Functional F&B to play significant role in future of healthcare

FUNCTIONAL foods and beverages are supercharged with extra nutrients like amino acids, vitamins, minerals, proteins, fatty acids, and prebiotics.

- By P MYTHILI

These awesome nutrients go beyond basic nutrition to give you multiple health benefits. With people becoming more health-conscious, functional products have skyrocketed in popularity. Especially during times like these, when we're all looking to boost our immunity, functional foods and drinks are the go-to choice. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a big impact on the functional food industry. From sourcing raw ingredients to shipping finished products, everything was affected. Lockdowns meant production plants had to slow down or even shut down temporarily. But, as restrictions eased, the market bounced back. One challenge the industry faced was the restricted export of key nutraceutical ingredients from countries like China, India, and the US. Logistics and economic impacts of the pandemic also put a brake on market growth. But the future looks bright – as people continue to prioritise their health, functional foods and beverages are here to stay.

The Rise of Functional Foods: A Global Health Trend

Consumers are increasingly prioritising health and wellness, driving a shift towards functional foods that offer benefits beyond basic nutrition. This trend has led to significant investments in research and development, resulting in a wide range of functional food products that cater to specific health needs. According to global market reports, the total value of functional food products is projected to reach US$228.79 billion by 2025, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately 8 percent since 2022. The market for functional beverages is the most popular and fastest-growing segment, accounting for over half of the total market value of functional foods. In 2019, the market value of functional beverages in the US was estimated to be US$99 billion, while the Asia Pacific region accounted for US$36 billion.