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Vitafoods Asia 2026

Vitafoods Asia 2026: Microbiome, longevity & fun formats reshape nutraceuticals

Healthy longevity emerged as the key theme at Vitafoods Asia 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand (Sep 2–4), where industry experts highlighted innovations in metabolic health, the gut microbiome, muscle preservation, delivery formats, and protein for sports recovery. On the show floor, Nutrition Insight spoke with experts from Ujala Life Sciences, Novonesis, OmniActive Health Technologies, Lallemand Bio-Ingredients, AceBiome, and Valio. Nutraceutical expert Silvi Siddhu, who represented Ujala Life Sciences at the show, pointed to healthy longevity as the main trend at Vitafoods Asia. She noted this includes cellular aging, metabolic health, and muscle preservation. 
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How industry substantiates bioavailability claims in new delivery formats
Industry is increasingly focused on improving supplement delivery formats amid trends that require consumers to adhere to taking supplements. Often, these launches claim improved bioavailability, however, their manufacturers’ testing methods and quality benchmarks can be vastly different.Nutrition Insight speaks with Pharmako Biotechnologies, Akay Bioactives, Key2Biotics,  Lubrizol, and Balchem Human Nutrition and Health to learn how they substantiate bioavailability improvements for their product formats and what credible evidence looks like.
stressed woman at the office
Arjuna Natural champions low-dose ashwagandha for cognitive health support
As consumers are getting increasingly savvy, informed, and educated, they seek multifunctional ingredients supporting cognitive health backed with clinical evidence. Nutrition Insight speaks with Chase Johnston, VP of Operations at Arjuna Natural, US, about how daily stress is propelling demand for nutrition solutions. He shares that with the constant barrage of news, the day-to-day realities of juggling work, family, school, hobbies, and more, stress is unavoidable for most people.
Advanced delivery technologies graphic featuring LipiSperse, CPO, PlexoZome and AquaCelle from Saarno and Pharmako Biotechnologies.
Beyond the Active Ingredient
Most nutraceuticals focus on active dosage, but efficacy depends on reaching the tissues where actives work. Many bioactives fail to deliver their benefits because poor absorption limits their impact. Pharmako, partnered with Saanroo, addresses this challenge through four advanced delivery technologies, supported by human trials demonstrating increased absorption and efficacy across platforms and functions.

This Technical Paper is brought to you by Saanroo.
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Vitafoods Asia 2026 recap: Preventive health and targeted nutrition drive market opportunities

Vitafoods Asia 2026 highlighted how the nutraceutical industry is evolving to meet consumer demands for preventive health to support longevity, gut microbiome, and women’s health with next-generation formats. Nutrition Insight explored market opportunities and innovations in the region with Arjuna Natural, Balchem, Novonesis, Valio, Gnosis by Lesaffre, and Morinaga Nutritional Foods.

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Vitafoods Asia 2026 review: From microbiome and longevity science to lifestyle nutrition
Longevity, women’s health, and beauty-from-within took center stage at Vitafoods Asia 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand (Sep 2–4). Evolving microbiome science drove innovations across the gut-brain, gut-skin, and gut-muscle axes, while companies spotlighted how advances in science-backed botanicals, biotics, and omega fatty acids help brands develop more targeted nutrition products. Exhibitors also presented protein 2.0 solutions for active nutrition and recovery, as next-generation delivery systems reflected growing consumer demand for fun formats for everyday health.

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High-dose folic acid during pregnancy linked to increased vaginal bleeding risk
Pregnant woman taking prenatal vitamins during pregnancy, holding water glass and pill in her hands
An observational study has linked women taking high-dose folic acid supplements during early pregnancy to an increased risk of vaginal bleeding than those taking lower doses. However, it urges further research into optimal folic acid intake levels, especially in regions where the nutrient fortification is mandatory. Researchers from Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, analyzed data from over 2,400 first-time mothers in the south of the country. They reported that those taking folic acid at 800 mcg or more daily were linked to a higher bleeding risk, especially if pregnant with a boy. 
Aquatic invertebrates could meet vitamin B12 and selenium needs of five billion...
Crusteacean seafood
Research has uncovered that aquatic invertebrates such as mussels, crabs, and oysters hold significantly untapped nutritional value that could be a sustainable source of essential daily nutrients such as vitamin B12, iodine, and zinc. Notably, the research team discovered that current global production of aquatic invertebrates contains enough vitamin B12 and selenium to meet the equivalent annual requirements of more than five billion people.
GLP-1s linked to fewer asthma attacks and COPD flare-ups, but experts flag...
woman using inhaler for asthma attack
UK-based researchers have found that people with airway diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), who were prescribed a GLP-1 medication had fewer asthma attacks and COPD flare-ups compared to other people with the same diseases prescribed the diabetes medication sulfonylureas. Study lead Chloe Bloom, a clinical associate professor in Respiratory Epidemiology at the National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, UK, says: “GLP-1 receptor agonists are widely used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. Previous research suggests that they may have anti-inflammatory effects and may improve lung-related outcomes. However, asthma and COPD outcomes have not been included as outcomes in GLP-1 drug trials.” 
Fresenius launches NutriChef enteral nutrition with more than 75% real food...
Enternal nutrition feeding tubes
Fresenius has unveiled NutriChef, a “meal-inspired” enteral nutrition option blending whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables. While maintaining the complete nutritional profile required for medical nutrition, it bridges the familiarity gap between conventional tube feeding formulas and home-prepared foods. NutriChef is now available in Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden. It was introduced with ingredients sourced from 21 different plants and more than 75% real food ingredients, including water and oils.
Humann partners with UC Davis on precision nutrition for heart health and...
DNA made of food
Supplement company Humann has launched an academic research partnership with the University of California (UC), Davis, US. Collaborating with the school’s Innovation Institute for Food and Health (IIFH), the project will explore how precision nutrition can improve cardiovascular health, performance, and longevity. New scientific data collected through the joint research program will inform future innovation in food and supplement products.
Nestlé bets on “fewer, bigger” innovations to drive scalable food growth
Nestlé offices.

