Smart food, functional foods, superfood…call it what you will, but in our health-conscious society, nearly everything we put in our bodies has been enriched, enhanced, fortified or otherwise ‘improved’ to offer additional nutrition and disease fighting superpowers.
The nifty additives used to achieve these health benefits are called nutraceuticals, and the Global Nutraceutical Ingredients Market is growing at a CAGR of 7.03 percent from 2014-2018.
The market can be classed into four major categories, with functional foods and beverages accounting for more than 40 percent of the market.
TechNavio analysts have compiled a cheat-sheet on the major nutraceutical ingredients that are amping up our daily diets.
Fiber
Fiber helps in weight management, reduces cholesterol, and reduces the risk of diabetes. It has also been linked to reduced rates of certain cancers. The recommended daily intake of fiber for adults is somewhere between 21-38 grams, according to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation, a number which most adults struggle to meet with their regular diets. In order to meet the increase in global demand for fiber-rich food, several vendors are contemplating increasing their production capacity for key products such as polydextrose.
Naturally found in: Whole grains such as wild and brown rice and oatmeal, and vegetables and fruit.
On the label: Beta-glucan, Guar Gum, Insoluble Fibers
Antioxidants
Antioxidants help our bodies fight against the onslaught of harmful, possibly disease-causing free radicals that we are exposed to every day.
On top of being found in foods, the increasing use of antioxidants as major constituents in cosmeceuticals (cosmetics plus pharmaceuticals) is a major driver for the antioxidants market, which is growing at a CAGR of 4.70 percent from 2014-2018.
Naturally found in: Cocoa, blueberry, cranberries, red beans and more, although you’ll find a whack load of different products advertising their antioxidant value.
On the label: Astaxanthin, Beta-carotene, Lutein, Lycopene, Zeaxanthin
Minerals
The market is seeing a lot of minerals added to functional beverages, as well as in dietary supplements, as people become more aware and where their diets are lacking in nutrition.
Naturally found in: Anything and everything we eat. Everyone knows that milk is a great source of calcium, and red meats are where most folks turn for iron, and apricots, bananas and figs are a great place to turn for magnesium.
On the label: All the ‘iums’—calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium etc
Phytochemicals and Plant Extracts
The increase in demand for phytochemicals such as soy isoflavones, the emergence of private label producers of plant extracts, and the introduction of new plant extracts as nutraceutical ingredients are key drivers of the Phytochemicals and Plant Extract segment.
Naturally found in: Fruits and veggies, as well as whole grains, nuts, beans and tea
On the label: Glucosimolates, Lignans, Phytosterols, Polyphenols, Soy Isolflavones, Terpenoids
Vitamins
Dietary supplements are becoming a big part of people’s daily health regime, with many adults adding a multivitamin to their day. This kind of proactive healthcare practice and the introduction of new functional food and beverages with vitamins such as vitamin K2, are major drivers for the growth of the Global Vitamins market.
Naturally found in: Vitamins come from many different place, but colourful fruits and veggies are definitely one of the richest sources.
On the label: Viatmin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, B2, B6, B12 etc.
Omege-3 Fatty Acids
The Omega-3 segment of the nutraceuticals market is expected to grow primarily due to increasing awareness of the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, such as anti-cancer properties and major benefits for the cardio-vascular system.
Naturally found in: Omega-3 enriched eggs, edamame beans, wild rice, beans, salmon
On the label: Arachindonic Acid, Docosahexaenoic Acid, Gamma-linolenic, High-laurate Canola Oil, Stearic Acid
Prebiotics and Probiotics
The market for prebiotics and probiotics is expected to witness strong sales during the forecast period, owing to a high demand from the US. These active bacterial cultures are helpful for maintaining the right balance of good bacteria in intestines for good immune and digestive health.
Naturally found in: Natural sources of pre and probiotics are a little more tricky. They can be found in acacia gums, Jerusalem artichokes, jicama, raw oats, unrefined wheat, and yacon. Given the nature of a lot of these sources, it’s no wonder that products like Activia (probiotic enriched yogurt) have really gained in popularity in recent years.
On the label: Bifidobacteria, Inulin, Lactobacilli, Oligosaccharides, Polydextrose
For more insights, view our Global Nutraceutical Ingredients Market 2014-2018 and Global Antioxidants Market 2014-2018 reports.
