More people are paying attention to their gut health, according to a global survey conducted by Kerry. The study, which was conducted online in January 2021, included 13,000 consumers, spanning across 16 countries.

Results show that there’s a high awareness of the existence of probiotics reaching almost half of the participants over the past 6 months. The majority comprise those in Latin America and North America. 25 percent have consumed products that contain this ingredient, with a high incidence in China and Mexico.

Improving digestive health is also a big driver to buying healthy lifestyle products, with about 38 percent using products that target the digestive system specifically. Food categories commonly associated with digestive health include yogurt, dairy-based drinks, fruit and vegetable juices and cereal or granola, which are common on the breakfast table.

John Quilter, Kerry VP of Global Portfolio – ProActive Health, shared, “A range of factors have driven the continuing growth in demand for gut health solutions generally, and for probiotics in particular. Demographic changes such as population aging and lifestyle choices have increased the prevalence of digestive disorders, while the pandemic has accelerated the shift towards more proactive approaches to health. As a result, consumers want to see functional ingredients in their favorite food and beverage products, and they’re increasingly well educated about the role of probiotics and their ability to support both digestive health and overall wellness. Manufacturers who formulate functional foods and beverages using science-backed probiotic strains can therefore meet a range of market needs.”

Kerry’s ProActive Health line includes BC30™, a natural probiotic ingredient that’s found in 1,000 food and beverage products worldwide. This science-backed variant is shelf-stable and can support your digestive and immune health. Because it’s spore-forming, it’s stable enough to maintain viability as it goes through production processes and even stomach acids. BC30™ is available in non-GMO, vegan, organic and allergen-free versions.