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Why is the Gut Microbiome a Growing Focus for Wellness?
Consumer interest in the role of nutrition and overall health is expanding. 68% of people globally, now stating they believe there is a connection between their digestive health and overall good health. Research into digestive health is answering the call, too, with a myriad of studies that highlight the gut microbiome—the environment of “good” bacteria that works to keep us healthy—as the critical link between digestive health and immunity.
In particular, there is a high level of awareness of the role of probiotics. In 2019, Kerry, the makers of GanedenBC30®, surveyed over 11,000 health-conscious consumers in 14 countries. In just one example of the level of awareness, around eight in ten of the Americans perceived probiotics to provide digestive health benefits. This growing recognition has further sparked searches for research supported probiotic ingredients in everyday food and beverages.
Since the gut microbiome plays such an important role in keeping us healthy, it’s critical to keep it functioning optimally. Probiotics may help to promote healthy gut bacteria and defend against pathogens, helping to facilitate both digestive health and immunity.
Although certain types of bacteria are present in some foods, like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut, for example, the benefits of these foods can be difficult to quantify. It’s important to note that research-supported probiotic ingredients can add specific benefits to everyday foods and beverages. Well-studied probiotics like GanedenBC30 provide digestive-and immune-health benefits and help meet consumers’ needs for overall wellness.
But not all probiotics are the same. Benefits offered by probiotics are strain-specific, meaning that safety and clinical data from one strain cannot be used to support the safety and efficacy of another strain. Because of the distinctions between probiotic strains, it’s important to select research supported probiotic ingredients when formulating or choosing food and beverage products.
As well, in a world of competing claims, it can be difficult for consumers to compare ingredients and choose the products best suited to their needs. While many experts are clear on the potential of probiotics, they also say that many products on the market don’t live up to the hype. As consumers seek more guidance on the health credentials of a product, or the effectiveness of its ingredients, manufacturers are being increasingly challenged to provide this information.
Research supported ingredients like GanedenBC30® (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086), Kerry’s probiotic ingredient, can make it easier for manufacturers to provide the products that clarify consumer choice. GanedenBC30® is a highly stable spore-forming probiotic. It can remain viable through shelf life and the low pH of stomach acid, as well as processing conditions like heat, shear and HPP pasteurization. This has opened up new innovation opportunities in a range of everyday food and beverage categories, including:
- Ready meals
- Juices
- Fruit snacks
- Hot teas
- Snacks, cereals, and energy bars
Backed by over 25 published, clinical, pre-clinical and biomarker research studies, GanedenBC30 is suitable for formulation into a wide variety of everyday food and beverage products consumers want to incorporate into their daily routines, from breakfast to snacktime to dinner—and beyond.
Learn more. Download the white paper, The Era of the Microbiome: Why The Gut is a Growing Focus For Wellness to discover how formulating with a hardy, research supported probiotic ingredient can help meet consumer demand for products with digestive- and immune-health benefits.
