Functional ingredients unlock healthy gut microbiome, personalized nutrition, and weight management

A growing consumer interest in personalized nutrition and the gut microbiome is driving innovation in functional ingredients. Brands are leveraging cutting-edge research to explore targeted solutions for gut health, healthy weight management, mental health, and overall wellness. 

Nutrition Insight meets with industry leaders from Sensus, Tirlán, Clasado Biosciences, Layn Natural Ingredients, dsm-firmenich, and Ingredients by Nature, who share their opinions on the latest trends shaping the future of functional ingredients and biotics. 

Eszter Heijnen, commercial manager at Sensus, says there is a significant focus on a healthy digestive system, with ingredients such as prebiotics and probiotics taking center stage. 

“Prebiotics, such as chicory root fiber, are crucial in promoting a healthy gut microbiome and improving overall digestive function. This, in turn, supports other health areas like immune modulation and inflammation reduction.” 

She also highlights a growing interest in metabolic health, weight management, and mental health. “Emerging evidence is suggesting that functional ingredients can influence the gut-brain axis. Chicory root fibers, for example, have the potential to provide mental health benefits by supporting a balanced gut microbiome, which is linked to improved mood and cognitive function.” 

Mairtin O’Coinceanainn, head of Consumer and Ingredient Solutions R&D at Tirlán, adds that health authorities and regulators are pushing to reduce saturated fats, sugar, and salt in foods to address public health concerns. 

“As consumers continue to prioritize health and seek out healthier options, these trends around gut health and reformulation to reduce unhealthy ingredients will continue to drive innovation in the functional ingredients sector.”

Gut health and beyond

Steven Riley, head of marketing at Clasado Biosciences, says that research has “supercharged our understanding of functional ingredients,” specifically in mapping the connections within the gut microbiome and how it influences overall health. 

He adds that gut microbiome-focused ingredients have become pillars in health strategies as consumer awareness of the gut’s importance is accelerating dramatically. 

“This awareness drives practical product development, particularly in functional beverages where prebiotics are being rapidly adopted. Key value areas include gut health support, which now ranks high on consumer agendas, and products delivering complementary benefits. There’s also a growing understanding of the gut-skin axis — essentially to help support feeling good and looking good.” 

Scientific research continues to link a healthy gut microbiome to other benefits, such as mental health and immunity.Clasado Biosciences’ prebiotic ingredient, Bimuno GOS, is “the most comprehensively studied galactooligosaccharide (GOS) available,” says Riley. The ingredient is backed by over 125 scientific publications and 20 clinical trials. 

“This research portfolio substantiates Bimuno GOS’ ability to selectively nourish beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome, supporting three key health areas.”

“First, gastrointestinal well-being, with studies showing improvements in commonly reported symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, such as digestive discomfort. Second is immune function, considering approximately 70% of immune cells reside in the gut. And third, cognitive health via the gut-brain axis, which research continues to provide a crucial pathway for supporting mental well-being.”

James Roza, CSO of Layn Natural Ingredients, says that research has advanced functional ingredients by establishing this connection between a healthy microbiome and general health. 

“There is growing evidence that dysbiosis of the gut can affect many conditions ranging from mental health to weight gain. The gut-brain axis is now being implicated in many conditions such as stress, sleep, and depression.” 

“Prebiotic fibers, green foods, and bacteria such as Akkermansia muciniphila have all been shown to support GLP-1 agonists in weight management. Specific strains of bacteria are being identified for their impact on inflammation, immunity, and stamina.” 

Functional biotics

Dr. Robert Steinert, principal scientist at dsm-firmenich, says that biotics — including prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics — are valuable additions to functional products aimed at promoting overall well-being as they confer multiple health benefits by improving gut microbiota balance. 

“As research reveals the microbiome’s complex metabolic networks and their impact on whole-body wellness, the biotics market is evolving toward solutions that support intricate nutrient exchange systems within the gut ecosystem,” he predicts. 

Heijnen says that Sensus’ chicory root prebiotics have many health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and improving digestion.Steinert highlights dsm-firmenich’s “groundbreaking” Humiome B2 ingredient, dubbed the first “biotic” vitamin, which delivers targeted nutrition through the company’s Microbiome Targeted Technology. 

“Unlike traditional vitamin B2 supplements, Humiome B2 releases 90% of vitamin B2 directly in the colon, where more than 70% of gut microbiota reside, specifically nourishing beneficial bacteria to support gut barrier integrity, immunity, mental well-being, and metabolic health.” 

He adds that Humiome B2’s dual-action coating withstands harsh stomach conditions while enhancing vitamin stability against humidity, light, and oxygen. “This product complements our broader portfolio of postbiotics, including Humiome Post LB, which provides clinically validated digestive and immune support through heat-treated bacterial strains.” 

