Promotional banner for Vitafoods Europe in Barcelona, May 5–7, 2026, featuring booth 3K104 details and two people smiling beside Novonesis logo.
Home
Key trends
Nutrition focus

Managing gut and digestive health through natural ingredients

Apr 2023
Image
Click to read

Globally, one in three consumers say they are looking for more health benefits for their gut & digestive system, focusing on functional food NPD with gut & digestion health claims. Product launches featuring these claims have grown 3% over the last two years (2020-2022) and 31% of global consumers say they believe that functional F&B products are very effective in improving their gut & digestive health. Immune health is the leading claim in the segment for functional F&B featuring in 20% of launches between 2018 and 2022 and a major opportunity lies in supplements that promote the gut-brain axis, which has seen a 105% average annual growth in launches over the last five years (2018-2022). This Nutrition Focus presentation is brought to you by Bionap. 

More nutrition focuses
Image
Sports recovery solutions
Apr 2026 | Setria by Kyowa

Innova Market Insights data indicates that consumers are eager to use recovery products when going to the gym. Consumers are especially interested in using nutrition-fortified foods and drinks, as well as supplements, for performance and recovery. Globally, there is an average 22% growth in sports nutrition launches with recovery claims between 2021 to 2025. Sports powders account for the largest share of NPD.

Image
Ageless vitality solutions
Mar 2026 | Lactalis Ingredients

Innova Market Insights data shows the rising influence of healthy aging solutions as consumers globally boost their protein intake to support longevity and well-being. This trend has driven innovation, with healthy-aging claims in sports nutrition growing by an average of 43% annually from 2021 to 2025. Over the past year, supplements have been the top choice for healthy aging, followed by nutrition-fortified foods and drinks.

Image
Collagen support solutions
Feb 2026 | Biocell

Innova Market Insights data shows that over half of global consumers are paying attention to collagen in their diets. The majority of these consumers prefer collagen supplements in on-the-go or powder formats, which opens the door to further format innovation for busy consumers. Collagen ingredients in supplement launches are rising with +6% growth from 2021 to 2025.

Image
Botanical and herbal supplements are essential to gut health innovations
Jan 2026 | Innova Market Insights

Innova Market Insights’ data indicates a 2% compound annual growth in supplement launches with digestive health claims between October 2020 and September 2025. Europe and US/Canada lead these launches, and Botanical/Herbal supplements were the top subcategory. The use of various functional ingredients is gaining ground.

Image
Active aging
Dec 2025 | Lactalis Ingredients

Innova Market Insights data show growth in active nutrition launches with a healthy aging claim from October 2020 to September 2023. Additionally, 75% of consumers worldwide consider healthy aging to be important. Most of these healthy aging launches were sports powders, but ready-to-drink launches are also increasing globally.

Image
HMOs: From science to solution, powering nutrition for all life stages
Dec 2025 | Cabio

Innova Market Insights data indicate an 18% average annual growth in HMO (human milk oligosaccharide) ingredient use for all life stages nutrition, including infant nutrition and supplement launches. Asia was the leading region for these launches. Overall, there is a steep growth for HMO ingredient use for infant nutrition, children’s supplements, and an exceptionally high increase in adult supplement NPD.

Image