Healthy aging hits new heights as Nutiani by Fonterra targets mobility and gut health solutions

28 Mar 2023 --- The healthy aging space is experiencing striking growth, with Innova Market Insights revealing that functional foods and beverages with aging well claims have risen 14% globally over the last five years (CAGR, 2018-2022) and this growth correlates with rising consumer interest in healthy aging.

According to the Innova Trends 2023 Survey, close to one in three consumers say that they are already taking active steps to age healthily, starting from the age of 30.

Fonterra’s brand Nutiani is set to address what it sees at the top trends within the space, namely mobility, proactivity in younger consumers and the role of the microbiome.

“Our ingredient portfolio is the basis of targeted formulations for customers who market to healthy agers,” Jacqueline Van Schaik, lead nutritionist at Fonterra, tells NutritionInsight.

“Without intervention, loss of muscle mass starts as early as the age of 30, with a 3-5% loss per decade. We also see a decline in bone density as we age, requiring more calcium and vitamin D to maintain bone density for as long as possible.”

To combat these aging effects, Van Schaik further notes that “Nutiani leverages a range of high-quality dairy ingredients such as whey protein and milk protein, milk minerals, phospholipids and lactoferrin. We also have several probiotics from dairy and non-dairy sources.”

Van Schaik underscores two of the main aspects of mobility – muscle strength and bone and joint health.Longer and more active lives
The company highlights that mobility is the principal trends in the space, stating that the World Health Organization has indicated that mobility bolsters healthy aging and may be the key to remaining independent as people age. Additionally, the company states that 75% of global consumers aged 60 and above state that they have some form of mobility problems.

Moreover, Van Schaik underscores two of the main aspects of mobility – muscle strength and bone and joint health. “There is a clear, unresolved need for products formulated to address wider mobility concerns in the aging population,” she adds. 

“Up to 99% of the body’s calcium resides in bone,” explains Van Schaik. “The body can’t make calcium. Therefore an adequate supply of calcium in the diet is required to avoid bone loss. Vitamin D is an important nutrient, as calcium absorption and phosphate reabsorption are supported by vitamin D. Without sufficient vitamin D, only 10 to 15% of dietary calcium is absorbed.”

Building muscles
She details that milk protein concentrate and calcium caseinate are good sources of the protein and the calcium and phosphorus mineral components needed to maintain bone density and health. She also notes that dairy protein is known to contribute to the growth and maintenance of muscles. 

“The combination of high bioavailability and high levels of essential amino acids – especially branched-chain amino acids – stimulates new muscle formation,” says Van Schaik. “High-quality proteins like dairy provide the highest levels of leucine and are therefore most suitable for muscle support.” 

“A leucine threshold should be reached to trigger muscle protein synthesis. A higher leucine content coupled with a fast absorption profile, makes whey protein the gold standard for muscle support. As we age, we need more protein to help prevent sarcopenia, and so it’s important to include protein in healthy aging product formulations.”

Younger consumersA large portion of global consumers between the ages of 16 to 54 increasingly want to manage their health in the preventative stage.
Van Schaik notes that preventative actions, led by increasingly younger consumers, are another critical trend in healthy aging. 

“Today’s consumers are more proactive with their approach to healthy aging, and in particular mobility, by taking preventative actions to manage their long-term health,” she elaborates. 

She further highlights that a large portion of global consumers between the ages of 16 to 54 increasingly want to manage their health earlier to avoid future health issues. 

“This presents a really promising incremental growth space for brands to expand healthy aging products beyond traditional demographics and into younger consumer spaces.”

The power of the gut
Another growing trend within the healthy aging space is the gut microbiome. Van Schaik emphasizes that, as we age, there is a natural decline in both the diversity of microbes in the gut as well as in the gut’s function and a decrease in immunity function.

Furthermore, she reveals that probiotics are most often associated with dairy products like yogurt or cultured beverages. However, she notes that Fonterra’s two “hero probiotics” – LactoB HN001 and BifidoB HN019– are clinically proven to support several aspects of digestion and improve immune health.

“This can mean that older consumers can also suffer from poorer digestive health, Similarly, immune function declines with age. This makes digestive health and immunity key concerns for healthy aging. We have particularly seen this during the pandemic, where senior populations are reminded that they are naturally more vulnerable as a function of age,” concludes Van Schaik.

By William Bradford Nichols