Immunity-plus: Experts highlight ingredient synergies and a growing role for gut health

21 Sep 2023 --- Consumer interest in immune-supporting nutrition is here to stay, according to industry professionals. Ongoing demand for holistic health products and a growing awareness of the microbiome’s importance in this health area opens up opportunities for product and ingredient synergies. Nutrition Insight discusses the latest developments and opportunities in the immune health market with Chr. Hansen, Kerry, TriNutra, Ingredients by Nature and Blue California.

Innova Market Insights data indicates that immunity support claims in supplements and sports nutrition launches increased 13% annually over the last five years. Immunity-supporting products also hold additional claims, such as energy and stamina, brain-mood health and mental acuity. 

“The microbiome and its important role in immunity has become a significant trend. It has been recognized that nutrition plays a fundamental role in supporting a healthy microbiome,” Adam Baker, science director of human health at Chr. Hansen tells us. 

“Ingredients and supplements that target positive changes in the microbiome are in focus. In this context, probiotics are sought after, but so are synbiotics that combine the benefits of prebiotics – for example, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) – and probiotics.” 

Niamh Hunt, senior global marketing manager of immune and joint health at Kerry, adds that the company’s consumer research found that two-thirds of consumers have been focused on leading healthier lives since the pandemic, with immune health emerging as a critical concern. 

“Fifty-eight percent of respondents cited immune support as the key benefit they looked for in a healthy lifestyle product and 40% had bought an immune-health product in the last six months.” 

Ingredient and health synergies   
Hunt highlights that demand for “immunity-plus” shows no signs of fading. These products offer immune support and additional benefits, such as stress. 

“Three in four consumers now associate mental well-being with good immune health and are looking for products to meet these needs.” 

Immunity-plus products, combining immune support with additional benefits, continue to be in high demand.She details that Kerry’s new Wellmune Adapt ingredient focuses on physical and mental well-being. It combines vitamin C with a patented baker’s yeast beta-glucan ingredient, Wellmune, to support the immune system and the company’s proprietary ashwagandha extract, Sensoril, for stress and sleep benefits. 

Morris Zelkah, CEO at TriNutra, adds that combining ingredients for their synergistic effects is a common trend in the immune health space. For example, TriNutra has combined ThymoQuin – its patented, cold-pressed black seed oil standardized to 3% thymoquinone – with vitamin D3, found in a clinical trial to improve immune function and aid a healthy inflammatory response. 

“Black seed oil has many therapeutic benefits, including its ability to support a balanced inflammatory response, improve mitochondrial activity – including ATP production – and deliver excellent antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial effects,” explains Zelkah. 

TriNutra has conducted several clinical studies on ThymoQuin and its ability to modulate immunity and well-being, both as a standalone ingredient and when combined with other well-known ingredients for immune health. 

“One published study investigated endurance runners’ ‘exercise stress’ to challenge the gut microbiome resilience and temporarily suppress immune vigilance. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial demonstrated that ThymoQuin acted as a natural immune modulator on upper-respiratory tract complaints and mood in endurance runners following the stress of training and competition.” 

Clinical studies combining ThymoQuin with omega 3 and astaxanthin also found immune support benefits and overall well-being following the stress of endurance training. 

Healing through the gut 
Meilissa Hosen, the commercial industry manager and human health at Chr. Hansen, highlights that 70-80% of the body’s immune cells are around the gastrointestinal tract. Over time, a stressful lifestyle, an unhealthy diet and increased antibiotic use can harm the gut microflora, which may negatively influence immune health. 

“With customer’s increasing awareness of the link between gut microbiota and the immune system, probiotic product launches that support immune health are steadily rising. But not only probiotics, other biotic products like postbiotics are also gaining traction in the market.” 

Probiotics are benefiting from a growing consumer awareness of the link between immune health and the gut.The growing popularity of probiotics to boost immunity indicates that consumers associate them with something other than digestive health. 

