From India to Japan: What’s happening in the functional protein space?
From India to Japan, protein is fast becoming a staple in functional food products, with consumer-packaged goods companies incorporating it into their products or investing in smaller outfits specializing in protein products.
The protein boom was particularly pronounced in India in the past one to two years. From dairy giant Amul to influencer Revant Himatsingka, also known by the moniker Food Pharmer, new protein launches are hitting the market at an exponential pace.
Outside of India, Japan and Australia are the other Asia-Pacific markets with a growing high protein market, Danone pointed out in its FY25 financial results on February 20.
Energy and sports drinks demand is robust in China, says Eastroc
There is “robust” demand for functional drinks such as energy beverages and sports drinks in China, says Eastroc, which reported a 17.3% increase in energy beverage sales and a 119% growth in sales of its sports drinks last year.
Total revenue for the firm rose 31.8% to RMB20.9bn (US$3bn). Of which, energy beverages contributed nearly 75% to total revenue at RMB15.6bn (US$2.26bn). Sales of energy drinks also climbed 17.3% from last year.
Factors driving demand have broadened from seeking an energy boost when working overtime or when engaging in physical labour to being a part of everyday habitual consumption - be it for enhanced focus and mental performance during work or study, or daily wellness supplementation.
‘Chinese firms’ overseas expansion a trend nowadays’: BYHEALTH speeds up new market entry
BYHEALTH, one of the largest dietary supplement companies in China, will speed up its overseas market expansion from this year - a move it says has become a general trend among Chinese companies across different industries.
“Chinese companies expanding overseas has now become a major trend happening across different industries,” Dr. He Ruikun, deputy director of BYHEALTH Nutrition and Health Research Institute, told NutraIngredients.
“For BYHEALTH, we are looking at overseas expansion because we hope to establish a second channel of growth through our overseas business.”
Alibaba Tmall breaks down biggest health foods categories in China
Vitamin and mineral supplements, cardiovascular health supplements and kids nutrition are the three biggest nutraceutical categories in China in terms of sales revenue, according to major e-commerce channel Alibaba Tmall.
Vitamin and mineral supplements accounted for nearly 25% of all dietary supplement sales on Tmall last year, followed by cardiovascular health and kids’ nutrition, with over 15% and nearly 10% of sales from these two categories, respectively.
On the other hand, food with Special Medical Purposes (FSMP), bone and joint supplements and sleep support supplements were highlighted as categories with strong growth potential.
Nutricosmetics trends 2026: What brands need to know
As more beauty shoppers demand efficacious, clinically backed products to improve or enhance their skin and hair, the nutricosmetics market continues to grow.
This is according to Dominika Andrys, beauty brand consultant and cosmetic chemist at Beauty Brand Formula Ltd.
“Nutricosmetics are moving closer to the mainstream, although they are still in a growth phase rather than fully mature. The ‘beauty-from-within’ concept resonates strongly with modern consumers who increasingly see beauty, health, and wellness as interconnected,” she said. “As a result, ingestible beauty products, such as collagen supplements, antioxidant blends, and skin-support vitamins, are gaining traction across both the supplement and beauty industries.”
