The global probiotics market has grown tremendously in the last couple of years; especially in the supplement form. In 2021, the probiotics industry was >48 billion dollars with a 22% increase in probiotic supplements from 2019 to 2021. This increasing use of probiotic supplements is due to the evidence that probiotics support GI health. Further, clinical research has demonstrated the efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of conditions such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infections, abdominal pain in children, and infant colic to name a few.

Reacting to the increase in consumer demand and growth in the industry, researchers are developing novel probiotic strains at a fast pace while considering the impact of processing, storage, gastrointestinal survivability, and functionality of the cells. A key consideration during formulation is compatibility with other ingredients. Probiotic strains may be encapsulated to ensure survivability in the GI tract, during processing, and for application when added to different food matrices such as powders, bars, gummies, infant formula, and pet food.

The most widely used probiotic strains belong to two main genera, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, due to their abundance in the human gut and GRAS status. Species of other genera such as Bacillus, Saccharomyces, and Streptococcus are also used as probiotic supplements.

Irrespective of probiotics with multiple strains or single strains, in capsule, powder, or as an additive in a food matrix, the level claimed on the label needs verification. Mérieux NutriSciences offers this verification in CFUs or AFUs and has experience with a variety of probiotic strains and their applications. Our services also include testing for contaminants to ensure the safety of probiotics for human consumption.

To qualify as probiotics, strains need to be viable and have a health benefit when consumed. Clinical studies help identify the minimal and optimal doses that probiotics exert on a favorable outcome. Biofortis, Mérieux NutriScience’s sister company, offers clinical research testing to demonstrate GI survivability and health benefit claim studies.

Our Mérieux NutriScience laboratory and Biofortis Research clinical trial services will support you through your product lifecycle and beyond ensuring a high-quality probiotic formulation supported by data.

We are eager to help!

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1. International Probiotics Association Europe. Global and European probiotic market insights 2018-2021. IPAEurope website. https://www.ipaeurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Market-data-probiotics-2018-2021.pdf
2. Probiotics in Disease Prevention and Treatment https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6656559/
3. The Development of High-Quality Multispecies Probiotic Formulations: From Bench to Market. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7468868/
4. Encapsulated probiotic cells: Relevant techniques, natural sources as encapsulating materials and food applications – A narrative review https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0963996920307079#:~:text=Several%20techniques%20are%20currently%20available,%2C%20%26%20Tzia%2C%202020

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The difficult thing about evaluating nutraceuticals is the fact that they toe the line between being food and being a drug. As such, nutraceuticals aren’t subject to the strict FDA guidelines associated with traditional pharmaceuticals, although they are under food regulations.

Nutraceuticals & Health Boosts

Unlike common OTC medications that alleviate a specific condition, like ibuprofen or diphenhydramine, nutraceuticals typically work towards supporting overall health and immune function. In this sense, nutraceuticals are basically used as preventative measures or general health supplements.

Nutraceutical supplements often include supplements that advertise boosting immune function. While this can be a positive benefit for many people, it often doesn’t help a pre-existing condition. Nutraceuticals that provide a strong anti-inflammatory effect, however, may be extremely beneficial (over time) for people who suffer from autoimmune disorders.

Another seemingly ‘common’ property of marketed nutraceuticals is that of anti-aging. Anti-aging properties often directly correlate with immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. This, again, is seeking to boost overall health and be preventative rather than help cure or mitigate any existing condition.

Nutraceuticals are also commonly associated with natural or holistic health care approaches. As more research is conducted and stricter regulations are put into place, we will all have a better understanding of how nutraceuticals can be used in medical care, as well as supporting general health.

Do Nutraceuticals Help with Health?

Some properties of certain nutraceuticals can be very beneficial in regard to overall health. Anti-inflammatory properties can be beneficial to everything from joint discomfort to some symptoms of autoimmune disorders.

Nutraceuticals in their current state, however, are certainly not a one-size-fits-all solution for overall health. While anti-aging properties sound good, a lot more research needs to be conducted looking at where and how the anti-aging properties really work.

Probiotic nutraceuticals work by changing the microbiota composition. Microbiota include a massive number of bacteria, and health overall is complex involving many environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors. Therefore, a ‘miracle nutraceutical’ or ‘magic bullet’ is not feasible.

