Consumers are adopting a more comprehensive approach to health, wellness, and nutrition. They are increasingly reluctant to take additional pills and are turning away from chemicals and artificial ingredients. Instead, they prefer foods that contribute to their overall health. “Many of the trends we observe in the food, health, and nutrition industries today are influenced by consumers passionate about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They seek out products that offer functional benefits and verifiable claims to meet their specific health requirements,” wrote Sherry Duff, senior vice president and chief marketing and technology officer at ingredients company Innophos, in an email to Food Dive.
In addition to general health and wellness advantages, consumers are looking for products that promote energized aging and feature clean labels—foods made with recognizable ingredients that are easy to pronounce. Specifically, they are interested in items that support digestive health, cognitive function, anti-inflammation, immune health, cardiovascular well-being, weight management, muscle gain, mineral fortification, and beauty benefits. Rising healthcare costs and an aging population with significant purchasing power are additional factors fueling the interest in functional foods. As a result, the demand for functional foods—and the ingredients used to create healthier products—like calcium citrate caps—is expected to grow robustly.
According to Grand View Research, the global functional foods market was valued at approximately $129 billion in 2014. With a projected compound annual growth rate of 7.9% for the foreseeable future, the market is set to nearly double within a decade, reaching $255 billion by 2024. The research firm anticipates that the U.S. functional foods market will grow from $29 billion in 2014 to $62 billion by 2024.
But what defines a functional food product? Here are five of the most prevalent and rapidly growing ingredients, along with their uses and associated health benefits, including calcium citrate caps, which are often highlighted for their role in enhancing calcium absorption and supporting bone health.