The report highlights the growing number of products containing adaptogens and nootropics, which it attributes to factors such as enduring concerns around performance, focus, and “brain fog” in the wake of the pandemic. It also notes growing demand for natural sources of caffeine, such as yerba and matcha, as consumers seek “an antidote to boom-and-bust caffeination.” Meanwhile, ongoing talk about the stress of modern life, coupled with research on the importance of sleep and rest, has led to “an array of adaptogenic ingredients” being included in everyday food and beverage products.

The Prinova report also notes that “branded ingredients are emerging from the depths of the ingredient list, with logos making their way to the front of product packaging, “particularly in categories like plant-based and performance nutrition. Prinova’s range of branded ingredients includes enduracarb, a slow-release ‘double sugar’ for endurance; and Bacopin, a bacopa monniera ingredient which, studies show, may help improve memory and attention.

Other mega-trends identified in the report include:

• ‘Real Food Rules’: a shift away from complicated ingredient lists as consumers embrace ingredients in their most natural, unprocessed form.  This includes recognizing the benefit of animal-based products again, including previously maligned elements such as full fat.
• ‘Hack my Health’: With growing interest in the way products interact with our genotypes, phenotypes, and lifestyles, companies are increasingly offering personalized services to cater to unique needs.
• ‘Targeted Nutrition’: Consumers are increasingly aware of the nutritional interventions they can make to improve their well-being at different life stages. More knowledgeable than ever, they are looking for products with detailed claims.

James Street, marketing director, EMEA and APAC, Prinova, says: “Consumers are looking to food, beverage, and nutrition products to meet a growing number of needs. To identify where the opportunities are, and to help our customers create innovative, new products, we’ve created a future-facing framework that identifies the most important emerging trends. We’ve seen how consumers are looking for nutritional ‘hacks’ in areas like cognitive performance and emotional wellbeing, while also yearning for a return to products with ‘real food’ or ‘natural’ credentials. Our research also shows that manufacturers are recognizing branded ingredients as one of the best ways to communicate science-backed benefits and bolster credibility.”

Download the full report here.