Holistic Wellness Solutions

The Importance of Wellness

In an increasingly stressful and overstimulated world, it’s never been more important to prioritize health and pursue wellness for both the body and the mind in a more thoughtful way. 

Consumers in every market reported a substantial increase in the prioritization of wellness over the past two to three years with 42% of consumers considering wellness a top priority.¹ 

With the perceptions of health shifting to include more than just physical health, consumers have adopted an increased focus on a holistic approach to wellness.

There is significant crossover between physical and mental wellbeing in the marketplace. Consumers are taking steps to improve their health in a variety of ways including getting more sleep, performing more physical exercise, improving work-life balance, pursuing activities to lower stress, and making changes to their diet.² 42% of US consumers would like their food and beverages to contribute to both their mental and physical health.³ Many eating occasions have adapted from the sole purpose of fueling the body to incorporating emotional and social components as well. 28% of consumers view the experience of sharing a meal with family and friends as an important value associated with eating while 30% consider mealtimes at home their most important social outlet.⁴  

Changes centered around nutrition have been key for consumers on a continuous path to wellness. Over 20% of consumers report making changes to their diet and nutrition to support their wellbeing. Changes  include choosing functional food and beverages as well as incorporating supplements into their daily routine.⁴ 

At Glanbia Nutritionals we help consumers thrive when we collaborate with our customers to create healthier options for the body, for the mind, and for living life to the fullest every day. 

Wellness for the Body 

As the world of wellness has expanded, one thing that remains true is the inherent value of our physical health and the role it plays for individuals to live healthy, productive, and vibrant lives. Along with physical activity, nutrition is a key lifestyle factor connected to health, wellness, and longevity. Getting adequate nutrition helps to fuel more positive health outcomes in infant, child & maternal health, immune systems, and disease prevention.⁵  

Adding in more functional foods and beverages as a more balanced way to indulge is a simple step for health-conscious consumers to take with better-for-you options in mind. When looking at the broad realm of functional ingredients, protein and fiber have the greatest appeal to consumers of all ages.⁶ Responsible for building and repairing tissues, producing antibodies, creating energy, and supporting hormones, protein is a macronutrient that holds a massively important role in building a healthy body. Whey protein is a high-quality, complete protein source that contains all nine of the essential amino acids that the body needs to function and thrive. Plant-based protein is another source that is being added in by more consumers due to its health associations as well as for a variety of personal reasons such as animal welfare, religious beliefs, or simply a desire to consume a more plant-forward diet.⁷ 

In addition to benefits associated with protein and fiber as part of a balanced diet, individuals across all generations are prioritizing immunity and healthy aging. The connection between gut health and the immune system is becoming more well-known with 45% of US consumers interested in digestive health products that also benefit other aspects of their health.⁸ Fiber and probiotics can contribute to a healthier digestive system while certain vitamins and minerals can help to strengthen the immune system and promote healthy aging.  

Functional ingredients abound in the marketplace and consumers are hungry for multi-benefit solutions that will support them on their multi-faceted pursuit of holistic wellness through every stage of life.  

Glanbia Ingredient Spotlight

Everything we do at Glanbia Nutritionals is designed with a healthier body in mind. From protein solutions to bioactives and botanicals, we offer a wide range of ingredients to deliver better nutrition to consumers of all ages and in all stages of life. 

Wellness for the Mind

Since the onset of the global health crisis, there has been a greater collective awareness of the prevalence and variety of mental health issues that society is experiencing. 

Over 54% of consumers across all generations are focusing on habits and behaviors to support their mental health.¹¹ Interconnected mind-body approaches to health have become more popular with studies pointing to positive links between exercise, sleep, mindfulness, and mental health.¹² Another key lifestyle component that is becoming more recognized as a modifiable factor in the prevention and treatment of mental illness is diet.¹³ 

Optimizing sleep and reducing stress through nutrient intake can have a significant positive impact on mental wellbeing. Adaptogens are ingredients found in certain plants that are considered to help the body adapt to stress, anxiety, and fatigue and may have a normalizing effect on bodily processes. Ashwagandha, ginseng, and magnesium are becoming more well-known among consumers for their calming effects.

The most common action consumers are taking to impact their mental and emotional health centers around sleep with 34% of consumers aiming to get more shut eye.⁴ Sleep is a hot topic in the world of wellness and perhaps the most critical brain supporting measure individuals can take. Quality sleep is important for regulating mood, managing stress, and improving cognitive function. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can lead to increased symptoms of anxiety & depression, as well as impairments in attention, memory, and decision-making abilities. Without proper sleep, the brain can’t rest and restore itself which is critical for mental clarity, mood management, and many other bodily processes. Some helpful nutrients for sleep support include ashwagandha, magnesium, and tryptophan which is an  essential amino acid that must be obtained through the diet. Tryptophan helps the body create serotonin and melatonin which are important for sleep and mood regulation. 

Concentrating on reducing stress and improving sleep can have a positive affect on consumers’ mental health and overall wellbeing. 

Glanbia Ingredient Spotlight 

Whether consumers are looking to lower their stress or improve their sleep, we offer a portfolio of high-quality ingredients that support mental health and wellness. 

Connect with us to learn more about how we can help formulate better products to support consumers of all ages as they embark on the continuous journey of holistic wellness.

1. McKinsey Future of Wellness Study,2020
2. Innova Market Insights, Mood Health, 2022
3. Mintel, The Future of Health & Wellness, 2023
4. Innova Market Insights, Lifestyle & Attitudes Survey, 2022
5. World Health Organization, Physical Activity, 2023
6. Innova Market Insights, Healthy Aging, 2022
7. Plant Based Food Association, Retail Sales Data
8. Mintel, 2021
9. Flax Council of Canada online, Flax, 2020
10. Mental Health America, 2023
11. Innova Market Insights, Pursuit of Health & Happiness, 2022
12. Mental Health Foundation, Food for Thought, Accessed 2023
13. Food & Mood Centre, How Food Can Improve Our Mood, 2023