The bioactive ingredients market is emerging with the increase in awareness regarding the market and growing health concerns. People are turning towards healthy food that fulfills the nutritional requirements in the body. The changing lifestyle and increasing awareness regarding healthy diet among consumers is the key driver for the bioactive market.. Manufacturers are also taking into consideration the convenience and ease availability for consumers and providing them with healthy nutrients in the form of food and beverages instead of supplements. Cosmeceuticals is a growing concept which combines bioactive ingredients with personal care. For instance, various mineral-enriched or vitamin-enriched herbal creams, shampoos, and so on are entering the market with guarantees of better personal care options.
The aging population and an increasing number of chronic diseases cause health concerns in the consumers’ minds, which are the key factors that push the bioactive ingredients market. Consumers are shifting their eating habits from eating to satisfy hunger to eating healthy food so as to either fulfill the nutrient deficiency in the body or prevent the deficiency of major nutrients. The quality of animal nutrition is developing with the growing meat and milk market. Animal feed manufacturers tend to attain more output from animals when nutritious ingredients are used in animal feed. The report covers the five main applications of bioactive ingredients, which include functional food, functional beverages, dietary supplements, animal nutrition, and personal care.
The Asia-Pacific region dominates the bioactive ingredients market with the highest share and CAGR owing to the increase in population, urbanization, and disposable income in countries such as India, China, and Thailand. In countries such as Australia, the aging population is generating market opportunities for bioactive ingredients. The improvement in the quality of ingredients with clinically-proven ingredients and products entering the market is gaining the trust of the consumers and is another factor driving the market.
The different types of bioactive ingredients are prebiotics, probiotics, amino acids, peptides & proteins, phytochemicals & plant extracts, omega 3 & structured lipids, fibers & specialty carbohydrates, vitamins, proteins, and carotenoids & antioxidants. Based on the type, phytochemicals & plant extracts are estimated to be the most used ingredients, with the highest projected growth rate. The increasing dependence on plant products, along with growing awareness are the drivers for the global market for phytochemicals & plant extracts. In regions such as North America and Europe, the consumers are turning towards plant products and prefer consuming bioactive ingredients that are derived from plants.
Along with the use of phytochemicals, either in functional food & beverages or as supplements, the presence of these ingredients is also growing in the personal care industry. Herbal creams, shampoos, and soaps are gaining market share because of their characteristics such as safeguarding and enhancing skin and hair. In the current market scenario, fibers & specialty carbohydrates are estimated to have the largest market share owing to their wide range of applications.
The main factor affecting the bioactive ingredients market is the reluctance towards intake of medicines. Thus, there is an increased preference among consumers for the consumption of food-based health supplements rather than consuming medication. With this, the scope for food & beverage applications broadened for the bioactive ingredients market.
The leading specialty food ingredient companies are focusing on their growth through new product developments/launches. Extensive research is required to develop cost-efficient manufacturing equipment for bioactive ingredients; companies are, hence, aiming at investing in R&D for the same. In addition, manufacturers have ensured extensive communication with consumers in terms of legitimate assertions for health benefits of these products.
