Chr. Hansen weighs in on microbiome-immunity connection as regional opportunities beckon

13 Nov 2020 --- Chr. Hansen is shedding more light on the connection between the human microbiome and the immune system. NutritionInsight speaks to the company’s experts ahead of its upcoming webinar about the nuances and complexities of using probiotics to address a broad group of consumers with diverse demands.

“The connection between the microbiome and immunity is very direct and clear. Seventy percent of our immune system is located around our gastrointestinal system. Bacteria in the microbiome are also in direct contact and communication with immune cells,” says Dr. Adam Baker, director of science. 

On a broader level, the microbiome’s development and maintenance is directly linked to the development of the immune system generally. Many of the roles bacteria play in the gut impact our immune system, either directly or indirectly, he adds. 

“As we learn more about the science of how the microbiome and microbes interact and co-exist, we are starting to understand how we can modulate or nudge the microbiome. In this way, we can directly influence immune parameters,” continues Baker. 

He argues that the more we learn, the better we should become at optimizing and using the microbiome as a tool to better maintain immunity and general health.Chr. Hansen sees stronger demand for its probiotics in the US.

Regional differences proliferate
At 6.9 and 5.7 percent respectively, Australasia and North America had the highest proportion of food, beverage and supplement launches tracked with a digestive health claim in 2019, according to Innova Market Insights. 

Meanwhile, 3.5 percent of Asian launches in 2019 featured a digestive health claim. Closely behind were Europe (2.3 percent), Latin America (2.2 percent), and the Middle East and Africa (2.1 percent). 

With nearly a quarter of these digestive health launches featuring a probiotic positioning, it is no surprise that Chr. Hansen sees stronger demand for its ingredients in the US.

“The probiotics category carries a stronger immune health claim and recognition by health care professionals (HCP) in the US. There, we have seen stronger consumer demand for probiotics,” says Anna Przewozna, head of adult health. 

Shifting attitudes in EU and China 
In contrast, many brands remain challenged in consumer communication and HCP education in the EU, notes Przewozna. This is because there is not a single probiotic with a recognized European Food Safety Authority claim for immune health. 

However, this is now changing, with Spain recently authorizing the use of the term “probiotics” on food and supplement labels. 

“Chinese demand has varied as their probiotics are growing with recognition for immune health. However, there is also strong competition from natural Chinese remedies for immune health,” continues Przewozna.

She adds that a key point for probiotics remains in science education and recognition of clinically documented probiotic solutions for immune health. “Selected strains and clinical documentation make a difference.”

Anne-Christina Hoff, head of global marketing, adds that misinformation is a major challenge in the gut health realm. “Publicly available information on probiotics is not always correct or backed by science, leading to confusion and misconceptions.”

To address this, the company recently launched The Probiotics Institute, an online platform for US consumers.Chr. Hansen’s 2025 strategy will see more investments in the expansion of its microbial platform and technological capabilities.

Changes on the horizon
One trend that Baker spots is the importance of personalized nutrition. “Tailored to Fit” is Innova Market Insights’ third Top Trend for 2021 in light of nearly two-thirds of global consumers now finding ways to tailor products to their individual style, beliefs and needs. 

“We hope that the future will bring personalized nutrition options for consumers to make optimal choices in terms of microbiome health on a personal basis,” Baker states.

Meanwhile, Chr. Hansen recently announced its 2025 strategy, which will see more investments in the expansion of its microbial platform and technological capabilities.

Przewozna points to the June US-based UAS Labs for US$530 million. “With the new product portfolio acquired, we have not only expanded our well-documented strains solution for immune health, but can now also offer customers probiotics for heart health, weight management and irritable bowel syndrome.”

On November 19, Chr. Hansen will host a webinar detailing the connection between immunity and the microbiome, as well as the differences between probiotic strains. Registration is currently open here.

By Katherine Durrell