Geeky (and important) insights into 6 of tomorrow’s functional ingredients

Increased interest in nutrition is driving the addition of functional ingredients in foods and specialty supplementation. 

Prebiotics are playing an important role in the effectiveness of probiotics.

Drinks formulated with probiotics multiplied from eight to 51 products in four years.

The probiotic growth trend stems from the research being conducted on the microbiome and the how it affects a wide variety of health outcomes.

Probiotic strains matter. They are more specific than lactobacillus acidophilus—a genus species with a number and a letter after it indicate a well-researched strain. 

Collagen in the marketplace is prevalent and still growing at 30 percent.

Applications range from supplements to beauty products to food and beverage. 

The flavorless powder of collagen added to food and beverages easily delivers nutritional benefits to the gut, bones and skin without popping pills.

The three main legal issues around CBD involve the DEA, the FDA and the Farm Bill. 

Researchers are still learning about the presence of receptors in the body, dosages and the variety of health benefits. 

Full-spectrum hemp oils, which capture CBD’s benefits, are making their way around the supermarket, including in pet products. 

The momentum behind protein is driven by the popularity of a low-carb, high-protein diet.

Protein is popping up in multiple categories, both in plant-based and meat-based products, in drinks, grains, pastas, and snacks, cookies and candy.

Protein is being redefined with an emphasis on quality of protein over quantity. 

There’s a large shift in the market toward plant protein. 

Kernza is a domesticated cousin of the wheat plant debuting at Natural Products Expo West that supports healthy soil and carbon sequestration. 

There is a growing interest in the mitigation of climate change through regenerative agriculture and food systems.

Eight of the top 20 solutions to climate change identified at Climate Day are related to agricultural practices.

A number of brands want to do more than just prevent harm to the environment, they want to heal it.