Why Nutraceuticals Seem Set to Take the World by Storm 

For a product category which only got its name a little over 40 years ago, modern nutraceuticals have thoroughly impressed with their rapid rise in popularity. As many health-conscious consumers seek “cleaner,” more natural ways to enhance their diets or address specific ailments, this trend has paved the way for nutraceuticals as a viable alternative to pharmaceutical drugs and synthetic nutritional supplements. 

The steep increase in demand for nutraceuticals has been further accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, as more and more consumers have prioritized year-round immune and health support. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global nutraceuticals market size is projected to expand from an already significant USD 352.92 billion in 2021 to USD 658.11 billion by 2028, making for a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3%. 

Despite the powerful trend, the term nutraceuticals remain fuzzy to many people – and for good reason. Because the category it describes is relatively new, it’s still somewhat in flux, and different jurisdictions have settled on varying definitions for now. A closer look at nutraceuticals should shed some light on key facts and concepts, as well as the question of why the future looks so bright for this class of products. 

What are nutraceuticals? 

Across the various definitions of nutraceuticals, it’s commonly agreed that they are food or parts of food meant to improve health, prevent or treat disease, delay aging, increase life expectancy, or support the structure or proper functioning of the body. Nutraceuticals tend to take a medicinal form that is not generally associated with food, such as that of pills, powders, or liquids. For instance, someone wanting to lower their cholesterol levels might choose to swallow odorless garlic pills instead of chewing on actual cloves of garlic. A broader definition includes non-conventional, artificially synthesized nutraceuticals such as enriched foods (for instance, orange juice with added calcium) or food produced by genetic recombination so as to contain recombinant compounds or proteins that make them more beneficial to health (for instance, iron rice or multivitamin corn). 

Some historical background 

Since ancient times, conventional foods and herbal abstracts have been a core element of the holistic approach to wellness and health. The ancient ayurvedic system in India comes to mind, as do traditional Chinese, Roman, and Greek medicine. Many natural sources have a long history of being utilized for their healing and restorative effects. Among them are cinnamon, saffron, honey, garlic, ginger, pomegranate, mint, and many others. 

The modern nutraceutical market has its origins during the 1980s in Japan. In 1989, in the United States, Dr. Stephen DeFelice – founder and chairman of the non-profit Foundation for Innovation in Medicine – coined the term nutraceutical as a creative blend of the words nutrition and pharmaceutical. 

What’s the difference between nutritional supplements and nutraceuticals?

Nutritional supplements, also sometimes called dietary supplements, are manufactured products which normally take the form of tablets, capsules, gummies, powders, energy bars, or liquids. They are taken by mouth for a range of purposes, the most basic of which is to ensure adequate nutrient intake for good overall health. When such supplements “are food or parts of food,” as per the above definition, they may be considered nutraceuticals. However, narrower definitions state that in order to be considered a nutraceutical, a nutritional supplement must not only be food or parts of food but must also serve to help prevent or treat disease.

 

 

What’s the difference between pharmaceuticals (medical drugs) and nutraceuticals? 

Under their narrower definition, nutraceuticals share disease prevention or treatment in common with pharmaceuticals. The key difference is that while pharmaceuticals are artificially created, nutraceuticals are sourced from food and thus contain naturally occurring substances. Thus, one of the main appeals of nutraceuticals over pharmaceuticals is the idea of achieving specific treatment goals while avoiding the unpleasant side effects of drugs. 

 

 

 

Types of nutraceuticals 

There are a range of ways to categorize nutraceuticals. According to one model, nutraceuticals may be classified into eight distinct groups:

Dietary fiber
There are two types of dietary fiber. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and is found in oats, peas, beans, apples, citrus fruits, carrots, barley, and psyllium. Good sources of insoluble fiber, which doesn’t dissolve in water, include whole-wheat flour, wheat bran, nuts, beans, and vegetables (such as cauliflower, green beans, and potatoes).  

Each of the two types of dietary fiber has distinct health benefits. In combination, they help maintain bowel health, normalize bowel movements and decrease the risk of constipation, lower cholesterol levels, aid in controlling blood sugar levels and assist in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Dietary fiber may also reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and of dying from cancer or cardiovascular disease, in addition to potentially lowering blood pressure and inflammation.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (essential fatty acids)
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are divided up into two categories: omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are prominent in a range of fatty fish, flaxseed, soybeans, canola, some nuts, and both black and red currant seeds. Meanwhile, omega-6 fatty acids mainly occur in certain vegetable oils. 

