Trends Shaping Sports Nutrition

The field of sports nutrition is continually evolving and is no longer limited to athletes. Everyday consumers are testing the limits of their bodies and new research is shedding light on the role of various nutrients in athletic performance.

Nutrition plays a crucial role from start to finish. While macronutrients like proteins, carbohydrates and fat are at the front of nutrition, micronutrients, specifically the ones that come from vitamins and supplements, are equally important when it comes to sports nutrition. Advances in supplement formulation, such as the development of more bioavailable forms of vitamins and minerals, are making it much easier for consumers to optimize their nutrition.

The use of prebiotics and probiotics is gaining attention for their role in gut health, which can influence immune function, nutrient absorption and overall wellbeing. Similarly, adaptogens, herbs and botanicals are becoming very popular among consumers who are looking to enhance recovery and resilience.

Vitamins and minerals are an integral part of sports nutrition, playing a role in energy production, bone health, muscle recovery, cognitive performance and overall wellbeing. For people who consistently push their bodies to perform at their best, ensuring adequate intake of these nutrients is crucial. The right combination of vitamins and supplements, tailored to an individual’s needs, can make a significant difference in performance, recovery and long-term health.

Personalized Nutrition

One-size-fits all is no longer the standard in sports nutrition. Consumers are turning to personalized nutrition, leveraging DNA tests, metabolic assessments and AI driven apps to create customized plans. These tools consider an individual’s unique genetic makeup, dietary preferences and performance goals. By fine-tuning their intake of macro and micronutrients, consumers can achieve optimal energy levels, improve recovery times and enhance overall performance.

Rise of Plant Based Supplements

As people shift toward plant-based diets for ethical, environmental or health reasons, the sports nutrition world is following suit. Plant-based supplements are surging in popularity, providing consumers with high-quality alternatives to animal-based proteins and other nutrients.

Plant proteins from sources like peas, hemp and brown rice are being formulated into bars and snacks designed to fuel workouts. The demand for plant-based recovery and performance aids reflects the growing emphasis on holistic and sustainable health.

Plant-based proteins have off-notes like bitter, beany, earthy, grainy and cardboardy. Additionally, the robust mouthfeel traditionally associated with animal proteins can be lacking in the plant-based counterparts. Sensient has developed a variety of Taste Modulation technologies that specifically target those off-notes, creating a more palatable taste profile.

Gut Health

Gut health has become a significant focus in sports nutrition as more consumers realize the connection between a healthy digestive system and athletic performance. Probiotics and prebiotics, and other gut-friendly supplements are gaining popularity for their ability to improve digestion, boost immunity and enhance nutrient absorption.

Sustainable and Clean Label Products

Sustainable sports nutrition is on the rise, with products made from ethically sourced ingredients and minimal environmental impact. Consumers are seeking clean-label products, free from artificial additives, preservatives and synthetic fillers. Transparency in labelling is a major driver, as consumers want to know exactly what is in their supplements and how those ingredients are sourced. From plant-based proteins to eco-friendly packaging, sustainability is becoming a key consideration in purchasing decisions.

Sensient has developed and prioritized a Sustainability Strategy comprised of five pillars with practical, attainable goals and milestones that will simultaneously sustain the growth and profitability of the business and direct us toward a lower impact, more-resilient future. Read our sustainability report here.

Fruity and tropical flavors like orange, raspberry and pineapple continue to dominate the sports nutrition market, with flavors like mango, guava and passionfruit gaining traction. Additionally, consumers are looking for flavorful options that are lower in sugar and caffeine.

Are you looking to set your product and brand apart from the competition? Sensient Pharmaceutical offers colors, flavors and extracts, and coatings to enhance your sports nutrition products. Contact our team of experts today to explore our wide range of sensory ingredients.