Anti-Inflammatory Food Ingredients For Healthy Snacks
Modern consumers are paying closer attention to their dietary specifications and macronutrient goals, which has given rise to the prevalence of healthy ingredients in the CPG food industry. In fact, consumer preferences are showing a trend towards anti-inflammatory foods and ingredients in order to maintain weight, improve health conditions, and reduce the risk of chronic inflammation. In light of this, growing brands should partner with a protein-bar co-packer and start exploring the use of anti-inflammatory ingredients to boost their market appeal and gain the attention of consumers. Here are the top 5 anti-inflammatory food ingredients to get you started.
1. Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that originated in Asia, most commonly used in medicine and cooking. It is an ingredient that stands out for being both adaptogenic and anti-inflammatory due to its active component curcumin. Curcumin possesses properties that contribute to pain relief, digestive improvements, and swelling reduction. Due to its range of health and wellness benefits, turmeric has become one of the most popular anti-inflammatory food ingredients worldwide. To step into and capitalize on this growing turmeric market space, food entrepreneurs like yourself should partner with a co-packer to add this ingredient into your protein energy bar, nut butter, or toaster pastry formulations. Not only will this increase revenue, it will also capture the interest of your keto, paleo, and plant-based consumers interested in the benefits of superfoods.
2. Blueberries
Blueberries are one of the top anti-inflammatory ingredients in the food industry today. Due to increasing consumer demand for this fruit, its production has increased fivefold just in the last decade. Currently, blueberries are the second most-produced berries in the US with their market value projected to reach $2.1 billion by the end of 2027. They contain a large concentration of flavonoids, which are small functional compounds that are rich in antioxidant activity and are great at supporting one’s immune system and preventing inflammation. There have even been multiple claims on the market that the consumption of blueberries may help decrease the risk of obesity, diabetes, and even heart disease. Incorporating blueberries into your unique food innovations and recipes will allow your brand to generate consumer interest and see increases in sales in the long run.
3. Ginger
Derived from a tropical flowering plant, ginger is used in both medicine and cooking and is widely available around the world. Ginger contains gingerol and paradol, two compounds known for their powerful anti-inflammatory and functional properties that help your body defend itself from illnesses and diseases. It is also packed with Vitamin C and powerful antioxidants that contribute to boosting your immune system. Brands that successfully use ginger in their cookie and protein shake recipes will be able to penetrate the growing market spaces for both anti-inflammatory ingredients and ginger. Because it can be a tricky ingredient to incorporate into food and beverages due to its sharp flavor, it’s a good idea to partner with a protein bar co-packer that can give you expert advice on how to seamlessly add ginger into your products without sacrificing taste and texture.
4. Nuts
Nuts are a long-time favorite snack and ingredient for consumers all around the world. This should come as no surprise given that nuts are at the center of some of the most popular food trends, such as plant-based proteins, non-dairy milk alternatives, and functional butters due to their anti-inflammatory properties and their nutrient rich qualities. Additionally, nuts are at the core of some of the most popular diets trends in the industry because they are high in fats and protein but low in carbs, making them the perfect companion for keto, paleo, and vegans diets. If we take a look at some of the most popular nuts like almonds, peanuts, pistachios, and walnuts, we'll find fiber, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamins, and Omega-3, all of which have anti-inflammatory functions. To capture more market share, try formulating with different types of nuts in your food innovations to boost the functional benefits of your CPG snacks.
5. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an evergreen plant in the nightshade family that is widely used in traditional Indian medicine. Although ashwagandha is a relatively new competitor in the anti-inflammatory ingredient market, it has experienced incredible growth since entering the market. Recently, it has even been named as one of the top 40 herbs in the market. As an anti-inflammatory ingredient, ashwagandha contains antioxidants and adaptogenic properties, and is known to reduce cortisol levels. Regular consumption of this herb is tied to lower stress levels and can also help prevent chronic illnesses related to inflammation. By incorporating it into your protein bar or nut butter, you’ll be able to create an anti-inflammatory, stress-reducing superfood snack that consumers will want to buy. Although incorporating a new type of herb into your product selection may seem complex, you can make the process easier by partnering with a protein bar co-packer that can equip you with the right solutions and technology to bring your treats to life. Doing so will allow you to become an early adopter, which may lead to improved sales and loyalty from new groups of consumers.
Key Takeaways
Right now, there is no shortage of pre-packaged goods in the market, which means standing out can become a challenge for many businesses. To stay relevant in this saturated space, food brands and entrepreneurs need to make use of anti-inflammatory ingredients that work well with a variety of diets. Integrating anti-inflammatory ingredients in your protein bars, cookies, or protein powders will be a great opportunity for businesses to capture more market share and target more consumers. Food visionaries should think about partnering with co-manufacturers and protein bar co-packers that have the ability to provide you with unique anti-inflammatory ingredients and certifications that can bring your products to the market.