With all that said, the answer to the question ‘do nutraceuticals help with health?’ is a strong maybe. Everyone has a different body and is at a different lifestyle stage, with different health risks and concerns. Therefore, people will be affected differently by nutraceuticals. Talking to your doctor may help you understand whether or not a nutraceutical or supplement can help your overall health.

Research at Biofortis

Biofortis is dedicated to protecting consumer health throughout the world by delivering a wide range of testing and consultancy services to the food, supplement, and nutrition industries. Biofortis supports this mission in two ways—through clinical trials and sensory and consumer insights testing. We specialize in clinical research targeting foods, ingredients, and dietary supplements that affect body structures, function, and overall health. Contact us with any clinical trial or scientific consulting needs.

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Although probiotics have helped many people with various gut-related issues, determining if a person will benefit from probiotic supplementation has been a guessing game. Thankfully, modern medicine has been working on a way to determine if a given person will benefit from probiotic supplementation.

Screening & Probiotics

While the exact mechanisms behind probiotic effectiveness are not completely understood, genetic information can be used to determine potential uses. Genome testing and matching is a cost-effective process than can be used to quickly compare many samples.

Screening genetic tests that compare new (or, in some cases, existing) probiotics allows researchers to see what probiotics are in products.

Using genetic information to compare probiotics may allow researchers to find specifics on types and strains of probiotics associated with specific outcomes or benefits.

Screening for Personalized Probiotic Supplementation

The technology is not here yet, but the research on determining whether or not a specific person will benefit from a specific strain or blend of strains of probiotics is ongoing. Researchers are also using genetic testing to compare probiotic effects on human gut microbiota.

Genetic testing could not only show where specific probiotics can help people–it may also lead to an increased understanding of how probiotics affect the gut microbiota. Gene databases allow tons of data to be compared at a small cost. The ability to process so much data may help scientists and researchers discover specific genetic interactions when probiotics are introduced to the gut.

The methods being used for this type of personalized genetic testing are still in their infancy. The potential benefits of being able to screen both probiotics and people for effectiveness on health are very exciting. As more studies are conducted on the usefulness of genetic testing and probiotics, the more information we will have as to how viable probiotics can be for any number of health conditions.

Research at Biofortis

Biofortis is dedicated to protecting consumer health throughout the world by delivering a wide range of testing and consultancy services to the food, supplement, and nutrition industries. Biofortis supports this mission in two ways—through clinical trials and sensory and consumer insights testing. We specialize in clinical research targeting foods, ingredients, and dietary supplements that affect body structures, function, and overall health. Contact us with any clinical trial or scientific consulting needs.

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Nutraceutical is a very broad term and its use is not specifically regulated or legally defined by many countries, including the US. In the US, dietary supplements are legally defined, and many people use the terms nutraceutical and dietary supplement interchangeably. And,  many researchers and manufacturers focus on similar areas of application of dietary supplements or nutraceuticals. For example, vitamins and mineral pills, herbal-based dietary supplements, and probiotics are all considered nutraceuticals. Let’s take a look at the most commonly used or ‘popular’ nutraceuticals people use every day.

Letter Vitamins

The most commonly used nutraceuticals are traditional vitamin supplements.  For example,  vitamins B, C, and D, are some of the most popular vitamins in the US.

Vitamins and multivitamin supplements are taken to give the body the essential vitamins & minerals it may not be getting from regular dietary means. Multivitamins are usually designed by manufacturers to address several areas of common vitamin deficiencies.

Vitamin supplements are available in any supermarket or pharmacy. They are the supplements we see nearly every time we make a trip to the grocery store. And yes, they are also called nutraceuticals.

Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins and blends are supplements for mothers during and after pregnancy. Some prenatal supplements are even recommended for women before pregnancy, as they contain vitamins and minerals conducive to healthy pregnancies and births.

Prenatal vitamins are formulated to provide the key minerals like calcium and iron, as well as vitamins women often aren’t consuming enough of, and are needed in higher amounts during pregnancy (e.g., folate, choline). Prenatal vitamin and mineral supplements are important for healthy pregnancies for many women.

Prenatal vitamins are also not meant to replace or change a healthy diet. A healthy diet is important to provide the full range of needed vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Supplements are meant to fill in the gaps for those nutrients that are needed in higher amounts or often missing from many foods so harder to get in high enough amounts.  