Healthy weight management

In addition to gut health, Heijnen highlights healthy weight management as a key area where functional ingredients can add value. She says that Sensus’ prebiotics derived from chicory root can enhance taste and texture, in addition to benefits in weight management, immune support, inflammation reduction, and gut and mental health. 

“Ingredients that serve as fat and sugar replacers, like chicory inulin and oligofructose, not only help reduce calorie intake but also enhance the nutritional profile of food products. These ingredients offer a low-calorie alternative while providing essential dietary fibers, contributing to satiety and weight control.” 

Roza highlights several trademarked solutions from Layn Natural Ingredients in healthy weight management. “SophorOx has been demonstrated to aid in weight management and inhibit oxidative stress. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, participants experienced significant weight loss over two months.” 

He speculates this benefit is related to quercetin, the primary component of SophorOx, which is synergistic to GLP-1 agonist drugs such as liraglutide.

Interest in healthy weight management and boosting GLP-1 hormone levels drives market demand for functional ingredients.Rob Brewster, president of Ingredients by Nature, highlights Eriomin, the company’s functional ingredient for metabolic health and healthy weight management. 

“Eriomin is a proprietary blend of citrus flavonoids, primarily composed of Eriocitrin. Eriocitrin has shown promising effects on GLP-1 hormone and blood sugar regulation. Human clinical trials suggest that Eriomin may help support healthy blood glucose levels by boosting GLP-1 hormone levels, thereby aiding insulin secretion, glucagon suppression, and blood sugar balance.” 

He details that 200 mg of Eriomin daily supplementation consistently demonstrated significant improvements in GLP-1 hormone levels in three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. 

“Across these studies, participants experienced an average increase of 17.5% in GLP-1 compared to the placebo group, with one study revealing increases as high as 22%,” says Brewster. “These findings suggest that Eriomin can effectively support the body’s natural GLP-1 production and function, benefiting various aspects of health.” 

Personalized nutrition

Another trend shaping the functional ingredients market is personalized nutrition. Brewster says that AI is poised to transform this space for consumers. 

“For example, Versaware, a smart kitchen appliance set to launch this fall, promises to accurately display the nutritional breakdown of food as it is added to its appliances. In the future, these appliances could integrate with health and wellness brands, advising consumers on nutritional gaps and how to supplement their diets with various vitamins and minerals.” 

Brewster notes that younger generations, such as Gen Z and Millennials, are particularly interested in personalized nutrition, saying that “71% express a strong interest in customized supplements.”

Steinert from dsm-firmenich says the gut health space can benefit from this growing push for personalized nutrition, especially since healthy gut microbiome compositions vary significantly across populations. 

“We anticipate this insight will drive a shift from single-ingredient interventions to comprehensive supplement stacks that address specific health concerns while respecting microbiome individuality.” 

O’Coinceanainn highlights that functional ingredients can boost foods’ nutritional values or customize them to specific dietary needs (Image credit: Tirlán).Steinert predicts a growing demand for precision delivery systems and customized formulations that combine targeted vitamins, biotics, and other functional ingredients for personalized health goals, such as “improving sleep quality, stress resilience, cognitive function, or metabolic health.”

Boosting nutritional values

Functional ingredients can support a range of health benefits, but Tirlán’s O’Coinceanainn highlights that they can boost foods’ nutritional values or customize them for people with specific dietary needs. 

For example, he says Tirlán helps manufacturers meet the demand for free-form and coeliac diet requirements by specializing in gluten-free oat ingredients. “Tirlán’s Gluten Free Oats have a gluten guarantee of <5 ppm, exceeding the industry standard of <20 ppm.” 

The company achieves this standard through a closed-loop supply chain, OatSecure, that ensures gluten-free oats from seed development to milling. 

O’Coinceanainn says that Tirlán’s Liquid Oat Base can help companies achieve sugar reformulation goals in response to public health initiatives to reduce sugar content. 

“Sensory panel tests have confirmed that this ingredient maintains excellent sensory attributes, ensuring that reduced-sugar options are still well-received by consumers.”

He adds that the company offers solutions for the growing focus on high-protein solutions in sports and clinical nutrition. Moreover, Tirlán’s milk protein isolates, concentrates, and low-lactose ingredients can provide essential nutritional benefits and functional nutrition for diverse consumer groups. 

“As aging populations worldwide call for improved musculoskeletal health, Tirlán’s extensive portfolio of protein ingredients, backed by comprehensive application and sensory testing, supports the increasing demand for functional ingredients in sports nutrition and clinical nutrition to combat frailty and support overall health.”