To identify ‘the next ingredient to watch,’ it’s important to start with a look at broader trends, and how these trends will influence ‘what consumers’ want and why’.
There are five areas of health with unique ingredients fueling product innovation.
1. Immune Health
Naturalness is a key priority for consumers, which can create opportunities for botanicals that are linked to immune health to expand into ‘new’ spaces”.
2. Weight Management
Interest in weight-management solutions can create opportunities for fiber to ‘become the next protein’ from a trend perspective.
3. Eye Health
Age-related eye degeneration is no longer the only focus for eye health solutions—producers can target gamers and children who spend prolonged time at screens.
4. Mental Wellbeing
Food, drink, and food supplements with claims linked to sleep and stress are currently scarce in food and drink, but have potential to grow.
5. Healthy Aging
Consumer interest in protecting their health for the later years can create opportunities for ingredients which holds potential to become ‘the next collagen’.