PUFA are vital to brain function as well as normal growth and development. Omega-3 fatty acids may decrease triglycerides, lower blood pressure, reduce blood clotting, lessen the risk of stroke and heart failure, and help prevent irregular heartbeats.

Probiotics
Probiotics are a combination of live beneficial bacteria – or good bacteria – and/or yeasts which help maintain good health by fighting off bad bacteria. The most common types of bacteria found in probiotic supplements are lactobacillus and bifidobacterium. The most common type of yeast contained is saccharomyces boulardii. 

Foods containing probiotics include yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, kimchi, miso, kombucha, pickles, traditional buttermilk, natto, and certain types of cheese. 

In addition to supporting immune function and controlling inflammation, certain good bacteria can aid with food digestion, help create vitamins, break down and absorb medication, and support cells in a person’s gut which keep bad bacteria in food or drinks from entering the bloodstream. Consuming probiotics may also provide benefits for a number of health conditions, such as diarrhea, constipation, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), yeast infections, urinary tract infections, gum disease, lactose intolerance, eczema, upper respiratory infections, and sepsis.

Prebiotics
Prebiotics, which are found in a long list of fruits and vegetables, are nondigestible food ingredients which serve as fertilizers for healthy gut bacteria. Possible health benefits include increased lactose tolerance, antitumor properties, neutralization of toxins, stimulation of the intestinal immune system, improved constipation, and a reduction in blood lipids and cholesterol levels. 

 

Selenium
Selenium is a trace mineral and a component of selenoproteins and enzymes, which have antioxidant properties and thus help fight off peroxides. The latter threatens to damage tissue and DNA, which may lead to inflammation and other health problems. Selenium is found in Brazil nuts, finfish and shellfish, beef, turkey, chicken, whole-wheat bread, beans, and lentils.

 

 

Antioxidant vitamins
Antioxidant vitamins – such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and carotenoids – help protect cells against free radicals and thereby possibly against heart disease, cancer, and other health issues. Plant-based foods are good sources. They include fruits (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, etc.), vegetables (sweet potatoes, carrots, red and green peppers, kale, spinach, broccoli, etc.), whole grains, nuts, seeds, and more.

 

Polyphenols
Like antioxidant vitamins, polyphenols are found in plant-based foods and are allies in the fight against free radicals. As such, they help protect against chronic health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Polyphenols may also assist in preventing blood clots, lower blood sugar levels, and promote brain function and healthy digestion. Top sources include cloves and other seasonings, cocoa powder and dark chocolate, certain types of berries, other fruits, beans, nuts, vegetables, soy, and more. 

There are four types of polyphenols: flavonoids, phenolic acids, polyphenolic amides, and other polyphenols (resveratrol in red wine, ellagic acid in berries, etc.).

Spices
While spices have been used for thousands of years to enhance sensory qualities of food such as taste, texture, and look, many of them are also associated with significant health benefits. Of course, lots of different kinds of spices exist, and not every type has been linked to all the same benefits, which is important to keep in mind when considering which spices to prioritize for consumption. 

One or more spices may lower cholesterol and/or blood sugar, boost immunity, have antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory properties, improve memory and brain function, support heart health, and possibly even combat cancer. 

Conclusion

Many consumers have grown to be both more health-conscious – a trend accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic – and more interested in “cleaner,” more natural ways to support their bodies. This is bound to further boost the demand for innovative products promising demonstrated benefits, including in the prevention and/or treatment of disease, as alternatives to pharmaceuticals, which are increasingly viewed as artificial and laden with side effects. 

Of course, there will always still be a place for pharmaceuticals in contexts where patients are in urgent need for proven relief from a pressing, possibly even life-threatening medical condition. Hospitals, for instance, are likely to rely on medical drugs, which have been specifically designed, have undergone clinical trials, and are FDA-approved (in the United States) to address specific ailments. 

That said, the foods used in nutraceuticals have generally existed for a very long time – some for thousands of years – and therefore come with a track record of tolerability. Thus, nutraceuticals are likely to become even more popular as alternatives or complements to medical drugs in less urgent situations, as a way to maintain good health and prevent/treat specific conditions so as to avoid ending up in situations where pharmaceuticals become strictly necessary. Of course, it’s always advisable to first discuss any changes to a healthcare routine with a healthcare professional.