“The clinical benefits of probiotics have been long and well documented. However, the research involving postbiotics is still far behind probiotics. It is very important to provide evidence showing benefits and ensure the safety of consumers,” stresses Hosen.  

Chr. Hansen’s probiotic strain of Lactobacillus paracasei – L. casei 431 – has been shown to support immune health in three randomized clinical studies. The strain modulates the immune response and stimulates cytokine production, which could support everyday general well-being and maintain immune health.

Hosen continues: “It has also been shown to increase the number of antibodies produced in response to a challenge, supporting our body’s natural defense during times of challenge, e.g., during changing weather conditions. Clinical evidence also shows that it helps reduce the duration of respiratory discomforts, supporting the body’s natural defense for faster recovery.” 

Baker adds that Chr. Hansen also offers HMOs that are key in the microbiome development in infants and has developed probiotic strains such as Bifidobacterium infantis. These are scientifically and clinically demonstrated to support the developing infant microbiome and immune system. 

“The microbiome at the beginning of life is key to the co-development of the immune system that will be so important throughout life.” 

Moreover, he underscores that “one size does not easily fit all,” as people carry a unique microbiome and immune system. “In the future, we will be looking toward personalization and how we can best support our immune system.” 

Fifty-eight percent of respondents in Kerry’s consumer research look for immune support in new products.Health benefits from flavonoids  
Rob Brewster, president of Ingredients by Nature, sees ample opportunities to bring immune health products to the market with multiple functions and delivery formats. “Consumers are increasingly open to fortified foods and beverages and delivery formats that boost immune health.”  

The company’s Eriomin – a proprietary blend of citrus flavonoids – has been clinically researched to “manage a healthy inflammation response, support healthy cell function through increased antioxidant activity, help maintain blood glucose levels within normal range and support normal insulin sensitivity, which can also impact immune health.”

“Our proprietary lemon flavonoid blend, Eriomin, comprised primarily of Eriocitrin, showed powerful antioxidant support in two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical trials.” 

These studies demonstrated that the blend’s antioxidant ability plays an integral role in helping to properly manage prediabetes by supporting the body’s efforts for normalized blood glucose levels. 

“By addressing oxidative stress and the production of free radicals, Eriocitrin, helps to directly support the pathways that suppress cytokine generation and insulin resistance.”

Citrus flavonoids have long been recognized as powerful antioxidants. Combining them with vitamin C improves the vitamin’s bioavailability to support free radical production and balance immune cell activity. 

“Flavonoids are also referred to as vitamin P because of their many health benefits for overall well-being.” 

Gummies, fortified F&B and spreads are emerging as popular choices.Product format innovations  
Linda May-Zhang, Ph.D., VP of innovation at Blue California, sees a pronounced shift toward holistic health solutions. “In light of this, consumers are increasingly opting for products that address immunity, energy, mental clarity and sleep.” 

This fusion of immune health with other wellness areas signals a trend toward integrated health solutions. While traditional forms like capsules remain popular, she notes a rise in demand for alternative delivery formats. 

“Gummies, fortified foods and beverages like drinkable yogurts and spreads are emerging as popular choices, according to Innova Market Insights 2023.” 

“However, the supply chain for botanical and natural ingredients faces distinct challenges,” cautions May-Zhang. “Seasonal fluctuations, sustainability concerns and global regulatory disparities make consistency and quality assurance difficult. Addressing these hurdles requires innovative solutions and collaboration throughout the supply chain.”

Additionally, she notes that consumers no longer compromise on taste for health benefits. The convergence of nutrition with sensory experiences, like indulgent flavors or complementary fragrances for wellness, opens a new frontier for innovation in the immune support sector.

Kerry’s Hunt observes consumers increasingly seek convenient ways to incorporate immune-support ingredients into their everyday lives.

“This has opened up opportunities to move beyond standard formats such as capsules and move into a wide range of food and drink applications. In our most recent consumer survey, fruit and vegetable juices offering immune support were popular with 52% of respondents, with 45% interested in sports nutrition drinks and 44% in enhanced waters.” 

By Jolanda van Hal