Nutraceuticals after COVID-19: Lonza highlights solutions for gut health, mobility and esports

18 Nov 2022 --- New nutraceutical trends are emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, as consumer interest spikes in gut health, joint health and mobility, active nutrition and esports. 

NutritionInsights sits down with Lindsey Toth, director of global marketing for capsules and health ingredients at Lonza, who shares insights on industry changes in light of COVID-19. The Swiss-based manufacturer and biotech company also presents its latest product developments and nutraceutical innovations.

“It is no secret that the pandemic has had a profound and prolonged effect on how we live, move and behave. Now, consumers are increasingly looking to move on from the effects of the pandemic to regain a sense of empowerment and achieve their individual health goals. The main trends in the nutraceuticals space reflect this.”

Segments aligning
Toth says that mobility and joint health are taking center stage as consumers of all ages are becoming more aware of joint health’s role in supporting overall health and well-being. 

“Research by Lonza highlighted that 82% of dietary supplement users would be interested in taking a joint health supplement if proven effective. Lonza’s research also shows that an almost equal percentage of millennials (38%) and baby boomers (38%) are likely to be interested in joint health.”

Esports is an emerging category that offers opportunities for brands to create innovative solutions, according to Lonza.On the same note, she details consumers’ desire to move on from the pandemic, which has propelled the growth of the active nutrition market. As consumers look to get moving again and increase the time they spend exercising to improve health and fitness, the segment is no longer just for professional athletes and bodybuilders. 

“It is expanding and evolving to include budding athletes, regular gym-goers and even those with physically demanding jobs. While the schedules and goals of these diverse groups may vary, the desire to perform at their best is the same.”

She adds that esports is an emerging category that offers opportunities for brands to create innovative solutions.

“Just like traditional sports, esports athletes want to perform at their best and are looking for products that can support their mental and physical performance. With the esports market expected to reach US$1.8 billion in revenue this year, the time is now for nutraceutical brands to get ahead of the game.”

Trust your gut
Consumers increasingly understand the link between gut health and mental and physical well-being. Therefore, solutions supporting gut health, such as probiotics, are also trending.

“Probiotics have been gaining consumer attention, but their benefits for athletic performance and exercise endurance are also gaining prominence as science digs deeper into their potential. While further research is needed, probiotics offer significant promise for the growing esports industry,” explains Toth.

For the active nutrition space, the company highlights its TWK10 sports probiotic, sourced from Taiwanese kimchi. 

“It has been shown to facilitate higher circulating blood glucose levels during exercise, supporting increased natural energy levels to help athletes push harder and go farther. The ingredient is clinically proven to enhance exercise endurance by up to 75% and improve body composition and energy levels,” Toth details.

It is available in 100 mg doses and can be used across various nutraceutical applications.

Increased expectations
As consumers demand more from their joint health supplements, Lonza also spotlights its UC-II undenatured type II collagen ingredient. 

“It is a science-backed ingredient clinically shown to offer benefits for joint health, mobility and flexibility. What sets this ingredient apart from other joint health ingredients is its patented manufacturing process from chicken sternum cartilage – the richest source of type II collagen.”Gummies are rising in demand, although capsules remain the market’s most popular format. 

By using a gentle, low temperature-processing to preserve more of the undenatured triple helix structure of the type II collagen and offering a small 40 mg daily dose, the ingredient can be used in various applications, such as capsules with complementary ingredient combinations, bars and foods and beverages, details Toth.

Overall, she says that gummies are a format that is rising in demand, although capsules remain the leader, preferred by 44% of global consumers. 

“Capsules offer much flexibility as a dosage form, making product innovation easily accessible for brands while also delivering on consumer non-negotiables like convenience, swallowability and efficacy.”

She concludes that hybrid products are becoming more attractive as they offer multiple ingredients or benefits in a single product.

By Beatrice Wihlander, with additional reporting by Inga de Jong