Food and beverage formulators need creative new ways to address consumer demands for increased protein consumption and functional, better-for-you healthy products. Collagen proteins and peptides not only provide protein content but also promote such better-for-you attributes as beauty & skin health, increased muscle tone, and bone/tendon and ligament health.

Collagen is considered one of the most versatile and important ingredients in modern health and nutrition markets—including its use in functional foods. Although collagen is largely known for its benefits to the human body—ranging from skin health to strength in tendons and ligaments—its use is more commonly associated with nutritional supplements. 

For the industry to truly be innovative, and continue to be relevant well beyond the Millennial boom, insights professionals will need to look well outside of food to better anticipate consumers' changing relationship with food.

Vital Proteins' Collagen Creamers come in natural Coconut, Vanilla, and Gingerbread flavors with only one gram of sugar and 140 calories per serving.

PLT Health Solutions, Inc. has begun marketing Collactive™ Collagen Complex in the United States. Collactive is a 100% marine-based, all-natural ingredient composed of collagen and elastin peptides formulated in the same ratio found naturally in human skin.

Nagase America will use SupplySide West to highlight the benefits of TREHA™ trehalose in beverage and snack applications.

Kosher foods have a market not only in the Jewish realm but also for Muslims, Hindus and others. Specialty ingredients, such as beef gelatin, are being sought by food product developers targeting a market that Mintel Group projects will more than double from 2003’s $7.6 billion to $17 billion next year.

A July 2011 study estimated that U.S. demand for cosmeceutical products will increase 5.8% per year, reaching $8.5 billion by 2015.