ADM predicts postbiotics will drive next wave of gut microbiome innovation

A healthy gut microbiome is a key focus for health-conscious consumers, as research links it to immunity, mental wellness, and cognition. However, as probiotics, a staple for gut health support, need to survive processing and a product’s shelf life, their product applications are limited. Conversely, postbiotics can overcome these limitations. 

To shine a light on postbiotic innovations, Nutrition Insight speaks with Brad Schwan, VP of Global Category Marketing at ADM. 

“We think postbiotics are going to power what’s next when it comes to nutrition innovation,” he tells us. “Postbiotics let manufacturers meet consumers where they are on their wellness journey because of the flexibility that they have.”

“They can be incorporated into essentially limitless numbers of food and beverage formulations. When you don’t have to worry as much about these concerns on the format, and you’ve mitigated the limitations on format that you often have as a product developer, you can focus on your target audience and what format would resonate most with them.”

Schwan notes that brands can innovate across a “virtually limitless set of categories,” including frozen yogurt bites, gummies, powdered beverage sticks, carbonated soft drinks, and snacks.

“It creates enormous flexibility for innovation, for our customers, and for food developers.”

Probiotics vs. postbiotics

The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) defines probiotics as “microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.”

In comparison, ISAPP notes that a postbiotic is a “preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host.”

While both confer a health benefit, Schwan notes that postbiotics’ “inanimate” form offers greater stability and formulation flexibility than conventional probiotics’ “live” form.

At Expo West 2026, ADM’s Vaughn DuBow told us how the company’s consumer insights and research drive postbiotic innovations.“The main difference practically between these two things is postbiotics’ ability to be integrated into shelf-stable formats in a much wider range of formats. Probiotics, generally speaking, can’t survive in many tough formulation situations, and often they can’t survive without refrigeration.”

“But since postbiotics contain inanimate microorganisms, they can support a wide range of product innovation possibilities when you’re looking for gut microbiome support.”

Schwan says postbiotics are “incredibly resilient” and can survive harsh manufacturing environments, such as high heat. Most importantly, they retain their efficacy throughout their shelf life and don’t require refrigeration.

Meeting consumer demands

Consumer data indicates that people are prioritizing better sleep, weight maintenance, and digestive health, says Schwan. He notes that ADM is aligning its postbiotic suite to address some of those key spaces.

“Our Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 postbiotic is a game changer for support via the gut-brain axis, and this particular postbiotic may support stress reduction, mood enhancement, and improved sleep quality.”

At last year’s Food ingredients Europe, the company won the show’s Health Innovation award for this postbiotic, which modulates the gut to address sleep duration, quality, and time to fall asleep.

Moreover, at this trade show, the company told us how the postbiotic supports areas of women’s health, such as addressing physical and mental symptoms of the premenstrual cycle and menopause.

Schwan says that postbiotics can be used in many product applications, including powdered beverage sticks, carbonated soft drinks, and gummies.“Another postbiotic is a Bifidobacterium longum strain. We call it ES1,” continues Schwan. “This one has clinical research indicating that it may help support overall gut and digestive health and also has the potential to support reduced bloating.”

Earlier research showed an improvement in quality-of-life scores compared with placebo, along with a significant reduction in stress. 

The last example Schwan provides is ADM’s BPL1 postbiotic (B. animalis subsp. lactis CECT8145). “We’ve got robust research behind this one that targets aspects relevant to metabolic health.”

Alicia Humpert, the global marketing director, microbiome, at ADM, previously told us that emerging and in vitro research suggests BPL1 postbiotic, combined with diet and exercise, may help support “visceral fat reduction, a healthy waist circumference, and metabolic health pathways.”

Gut microbiome research

There’s a growing body of research that shows the important role the gut microbiome plays in various aspects of health and wellness, Schwan highlights. “The research is fascinating.”

He notes studies are highlighting several connections along the gut-organ axes, such as gut-brain or gut-muscle. “At ADM, we’re dedicated to expanding tailored health and wellness innovation possibilities with gut microbiome solutions like postbiotics. We’ve got 50 ongoing clinical studies studying different biotic strains.”

Schwan explains that ADM is focusing its research on consumer demands for stress, sleep, mood, digestion, and metabolic health. “It’s the consumer and the science that are driving our innovation program and our research agenda when it comes to the biotic space.”

“Where the consumer needs and robust science meet is a wonderful place to innovate,” he concludes.