Articles by Mike Straus
[Extra! Extra!] Emerging Trends in the Functional Foods and Beverages Space
Functional foods and beverages are continuing to trend upward, but emerging trends are differing from the past bestsellers like probiotics and ketogenic fats. Now, consumers are looking for something different. To capture current consumer trends, The Fresh Factory examined emerging food and beverage statistics in February 2026 to see what consumers are actually buying—and the ...
Food (and Drink) for Thought
Food and beverage ingredients are diversifying and becoming more complex. Functional food and beverage ingredients are continuing to evolve into high-potency, application-specific products tailored to consumers’ needs. These ingredients are increasingly backed by more and more scientific documentation than ever before, validating health claims with clinical data. Ingredients are also advancing in terms of tolerability, ...
[Extra! Extra!] The Connection Between Aspirin Use and the Risk of Falls and Fractures
It may sound surprising, but one very common drug may have implications for bone health. A March 9, 2026 blog article by Harvard Health Publishing examined whether or not there’s a connection between aspirin use and risk of falls and fractures—and as it turns out, there is. A 2022 study published in the Journal of ...
Diversifying Bone and Joint Health Ingredients
Sales of these ingredients are growing rapidly and evolving in unexpected ways. The bone and joint health ingredients market is growing rapidly as a result of a large population of aging consumers looking for natural, drug-free remedies for bone and joint complaints. The category itself is also evolving into a mobility, longevity and everyday performance ...
[Extra! Extra!] Key Takeaways From Probiota 2025
The digestive health ingredients space is seeing significant scientific innovation, bringing sophistication to ingredients that previously did not exist. In March 2025, DSM-Firmenich published a blog article chronicling the five breakthrough trends from Probiota 2025 in Copenhagen. First and foremost, the conference highlighted how age-related changes in the gut microbiome are influencing health across all ...
Easy to Digest
The digestive health ingredients market is becoming more sophisticated thanks to innovation, new research and consumer demand for clinically validated ingredients. The digestive health ingredients space remains one of the strongest categories for ingredient suppliers and supplement manufacturers. One February 2026 Market Research Future analysis found that the digestive health ingredients market, estimated at $13.51 ...
[Extra! Extra!] The Impact American Tariffs Have on Imports of Indian Nutraceuticals
India is a rich source of several important nutraceuticals for the American market, many of which cannot be sourced elsewhere. Ingredients like ashwagandha, shilajit and boswellia are exclusive to India, while holy basil and moringa are primarily sourced from the country. That’s why the Trump Administration’s new tariffs on Indian nutraceuticals are crippling the natural ...
Leadership Forum: Tariffs & Supply Chain Issues
NIE’s panel of experts discusses tariffs and supply chain pressures facing the natural products industry. The panel: Devendra Soman, Marketing Director, NuAxon Research, Satara, India, www.nuaxonresearch.com Lauren Clardy, Senior Director of Branded Ingredients, Maypro, Purchase, NY, www.maypro.com Luke Huber, ND, Vice President, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs, Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), Washington, D.C., www.crnusa.org Shaheen ...
[Extra! Extra!] New Study Finds Link Between Gut Microbiome and Heart Health
Gut health seems to be implicated in just about everything these days. Now, emerging research is showing a link between the gut microbiome and mechanisms associated with coronary artery disease. According to a Nov. 6, 2025 press release from the American Society for Microbiology, researchers in Seoul, South Korea compared fecal samples from 14 people ...
Hearty Ingredients
Here are some of the emerging advancements in ingredients that support heart health. Heart health has become a prominent concern for consumers, with aging individuals looking for cardiovascular support in a variety of forms. As a result, ingredient suppliers are bringing to market a bevy of new ingredients that have been validated in clinical studies. ...
Don't Miss Out!
Industry Professionals
Stay Informed!
Stay informed about the latest health, nutrition, and wellness developments by signing up for a FREE subscription to Nutrition Industry Executive magazine and digital newsletter.
Once subscribed, you will receive industry insights, product trends, and important news directly to your doorstep and inbox.


