Life is stressful, with family, jobs, finances, health and time pressures, among others, all placing a demand on individuals. In a random sample of 1,000 U.S. adults, the 2011 IFIC Functional Foods/Foods for Health Survey found over 30% of respondents indicated mental alertness and stress relief as key motivators to choosing certain foods and supplements.
The market for such targeted health and wellness supplements, foods and beverages is a dynamic and promising one. According to market analyst Packaged Facts in January 2012, worldwide demand for nutraceutical ingredients will increase 7.2% annually to $23.7 billion in 2015. Naturally derived substances, consisting of herbal and botanical extracts and animal- and marine-based derivatives, will see the largest rates of growth, with worldwide demand for these projected to increase 8.9% annually to $7.3 billion in 2015.