According to ADM’s Sleep, Stress & Mood Report, 76% of global consumers agree that sleep quality affects how they feel throughout the day, and 74% believe it influences their overall quality of life.
However, less than half reported usually feeling refreshed upon waking, and nearly half described feeling sluggish or tired during the day — factors that can affect mood, stress resilience, and sustained energy levels.
In fact, only around two-thirds feel satisfied with their mental wellness.
While many are addressing this through exercise or improving sleep habits, just over 20% are turning to dietary changes or supplements as a solution.
“This points to a meaningful opportunity for functional food and beverage brands to support consumers in closing the sleep satisfaction gap. Convenient formats, such as ready-to-drink (RTD) teas, gummies, smoothies, snack bars, baked goods, and tablets, that meet high sensory expectations, are particularly appealing as they encourage regular use,” Lois Mo, Marketing Director for Health & Wellness, APAC at ADM, told NutraIngredients.
“By offering tailored wellness solutions that help improve restfulness, brands can positively influence consumers’ day-to-day mood and overall mental well-being.”
Recognizing the connection
Across regions, almost one in three consumers report feeling “extremely or very stressed” on a daily basis, highlighting the impact of modern routines on sleep quality and daily functioning.
At the same time, growing awareness of the connection between sleep, stress, and mood is opening opportunities for functional nutrition products that address these concerns simultaneously.
“Consumers are motivated not only by immediate benefits, such as reduced stress or increased energy, but also by long-term objectives like improved physical health and quality of life,” said Mo.
Additionally, ADM’s report shows that 62% of global consumers believe digestive health is directly linked to better sleep, accelerating interest in gut-brain axis ingredients across Asia-Pacific (APAC).
This places biotics in a strong position as multifunctional solutions that support better sleep, promote emotional regulation, and cater to broader wellness goals.
In China, respondents showed the highest interest in probiotics/postbiotics (43%) and prebiotics/fiber (45%), significantly above the global average of 20%, reflecting regional curiosity about the role of gut health in mood, stress, and sleep.
In South East Asia (SEA), consumers also increasingly view sleep through a well-being lens. For instance, in Malaysia (31%) and Thailand (34%), fatigue, stress, hydration, and sleep quality are often linked to visible skin concerns such as dark under-eyes and dryness.
“This wider sleep-stress-skin connection has driven interest in everyday functional formats, such as juice, coffee, tea, and other hydration-driven categories, which easily incorporate biotics and postbiotics. These formats offer a simple, habitual way for consumers to support both restfulness and overall well-being,” said Mo.
What consumers are looking for
Mo added that consumers are increasingly seeking ingredients that support better rest. Although traditional botanicals, vitamins, and minerals continue to play a major role, they are looking beyond familiar solutions.
“Chamomile and lavender are popular botanicals known for their calming effects, and magnesium and B, C, and D vitamins help support overall mental and physical wellness. Melatonin remains widely recognized for its role in regulating sleep specifically.”
A growing body of clinical research indicate that resilient postbiotics, such as Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305, may improve sleep quality, efficiency, and duration, while also supporting emotional well-being by reducing stress.
Traditional probiotics are highly sensitive to heat, moisture, and oxygen, which limits their use. In contrast, heat-stable postbiotics such as Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305 retain their health-promoting properties without refrigeration, enabling broad applications across supplement and functional food products.
Importantly, brands can meet rising demand for sleep and mood support by offering convenient, appealing products that fit into busy lifestyles.
Based on ADM’s report, RTD teas are the top format consumers want for sleep support, closely followed by baked goods like cookies, with melatonin and chamomile remaining highly trusted ingredients.
“Regional preferences further shape opportunity areas. In SEA, Malaysia favours formats such as juices, smoothies, dairy drinks, and supplements, while Thailand leans toward bottled water, coffee, tea, and smoothies,” said Mo.
There is also strong trust in expert recommendations among consumers in this region, especially Malaysia and Thailand, where healthcare professionals are top influencers, underscoring the need for clinically supported claims and transparent communication.
“Rising concerns related to stress, hydration, appearance, and sleep quality indicate strong demand for multifunctional products. Brands that can deliver holistic, science-backed solutions that address multiple needs simultaneously will be well positioned to stand out,” Mo concluded.