Probiotics

Probiotic blends are meant to enhance gut microbiota diversity, which can lead to health benefits. Probiotic supplements are tolerated differently by people with different diets and gut microbiota. As such, changes and supplementation research into probiotics (prebiotics, postbiotics, etc.) has been focusing on specific health issues to target. Popular areas of research & development include digestive health, immune health, and bowel health.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids play an integral role in human health, and some omega-3 fatty acids are required in higher amounts by children for healthy development. Supplements of Omega-3 fatty acids have been popular nutraceuticals due to many of them coming primarily from less common US diets (primarily fatty fish like salmon).

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation has been linked to positive effects on everything from the common cold to cancer, conclusive evidence is scarce. However, it is known that omega-3 fatty acids are needed for healthy immune function.

Functional/Fortified Food & Drink

Functional or fortified foods & drinks are nutraceutical products that add vitamins, minerals, or other supplements to foods or drinks to target a specific nutritional need. Common fortified foods & drinks include dairy products like milk or yogurt.

Research at Biofortis

Biofortis is dedicated to protecting consumer health throughout the world by delivering a wide range of testing and consultancy services to the food, supplement, and nutrition industries. Biofortis supports this mission in two ways—through clinical trials and sensory and consumer insights testing. We specialize in clinical research targeting foods, ingredients, and dietary supplements that affect body structures, function, and overall health. Contact us with any clinical trial or scientific consulting needs.

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A quick definition before we continue: Nutraceuticals are any supplement that can be taken along with a daily diet to promote good health or boost vitamin & mineral levels. Things like vitamins and supplements represent part of the nutraceutical supplement category.

COVID-19 helped illustrate how nutraceuticals can be used for immune system health, among other healthcare-related issues. Being able to strengthen the human immune system against other viruses and diseases has become an important issue for many nutraceutical research institutions.

Let’s take a look at some of the popular nutraceutical research & development trends happening in 2022 and the potential benefits these trends could yield.

Nutraceutical Ingredients of Interest

Not too much has changed when it comes to specific nutraceutical ingredients research. The top areas of research and development still include:

• Probiotics
• Fiber & digestive aids
• Amino acids
• Peptides & proteins
• Polyphenols & flavonoids

Research with these ingredients in nutraceutical compounds is looking to improve many health conditions, especially those related to aging. Popular areas of nutraceutical research on health conditions include:

• Lowering bad cholesterol
• Diabetes and blood sugar management
• Blood pressure regulation
• Immunity support
• Healthier sugar substitutes
• Natural flavoring (same taste, different formulas)

Areas of research focus on how ingredients (like probiotics or amino acids) can be used to optimally deliver positive nutraceutical effects in supplements, like pills, capsules, bars, and drink mixes. Food substitution research is looking at how to improve ingredients to be healthier for human consumption without losing popular tastes.

Nutraceutical Applications

Making food healthier while still being palatable is a challenge. When it comes to nutraceutical application, three fields of research & development are the most prominent:

• Foods
• Beverages
• Vitamins & Supplements

Most of this research is currently focused on adding nutraceuticals to a dietary plan by means other than food or drink supplementation. When used as supplements in this way, nutraceuticals are in the forms of:

• Tablets, capsules, gel/liquicaps, etc.
• Powder to add to any food or drink
• Liquid supplements (e.g., shots- not a drink or beverage)
• Gummies or similar chewable supplements

The areas of application are important, as most people prefer things that taste good. Supplement applications like nutraceutical gummies are not just popular with children–many adults also find them easy on the palate.

Another emerging area of research that has gained some traction in 2022 is the field of cosmeceuticals–nutraceuticals in cosmetics. While some oral supplements are being researched for skincare and health, some research is being put into developing nutraceutical cosmetics. Optimizing certain ingredients in traditional cosmetics may be able to help products promote skin health and beauty simultaneously.

Research at Biofortis

Biofortis is dedicated to protecting consumer health throughout the world by delivering a wide range of testing and consultancy services to the food, supplement, and nutrition industries. Biofortis supports this mission in two ways—through clinical trials and sensory and consumer insights testing. We specialize in clinical research targeting foods, ingredients, and dietary supplements that affect body structures, function, and overall health. Contact us with any clinical trial or scientific consulting needs.

