Make the most of summer with a healthy gut
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic put summer on hold during 2020, but the situation has, while not exactly normalised, moved to a point where summer vacations are back in favour. To make the most of the hotter weather and lighter evenings, now is the perfect time for consumers to practise healthier eating habits, lose weight sustainably, and focus on holistic wellbeing, including gut health.
The wellness business is one of the most profitable in the world, generating around $4.5 trillion per year. But 2020 was a debilitating time for the sector, in particular spas and gyms. The pandemic held sway over our work life too, with the at-home workforce increasing from 20% to 70% overnight. This combination of being locked down, and locked in, spelt a potential health disaster as we took to our sofas – elevating comfort eating and drinking to a new level.
For other consumers though, the pandemic was a call to action. Shoppers became more interested in their overall wellbeing and gut health and losing weight was firmly in the crosshairs. Obesity was in the firing line too as a way of limiting the fallout from COVID-19, where people were advised to lose weight and stabilise blood and glucose levels to prevent further complications.
While it is always a good time to try and lose weight, it is in fact easier in warmer weather. According to studies conducted at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and the University of Georgia, average caloric intake decreases about 200 calories per day in the summer compared to the winter months. Summer also impacts on our mood as we crave healthier foods, sweat more, and take longer to digest food, which can leave us feeling fuller for longer.1
Weight loss matters
At any given time, about half the US population are actively trying to lose weight, which is in line with global statistics. These consumers are using a whole host of different formulas including diet, exercise regimens and supplements to lose unwanted pounds. About 15% of adults in the US have used a weight-loss dietary supplement at least once in their lives, and an estimated $2.1 billion is spent per year on diet and weight-loss pills, which includes tablets, capsules, and soft gels.2
With consumers increasingly looking towards science-backed innovations from leading brands and retailers to help them lose weight sustainably, SlimBiome® from OptiBiotix may be the solution they are looking for.
This award-winning functional ingredient promotes the feeling of fullness, helps burn calories by promoting a healthy metabolism and maintains blood sugar levels to prevent overeating. It has been shown to reduce calorie intake by up to 20% and lower food cravings, while research has indicated that SlimBiome induces a lower blood glucose rise after meals compared to sugar-containing food and drinks.
SlimBiome is suitable for a wide range of applications including snack bars, meal replacement shakes, dairy, and bakery products. It is also heat stable during processing; comes at a low cost; has no distinguishable taste and can be easily added during product manufacturing.
In addition to its focus on weight loss, SlimBiome stimulates the growth of health positive bacteria in the digestive tract. This means it is great for formulators looking to enhance their weight loss portfolio with an ingredient that promotes good gut health.
Get gut healthy
Following suit, the link between gut health and immunity support is a key trend that food and beverage manufacturers are starting to address in their product marketing. However, there is still work to be done to reach a wider audience and improve the understanding of gut health and the microbiome. According to Euromonitor International’s Health and Nutrition Survey 2020, about one-quarter of consumers globally suffer from lower digestive health issues. In half of those cases, consumers claim that this has a moderate or even severe impact on their overall health.
Ingredients, such as probiotics and fibre, are key to support a healthy gut microbiome. Considering the recommended fibre intake of 30 grams per day, consumers’ diets tend to fall short, especially in markets like the US and UK. With growing awareness, high-fibre products are gaining traction.
In this highly competitive space, the ability to formulate better products is critical to making your product stand out from all the noise.
The latest innovation from OptiBiotix, WellBiome, is a revolutionary functional fibre and mineral blend, specifically targeted for the health and wellbeing market. It’s great for brand owners that want to start formulating products using functional ingredients that are lactose and gluten-free, are vegan friendly and incorporate health positive bacteria.
Having demonstrated its efficacy in controlled human studies, new product developers using WellBiome can ensure that their final product supports improved health and wellbeing by maintaining a healthy digestive system and supporting regular bowel habits by significantly increasing essential bacteria – including Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides and Christensenella strains.
Scientific studies further demonstrate that WellBiome can regulate glycaemic response to support metabolic health and significantly reduce systolic blood pressure. The revolutionary ingredient is also supported by several EFSA health claims, including the use of chromium, which contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels, alongside glucomannan, which helps the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol.
With consumers actively seeking healthier alternatives to indulgent favourites, and with gut health on the rise, it is important to be one step ahead when it comes to introducing new functional ingredients into the food products mix. Both SlimBiome and WellBiome are powerful functional ingredients that enable food formulators to launch enhanced product ranges, further assisting consumers with their wellness goals. Why not contact OptiBiotix for information on how to tailor your applications to consumers’ needs today?