A clear opportunity for the Nutraceuticals market appeared as the internet has democratised the ability to investigate and be informed about personal health issues and remedies.
Also, while health and wellbeing are currently on the front of mind for the general public, accentuated by the recent global COVID-19 pandemic, nature is gaining ground on people’s illness-related remedies and choices.
Nature has made its point when reinstating its power, and the nutraceuticals market has shown how earth itself can provide a myriad of health benefits when accurately used.
The nutraceuticals market demand evolution
The nutraceuticals market has been born as an innovative and transversal segment to the pharmaceutical and nutritional health segments, blurring the boundaries among traditional approaches.
Nutraceutical products are usually foods or supplements, used for treatment and preventive purposes, that do not require a prescription. They are mainly recommended and/or consumed as a complement to pharmacological treatments. Moreover, its medical properties are recognized by infinite research.
Outlined by PWC’s vitamins and dietary supplements market trends overview, Europeans generally perceive these dietary supplements as products that improve health and wellness, and consume them as a precautionary measure to prevent health disorders.
General tendencies in the last years towards higher levels of obesity, hectic lifestyles and drug prices have flourished European consumers’ interest in food supplements.
How the nutraceuticals market works on preventing diseases: promoting a healthier lifestyle
As in any problem, the earlier you deal with it the easier it will eradicate. And as PWC’s overview confirms, people’s health progress goes from acquiring positive food and lifestyle habits, to supporting these with nutraceutical foods or supplements, to ultimately taking medical drugs if required.
With vitamins and dietary supplements covering 26% of the nutraceuticals market worldwide in 2019, products are being majorly used as a diet aid for specific needs in relation to disease-control and sports matters.
Considering that the leading causes of annual deaths and disability are due to chronic diseases, and that these are largely preventable, it is no surprise that better dietary and lifestyle choices are being made. Healthier living not only enhances people’s quality of life, it also offsets rising health care costs associated with disease control.
Consumer trends after COVID-19 pandemic and how they have boosted the nutraceuticals market
As the pandemic entered people’s homes, it shook our foundational way of life, dismantling our long-time based habits, and people understood more about the importance of staying healthy and supporting their immune systems.
Broken routines create new consumer mindsets and new purchasing habits. And if there is one core concept that has summed up consumer interest in natural supplements and superfoods during the pandemic, it is immunity. Growing concerns on immune health have triggered the demand for ingredients and procedures that boost overall health, including food supplements and nutraceuticals.
The unprecedented coronavirus outbreak has affected the European Nutraceuticals market, where countries such as Italy, Spain, UK, France and Germany concentrate the highest portion of the surge in demand for immunity-boosting products. This region is now expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.8% over the next 7 years, as concluded by Grand View Research’s industry analysis and forecast for 2021-2208.
While Covid-19 has made people more conscious about their health, poor air quality derived from global warming and respiratory problems derived from the pandemic have heightened focus on plant-based, natural and organic wellness solutions that take care of nature and make lives of people better.
Emerging trends in the Nutraceuticals market in the EU
Newly derived habits from the pandemic have incurred a slight decrease in more niche specialty categories (weight loss and sports for example). Reason why the nutraceutical market is growing and progressing at such a fast pace; working on favouring supplements, superfoods, herbals and botanicals that uplift general wellbeing as a priority.
Moreover, with many people spending larger portions of their time at home, consumers are investing more time into researching best formulas and benefits from the nutraceuticals market.
The following are three key trends that have marked the nutraceutical industry forever, and that will hopefully foster innovation and resources towards a cleaner and healthier future.
The rise of organic and natural based products
Plant-based proteins and natural supplements are two fast-growing categories in the post-pandemic era that are feeding the growth of the European nutraceuticals market. As opposed to synthetic nutrients, natural and plant-based nutrients are obtained from whole food sources in the diet and are therefore better absorbed and used in the body.
Going one step further, while the organic movement is widely ingrained in the food and beverage aisles, it is also transforming the food supplements industry. Even though there are plenty of F&B organic options, multi-ingredient formulations for natural and organic supplements are still challenging.
However, consumer demand-driven pressures are pushing nutraceuticals market suppliers to offer premium quality supplements. As with food, the more natural and organic supplements are, the better they are for the body.
While consumers are learning to read labels, it is also essential for them to identify ingredients that come from safe and reliable sources by selecting certified organic products and buying only from certified suppliers.
The upsurge of disease-prevention remedies
Whether it is because someone is stressing out a little bit more recently, sleeping less or spending way too much time in front of computer screens, the nutraceuticals market can provide help to today’s health challenges, offering natural ingredients in its formulas.
By strengthening the immune system, natural supplements can prevent these factors from activating potential diseases, while their organic nature insures them not getting in conflict with the body.
From natural sweeteners and superfoods to functional ingredients and beehive products, natural ingredients possess multiple health benefits for human beings. For instance, Bee pollen is considered the perfectly complete ingredient due to its composition; containing 19 of the 21 essential amino acids in nature.
Together with bee pollen, other certified organic natural remedies such as royal jelly and propolis are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that will make life better.
Solutions to aging: aesthetics and healthy needs
Another positive trend for the nutraceuticals market is the growing importance given to nurturing one’s beauty from a perspective of health. Beauty trends have always been a product of their times.
From exfoliating the skin in the search of brighter complexions underneath, to nurturing our body inside out. Nature’s benefits go beyond aesthetics, slowing down the aging process to achieve a regenerative action that helps the skin look youthful while contributing to the proper functioning of the body.
Food supplements based on components such as propolis or manuka honey have powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties that can help with the healing process of the skin. As well as balancing the skin’s PH level and battling acne, these compounds promote a smooth and soft appearance, while contributing to a healthier, more vibrant skin complexion.
How HoneyGreen makes it easy to working natural ingredients
At HoneyGreen we work exclusively with natural ingredients as a source of value to discover healthy alternatives that have a positive impact on consumer health and nutrition, while caring of the environment and the world we live in.
With innovation at the centre of our practices, our mission is for humans to take the leap towards the natural side of life. We work with our customers in the nutraceuticals market to help them decide on the best options from a wide range of natural ingredients.
Take the first natural step with us by downloading our Corporate Presentation and get to know how we bring you nature at its best!