Dietary supplements are becoming more and more widespread in their availability and prevalence.
Consumers are looking into many different types of supplements, including herbs, adaptogens, minerals, and vitamin supplements, for a variety of health benefits.
The global dietary supplement industry is expected to increase from $151.9 billion in 2021 to $327.4 billion by 2030. This sharp incline is thought to be the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased awareness of health and the role of the immune system.
Table of Contents
- The 11 Top Supplements Trends in 2022:
- 1. Gummies Become (Even More) Prevalent
- 2. Transparency Becomes a Non-Negotiable
- 3. Mental Health Awareness
- 4. Search for Immunity
- 5. Use of Medicinal Mushrooms
- 6. Sleep-Aid Remedies
- 7. More Readily Available Superfoods
- 8. Higher Usage of CBD and Hemp Products
- 9. Increased Interest in Vegan Products
- 10. Focus on Gut Health
- 11. Vitamin Patches for Dietary Supplement Consumers
The 11 Top Supplements Trends in 2022:
Below are the top supplement trends in 2022.
1. Gummies Become (Even More) Prevalent
As an easier-to-take alternative to supplement pills, many companies are introducing gummy supplements. These gummies are popular since they have many different flavors, provide necessary nutrients, and are chewable, making them a great option for children (or adults) unable to swallow large pills.
Another important factor contributing to the availability of dietary supplement gummies is “pill fatigue”, which is a common feeling of not wanting to take vitamins because of the annoyance of having to take them routinely. Chewy gummies are useful in preventing or treating “pill fatigue” since they provide a nice break from the repetition of swallowing pills.
2. Transparency Becomes a Non-Negotiable
Supplement transparency is when brands are forthright and open about what’s in their products, how they’re manufactured, testing protocols, etc… The supplement industry as a whole has been slow in being transparent about manufacturing practices. However, more and more consumers are demanding transparency, which is starting to become more of a standard practice amount supplement brands.
Reliable information regarding where ingredients are grown, how ingredients are tested, and how products are made are all marks of transparency. As more and more people are using dietary supplements, it is no surprise that those same consumers are looking to buy from brands they can support and trust.
3. Mental Health Awareness
One of the biggest impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has been on mental health, specifically in raising awareness of just how common mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression are.
This shift has caused an increase in consumers searching for vitamins and herbs with benefits geared to support brain health and help those struggling with anxiety.
4. Search for Immunity
Once again, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, caution regarding sickness and the search for immunity-boosting supplements and foods has increased.
Supplements made with ingredients of commonly-known immune boosters, such as elderberry and echinacea, have been very popular during the past couple of years.
Even while the pandemic is subsiding, consumers are still using immunity-boosting dietary supplements to stay healthy and prevent illness.
5. Use of Medicinal Mushrooms
Consumption of medicinal mushrooms continues to rise not only because of the plethora of health benefits that these superfoods provide but also because of their flexibility. They can be taken as a supplement or added to food raw or as a powder.
The versatility of these fungi makes them attractive to many consumers looking to improve their health naturally through plant-based means.
6. Sleep-Aid Remedies
Research shows that one of the issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has been an increase in sleep disorders due to the increase in stress. This prevalence of sleep disorders has resulted in a decrease in sleep duration and quality, which has made natural sleep-aid remedies much more popular.
One recent survey found that 44% of Americans use sleep aids, with 20% of that percentage using natural vitamins or supplements such as melatonin, a well-known natural remedy that can be beneficial for those struggling with sleeping disorders or for treating varying sleep issues.
7. More Readily Available Superfoods
Superfoods are natural foods that are considered to be both low in calories and high in nutrients. Many superfoods are now readily available in stores, which makes them popular as both raw ingredients and dietary supplements for health-conscious individuals seeking to improve their health through their food choices.
Many supplement companies seek to include superfoods in their dietary supplements for their widely-sought health benefits. Superfoods continue to become more and more mainstream as many people seek to take them both raw and as dietary supplements.
8. Higher Usage of CBD and Hemp Products
Research shows evidence that CBD and hemp products are becoming more popular because of their versatility; these ingredients can be found in a variety of dietary supplements, including forms of oils, pills, and gummies. CBD- and hemp-infused dietary supplements have many benefits that allow them to be used to reduce pain and improve levels of anxiety and depression, which are several disorders that have become more common post-pandemic. In areas where CBD has been legalized, sales and usage have skyrocketed and the industry is expected to continue to rise.
9. Increased Interest in Vegan Products
As the vegan diet continues to become more popularized, so has the search for plant-based dietary supplements. Statistics show that 6% of American individuals are vegan and an even larger percentage seek to exclusively eat a plant-based diet.
This rise of plant-based and vegan dietary supplements stems from an increased interest in sustainability as American consumers look to reduce their consumption of animal products that negatively affect agriculture.
10. Focus on Gut Health
One of the most popular methods of improving preventative health has been a renewed focus on gut health. A healthy gut microbiome is critical to overall health since it can directly affect the immune system, making the body either more susceptible or more resilient against pathogens.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase of interest in preventing sickness, many individuals look to improve their gut health by taking dietary supplements.
11. Vitamin Patches for Dietary Supplement Consumers
Although vitamin patches are not technically a dietary supplement, they are an up-and-coming health trend geared towards the consumers of dietary supplements. Vitamin patches are not necessarily “new”, but they are gathering popularity for their claims of being able to take care of vitamin or mineral deficiencies, improve sleep quality, decrease stress, and more.
Another reason for the attractiveness behind the usage of transdermal patches lies in how easy they are to use. Vitamin patches are essentially nutrient-infused “stickers” that are placed on the skin and whose contents are absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin. The simplicity of being able to stick a patch anywhere on the body and being able to reap the rewards of many dietary supplements seems almost too good to be true, making them a popular choice for many consumers.