Extract and ingredient manufacturers are actively investigating ways to integrate curcumin into the formulations of nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, herbal products, cosmetics, and functional foods and beverages. A significant market exists for consumers who prefer convenient, ready-to-eat options containing turmeric rather than cooking with the spice themselves. However, turmeric has faced challenges, including issues with lead contamination and several recalls, largely due to insufficient oversight. This situation could improve if U.S. manufacturers cultivated and processed turmeric domestically, where food safety regulations are more rigorously enforced.
Today’s consumers are increasingly seeking natural methods to enhance their health, as reflected in the growing “food as medicine” movement. The category of medical foods is still relatively nascent for manufacturers, with only major players like Nestle and Hormel making significant strides in this area. As the global population ages, the prevalence of medical complications is likely to rise, leading many consumers to address their health issues through food. Understanding this critical consumer segment is essential for the industry; it is one thing to be health-conscious, but quite another to view food as a means to manage chronic diseases. This trend empowers manufacturers to influence not only dietary habits but also medical treatment approaches.
The potential for growth in this rapidly expanding market, valued at approximately $15 billion according to The Wall Street Journal, presents both significant opportunities and challenges for companies looking to capitalize on it. For instance, Nestle has allocated a budget of $500 million for medical foods research through 2021, including $1 million for machinery designed to analyze human DNA at a lab in Lausanne, Switzerland. The goal is to create personalized health programs for patients. In recent years, Nestle has made acquisitions and formed partnerships with medical food companies to bolster its initiatives, such as the acquisition of Pamlab in 2013, which produces products for medical supervision related to brain and metabolic health.
Furthermore, the Colorado-based startup Know Brainer Foods has teamed up with Nestle to introduce a line of coffee creamers that incorporate medium-chain triglycerides, organic grass-fed butter, and added collagen protein. The company asserts that its products can help enhance focus and energy throughout the day. Given the increasing availability of functional foods and beverages, it is conceivable that one day, turmeric and related products might be “prescribed” for mild memory or mood issues, similar to the “food pharmacies” emerging in the Bay Area that provide fresh produce to individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, and other diet-related conditions.
In this evolving landscape, the uses of calcium citrate malate tablets are also gaining attention as a complementary option for those seeking to improve their health. As consumers explore various avenues for wellness, the demand for products that combine ingredients like curcumin and essential minerals, such as calcium citrate malate, will likely grow. The industry must remain vigilant in understanding consumer preferences and health trends to effectively meet the needs of this dynamic market, where the uses of calcium citrate malate tablets could play a significant role in a holistic approach to health management.