December in review: Boosting nutrition security, healthy holiday snacking and the benefits of plant-based diets

In December’s major health and nutrition industry news, Balchem spoke with us about the improvements in magnesium absorption, and experts contested findings regarding dark chocolate and diabetes. At the same time, COP16 emphasized holistic nutrition security efforts, the EU Food Safety Authority (EFSA) refuted claims that creatine aids in cognition and Bayer Consumer Health spoke with us about the role of AI in future nutrition.

In our December review, Nutrition Insight looks back at some of the month’s biggest stories, including the US FDA’s mandatory front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labeling proposal, a global study that found that most of the 2030 world nutrition goals will not be met, and the US Council for Responsible Nutrition’s (CRN) advocacy for supplements to be included in future dietary nutrition guidelines.

Meanwhile, we looked at a University of Oxford study on the health and sustainability benefits of a plant-based diet and we talked with several experts about eating healthy during the holiday season.

December
Balchem improves magnesium absorption with mineral chelation technology
Amid growing market interest in magnesium for its stress and sleep benefits, Balchem highlighted the challenges of achieving bioavailability and digestive tolerance. Albion Minerals, a Balchem brand, addressed these issues by binding magnesium molecules to glycine. Before their upcoming webinar titled “Navigating the Jungle of Magnesium Bioavailability,” Nutrition Insight spoke with Oliver Riemann, senior manager of Marketing and Business Development at Albion Minerals. In this webinar, Riemann and Dr. Eric Ciappio, Balchem’s senior manager of Nutrition Science, discussed the magnesium market and showcased Albion magnesium bisglycinate chelate for its high bioavailability.We sat down with the CEO and founder of Nexus Wise to discuss the latest nutraceutical advancements.

Holiday snacking: Experts contest results of new research linking dark chocolate to lower diabetes risk
Researchers suggested that increasing dark chocolate consumption could potentially reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, experts not involved in the research warned that its observational nature prevents establishing a cause-and-effect relationship, and the low diabetes occurrence among dark chocolate consumers could lead to statistical uncertainties. A new long-term US study associated five weekly servings of dark chocolate with a 10% reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, with over five servings linked to a 21% lower risk. However, no significant association was found for milk chocolate, which, when consumed in excess, was tied to long-term weight gain. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, US, researchers analyzed data from three observational studies involving 111,654 participants who initially did not have diabetes, cardiovascular disease or cancer.

FDA proposes mandatory front-of-package labels for better health outcomes
The US FDA intensified efforts to tackle the obesity and diabetes crises, focusing on FOP nutrition labeling, sodium reduction and revising “healthy” food claims. The agency also encouraged the food industry to offer healthier options, emphasizing the role of ultra-processed foods in poor nutrition. The FDA believes that FOP nutrition labeling could enhance consumer awareness. Recently, the agency’s commissioner for food and drugs, Robert M. Califf, M.D., along with deputy commissioner for human foods, Jim Jones, presented a proposal for mandatory diabetes and obesity labels on healthy food and beverage products at hearings before House and Senate Committees and Subcommittees.

COP16: Family farmers lead climate resilience and nutrition security efforts
Saudi Arabia hosted the UN Convention to Combat Desertification COP16, focusing on land restoration, tenure and drought resilience. At the event, Stephen Muchiri, CEO of the Eastern African Farmers Federation, discussed how farmers in ten countries are adopting agroecological practices and sustainable technologies to combat climate change and enhance food security. He highlighted that family farmers produce 70% of Africa’s food, contributing to diverse, nutritious diets and combating malnutrition. Muchiri emphasized the importance of family farmers in building resilient food systems, advocating for fair trade policies and promoting traditional crop varieties. He called for stronger policy support, fair pricing and targeted climate finance to ensure their success.SuanNutra talked with us about its latest brain-boosting innovation, MindRevive.

EFSA health panel dismisses claims linking creatine and improved cognitive function
The EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens determined that health claims connecting creatine with improved cognitive function were not scientifically supported. We examined the panel’s findings, which show that continuous and lower doses of creatine — a non-essential nitrogen-containing organic compound derived from amino acids and prevalent in muscle and brain tissue — showed no acute effect on working memory. While creatine is abundant in foods like meat and fish and can be synthesized in the human body, EFSA concluded that although creatine has potential, there is no definitive proof that its consumption enhances cognitive function in adults.

Bayer Consumer Health uses AI to optimize personalized nutrition and healthy aging
Bayer Consumer Health emphasized the significance of enhancing people’s healthspan over merely extending lifespan amid a globally aging population. In a discussion with Aquil Harjivan, head of front-end innovation, we explored Bayer’s advancements in precision health for longevity and the role of AI in personalizing nutrition to empower consumers. Bayer recently introduced the Age Factor ecosystem, a comprehensive health offering by its Precision Health business unit, combining the One A Day Age Factor Cell Defense supplement, a companion app and Hurdle’s saliva-based biological age test. Harjivan noted that the initiative arose from realizing that consumers often lack precise knowledge about how supplements affect their health.

Largest global nutrition study predicts most 2030 goals unmet as child obesity rises
A study published in The Lancet, which included over 700 multinational researchers, assessed the global progress on the 2012 nutrition targets set by the World Health Assembly, now extended to 2030. The study revealed that no country met the targets for low birthweight or anemia among females of reproductive age by 2021. Furthermore, child obesity rates have risen in 201 countries since 2012, while anemia prevalence has decreased in 26 countries. The researchers said there has been significant reductions in child stunting and wasting, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and most low-income and middle-income countries. We looked at the analysis, which was the first comprehensive review of progress between 2012 and 2021, projecting trends up to 2050 across 204 countries and territories.

Ditch the meat, save the planet: Oxford study touts environmental and health benefits of plant-based foods
Researchers at the University of Oxford, UK, highlighted the benefits of shifting toward plant-based diets for health, environmental sustainability and cost-effectiveness. The study found that replacing meat and dairy with plant-based alternatives, especially unprocessed foods like peas, soybeans and beans, could reduce nutritional imbalances, mortality, environmental resource use and pollution. The study further stated that while processed plant-based foods like veggie burgers and plant milks had higher costs and fewer climate benefits than unprocessed legumes, they still offered significant environmental, health and nutritional advantages over animal products. The findings indicated that existing plant-based alternatives are sufficient and affordable, negating the need for developing new meat and milk substitutes.Roquette spoke with us about protein and fiber fortification solutions at FiE 2024.

CRN spotlights need for supplement recommendations in US dietary guidelines
The CRN advocated for more dietary supplement recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, highlighting their importance in addressing nutrient inadequacies. The 2020-2025 guidelines primarily emphasized meeting nutritional needs through foods, with additional suggestions for certain groups, like infants and pregnant women, to use fortified foods or supplements. Recently, the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee released a report for the upcoming 2025-2030 guidelines, which CRN criticized for not incorporating scientific evidence on dietary supplements. The report noted that current US diets do not align well with the guidelines, leading to nutrient deficiencies and potential health risks.

Healthy holidays: Spotlight on mindful eating and balancing indulgent foods with nutritious options
For the festive December season, nutrition experts provided strategies for maintaining health while indulging in holiday favorites. We spoke with a registered dietician, experts from Eated — a nutrition-tracking app — and Incredo Sugar, which innovates reduced-sugar sweeteners. They noted a rising consumer demand for healthier holiday choices, such as treats with less sugar and more functional ingredients and pointed out that while healthier options have increased, they remain limited by region and price. Eated stressed the importance of mindful eating and suggested a balanced approach that combines traditional indulgences with healthier items like fruits, vegetables and lean proteins.