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What are Anthocyanins?

In short, anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments found in plants. Anthocyanins are part of the flavonoid class of molecules synthesized in plant cells from amino acids. Anthocyanins in plant cells are often attached to sugars, which allows them to be water-soluble, and are the colorful compounds, providing for the pigments of plants, like the blue of blueberries and concord grapes, and the red of cranberries.

The primary function of anthocyanins in food production has been coloration.  As natural compounds, anthocyanins have been consumed as part of many foods and used traditionally in foods and beverages In 2013, however, an EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) panel determined that isolated anthocyanins intended to be used as a non-toxic food colorant for foods that normally don’t have anthocyanins, more research on safety is needed. While isolated anthocyanins are not specifically listed as approved food colorants in the US, they are not specifically listed as dangerous either. 

The lack of toxicology reports and other safety studies is not unusual for natural compounds that have been consumed in foods, but then are isolated and separated from the food,  When new approaches and technologies allow for separating, isolating, and concentrating food compounds are available, safety assessments need to be updated for these higher concentrations and different types of usages.  This, along with the in vitro data on antioxidant and other possible health-promoting properties of anthocyanins has led to heightened interest and more studies being conducted over the past decade. As of this writing (April 2022), there are no health claims regarding anthocyanins with either the FDA or the EFSA.

Anthocyanin & Health

Recent studies suggest an association between consuming foods high in anthocyanins and several health conditions, including cardiovascular risks, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic health.

Research into how anthocyanins may affect health has primarily focused on the absorption of anthocyanin into the body. Anthocyanin absorption studies have looked closely at both the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.

Many anthocyanins are naturally occurring in foods like blueberries, pomegranates, and strawberries. Increased anthocyanin intake (via food or supplementation) has shown quantifiable effects on some key factors in health conditions.

Anthocyanin & Inflammation

Inflammation increases endothelial permeability, which affects the heart and blood vessels. This leads to a short-term decrease in the protective barrier function, and not an issue when occurring in the short-term but can be damaging in chronic cases. Chronic inflammation can narrow arteries, lead to the accumulation of fat, and promote conditions like atherosclerosis.

A high intake of anthocyanins is proposed to promote inflammatory reactions that affect endothelial permeability. However, ‘normal’ intake of anthocyanins (~80mg/day) has been shown to possibly be beneficial to at-risk populations concerning heart disease. Therefore, the amount of consumption of anthocyanins matters.  This is why safety needs to be reviewed when these compounds are isolated and concentrated, while they are known to be safe at regular levels found in foods and beverages. 

Inflammation is a reaction in the body that has to be in balance.  That is, it is a necessary response to insults like injury or damage to tissues, and short-term inflammation is part of the healing response.  However, if inflammation doesn’t resolve, or gets turned off, then instead of helping with healing, it can lead to further damage.  Current studies suggest that the doses and timeframe are the two most important factors in determining when and how anthocyanins support a healthy inflammatory response compared to the health risk from an unbalanced inflammation regulation.

Anthocyanin & Antioxidant Properties

The majority of studies focusing on anthocyanins have looked at their antioxidant properties in vitro.

Research into the antioxidant properties has shown a correlation between intake and the effects of certain enzymes. Some antioxidant enzyme counts were found to increase while others were found to decrease.

Like inflammation research and research with anthocyanin, dose and timeframe are important in determining the health benefits vs. risks of many natural, food-based components. 

The Future of Anthocyanins & Health

Data on anthocyanins have shown quantifiable effects on certain health risk factors in humans. Ongoing and future studies are increasingly looking at consistency–both in doses and time. Dose size is particularly important for upcoming research, as scientists look for effective levels to use in specific tests. 

Understanding the health benefits vs. risks of high levels of isolated anthocyanin intake is still in progress, but research has shown just how important the antioxidant and inflammatory properties may be in promoting health as well as a potential risk when these components are used at high levels.

Research at Biofortis

Biofortis is dedicated to protecting consumer health throughout the world by delivering a wide range of testing and consultancy services to the food, supplement, and nutrition industries. Biofortis supports this mission in two ways—through clinical trials and sensory and consumer insights testing. We specialize in clinical research targeting foods, ingredients, and dietary supplements that affect body structures, function, and overall health. Contact us with any clinical trial or scientific consulting needs.

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