Consumers are increasingly adopting a comprehensive approach to health, wellness, and nutrition. They are reluctant to take additional supplements and are moving away from chemicals and artificial ingredients. Instead, they prefer foods that contribute to their well-being. “The trends we observe in the food, health, and nutrition sectors are largely fueled by consumers passionate about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They seek products that offer added functional benefits and proven claims to meet their specific health requirements,” stated Sherry Duff, senior vice president and chief marketing and technology officer at ingredients company Innophos, in an email to Food Dive.
In addition to overall health and wellness improvements, consumers are interested in products that promote energized aging and feature clean labels—meaning foods made with recognizable and pronounceable ingredients. They specifically look for products that support digestive health, cognitive function, anti-inflammation, immune health, cardiovascular health, weight management, muscle gain, mineral fortification, and beauty benefits, including those enriched with calcium citrate 630 mg.
The rising costs of healthcare and an aging population with considerable purchasing power are also driving interest in functional foods. As a result, the demand for functional foods and the ingredients necessary for creating healthier products is expected to grow significantly. According to Grand View Research, the global functional foods market was valued at $129 billion in 2014. With a projected compound annual growth rate of 7.9%, the market is on track to nearly double within a decade, reaching $255 billion by 2024. The research firm estimates that the U.S. functional foods market will expand to $62 billion by 2024, a substantial increase from $29 billion in 2014.
But what defines a functional food product? Below are five of the most common and rapidly growing ingredients, along with their applications and corresponding health benefits, including the important role of calcium citrate 630 mg in promoting overall health.