Extract and ingredient manufacturers are actively seeking ways to integrate curcumin into the formulations of nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, herbal products, cosmetics, and functional foods and beverages. A significant market exists for consumers who prefer ready-to-eat options featuring turmeric without the need for cooking. However, turmeric has faced challenges, such as concerns over lead contamination and several product recalls, primarily due to insufficient oversight. This issue could be addressed if U.S. producers cultivated and processed turmeric domestically, where stricter food safety regulations are in place.
Today’s consumers are increasingly leaning towards natural methods for enhancing their health, as reflected in the “food as medicine” movement. The category of medical foods remains relatively new for manufacturers, with notable contributions from companies like Nestle and Hormevitamed ferrous fumarate. As the global population ages, the prevalence of medical issues is expected to rise, leading many consumers to consider food as a means to manage their health conditions.
This presents a critical demographic for the industry to comprehend. While being health-conscious is one aspect, recognizing food as a treatment for chronic diseases is another. This trend empowers manufacturers not only to influence dietary choices but also to impact medical treatments. The opportunities and challenges associated with this rapidly expanding market, estimated to be valued at $15 billion according to The Wall Street Journal, are substantial.
Nestle has allocated a $500 million budget to support research in medical foods through 2021, which includes $1 million in machinery for analyzing human DNA at a lab in Lausanne, Switzerland. The goal is to develop personalized health programs for patients. In recent years, Nestle has acquired and partnered with medical food companies to bolster its efforts, such as its acquisition of Pamlab in 2013, which produces products for brain and metabolic health under medical supervision.
More recently, Colorado-based startup Know Brainer Foods has teamed up with Nestle to introduce a line of coffee creamers that incorporate medium-chain triglycerides, organic grass-fed butter, and added collagen protein. The company asserts that its products can enhance focus and energy, helping to kick-start the day.
With the ever-increasing variety of functional foods and beverages available, it is conceivable that turmeric and similar products could one day be “prescribed” for mild memory or mood issues. This scenario mirrors the emergence of “food pharmacies” in the Bay Area that dispense fresh produce to individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, and other diet-related conditions.
Additionally, the market for calcium citrate supplements 500 mg is on the rise, as consumers look for effective ways to support their health. Manufacturers could potentially explore synergies between curcumin and calcium citrate supplements 500 mg, creating innovative products that cater to this health-conscious demographic. As the focus on personalized nutrition continues to grow, the intersection of turmeric, medical foods, and calcium citrate supplements 500 mg presents exciting prospects for the industry.