Food Ingredients First

Nestlé is rolling out a new generation of dessert solutions in Brazil and China. The move illustrates how the food giant is concentrating its innovation resources on scalable platforms that can be adapted to local tastes and emerging consumption occasions. The launches span Moça Pudding and Brigadeirão in Brazil and Nestlé Tiramisù and Cheesecake in China. Consumers can prepare the desserts in three steps, with less than 15 minutes of active preparation time.
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Nature's Bounty supplement products range
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Nestlé to offload main vitamins, minerals & supplements...
Nestlé has reached an agreement to divest its mainstream Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements (VMS) business —dubbed its “Holistic Health portfolio” — to Yellow Wood Partners for US$1 billion. Subject to applicable regulatory approvals, the transaction is expected to close by the first half of 2027.
Lallemand booth on tradeshow floor
Nutrition & Health News
Vitafoods Asia 2026: Lallemand’s new research on longevity...
At the ongoing Vitafoods Asia 2026 trade show in Bangkok, Thailand, Lallemand Health Solutions is showcasing how its latest microbiome solutions can address demand across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region for longevity and cognition. Nutrition Insight speaks with Karine Lasfargue, product manager at Lallemand Health Solutions, to learn about the new clinical findings on the company’s probiotics Cerenity and Cerebiome, which target longevity and cognitive health, respectively. 
a collage of man adding liquid with dropper in mouth and person scooping powder into cup
Nutrition & Health News
August in review: Oral peptide delivery, protein pushback &...
Nutrition Insight’s top stories for August explored the peptide market expanding into supplements via ingestible formats, while experts critiqued a review linking low-protein diets with slower aging, and Cargill’s EpiCor postbiotic was shown to reduce inflammatory markers quickly. With Vitafoods Asia 2026 starting this week, we caught up with key players to discuss healthy aging and active nutrition trends, shaping their presentations at the event. 

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Postbiotics for immunity and moodSep2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that 59% of consumers link gut health to overall well-being, especially immune resilience and emotional balance, driving innovation in postbiotics, the next gener...

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Product innovation

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New-age dairy proteins Sep 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that sports nutrition and supplement launches featuring dairy protein ingredients are gaining ground, with over 20% CAGR from July 2021 to June 2026. Whey protein and milk protein remain the leading ingredients in these launches, but other proteins are emerging, such as casein.

Trend analysis

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Mind and mood support trendsSep 2026

Innova Market Insights data indicates that mind and mood claims in supplement launches grew at a 5% CAGR from July 2021 to June 2026. Europe accounted for the highest share of launches, with vitamins & minerals as the leading subcategory. Vitamin B6 was the leading ingredient, while sage was the fastest-growing ingredient.

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Smiling woman in a circular portrait beside a busy “New Ingredients Zone” exhibition area with visitors and product displays
Video09:28
Vitafoods Asia 2026 recap: Preventive health and targeted nutrition drive market opportunities

Vitafoods Asia 2026 highlighted how the nutraceutical industry is evolving to meet consumer demands for preventive health to support longevity, gut microbiome, and women’s health with next-generation formats. Nutrition Insight explored market opportunities and...

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Vitafoods Asia 2026: Nexus Wise on botanicals for respiratory, eczema & muscle health
Vitafoods Asia 2026 Novonesis video thumbnail: Woman standing at the Novonesis exhibition booth, surrounded by branded displays promoting biosolutions and sustainability
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Vitafoods Asia 2026: Novonesis aligns gut health innovations with Asian heritage
Vitafoods Asia exhibition in Bangkok featuring product display stands and three highlighted industry representatives.
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Vitafoods Asia 2026: Beneo & Morinaga Milk on probiotic evolution, Gelita on collagen
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