Probiotics for Preventive Healthcare
The probiotics market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 12.06% to reach a market size worth US$110.496 billion by 2026. This market was valued at US$49.782 billion in 2019. Probiotics are bacteria and yeast-like microorganisms that help humans and animals maintain a healthy intestinal microbial balance. The probiotics element promotes the body's natural digestive juices and enzymes, ensuring optimal digestion. They can be taken as supplements or taken orally. Probiotics also protect healthy organisms from potentially dangerous bacteria. Probiotics are increasingly utilized to diagnose and treat mental problems, as well as digestive and neurological disorders. They further boost the human immune system, protect proteins and lipids from oxidative damage, and lower pathogen levels in the body. The probiotics market is growing due to rising consumer awareness of the health advantages of probiotics, increased usage of probiotics as an alternative to antibiotics, and more research on probiotics. Furthermore, the rising use of probiotics for children and the rise of e-commerce is likely to provide profitable prospects for market players.
Analysts anticipate that the market will rise due to the health benefits associated with probiotic-fortified foods and the growing importance of health consciousness among millennials.
Consumer health awareness is increasing, and most customers are constantly looking for nutritious food products to consume daily. Probiotics have been shown to provide significant health advantages, particularly for the human digestive system. Probiotics can be available as supplements or as ingredients in foods and beverages. Its combination with low-cost health foods including yogurt, fruit juices, and cultured dairy drinks has helped it grow a sizable market. Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, which are found in a variety of dairy products, including yogurt, are the most often utilized probiotic bacterial strains. Yogurt is the most common choice for probiotic ingestion in the dairy category.
Probiotics have recently been used to diagnose mental illness and neurological problems, both of which are quite common around the world. Mental health problems have been on the rise around the world, according to the World Health Organization. Mental health conditions have increased by 13% in the recent decade, owing primarily to demographic shifts. The rise in the number of individuals suffering from these ailments would help drive the probiotics market forward in the coming years. Furthermore, many European and North American nations have banned the use of antibiotics in animal feed, and growing product developments incorporating probiotic bacteria, such as chocolates, biscuits, and drinks, are anticipated to propel market development throughout the forecast period.
Consumers' growing health consciousness, as well as the growing trend of veganism, are drawing them to a plant-based diet, which is predicted to increase demand for plant-based products. As a result, some companies are launching plant-based probiotics in order to expand their customer base. Chobani, an American food manufacturer, for example, announced the launch of a new probiotic drink in August 2020. Lemon Ginger, Pineapple Turmeric, Peach Mint, and Cherry Hibiscus Tea are the four new flavors offered.
The covid-19 pandemic has caused an increase in demand for these products, according to several producers and retailers. For example, Probi, a global leader in probiotics, reported a significant increase in sales of its products, which was certainly due to increased customer interest in immunity products.
The challenges of incorporating probiotics in functional meals may act as market restrictions
The development and commercialization of functional foods are complicated, costly, and uncertain. Consumer demand, technological conditions, and legislative regulatory framework are all variables in the success of functional food product development. Consumers' understanding of the health impacts of individual components, on the other hand, can influence whether or not functional foods are accepted. To overcome all of the problems associated with the selection and development of the strain, as well as related manufacturing procedures, the researcher must work diligently. Probiotic strains are sensitive to pH and temperature fluctuations. The strains must be able to maintain themselves while integrating with functional meals. The most basic need for probiotics is that they contain enough bacteria to last until the expiration date. To provide health advantages in the host, probiotics must include specified strains and sustain a certain number of living cells. The minimal number of live cells required in a probiotic product for it to be effective has been determined by different countries. Temperature, air, and light all have an effect on these probiotic microbes, making their storage difficult.
During the forecast period, the food and beverage segment is expected to have a significant proportion of the probiotics market
There are three types of probiotics on the market: functional foods and beverages, animal feed, and dietary supplements. Because of the growing popularity of probiotic functional foods and beverages among consumers, analysts expect that the food and beverage segment will dominate the probiotics market. Probiotics are being driven by a number of variables, including consumer awareness, confidence in their efficacy, and safety. Customers are now taking a more proactive stance on chronic disease prevention. The rising investment by major players in the research and development of innovative goods is projected to have a positive impact on the global market for this segment. Amorepacific Group, for example, inaugurated its new green tea probiotics research center in February 2020 to further the study of lactobacillus, a beneficial microbial strain.
According to regional analysis, the probiotics market in the Asia Pacific is expected to hold a significant share during the projected period
The global probiotics market is segmented into five regions based on geography: North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the Asia Pacific. Due to the rising demand for probiotics in developing nations such as India and China, the Asia Pacific region is expected to increase significantly during the forecast period. The rapidly growing population, rising disposable income, and increased awareness of health advantages are the key drivers of demand in this region. In addition, the Japanese brand Yakult has a strong presence in these countries, successfully infiltrating the probiotic market. The use of probiotics in infant formula has been in high demand in China, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming years. Because of the aging population and a growing understanding of the need for preventive health, as well as a slew of research indicating advantages in areas like immunity, cognition, and skincare, the market has seen tremendous development.
Covid-19 Insights
The global demand for immunity-building products increased as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The probiotic business exploded overnight as people bought health-related items in huge numbers to protect themselves from the infection. Probiotic usage increased exponentially in 2020, according to a survey done by Natural Marketing Institute in May 2020. According to the survey, the number of probiotic users in the United States climbed by 66 percent, while new users in Italy increased by 188 percent, and probiotic users in China increased by 108 percent in May 2020 compared to the previous six months. In addition, the year-over-year sales of Yakult branded probiotic products climbed by 11.5 percent in March and 10.3 percent in April 2020, according to Yakult Honsha. Probi and Danone SA also saw an increase in probiotic demand during COVID-19. Meanwhile, Meiji Holdings announced that the value of its dairy products, including yogurt, increased in February and April of 2020, with a year-on-year growth rate of 7.4 percent in March 2020.
