Formulators are innovating in a market where consumers are increasingly proactive about their everyday health. As everyday wellbeing becomes more central, the demand for effective supplements and functional foods has surged.
Intelligence firm Grand View Research notes that the global supplement market reached a value of $177.5Bn in 2023 and is set to see robust annual compound growth (CAGR) of 9.1% to 2030.
Powering this growth, gut health has emerged as a key focal point for health-conscious individuals seeking holistic wellbeing, but while the industry moves ever closer to mainstream retail success, scientific principles must stay at the heart. At Clasado, we understand the paramount importance of science in shaping the landscape of modern biotics development, through the development of Bimuno® GOS, the most studied prebiotic ingredient of its kind.
As we approach British Science Week in March, it’s an ideal moment to delve into why scientific principles are integral to fostering consumer trust, delivering efficacy in biotics products, and playing a key role in supporting the enormous commercial growth potential in the nutraceutical supplements market.
Co-ordinated by the British Science Association, British Science Week is a ten-day celebration of science, technology and engineering that puts the spotlight on STEM fields and encourages the next generation of science professionals – including those aiming to work in health, nutrition and biosciences.
Understanding prebiotics: The building blocks of gut health
Prebiotics are a class of nutrients, primarily composed of fibre, that serve as essential nourishment for the beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome. Beneficial bacteria are those known to have advantageous benefits on host health, which includes both gastrointestinal and digestive health, and beyond.
Unlike probiotics, which introduce live bacteria into the gut, prebiotics act as a food source that can selectively nourish existing beneficial bacteria, encouraging them to proliferate. Certain types of prebiotic, such as galactooligosaccharides, demonstrate greater selectivity characteristics than others. This intricate relationship between prebiotics and gut health underscores the significance of incorporating scientifically validated ingredients into biotics formulations.
Scientific evidence… establishes efficacy
The efficacy of prebiotic ingredients, and the commercial potential of formulations that include them, hinges upon rigorous scientific research and validation. Studies, including in vivo, in vitro, and real-world evidence (RWE) are the effective ways to quantify and measure a given functional ingredient’s efficacy. In addition, scientific evidence is also an essential part of regulatory compliance. Examples include FSANZ and Health Canada, which rely on clear substantiated evidence of safety and efficacy.
Bimuno GOS is an example of this. The ingredient stands apart from other prebiotic ingredients because of the expansive range of scientific studies that underpin its safety and efficacy. More than 110 scientific publications, including more than 20 clinical trials, back its viability, including its effect in supporting gastrointestinal health, immune health, and cognitive health.
Scientific evidence… builds trust
Recent research published in Nutraceuticals World showed that 73% of global nutritional supplement users cite clinically demonstrated benefits as an important factor for them, and almost 60% actively seek scientific evidence of efficacy.
This is particularly important in new supplement categories, where scientific underpinning can mark products out against those with unverified claims and pseudoscience. Consumers increasingly rely on available clinical research to discern between products that genuinely offer health benefits, and those riding the wave of trends. It’s clear that health-driven consumers become increasingly discerning about the products they buy and gravitate towards products backed by solid research.
Formulators that utilise ingredients with rigorous scientific backing also stand to gain a competitive edge, as their products are perceived as more trustworthy and efficacious by a discerning health and wellness audience. Consumer trust is hard to win, but easy to lose and diligent scientific studies give a layer of assurance that the products consumers are purchasing have been independently studied for the health benefits they offer. This assurance is something that marketing alone cannot accomplish.
Scientific evidence… accelerates the future of formulation
With new biotic categories coming to the fore, it’s clear that strong scientific foundations will be the key to the future of everyday health and nutrition. With a greater understanding of how functional ingredients support host health, more product development paths open up.
Clear scientific evidence is one of the many reasons that formulators seek to work with Clasado Biosciences and include Bimuno GOS as the prebiotic element in new product formulations, from dedicated prebiotic supplements to advanced synbiotics.
Whether it’s promoting gastrointestinal wellbeing, supporting the body’s natural immune defences, or supporting cognitive function through the gut-brain axis, the possibilities afforded by scientifically validated prebiotics like Bimuno GOS are boundless.
Click here to learn more about the scientific principles behind Bimuno GOS.
