In recent years, as consumers have become more and more concerned about their own health, the global immune health market has continued to grow, and the market demand for immune health-related nutritional supplements has also increased. The latest "Global Immune Health: Development Status and Future Insights" report released by the consulting agency Innova reveals the current immune health market trends, consumer preferences for nutritional supplements in different regions around the world, and potential opportunities for product innovation.

Nutritional supplements may impact immune system health

　　Modern medical research shows that most diseases are related to immune system disorders. Therefore, the best weapon for humans to fight against diseases is not drugs, but the body's own sound immune system. A healthy immune system plays a positive role in protecting the body from attacks by viruses, bacteria, pollutants and diseases.

　　A healthy lifestyle such as eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and reducing stress can help people maintain a healthier immune system. Although no medicine or supplement can replace a healthy lifestyle, there is evidence that a healthy lifestyle alone is not enough to optimize immune system health, especially in certain individuals and groups such as infants and the elderly, by giving certain Supplements containing vitamins, minerals, herbs and other ingredients can affect the health of their immune system.

　　Immune health supplements are nutritional products that support and enhance human immune function. They occupy an important market share in both the global and Chinese markets, and show different consumption trends.

There are country and age differences in nutritional supplement consumption

　　According to Innova's global consumer survey, the use of immune health supplements varies by country and age.

　　At the national level, India has the highest usage rates, with 29% of consumers regularly using immune-related dietary supplements. Followed by China, Indonesia and Brazil, accounting for 25% , 24% and 24% respectively . Consumers in these countries are more focused on building immunity to cope with different health challenges.

　　In terms of age, Millennials born between 1981 and 2000 are the main users of immune health supplements , with 23 % of Millennials using immune health supplements regularly . In comparison , the usage rates of Generation Z , born between 1997 and 2012 , and Generation is 14% . " Millennials " are gradually becoming the backbone of society, and they pay more attention to maintaining immune health through dietary supplements. This may be related to the life stress they face and the increased awareness of health management.

　　Overall, use of immune health supplements varies across countries and age groups. Consumers in developing countries generally pay more attention to improving immunity, and " millennials " are the main force in using immune health supplements.

Ingredient preference is a key factor affecting consumption in various regions

　　Different regions around the world have unique ingredient preferences in the development of immune-healthy foods, beverages and dietary supplements. Data from Innova's global new product database shows that in the 12 months to the second quarter of this year , the main ingredient categories used in immune claim products varied across regions due to market demand and consumer preferences. In North America, more than 70% of consumers mainly focus on nutritional supplements, functional ingredients and herbal ingredients, followed by antioxidants, minerals and vitamins, and fruits, with consumer preferences accounting for more than 50% . In the European market, the highest proportion of consumers who prefer immune health supplements containing minerals, vitamins and other ingredients, reaching 74% .

　　In Asia, plant-based ingredients dominate, attracting the attention of half of consumers. Followed by nutritional supplements and functional ingredients, dairy ingredients, minerals and vitamins, accounting for 47% , 45% and 39% respectively . The widespread use of botanical ingredients is closely related to Asian consumers’ high preference for natural herbs and traditional health ingredients, reflecting their emphasis on natural immune support solutions.

　　Overall, the emphasis on immune health ingredients in different regions reflects consumers’ cultural differences and changes in demand for health management. The preference for specific ingredients in various regions shows the different expectations of local markets for immune support products, driving the development of functional products with local characteristics.

Consumer demand is the vane for new product R&D

　　Consumer needs and preferences are the vane for new product development. In the global dietary supplement market, vitamins and minerals as well as plant and herbal supplements have become the main categories that support immune health claims. Data from Innova’s global new product database shows that in the 12 months as of the second quarter of this year , vitamins and minerals accounted for 33% of new supplement products with immune health claims , while herbal and plant supplements accounted for 23% . In addition to these mainstream categories, probiotics also occupy 8% of the market share.

　　Among them, vitamins continue to play an important role in the global dietary supplement and functional food fields, especially in products with immune health claims. Innova global new product database data shows that among global new vitamin-fortified product developments, 74% of products contain vitamin C , demonstrating its key position in immune health.

At the same time, vitamin K2 and vitamin D2, 　　which are widely considered to have significant effects on the maintenance and enhancement of the immune system, are also growing rapidly, with their five- year compound growth rates reaching 24% and 16% respectively .

　　Additionally, looking at growth in the dietary supplement subcategory with immune health claims, non-fruit and vegetable concentrate supplements, hair, skin and nail supplements, and weight loss supplements are growing the fastest. Data from Innova's global new product database shows that non-fruit and vegetable concentrated supplement products have a five- year compound growth rate of 55% in the immune health segment , followed by hair, skin and nail supplements at a growth rate of 52% . Next up were weight loss supplements, with a growth rate of 51% . In addition, male supplements also show strong growth momentum with a growth rate of 50% .

　　Notably, functional soft drink products containing prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotic ingredients stand out as they address consumer needs for immune health. Data from Innova's global new product database shows that in the 12 months as of the second quarter of this year , soft drinks accounted for 16% of new beverage products with immune health claims , ranking second. Second only to infants and young children ( 28% ), slightly higher than dairy products ( 14% ) and sports nutrition ( 12% ). In the five years to the second quarter of this year , new soft drink products with immunity claims and containing prebiotic or probiotic ingredients have achieved a compound annual growth rate of 24% .