Interest in gut health increases probiotic use
A Kerry survey indicates that as digestive health becomes more important to consumers, there is an increasing demand for probiotics.
In a survey of over 13,000 customers across 16 countries, the business discovered that 24%, up from 21% in 2019, had used a probiotic-containing product in the previous six months. 44 percent indicated they would think about doing so, compared to 40 percent in 2019.
Probiotics and cultures were known to over half (47%) of respondents worldwide, up from 42% in 2019—the year the poll was previously performed. Customers in North America (61%) and Latin America (63%) exhibited the highest levels of awareness.
The results indicate that consumers’ increasing interest in digestive health—which they placed as the third reason to buy healthy living items, up from the fourth spot two years ago—is associated with the demand for probiotics. Nearly as many customers—38%—asked if they had used a digestive health product in the previous six months as those who claimed they had used an immune health product.
The need for probiotics in particular and gut health solutions in general is continuing to rise due to a number of factors, according to John Quilter, vice president of Kerry’s global ProActive Health portfolio.
“The pandemic has accelerated the shift toward more proactive approaches to health, while demographic changes such as population aging and lifestyle choices have increased the prevalence of digestive disorders,” the speaker stated. Because of this, consumers are becoming more aware of the importance of probiotics and how they may support overall wellness as well as digestive health, and they want to see functional ingredients in the food and beverage products they love. Hence, producers can satisfy a variety of consumer demands by creating functional foods and drinks using probiotic strains that have been supported by science.
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According to the poll, the foods and drinks that are typically had for breakfast had the strongest correlation with digestive health. Around the world, 40% of respondents indicated they would be willing to buy yogurts that have components that are good for the digestive system. Other categories very strongly associated with digestive health included fruit and vegetable juices (31%), dairy-based drinks (31%) and breakfast cereal/granola (28%).
Customers were also questioned about Kerry’s exclusive spore-forming probiotic ingredient, BC30, in the study. The BC30 logo and a picture of products that carry it were presented to the respondents. Of those questioned, 45% thought the substance would help with digestion, and 45% thought it would help with immunity. Kerry reports that 80% of respondents thought the benefits of BC30 were credible after learning more about it.