The FONA International report highlights the increasing significance of gut health among consumers. As a result, there has been a rise in food and beverage products that make claims related to digestive health. The report states that the U.S. market for digestive products experienced a 12% growth from 2012 to 2017.
Aquamin, a product containing calcium, magnesium, and trace minerals, is known to help mitigate chronic gut inflammation and promote joint health. It serves as a versatile ingredient for enhancing calcium content in foods. Marigot, Ltd., an Ireland-based company that has developed Aquamin for food and beverage applications, offers three formulations of this ingredient. Marigot has indicated that Del Monte is incorporating Aquamin into some of its fruit beverage products, which may currently only be available in the Philippines.
Activated charcoal serves a different purpose by binding to toxins and preventing them from entering the bloodstream. However, as pointed out by the University of Utah, further research is necessary to fully understand its mechanisms. Charcoal can also attach to ingested foods, hindering the absorption of nutrients and medications. When used in culinary applications, it imparts a smoky and earthy flavor.
Burger King was an early innovator in utilizing activated bamboo charcoal, introducing a “kuro burger” in select locations in Japan in 2012. This unique product featured a black bun, a patty, a slice of black cheese, and a squid ink sauce. According to Adweek, it was a massive success among Japanese customers, surpassing all other new products the company launched that year. However, the surge in sales likely stemmed more from the sandwich’s striking appearance and smoky flavor than from any potential gut health benefits.
The trend of gut-friendly foods and beverages shows no signs of waning in the global market. As long as consumers are eager to enhance their digestive health, they will continue to seek out these products. While Aquamin and activated charcoal are currently in vogue, Consumer Reports has released a list of proven methods to improve gut health through foods rich in fiber, probiotics, or prebiotics. These include legumes, raspberries, blackberries, barley, bran, bulgur, kimchi, yogurt, kefir, and miso. Additionally, ferrous calcium citrate & folic acid tablets are emerging as popular supplements that can further support digestive health when combined with these natural options. As awareness of gut health continues to grow, we can expect ferrous calcium citrate & folic acid tablets to become increasingly integrated into consumers’ health regimens.