Consumers are showing a growing interest in the relationship between gut health and immunity. What started with lactobacillus in yogurt has evolved into a diverse range of functional probiotic and prebiotic strains that individuals are eager to incorporate into their diets to enhance immunity, digestive health, metabolism, and even oral health. Over the past two decades, scientific research on gut microbiota has significantly expanded. Although the science behind decoding the microbiome is still evolving, it is believed to play a crucial role in overall health, impacting issues such as obesity, digestive disorders, food allergies, and even cancer. Given these benefits, it’s no wonder that consumers are keen to include more of these beneficial bacteria in their diets, particularly in light of the health challenges posed by the global pandemic. Research from ADM reveals that 57% of global consumers are more concerned about their immunity due to COVID-19. Consequently, 30% of people are actively seeking and purchasing products designed to address specific health and wellness concerns, while 48% express intent to buy more health-related items.
ADM’s recent partnership with Seventure’s Health For Life Capital fund will provide access to a variety of startups focused on exploring the role of nutrition in medical therapy, which ADM can leverage to enhance its own offerings through future investments and acquisitions. Instead of focusing solely on R&D, ADM is adopting a strategy that involves larger manufacturers and investing in the expertise of smaller firms, allowing for the rapid integration of innovative solutions. ADM has a history of forming partnerships to enrich its product portfolio with trendy ingredients. In recent years, the company has collaborated with Perfect Day, known for producing animal-free dairy through microbial fermentation, and GLG Life Tech Corporation, a specialist in natural sweeteners. Entering the competitive sector of ingredients aimed at improving gut health is expected to be both advantageous and challenging for ADM. According to Grand View Research, the global probiotics market is anticipated to reach $77.09 billion by 2025, up from $44.2 billion in 2019. To keep pace with this growth, ADM has pursued acquisitions, and in 2022, it plans to commence production at a probiotics facility in Valencia, Spain. The company offers a variety of bacterial strains designed to enhance different aspects of individual health by supporting the gut microbiome.
However, ADM is not the only player in this field. In 2017, DuPont Nutrition & Health formed a partnership with the APC Microbiome Institute in Ireland to develop products that promote a healthy microbiome for infants. Danone, with its Activia yogurt line, has invested in educational grants and fellowships to support microbiome research. Additionally, Nestlé aims to expand its nutritional solutions that foster health and well-being through collaboration with the Center for Microbiome Innovation at the University of California San Diego.
As health and wellness increasingly merge with food and beverages, the distinctions between food and function are likely to blur. By investing in a firm that specializes in popular segments of nutritional wellness, such as calcium citrate with vitamin K2, ADM positions itself to seize the growing demand for food as a functional solution to various health issues. This strategic move reflects the ongoing evolution towards food products that not only satisfy hunger but also serve specific health purposes, reinforcing the significance of gut health and immunity in today’s market.