The demand for supplements is increasing, and the food supplement industry continues to grow with a 9% annual increase expected in the coming years. Advances in biotechnology-derived ingredients and fermentation processes stand out, along with a growing preference for natural and plant-based products supported by clinical studies. There is a rising demand for supplements free from artificial colors, flavors, and added sugars, with an emphasis on sustainable packaging.
As consumers seek more specific solutions, categories such as the immune system, digestive health, and the connection between the brain and the gut are gaining relevance. Other categories that continue to offer opportunities to address individual needs and improve quality of life include women’s and men’s health, sports nutrition/joint health, and emotional management. Children’s health is also growing, with parents seeking solutions to support their children’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development.
More personalized formulations
Formulations are evolving towards personalized solutions targeted at specific needs, where the gut microbiota plays a key role in overall well-being by connecting with other body systems, showcasing a holistic approach in supplements. This trend towards personalized solutions is driven by genetic testing and evaluations based on artificial intelligence, along with other technological advancements that allow for the identification of specific deficiencies and the design of tailored products, adjusted to health goals, dietary restrictions, and biological particularities.
The Healthy aging concept
The concept of healthy aging is gaining increasing relevance as it encompasses a comprehensive approach to well-being that considers the interconnection between the different systems of the body. Consumers prioritize a holistic approach to well-being, offering a wide variety of options that promote physical, mental, and emotional health. They seek natural ingredients backed by scientific evidence that manage stress and promote vitality, combining nature and science. The market is shifting towards preventive and proactive aging, going beyond traditional aesthetic solutions.
Adaptogens and medicinal mushrooms
In 2025, adaptogens and mushrooms will continue to gain relevance in supplements due to their ability to strengthen immunity, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being. Their scientific efficacy and natural profile position them as key options for those seeking comprehensive solutions for physical, emotional, and cognitive health. Additionally, mushroom supplements are gaining popularity for improving energy and immune functions following the impact of COVID.
The key for optimal well-being.
Health care begins by strengthening the body’s ability to combat toxins, with the liver as a key component. An imbalanced liver can cause headaches, skin problems, allergies, mental disturbances, weakened immunity, low energy, and various general health issues. Plants and extracts recognized in dietary supplements for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and protective properties, and those that have become key allies for liver support, include: milk thistle, dandelion, turmeric, schisandra, boldo, atractylodes, mint, aloe vera, pau d’arco (Tabebuia impetiginosa), terminalia chebula, and sphaeranthus indicus.
Beauty Starts from Within
By 2025, nutraceuticals will continue evolving towards a comprehensive approach that combines beauty and well-being. Increasingly, the role of the gut microbiota is being recognized as key in the connection between what we eat and how it reflects on our skin. In this field, formulas integrating prebiotics, postbiotics, and natural extracts, such as plant ceramides or hyaluronic acid, stand out, designed to promote radiant skin from within. Ingredients like biotin, collagen, and antioxidants also lead the “holistic beauty” trend, where the health of the skin, hair, and nails is connected to internal care. Anti-inflammatory ingredients will also be increasingly used in the beauty category: Omega-3 (EPA/DHA), turmeric, ginger, resveratrol, quercetin, green tea polyphenols (EGCG), Vitamin D, Vitamin C, magnesium, zinc, ashwagandha, rosemary, white willow bark, bioactive collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, and postbiotics like butyrate.
Sports nutrition and joint health
By 2025, alternative proteins will dominate the world of sports nutrition. There are more and more new sources of protein gaining ground: insects, algae, and proteins created from microorganisms and fermentation. However, whey protein remains the star due to its proven effectiveness in muscle development and recovery. Creatine remains popular and is expected to continue being a favored ingredient in the sports sector. In addition to creatine monohydrate, new versions such as creatine HCl and buffered creatine will emerge. Athletic performance doesn’t only depend on physical effort; the mind plays a crucial role in achieving success. For this reason, an increase in the use of adaptogens and nootropics in sports supplements is expected by 2025. Adaptogens are natural compounds that help the body cope with stress, both physical and mental, while nootropics have the ability to enhance cognitive functions. Among the most popular adaptogens in sports nutrition are ginseng, ashwagandha, and rhodiola, known for their ability to reduce fatigue, improve concentration, and accelerate recovery. Nootropics, such as caffeine, L-theanine, and Bacopa monnieri, are being incorporated into pre-workout formulas to minimize mental fatigue during prolonged physical efforts.
4o mini
Supplements that support physical performance and joint health, such as collagen and turmeric, will also become increasingly popular among athletes and active individuals. Recently, there has been discussion about the role of an endogenous fatty acid, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), in aging. PEA is already used in various supplements to help reduce muscle and/or joint pain. It is known to decrease with age and has antioxidant and inflammation-modulating activities. It helps improve cellular health by reducing damage associated with aging and chronic inflammation. While it cannot be definitively stated that PEA is an “anti-aging” agent in a general sense, its ability to improve various aspects of health related to aging, such as inflammation and muscle synthesis, positions it as a promising component in approaches related to well-being in older age.
