Chocolate may ease migraines: Study

Dietary supplements of cocoa may repress inflammatory responses in the brain linked to migraines, suggest results from an animal study.

Results from an animal study indicated that consuming a diet enriched with 10 percent cocoa increased levels of anti-inflammatory compounds in the brain as well as repressing levels of pro-inflammatory processes, scientists from Missouri State University have reported at the International Headache Society’s (IHS) 14th International Headache Congress in Philadelphia.

> Read the full article at AP-FoodTechnology.com

The rise and rise of gluten-free

The global market for gluten-free food and drink products has grown exponentially in the past five years with a raft of new products hitting the market. Clear leaders are starting to emerge in what was once a niche.

Since it was valued at a modest $580m in 2004, the market has grown at an average annual rate of 29 per cent and last year was worth $1.56bn, according to Packaged Facts, which estimates the market in 2012 could be worth as much as $2.6bn.

> Read the full article at FoodNavigator-USA.com

Soy protein may reduce cholesterol levels for diabetics, too

Increased intakes of soy protein may reduce cholesterol levels in people with type-2 diabetes, says a new study that expands on the heart healthy potential of soy.

Consumption of 40 grams of soy protein isolate (SPI) per day for 57 days resulted in significant reductions in both LDL cholesterol and the ratio of LDL to HDL cholesterol, compared to consumption of the same dose of milk protein, according to results published in the Journal of Nutrition.

> Read the full article at AP-foodtechnology.com

Government helped local exporters generate $205-M sales from foreign trade expos

THE government helped local exporters generate sales of about $205 million from the various trade expositions that they participated in during the first half of the year, the Center for Trade Expositions and Missions (Citem) said.

Also during the period, Citem gathered 7,402 trade inquiries, already 70 of the agency’s total target for the year.

Abroad, Citem spearheaded the Philippine participation in the Gulfood Dubai, Japan Foodex and Thaifex World of Food Asia in Thailand. 

> Read the full article at BusinessMirror.com.ph

Tea consumers may have younger biological age

The cells of regular tea drinkers may have a younger biological age than cells from non-drinkers, according to new research from China.

Researchers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong looked at the length of telomeres, DNA sequences at the end of chromosomes that shorten as cells replicate and age.

The Hong Kong-based researchers, led by Ruth Chan, noted that the telomeres of people who drank an average of three cups of tea per day were about 4.6 kilobases longer than people who drank an average of a quarter of a cup a day.

> Read the full article at AP-foodtechnology.com

World baby food market to reach $37.6 bn in 2014

US (New Castle County)-based MarketsandMarkets, a research and consulting firm, said in its newly launched report “Global Baby Food Market (2009-2014)” that the baby food market is expected to reach $37.6 billion in 2014 at a CAGR of 5% from 2009.

At present, the US and Europe hold a major share of the global baby food market and emerging economies like China, India, Brazil, Russia and Romania also represent a high growth rate. The worldwide key players in the baby food market are Nestlé SA, HJ Heinz, Bristol-Myers Squibb, DANONE and Hero. The major segments in the baby food product market are baby cereals, bottled baby foods, frozen baby foods, baby snacks and baby soups. Further, important micro-markets of baby food products include juice, puree, milk products, puff, biscuits and frozen fruits.

> Read the full article at FnBnews.com

Kraft Foods reduces global plant water use by more than 20%

Kraft Foods has reduced water used in manufacturing processes by more than three billion gallons (nearly 12 billion liters) in three years.

This amount of water is enough to fill nearly 5,000 Olympic swimming pools.

This is also a 21% reduction since 2005, exceeding the company’s goal two years early.

Article from Asia Food Journal, 18 Aug 2009.

How consumers approach functional foods: Survey

Whole grains, fiber and protein are top of the list for consumers looking to improve their diets by eating more of a specific type of food, according to a new survey of Americans’ approach to functional foods.

The latest report by the International Food Information Council (IFIC) finds that out of those Americans trying to improve their diets, 79 percent are changing the types of foods they eat, 69 percent are changing the amount of foods consumed, and 19 percent are changing their use of dietary supplements.

> Read the full article at AP-FoodTechnology.com

Addressing health through nutrition: Top consumer priorities

Heart health, weight loss and cancer protection are the top three health concerns that Americans try to address through their diets, according to a new survey.

The International Food Information Council (IFIC) survey, conducted on a regular basis over the past decade, also found a “significantly” increased awareness of the health benefits associated with specific food components.

> Read the full article at AP-Food Technology.com

Private label sector continues to grow, says Nielsen

Sales of private label products are still growing, having “significantly increased” over the past year, according to new research from The Nielsen Company.

Opinions vary about whether the private label boom will continue after the recession, as store brands have traditionally done well in times of economic hardship only to slump again when the economy has improved. However, during this recession, there has been a concerted effort from manufacturers to not only lower the cost of private label foods, but to target additional consumer expectations in terms of overall value.

> Read the full article at AP-Food Technology.com