GABA-Rice Functionalisation for Mental Wellness

Japanese food-tech outfit Sankyo Foods is launching a microwavable “GABA-Rice” range under its retail arm Food Base, tapping into the rising wave of mental-wellness functional foods. Each serving contains around 100 mg of the neurotransmitter-precursor GABA via germinated brown rice blends enriched with traditional Japanese grains and beans, comfortingly familiar rice with added wellness appeal.

The range includes four variants: a Hitomebore rice blend for improved sleep and calm; a barley (“Daishimochi”) blend rich in beta-glucan for digestion and blood-sugar moderation; an adzuki bean blend for satiety, iron and beauty appeal; and a black-rice blend loaded with anthocyanin antioxidants for anti-ageing support.

The move reflects two converging trends: Asia-Pacific consumers increasingly prioritising mental-wellness (stress, sleep, anxiety) under cost-of-living pressure, and the functionalisation of staple foods like rice to deliver wellness benefits in culturally familiar formats. Positioning GABA-rich rice within a staple rather than a supplement gives the innovation strong accessibility.

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