Consumers Turn to Sports Nutrition Looking for Mental and Physical Health

Sports Nutrition Consumers Seek Physical and Mental Wellbeing

To better understand the needs of sports nutrition consumers, including their perceptions around mental wellbeing, Glanbia Nutritionals conducted its own consumer research study. The results revealed that most sports nutrition consumers place a high value on mental wellbeing. 71% of U.S. sports performance consumers and 64% of active lifestyle consumers strongly agree that “mental wellbeing is just as important as physical wellbeing.”¹

In fact, consumers across generations are turning to exercise itself as a strategy for improving their mental wellbeing. In a recent study, Innova found that 67% of Gen Z and 56% of Baby Boomers have increased their physical activity specifically to improve health and wellbeing.² Exercise is becoming more widely known for a number of benefits beyond physical health, such as improving mood, reducing depression and anxiety, and relieving stress.

Opportunity in Sports Nutrition Products for Body and Mind

Sports nutrition consumers recognize the value of mental wellbeing since having a clear and focused state of mind before working out or competing can influence performance. In addition to mental wellbeing, aspects of brain functioning such as focus and processing speed can also be especially important to sports nutrition consumers.

With the growing awareness of ingredients that may offer benefits in these areas, some sports nutrition consumers are starting to seek out sports nutrition products that can support optimal physical and mental health. This interest signals an exciting opportunity for sports nutrition companies to develop functional beverages and foods that include nutrients and ingredients linked with brain health.

Ingredients Associated with Brain Health

Science is emerging around some already familiar supplement ingredients and their potential roles in supporting brain health. These ingredients include choline, creatine, GABA, L-theanine, resveratrol, and brahmi.

Choline studies have shown some support around boosts in neurotransmitter levels that can support focus, as well as learning and short-term memory. Creatine, according to some initial evidence, may improve reasoning and short-term memory by increasing the energy available to the brain cells. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has been potentially linked with a calming effect—relieving anxiety and improving mood.

L-theanine, an amino acid naturally found in green tea, may also promote calmness and has shown some indications at improving focus. Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in foods such as grapes and berries, is a strong antioxidant that has shown some evidence of slowing age-related cognitive decline. Bacopa monnieri, also called brahmi, is an Ayurvedic herb potentially associated with improved information processing and memory. 

Give Your Products a Functional Boost

As sports nutrition consumers become increasingly knowledgeable about ingredients that may be able to give them an edge, functional beverages and foods that meet these needs will hold strong appeal. From our All N™ Off-the-Shelf Cognitive Blend to our PepForm® Tryptophan with proven next-day cognitive benefits, Glanbia offers solutions that support the body and mind—including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, proteins, and more.

Contact Glanbia Nutritionals to learn about choosing the best functional ingredients for your sports nutrition products.

References

1. Glanbia & NMI. Proprietary Active Lifestyle Consumer Study, January 2020. Base: 79 U.S. consumers categorized as sports performance focused based on activity level and nutrition choices.
2. Innova. Market Trends in Supplements & Nutraceuticals, October 2019.