longevity, sleep, gut health, stress management, and overall wellness. It highlights market potential in holistic health products that are backed by scientific evidence. Nutrition Insight speaks with Lauren Winchell, business development manager at SuanNutra US, about untapped opportunities and emerging ingredients in the nutricosmetics space. 
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From Yeast Cell Walls to Immunity: The Beta-Glucan Journey
Yeast beta‑glucans unlock a new approach to immune health, training innate defenses for greater efficiency. Pioneering research for >45 years, this document presents the key milestones for M-Gard®.  With a unique structure and strong scientific backing, M‑Gard® delivers daily immune resilience and helps consumers stay prepared for everyday challenges.

This Technical Paper is brought to you by Lallemand Bio-Ingredients.
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.
Denisse Colindres, Beneo
IFT FIRST 2026: Beneo targets different GLP-1 stages and fiber diversity

At IFT FIRST 2026, Beneo’s senior nutrition communications manager, Denisse Colindres, outlined ingredient strategies tailored to different stages of the GLP-1 weight management journey. She explained the importance of fiber diversity within the “fibermaxxing” trend, rather than simply increasing fiber intake. Colindres highlighted how viscous, fermentable, soluble, and insoluble fibers can support satiety, metabolic health, digestion, and mood. 

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World Breastfeeding Week: Studies find gut, ADHD & sleep benefits
mother breastfeeding baby on chair at home
For World Breastfeeding Week, Nutrition Insight explores some of the latest research on breastfeeding benefits. A review breaks down stigmatized myths in the medical sector, while other research papers reveal how the nutrition source makes infants’ gut bacteria resilient into adulthood, may prevent Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms, and could improve sleep. 
Increasing potassium while decreasing sodium intake aids blood pressure,...
Bananas on table
US researchers argue that boosting potassium intake while limiting sodium might be the most efficient way to tackle hypertension. The authors of a perspective paper stress that public health guidelines are currently focusing solely on sodium reduction, and propose that moving from this singular strategy will have a greater effect on hypertension management. Hypertension affects over 1.28 billion adults globally, and the main causes are insufficient potassium and elevated sodium intake, the authors stress. They explain that potassium levels are often “far below optimal levels in both developed and developing nations,” while the global average intake of sodium is above the recommendations.
IIFH and Lawrence National Laboratory partner on food and health innovation
Researchers in a laboratory
The Innovation Institute for Food & Health (IIFH) and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have announced a strategic partnership to translate scientific discovery into technology and innovations across food systems and human health. IIFH, at the University of California (UC), Davis, US, and LLNL aim to create a hub to speed the development of next-generation ingredients, technologies, diagnostics, computational tools, and biotechnology platforms. “Lawrence Livermore’s mission has always been to apply cutting-edge science and technology to society’s most complex challenges,” says Kim Budil, LLNL’s director. 
January AI adds medical records and predictive glucose to health coach app
January AI app interface
January AI has unveiled a significant update to its consumer health app, making it the first free app to combine “one-tap” electronic health record (EHR) integration, AI-powered predictive glucose technology, and data from wearable devices. The EHR integration allows users to securely import their complete clinical history from external medical systems into the January AI app in a single authorization step — including data such as microbiome test results and diagnoses.
Purina and Senior Dog Veterinary Society launch vet nutrition training for...
Elderly man with his elderly dog
As dog owners are increasingly taking a proactive, preventative approach to managing their pets’ well-being, Nestlé’s Purina is partnering with the Senior Dog Veterinary Society to help veterinary professionals address the specific healthy aging and nutritional needs of older canines. The initiative will deliver nutritional insights for members of the Senior Dog Veterinary Society and the broader veterinary professional community. The partners aim to equip veterinary professionals with “actionable strategies” to support more personalized care for older dogs.
Mango innovation accelerates as ingredient variability tests suppliers
Chia seed pudding with mango in glass jars.

Food Ingredients First

Mango is moving beyond its traditional role as a familiar tropical flavor. Manufacturers are repositioning it across functional beverages, frozen desserts, pastries, and globally inspired flavor combinations. However, as demand expands into more technical applications, suppliers are challenged with delivering authentic mango character with the consistency industrial production requires. Innova Market Insights data suggests that global F&B launches featuring mango flavor recorded a 10% CAGR from July 2021 to June 2026. Juices and Nectars remain mango’s largest launch subcategory. However, some of the fastest growth is occurring elsewhere, including Frozen Desserts, Cakes and Pastries, Water-based Ice Lollies, Pops & Sorbets, and Iced Tea.
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overweight woman using glp-1 drug
Nutrition & Health News
GLP-1 use among US adolescents surges, but long-term health...
A study reveals that GLP-1 weight loss medication use among teenagers and young adults in the US has rapidly increased in recent years. Long-term effects from using these drugs are still unknown, especially on this young population going through a significant physical development period. Between 2022 and 2026, GLP-1 use among people aged 13–25 seeking obesity treatment increased from 88.2% to 96.1% and outpaced metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) use, which saw a decline from 11.6% to 3.7%.
Man and woman scanning supplements in store
Tech & Innovation
Transparency separates successful AI nutrition innovation...
Amid a growing use of AI in ingredient and product innovation, industry experts caution that transparency is key to building trust with customers, regulators, and consumers. They urge companies to communicate clearly how AI was used and reiterate the essential role of research to validate insights. In the final installment of our series on AI in nutrition, Nutrition Insight meets with Brightseed and independent marketing and R&D experts to explore how successful companies separate genuine innovation from hype. 
A woman reviews a jar of sauce while sitting on a grocery cart in a store aisle
Key interview
SOFI 2026: Danone targets affordable nutrition amid rising...
The 2026 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report underscores the urgent need to close the hunger gap, which, although it is slightly easing globally, is under threat from the unaffordability of healthy diets, conflicts, El Niño, and other climate shocks. 

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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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Smart sugar control Aug 2026

According to data from Innova Market Insights 44% of consumers globally are reducing sugar to eat healthier. Sugar reduction is increasingly moving beyond traditional “low sugar” claims, with brands combining reduced sugar formulations with added functional benefits such as protein, fiber, probiotics, and electrolytes.

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Advanced immune supportAug 2026

Innova Market Insights data shows that consumers globally sought to improve their immune health over the past year. Reflecting this demand, global supplement launches with immune health claims grew by +5% YoY, comparing April 2025–March 2026 with April 2024–March 2025. The Lion’s mane mushroom was the fastest-growing ingredient, with a 19% CAGR (Apr 2021–Mar 2026), while gel formats gained momentum in immune health supplement innovation.

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Denisse Colindres, Beneo
Video09:39
IFT FIRST 2026: Beneo targets different GLP-1 stages and fiber diversity

At IFT FIRST 2026, Beneo’s senior nutrition communications manager, Denisse Colindres, outlined ingredient strategies tailored to different stages of the GLP-1 weight management journey. She explained the importance of fiber diversity within the “fibermaxxing” trend, rather than simply...

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IFT FIRST 2026: Nexira debuts functional mushroom extracts for adaptogenic beverages
Marina Crocker, Hilmar
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Hilmar: Tight supply and growing demand boost US whey protein competitiveness in Europe
Dr. Torsten Grothe, Mibelle Biochemistry
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Mibelle Biochemistry: Water-soluble collagen booster expands skin health from within applications
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