The Plant Base attended Vitafoods Europe 2024 last week in Geneva, Switzerland. The three-day nutraceuticals event, hosted at the Palexpo Convention Centre in Le Grand-Saconnex, saw innovators showcase a plethora of concepts blending health and wellbeing with new taste experiences.
Where medicine and healthcare meets nutrition, the global nutraceutical market is booming – estimated to be valued around $320 billion in 2023, it is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.6% from 2024 to 2030 according to Grand View Research.
At a time when consumers are becoming more discerning about the naturality and health impacts of the ingredients they consume, it comes as no surprise that nutraceutical food and beverage products – such as those containing botanical extracts and vegetable-based ingredients – are rising in popularity as a natural remedy to many of the health concerns experienced in our modern way of life.
Read on to discover some of the plant-based F&B trends and highlights that caught our eye.
Multifunctional gummies
Gummies have been a rising star area within the nutraceuticals market for quite some time, shifting from a format primarily catering to children and into the mainstream of adult wellbeing. While many gummy products are made with gelatin, the demand for vegetarian- and vegan-friendly options has sparked a boost in pectin-based offerings, formulated to offer the same chewy texture without the use of animal-derived ingredients.
Companies such as Kerry, Nektium, ADM and DSM-Firmenich showcased concepts in the vegan gummy arena, combining fruity flavours with carefully selected active ingredients promising to deliver a range of functional health benefits. In particular, the demand for combined physical and mental wellness enhancements was clear to see, as many specialists highlighted ‘all-in-one’ products designed to nourish the brain and body simultaneously.
Kerry showcased a range of concepts in this area, such as its ‘stress-less’ summer fruit immune support gummies and ‘cola calm’ ashwagandha gummies, both made with pectin and offering a firm bite alongside tasty flavours for an enjoyable consumption experience.
The ‘stress-less’ gummies contain Kerry’s Wellmune Adapt, launched last year, which combines the company’s Wellmune immunity support solution with its Sensoril ashwagandha ingredient.
Experimenting with taste and texture, the company also showcased a ‘glow from the inside out’ yuzu gummy offering for gut and skin health, containing its rice-derived postbiotic Plenibiotic and offering a more soft and aerated texture alongside the refreshing citrus flavour.
Also keen to highlight the importance of flavours was Givaudan. The Swiss flavour and fragrance company showcased two vegan-friendly gummies at the event, one containing its Cereboost American ginseng ingredient for attention and memory, and one containing its Valerian botanical solution for relaxation.
Givaudan’s regional product manager for natural and nutrition, Mieke Acda, spoke to FoodBev Media during the event to emphasise how, as well as drawing on its flavour expertise to mask unwanted botanical off-notes, the company leverages its knowledge of consumer taste perceptions to pair the right flavours with their associated benefits. For example, the brain-boosting Cereboost was showcased in an energising peppermint flavour, while Valerian was paired with light and relaxing notes of black tea and peach.
Spanish botanicals expert Nektium presented adaptogen-containing vegan gummies showcasing Rhodiolife, its Rhodiola rosea extract for destressing and supporting healthy memory function, as well as Zynamite, its mango leaf extract which serves as a fast-acting natural caffeine alternative that can boost energy and focus without unwanted side effects like jitters and a ‘crash’.
Elsewhere, among its multifunctional gummy offerings, ADM presented a plant-based ‘gut muscle power’ gummy, containing its DE111 spore-forming probiotic ingredient for microbiome support and guarana to provide a natural energy boost for enhanced active lifestyle and athletic performance.
Women’s health
Across the event, there was a prominent focus on women’s health, with solutions designed to support fertility, health issues associated with menopause and urinary tract infections, which are commonly experienced by women.
ADM presented several concepts in this area – notably in the plant-based space, it introduced its Novasoy ingredient. This soy isoflavone ingredient works by interacting with the body’s estrogen receptors to regulate women’s perceived temperature during the menopause, aiming to ease the frequency and severity of symptoms such as hot flashes.
Backed by scientific studies, the ingredient could also be beneficial in promoting skin and bone health and keeping arteries flexible.
The company partnered with Sirio to present a pectin-based, lychee and blackcurrant-flavoured menopause support gummy during the show, infused with herbal sage extract for additional support in reducing hot flashes, night sweats and joint discomfort. Vitamin E is also included to protect cells from oxidative stress.
