It is more than halfway through 2021. Although some countries and regions around the world are still in the shadow of the new crown epidemic, the sales of natural health products are increasing, and the entire industry is ushering in a period of rapid development. Recently, market research company FMCG Gurus released a report called "Top Ten Central Raw Materials", highlighting the sales, popularity and new product development of these raw materials in the coming year. Some of these raw materials will rank significantly. rise.

Lactoferrin

Lactoferrin is a protein found in milk and breast milk, and many formula milk powders contain this ingredient. It is reported that lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein that belongs to the transferrin family and participates in the transport of serum iron together with transferrin. The multiple biological functions of lactoferrin are very important for infants to establish a barrier against pathogenic microorganisms, especially premature infants.

At present, this raw material attracts the attention of consumers who question their vulnerability to the new coronavirus disease, as well as consumers who have improved their ability to recover from daily and chronic diseases. According to a survey conducted by FMCG Gurus, globally, 72-83% of consumers believe that a poor immune system is associated with susceptibility to long-term health problems. 70% of consumers worldwide have changed their diets and lifestyles to improve their immunity. In contrast, only 53% of consumers in the 2019 data report.

Epizoic

Epibiotics refer to the bacterial components or microbial metabolites of microorganisms with biological activity. They are another key ingredient that is beneficial to intestinal health after probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics. They are currently becoming a key ingredient in the formulation of digestive health products. Develop mainstream. Since 2013, the number of scientific research projects on epibiotics has shown rapid growth, including in vitro experiments, animal experiments, and clinical trials.

Although most consumers are not very familiar with probiotics and prebiotics, the growth of new product development will increase the awareness of this epibiotic concept. According to a survey conducted by FMCG Gurus, 57% of consumers want to improve their digestive health, and only slightly more than half (59%) of consumers said they follow a healthy diet. As far as the current situation is concerned, only one-tenth of consumers who said they follow a healthy diet said that they pay attention to the intake of epigenes.

Plantain

As an increasingly popular dietary fiber, plantain attracts consumers who seek natural plant-based solutions. Digestive health problems are affected by many factors, including aging, poor eating habits, irregular lifestyle habits, and changes in the immune system. In the United States, plantain husks are recognized by the FDA as "dietary fiber" and can be marked on the label.

Although consumers have a good understanding of dietary fiber, the market has not yet discovered the problem between fiber and digestive health. Nearly half of 49-55% of global consumers said in the survey that they are suffering from one or more digestive problems, including stomach pain, gluten sensitivity, bloating, constipation, abdominal pain or flatulence.

Collagen

The collagen market is rapidly heating up, and it is currently a widely used raw material in food supplements. With the improvement of people's quality of life and the continued attention of the inner beauty market, consumers will have more and more demand for collagen. At present, collagen has moved from the traditional direction of beauty to more market segments, such as sports nutrition and joint health. At the same time, in terms of specific applications, collagen has expanded from food supplements to more food-form formulations, including soft sweets, snacks, coffee, beverages, etc.

According to a survey conducted by FMCG Gurus, 25-38% of consumers worldwide think collagen sounds attractive. More and more research and consumer education are centered on the health benefits of collagen raw materials, as well as the development of alternative ingredients derived from algae, to further expand the influence of collagen in the global consumer market. Algae is an environmentally friendly source of protein, rich in Omega-3 ingredients, and can be used as a vegetarian Omega-3 source to meet the needs of those vegetarians.

Ivy leaf

Ivy leaves contain high concentrations of the chemical compound saponins, which can be used as ingredients in formulas that support joint and skin health. Due to the aging of the population and the influence of modern lifestyles on inflammation, joint health problems continue to increase, and consumers are beginning to associate nutrition with appearance. For these reasons, the raw material can be used in daily food and beverages, including the sports nutrition market.

According to a survey conducted by FMCG Gurus, 52% to 79% of consumers globally believe that good skin health is linked to good overall health, while more consumers (61% to 80%) believe that good joint health is related to There is a link between good overall health. In addition, in the 2020 list of mainstream sleep categories released by SPINS, Ivy ranked fourth.

Lutein

Lutein is a carotenoid. During the epidemic, lutein has received widespread attention in the increasingly digital era. People's demand for using electronic devices is increasing. Whether it is for personal preference or professional needs, it is undeniable that consumers tend to spend a lot of time on digital devices.

In addition, consumers lack awareness of blue light and its related dangers, and an aging society and poor eating habits are also affecting eye health. According to a survey conducted by FMCG Gurus, 37% of consumers believe that they spend too much time on digital devices, and 51% of consumers are dissatisfied with their eye health. However, only 17% of consumers know about lutein.

Ashwagandha

The root of a plant called Withania somnifera, the more widely recognized name is Ashwagandha. It is a herb with strong adaptability and has a long history of use in Ayurveda, the ancient traditional medical system of India. Studies have found that it has an impact on the body's response to environmental stressors, because they can affect stress and sleep health. Ashwagandha is usually used in product formulations such as stress relief, sleep support, and relaxation.

Currently, a survey conducted by FMCG Gurus shows that by February 2021, 22% of consumers said in the survey that due to the emergence of the new crown epidemic, they have a stronger awareness of their sleep health and can improve their sleep health. Raw materials will usher in a period of rapid development.

Elderberry

Elderberry is a natural raw material, rich in flavonoids. As a raw material that has been used for immune health for a long time, it is known and trusted by consumers for its natural state and sensory appeal.

Among the many raw materials for immune health, elderberry has become one of the most popular raw materials in the past two years. Earlier data from SPINS showed that for the 52 weeks as of October 6, 2019, the sales of elderberry in mainstream and natural supplement channels in the United States increased by 116% and 32.6%, respectively. Seven out of ten consumers said that natural foods and beverages are important. 65% of consumers said they plan to improve their heart health in the next 12 months.

Vitamin C

With the outbreak of the global new crown epidemic, vitamin C has surged in popularity in the health and nutrition market. Vitamin C is a raw material with high consumption awareness. It is found in daily fruits and vegetables and attracts those who want to maintain a basic nutritional balance. However, its continued success will require brand owners to stop making misleading or exaggerated health claims about their health benefits.

Currently, a survey conducted by FMCG Gurus shows that 74% to 81% of global consumers believe that vitamin C helps strengthen their immune system. In addition, 57% of consumers said that they plan to eat healthier by increasing their fruit intake, and their diets tend to be more balanced and diversified.

CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) is growing in the global market every year, and regulatory obstacles are the main challenge for this cannabis source ingredient. CBD raw materials are mainly used as cognitive support components to relieve stress and anxiety, and also relieve pain. With the increasing acceptance of CBD, this ingredient will gradually become the mainstream of the US market. According to a survey conducted by FMCG Gurus, the main reasons why CBD is “favored” among American consumers are improvement of mental health (73%), relief of anxiety (65%), improvement of sleep patterns (63%), and relaxation benefits (52%). ) And pain relief (33%).

Note: The above only represents the performance of CBD in the US market