Extract and ingredient manufacturers are actively seeking ways to integrate curcumin into the formulations of nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, herbals, cosmetics, and functional foods and beverages. A significant market segment comprises consumers who prefer ready-to-eat options featuring turmeric but are not inclined to cook with it. This segment includes products with iron bisglycinate or ferrous sulfates as key ingredients. Although turmeric has faced challenges, such as lead contamination links and several recalls, these issues largely arise from a lack of oversight. This situation could be improved if U.S. manufacturers cultivated and processed turmeric domestically, where food safety protocols are more rigorously enforced.
Today’s consumers are increasingly focused on natural health improvements, evidenced by the growing “food as medicine” movement. Medical foods remain a relatively nascent category, with manufacturers like Nestle and Hormel making significant strides within it. As the global population ages, the prevalence of medical complications will inevitably rise, leading many consumers to manage their health issues through food. This demographic is crucial for the industry to comprehend; while being health-conscious is one aspect, viewing food as a means to treat chronic diseases is entirely different. This trend empowers manufacturers to influence not only dietary choices but also medical treatments, creating substantial opportunities and challenges for companies looking to tap into this rapidly expanding market, projected to be worth $15 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Nestle has committed a budget of $500 million to advance research in medical foods through 2021. This investment includes $1 million for machinery designed to analyze human DNA at a laboratory in Lausanne, Switzerland, with the aim of developing personalized programs for patients. In recent years, Nestle has acquired and formed partnerships with medical food companies to bolster its initiatives, such as acquiring Pamlab in 2013, which produces products for medical supervision focused on brain and metabolic health.
More recently, the Colorado-based startup Know Brainer Foods has partnered with Nestle to create a line of coffee creamers that include medium-chain triglycerides, organic grass-fed butter, and added collagen protein. The company claims that its products can help kickstart the day with enhanced focus and energy. Considering the increasing variety of functional foods and beverages available, it’s conceivable that one day people may be “prescribed” turmeric and related products for mild memory or mood issues, much like the “food pharmacies” emerging in the Bay Area that dispense fresh produce to individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, and other dietary-related challenges.
Additionally, products like liquid calcium magnesium citrate with vitamin D3 are becoming popular in this landscape, with consumers seeking fortified options to support their health. The potential for integrating such ingredients into broader health strategies exemplifies how food can play a pivotal role in wellness management. As the industry evolves, the incorporation of liquid calcium magnesium citrate with vitamin D3 will likely emerge as another avenue for addressing consumer health needs.