Aside from the ‘MenoBalance’ gummy, Sirio presented an entire range of solutions targeting women’s health issues. Its ‘Mind Sharpener’ mushroom gummies contain cordyceps and chaga – functional fungi believed to contribute to mental function and overall wellbeing. Sirio presented them as a unique solution for combatting post-partum brain fog and promoting cognitive wellness.
Meanwhile, another of its solutions featuring an ADM ingredient was the ‘Smooth Operator’ gummy for women’s general health, which contains ADM’s Fibersol dietary fibre alongside chromium and cinnamon, contributing to the maintenance of healthy blood glucose levels to alleviate cravings, fatigue and mental health concerns.
Sirio’s Berryshield gummy was also showcased as a solution for women’s urinary tract wellbeing, containing cranberry for regulating and reducing the severity of UTI outbreaks, as well as hibiscus which could potentially prevent bacteria from adhering to the wall of the bladder.
Givaudan presented Pacran, its whole cranberry ingredient for urinary tract health, during the event, in which it unveiled the results of a new clinical study backing the ingredient’s efficacy in reducing E. coli adhesion within the urinary tract.
For fertility support, Kerry showcased a beverage concept made with its plant-based Caronositol Fertility ingredient – made from a combination of myo-inositol from the phytin of corn, and D-chiro-inositol from carob fruit. The product has been developed to support hormonal balance in women’s reproductive cycles, particularly in supporting fertility issues related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
Natural plant proteins
In the midst of consumer demand for natural, plant-based and clean label ingredients, plant protein solutions were on the rise at this year’s event in the realm of sports nutrition.
Fava bean protein looked to be a trending source, with specialists in this space, such as Cosun and Atura, showcasing fava-based powder solutions. Atura, based in the UK, presented its Atura FP80 protein made with UK-sourced beans and produced in the company’s local manufacturing facility. Alongside the fava bean protein, it presented a red lentil protein and chickpea protein, each suitable for food fortification, nutritional blends and supplementation.
Meurens was also showcasing its latest oat crisps protein solution, created using upcycled byproducts of its production process for its main product line of cereal syrups. The company’s international sales and marketing manager, Tim Van de Gehuchte, told The Plant Base that this product can tick several boxes when it comes to fulfilling consumer demand and trends in the space – particularly, the trend for natural clean label solutions, sustainability and improved taste.
The crisps are made from whole oat flour and are being promoted by Meurens in diverse applications, such as protein crackers, protein balls, cookies, beverages and more.
Van de Gehuchte explained that while the high-protein trend – once mainly associated with bars and shakes – is now stretching across numerous food and beverage categories, there are many challenges for manufacturers around formulating with protein while still delivering a great taste and texture. The company’s oat protein is neutral in taste and can be easily formulated into recipes without undesirable off-notes.
Cosun was also keen to emphasise the neutrality and versatility of its plant-based protein, Tendra, a fava bean isolate showcased in a sports beverage at the event. The ingredient, made from European GMO-free fava beans, has high solubility and offers functional qualities such as emulsification and foambility, suited for use in a wide range of food and beverage products.
Algae-based ingredients
This year’s event saw many companies innovating in the development of algae oils, addressing the need for more sustainable and plant-based ingredients that can deliver essential omega-3 to consumers.
Aker Biomarine, a specialist in omega-3 ingredients made from krill, showcased its new FloraMarine algae-based product at Vitafoods this year. The company is drawing on its expertise in sustainably sourced marine omega-3 ingredients to provide a new, vegan-friendly option claimed to boast the highest natural concentration of DHA available on the market – 60%.
While the company proudly highlighted its ability to fit 250mg of DHA into a 400mg capsule with its solution, the algae oil could stretch far beyond food supplements and into the plant-based food and beverage market, with the potential to be formulated into alt-seafood offerings and other plant protein products for a healthy omega-3 boost.
Other companies such as Algae Capital, Corbion and AstaReal were shining a spotlight on their algae-based innovation, showing how microalgae is rising in popularity as a game-changing sustainable ingredient that can fulfil health and sustainability needs, reducing the impact of environmental concerns, such as overfishing, related to traditional fish oil production.
AstaReal presented a new finished formulation containing microalgae-derived astaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. It was created in partnership with French company Polaris. Peter Ahlm, AstaReal’s head of marketing and sales, described algae as a fast-regrowing and future-proof source that will gain further traction in the nutrition and supplement market.
Next time…
This year, Vitafoods waved goodbye to its Geneva location as it moves to a new venue for 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. With demand for personalised nutrition on the rise, coupled with desire for solutions made from natural, plant-based ingredients, we’re excited to see what next year’s event has in store.
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