Worldwide demand for nutraceutical ingredients is projected to advance 6.2 per cent annually to $21.8 billion in 2013, serving a $236 billion global nutritional product industry, according to www.bharatbook.com in its study “World Nutraceutical Ingredients.”

“Based on broad applications and increasing clinical evidence of health benefits and safety, the best growth opportunities will emerge in soy protein nutrients; the functional food and beverage additives lutein, lycopene, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics and sterol esters; the essential minerals calcium and magnesium; the herbal extracts garlic and green tea; and the non-herbal extracts chondroitin, glucosamine and coenzyme Q10,” bharatbook said in its study.

US to remain largest market
According to the study, China and India will emerge as the most rapidly expanding nutraceutical ingredient markets as strong economic growth allows them to upgrade and diversify food, beverage and drug production capabilities. By country, the US will continue to be the largest global consumer of nutraceutical ingredients due to the broad, increasing range of nutritional preparations and natural medicines produced domestically. China will remain the largest worldwide producer based on its extensive fine chemicals industry and aggressive pursuit of exports.

Nutrients, minerals to be fastest growing segment
World demand for nutrients and minerals will reach $12.6 billion in 2013, up 6.4 per cent annually from 2008. Soy proteins and isoflavones, psyllium fibers, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, lycopene, calcium and magnesium will see the fastest gains based on widely accepted health benefits and expanding applications in meal supplements and functional foods and beverages.

Vitamins E, A to pace gains in nutraceutical vitamins
Global demand for nutraceutical vitamin ingredients will increase 5.9 percent annually to nearly $7.1 billion in 2013. Natural vitamin E formulations derived from non-genetically modified plants will post the strongest gains due to their acceptability to the European Union and other countries (e.g., Brazil) that limit the production of edible compounds through biotechnology. Natural formulations of beta carotene (vitamin A) will also fare well in the global marketplace based on efficacy advantages over synthetic ingredients, especially in multivitamin supplements and adult and pediatric nutritionals. Ongoing controversy about potentially toxic side effects will continue to moderate overall growth opportunities for nutraceutical vitamin ingredients.

Garlic, saw palmetto, glucosamine among best opportunities in extracts
Increasing acceptance by consumers and medical professionals will push world demand for herbal and non-herbal extracts up 6.2 percent annually to $2.2 billion in 2013. Conflicting clinical and scientific testing results about actual health benefits will inhibit faster gains in the overall product group. Garlic for improving cardiovascular functions, saw palmetto for benign prostatic hyperplasia, green tea for cancer prevention and weight loss, and black cohosh for postmenopausal symptoms will be among the herbs continuing to fare well in the worldwide marketplace. Glucosamine (in combination with chondroitin) will generate the strongest growth in demand among non-herbal extracts due to proven benefits in the treatment of moderate to severe arthritic conditions.

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