Importance of Food Supplements in Nutrition

The Role of Food Supplements in Balanced and Healthy Nutrition Today, balanced and adequate nutrition directly affects people's quality of life. Serious chronic diseases can emerge in individuals who eat one-sidedly and do not consume sufficient vitamins and minerals. In modern working and living conditions, many people skip consuming quality and regular food. In addition to this, nutrient loss can occur during supply chain processes, from the storage of products until they reach the end consumer. Even after the consumer purchases the product, nutrient losses can occur during preparation and cooking processes. As a result, additional food supplements occupy an important place in modern society's nutrition. Alongside healthy eating, food supplements are among the categories consumers turn to for maintaining a good appearance or feeling more energetic. Since the beginning of 2020, we have seen that the Covid-19 pandemic, which became everyone's top priority, has significantly changed consumer perception of food supplements. Consumers now expect the products they purchase to contain more compact solutions. They seek the vitamins and minerals they obtain from vegetables and fruits in different foods and beverages. As a result, functionally enhanced foods and beverages are emerging in the market today. We are seeing increasingly diverse varieties of reduced-sugar or sugar-free snacks, protein bars, vitamin and mineral-fortified and even protein-enriched/enhanced functional beverages. Additionally, we are seeing significant market growth in over-the-counter vitamin and mineral complex products. We anticipate that both functionally enhanced products in the food and beverage category and over-the-counter vitamin and mineral complex products will diversify and increase in the coming period and dominate the market. We can say that in the preparation of functional foods and beverages, another important component besides vitamins, minerals and proteins is plant extracts. Particularly in Asia and the Middle East, plants used through traditional methods, whose benefits may not be proven within regulations but are well-known among the public, occupy an important place. Extracts obtained from plant leaves, roots, flowers and seeds are increasingly used in the food and beverage industry today. It is possible to find products containing green tea, thyme, lemon balm, sage, hibiscus, rooibos and aloe vera everywhere. Consumers show considerable interest in products containing extracts of these plants whose benefits they know through traditional methods. Among the most important topics in food supplements consumed alongside foods and beverages is naturalness. Products produced through natural methods and organically need to have their components added through natural processes as well. For this reason, natural flavors, natural colorants, fruit powders obtained directly from fruit, are important components of food supplements. Colors in yellow, red, pink and brown tones obtained from safflower, black carrot, beet and malt, acerola fruit powder used directly as a vitamin C source, and natural aromas associated with health, particularly citrus fruits, are widely used in food supplements. Another important topic the world is focusing on is sustainability for the growing population and consumers who prefer vegan diets both as a lifestyle choice and for ethical concerns. The increasing number of conscious consumers supporting sustainability drives manufacturers to diversify plant-based product alternatives. Using sustainable products, particularly as protein sources, makes a difference in consumers' eyes across almost every product category. Plant-based proteins such as pea, chickpea legume proteins are used in functional foods and beverages, while nuts and grains such as almonds, oats and coconut are widely used in plant-based milk alternatives. Besides these, plant-based solutions are sought in supplement products such as BCAA, particularly used by those who engage in intense sports or bodybuilding. Over the past two years, due to the pandemic's effect, research shows that a significant portion of consumers with reduced mobility who have turned to ready-to-consume products have developed gut and digestive health problems, and consumers are turning toward products that could benefit these issues. Probiotics, the beneficial bacteria traditionally obtained from milk and dairy products, play an important role in regulating intestinal and digestive functions. Among the most commonly known probiotics that help maintain natural balance in intestinal flora are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. We can say that the effects of these beneficial bacteria on consumer health naturally depend largely on the individual organism. Moreover, since probiotics are living organisms rather than vitamins or minerals, more detailed research may be needed on the certainty of their health benefits. Consumers who have adopted vegan diets or those using milk and dairy products but wanting to consume more probiotics turn to nutritional supplements. With probiotics added to various breakfast cereals or snack products, consumers can obtain these organisms as supplements in their bodies. As Döhler, we support our business partners through our extensive portfolio containing fruit purees/puree concentrates, fruit juices/fruit juice concentrates, fruit powders, natural flavors, natural colorants, natural extracts, vitamin and mineral mixtures, plant-based BCAA varieties, probiotic granules and many other options. With our developed functional food and beverage solutions, we bring new ideas to life! Oğuz Çolak Market Segment Manager Döhler Turkey Koray Damar Sales Manager Döhler Turkey