Women Health – Menopause is Hot
Women’s health, which encompasses sexual and reproductive health, pregnancy, and relief from menopause symptoms, as well as bone, intestinal, immune, and mental health, is on the rise. Additionally, there is a constant overlap with lifestyle categories such as stress, energy, and sleep. Menopause symptoms are diverse, opening up a wide range of possibilities for supplement development. Traditionally, most products have focused on relieving hot flashes, night awakenings, irritability, and emotional discomfort. However, more comprehensive formulations are currently emerging that, for example, include probiotics to care for both the gut and vaginal microbiota. The variety of combinations is almost infinite: we can create products that address emotional management and increased sexual desire, or even formulas that combine the treatment of menopause symptoms with skincare. Moreover, it is increasingly common to find products that not only address the main symptoms of menopause but also help reduce low-grade inflammation and balance hormonal and metabolic imbalances, which often cause weight gain.
Men’s Health: Boost Libido and Achieve Peak Performance
In the men’s health category, products related to libido and performance are growing. Supplements to improve testosterone levels are gaining popularity, which directly impacts energy, performance, and sexual health. Other supplements in this category will focus on enhancing physical performance, metabolic health, and cognitive function. There will also be an increase in supplements to reduce stress, support bone and joint health, and improve overall well-being. To stimulate libido and promote desire, substances like Maca, Ginseng, and Tribulus Terrestris can be considered. To boost male vigor, L-Arginine combined with Maritime Pine can provide an excellent boost to both vigor and male desire. Fenugreek may be useful for improving sexual function and increasing energy.
Kid´s Health
Children’s health has become an increasing priority in the supplement sector, with parents more focused on supporting their children’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development. The effects of screen time, excessive use of devices, and unhealthy diets are driving the search for supplements that address both the physical and mental well-being of children.
As parents seek proactive ways to support their children’s physical and emotional health, 2025 is set to see innovations in supplements that combine science-backed benefits with natural solutions in fun and appealing formats for kids.
Salud intestinal
Gut health has become a fundamental pillar in multifunctional supplements, thanks to research highlighting its impact on both physical and emotional well-being. More and more consumers recognize the close connection between digestive health and overall well-being, identifying gut balance as key to emotional stability, under the concept of the “Gut-Brain Connection.”
The category of supplements that support the microbiome is rapidly evolving, expanding into new areas of innovation. Advancements include the exploration of emerging health benefits, methods of scientific validation, and the development of technologies that allow for greater precision and personalization. In particular, supplements that integrate probiotics and other ingredients designed to support communication between the digestive system and the brain are gaining prominence. These products offer benefits ranging from stress reduction and improved sleep to comprehensive support for mental health.
Pre-, Pro-, and Postbiotics continue to take center stage, highlighting their role in balancing the gut microbiota and offering benefits beyond digestion, enhancing mental clarity and emotional resilience.
- Prebiotic fiber such as inulin, FOS (fructooligosaccharides), and GOS (galactooligosaccharides) nourish beneficial bacteria and reduce intestinal inflammation.
- Specific probiotics such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium lactis, among others.
- Postbiotics derived from fermentation, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs): with acetate, propionate, and butyrate being the predominant ones.
We will see more personalized synbiotics, meaning combinations of prebiotics and probiotics in the market, as “precision nutrition” gains more ground. These are designed to adapt to individual profiles based on genetic analysis or personalized microbiomes. Other ingredients that remain important in this gut health category include:
- Polyphenols and antioxidants extracted from fruits and vegetables to help reduce intestinal inflammation and support the microbiota.
- Botanical extracts: such as turmeric, ginger, aloe, or pomegranate extract with anti-inflammatory properties.
- Omega 3 and 6, especially 3 (EPA and DHA).
- Medicinal mushrooms: lion’s mane, reishi, shiitake, maitake, chaga, cordyceps, poria cocos, and enoki, for example.
Growing Interest in Enzymes
Enzymes are gaining relevance in probiotic formulations as they are essential for the biochemical reactions of the microbiome, influencing digestion, nutrient absorption, and microbial behavior. Unlike probiotics, enzymes have more specific and predictable activity, acting within narrow pH and temperature ranges. Most enzymes are released in the small intestine, where they are either absorbed or act in the colon. In addition to digestive enzymes, plant- and fungal-derived enzymes, such as cellulases, are being explored for their ability to break down fiber into beta-glucan and create compounds with prebiotic activity. Xylanases can also break down other types of indigestible plant fiber, creating prebiotic material. However, these nutritional applications are still not widely known.
Mental Well-being: Prioritizing Cognitive Health and Emotional Resilience
Mental well-being is key to overall health, and consumers are seeking natural solutions to improve cognitive function, mood, and emotional balance. The growing interest in nootropics and products that promote mental clarity and resilience reflects this demand, driven by factors such as remote work and increased screen time. Brands have an opportunity to integrate ingredients that support cognition and emotional well-being, addressing consumers’ priorities: mental health, emotional balance, and good rest.
A Healthier Future
As we approach 2025, supplement trends reflect the industry’s commitment to holistic well-being and meeting consumer needs. Brands that adapt to the demand for personalized, transparent, and high-quality solutions will have the opportunity to lead the sector, offering innovative and effective solutions for health-conscious consumers.
Would you like to know how these trends align with what we offer at Laboratorios Virens? We have a high-quality ready-to-market portfolio, backed by our expertise in supplement manufacturing. From gut health to mental well-being and beauty from within, we provide scientific and effective solutions to meet the growing market demands and build a healthier future for your consumers.
Contact us and let’s work together to take your project to the next level.
