Words by Tjalling Bekker, Regional Director, Asia-Pacific at FrieslandCampina Ingredients

Asia’s rapidly ageing population is causing many to recognise that a healthy brain is just as important as a healthy body if they want to stay fit and active until late in life. In fact, projections suggest that one in four people in Asia-Pacific (APAC) will be over 60 years old by 2050. And as countries across the region raise the retirement age – as China has recently done – or consider similar changes – as is happening in Japan, Thailand, and South Korea – cognitive health is understandably an increasing priority in the region. At the same time, research shows that consumers across APAC are more likely to take a proactive approach to their long-term well-being than any other region. In fact, the ‘adult and ageing population’ has become a standalone category in Asia’s dynamic dairy market, as companies shift focus in response to its changing population demographic.

To support their healthy ageing journeys, consumers are increasingly turning to supplements, as well as functional food and beverages, to help them make positive change – with omega-3s fatty acids a trusted source across the region. Omega-3s, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are widely considered to have a positive impact on overall well-being, especially cognitive health. But how can brands address consumer concerns around omega-3s to better meet their needs? The answer may lie in an unexpected green ally: algae.

Spotlight on omega 3s

It’s easy to see why omega-3s are a popular choice among health-conscious consumers; a growing bank of evidence substantiates their role in delivering a wide range of health benefits, including visual acuity and cognitive function benefits, as well as cardiovascular health, recovery from exercise and immunity.

Although official GOED guidelines recommend 500 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA daily, omega-3 levels in people across the globe remain low – especially in Southeast Asia, where very low omega-3 blood levels (≤ 4%) have been observed. So, why is there such a gap in intake?

1. Lack of vegetarian options

Widely held misconceptions surrounding omega-3s could be one reason. In APAC, consumers are most likely to associate omega-3s with fish-based sources, which is a barrier for those following vegetarian and vegan diets. In some APAC countries, a notable percentage of the population has these types of dietary preferences; 67 percent of consumers in Thailand and 56 percent in Japan avoid or moderate animal-based products, for example. What’s more, the global rise of flexitarianism is adding further interest to plant-based alternatives.

2. Taste

Alongside functional foods, nutritional supplements are a popular choice for consumers wanting to proactively improve their health, but over half of users only take these products for 12 months or less – with taste being a key barrier for continued consumption. For omega-3 supplements in particular, many find the ‘fishy’ taste off-putting. Ensuring great taste is therefore crucial to encouraging long-term usage and supporting sustained health benefits.

3. Supplement size

Another barrier to consumption is supplement size, with many finding the traditional oversized format of omega-3s, such as cod liver oil capsules, difficult to swallow. It’s perhaps why 89% of global consumers demonstrate a preference for functional food and drinks when purchasing products aimed at improving health. Research found that consumers – particularly older adults – are more willing to take tablets on a daily basis if they are smaller.

What’s more, the demand for convenient, easy-to-consume supplements is also illustrated by the rise in gummies – the market for which is predicted to soar to an 11.8 percent CAGR between 2023-2033. Added sensory appeal and ease of digestion are, therefore, important factors to consider when developing new supplement formats. High-load ingredient options could be a way for manufacturers to overcome this barrier – since lower doses are needed to be effective, they can enable smaller formats.

Algae alternatives

Despite continued interest in plant-based food and beverages, there is a widespread lack of awareness across the region that plant-based omega-3 options are available alongside fish-based sources. In fact, relatively few consumers look to obtain omega-3s from plant-based sources: only 21 percent in Indonesia and 15 percent in China, with many worried that they lack certain nutrients.

For manufacturers across APAC, using algae-derived DHA, instead of fish-based sources, presents a viable opportunity to meet evolving needs, allowing health-savvy consumers to boost their omega-3 intake whatever their dietary preferences. Fish consume omega-3s from eating algae in the ocean – so by using algae, this is a more direct, plant-based source of DHA, with the same benefits of traditional fish-based omega-3s. Educating consumers on the health advantages of algae-derived DHA could encourage greater adoption of this valuable nutrient.

And although both algae and fish-based omega-3 supplements can have an unappealing taste and odour, advances in microencapsulation technology mean that manufacturers can develop DHA ingredients with a clean taste, no fishy odour, and a high DHA load. Microencapsulation is becoming a game-changer in the fast-growing omega-3 market, enabling brands to develop products with 100% plant-based, encapsulated DHA powder with a neutral sensory profile, such as FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ Biotis® DHA Flex Powders. It also provides an opportunity to combine omega-3s with other ingredients to meet the growing consumer need for multi-functional products that provide several health benefits at once.

Opening up new omega-3 opportunities

In APAC, continued demand for plant-based applications, together with growing interest in omega-3s, signals a window of opportunity for food, beverage, and supplement manufacturers to develop algal DHA solutions. Advances in microencapsulation technology will be crucial in helping formulators go one step further – elevating their plant-based omega-3 offerings with a superior sensory experience. In this relatively untapped market, it’s the ideal time to diversify their portfolio and meet discerning consumer needs with great-tasting, appealing omega-3 products – whatever their dietary preferences.

About the Author

Tjalling Bekker is the Regional Director for Asia Pacific at FrieslandCampina Ingredients. Since joining FrieslandCampina back in 1998, Tjalling has held several commercial roles within the company, including Global Sales Director of Food & Beverages. More recently, he has held roles in the FrieslandCampina Ingredients team, joining this arm of the business in 2020 as Sales Director of Medical, Performance, and Active Nutrition. In 2024, Tjalling became Regional Director of Asia Pacific for FrieslandCampina Ingredients. In his role, Tjalling oversees strategic activity for the region and collaborates closely with the company’s partners to deliver exceptional nutrition solutions that help people get the most out of life, always.

This article was first published on our “From Farm to Future: Insects and Algae Redefining Sustainable Nutrition” issue.