Synbiotic Products Market

Market Overview

The global synbiotic products market size is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.5% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

Synbiotic products are food and dietary supplement combining probiotics and prebiotics. Probiotics are beneficial living microbes or yeasts that are beneficial to health when ingested in sufficient quantities. However, prebiotics are indigestible fibers that serve as a food supply for the gut's helpful microorganisms, promoting their growth and activity. Synbiotics aim to support a healthy balance of microorganisms in the gut by supplying the beneficial bacteria and the nutrients they need to thrive. The combination of probiotics and prebiotics in these products is believed to have a synergistic effect, enhancing the survival and colonization of the probiotic bacteria in the digestive tract.

Synbiotic products come in various formats, such as dietary supplements, functional foods, and beverages. They are marketed for their potential to improve digestive health, strengthen the immune system, enhance nutrient absorption, and maintain healthy gut microbiota. The specific strains of probiotics and types of prebiotics used in synbiotic products can vary. Commonly used probiotic strains include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, while prebiotics such as inulin, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and galactooligosaccharides (GOS) are commonly used to nourish the probiotics.

Highlights

• Functional Food and Beverages dominate the products segment.
• Offline dominates the distribution channel segment.
• North America is the highest shareholder in the global market.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Increasing Awareness Regarding Preventive Healthcare

The global population has been increasing its spending on preventive healthcare rather than spending more on the treatment of chronic diseases. Chronic diseases can lead to a significant burden on both patients and the healthcare system. A majority of chronic diseases often stem from poor gut health or a bad digestive system. Synbiotic products have excellent health benefits. They assist in treating and preventing diseases by increasing levels of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, and balanced gut microbiota, restricting bacterial translocation and improving liver function and immunomodulation ability. In addition, synbiotic products also help treat common health issues like diarrhea, constipation, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which, when not prevented, can lead to various chronic diseases. Hence, consumers are spending on synbiotic products as a preventive healthcare measure.

Additionally, the severity of these disorders on individuals grows with age for various reasons, including constipation, digestive system changes, drug side effects, inactivity, inadequate hydration, diverticular diseases, ulcers and NSAIDs, polyps, and GERD. Globalization, changing lifestyles, and increased consumption of food high in sodium content across developed and emerging economies are some of the factors that can cause gut-related disorders. These health issues are promoting the need for preventive healthcare, fueling the demand for synbiotic products across the globe.

Growing Effectiveness of Synbiotic Products in Preventing Various Diseases

Research and development are among the key factors driving the synbiotic products market. Companies are spending a lot on research and development and developing efficient probiotic and prebiotic strains, which are more effective in preventing disease occurrence. This practice will benefit the overall synbiotic products market over the forecast period. There have been numerous advancements in the delivery systems for probiotics to the human body.

Efficient strains of probiotics have been developed that are compatible with these delivery systems. This allows many probiotics to reach organs such as the intestines, increasing their effectiveness. In addition, strains of probiotics compatible with prebiotic strains have proven more effective than any other supplements. The overall combination of these strains creates a synergistic effect, which benefits the human body. This development has resulted in broadening the synbiotic product portfolio and a subsequent rise in the demand for the same.

Market Restraint

High Manufacturing Cost of Synbiotic Products

Probiotic manufacturers have spent significantly on developing synbiotic products over the past few years. Synbiotics were developed to overcome possible survival difficulties for probiotics. Research and development are key to advancing the synbiotic products market, thus making investments imperative for market participants. This considerable cost of investment drives up the product price in the retail market, which acts as a restraining factor for the overall market growth. Numerous in-vitro tests must be performed to evaluate a probiotic strain's effectiveness while validating the claims made by the strain.

Additionally, human clinical studies must be carried out before the product launch. The cost of these tests drives up the overall cost of product development. However, companies use the results of these tests to attract customers to purchase their offerings. Several parameters about the strain must be studied before a new synbiotic product can be introduced. The strain's characteristics must be investigated, including its resistance to gastric acid and bile acid, ability to adhere to intestinal cells, ability to exclude pathogens from the intestine, ability to multiply there, and ability to modulate the immune system. This exercise requires extensive planning, work, and a lot of time to complete. These processes increase the production cost, which is a key restraint to the market.

Market Opportunity

Innovation and Product Development

Innovation and product development are key drivers of global synbiotic product market opportunities. Companies that invest in R&D to develop novel and cutting-edge products have a competitive advantage as the market for gut health remedies and overall wellness continues to expand. The creation of brand-new strains and new drug formulations presents one such chance. Companies can develop synbiotic products that address particular health concerns by locating and isolating probiotic strains with distinctive health benefits.

The synergistic effects on gut health can be amplified by taking these probiotics alongside individually selected prebiotics. This approach allows for creation of specialized products that meet the different wants of their customers. In addition, innovation and product development are crucial in driving the growth and success of the synbiotic products market. Companies that stay at the forefront of research and development, creating novel strains, advanced delivery systems, customized solutions, and exploring new applications, have the potential to seize the opportunities presented by this rapidly expanding market.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global synbiotic products market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Central and South America, and the Middle East and Africa.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the most significant global synbiotic products market shareholder and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 9.1% over the forecast period. Based on their potential use as nutritional supplements, the growing prevalence of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics in North America will likely boost the demand for synbiotic products in the upcoming years. The majority of consumers consciously use synbiotics and related supplements to enhance physical health, treat obesity, and lower their risk of heart disease as a result of the pandemic. Consumers increasingly opt for synbiotic products since they act synergistically to improve overall gut health by offering more benefits than a probiotic or prebiotic agent alone.

In addition to helping patients recover from surgery, these products can also be used to treat cancer, liver disease, pancreatitis, and irritable bowel syndrome, as well as to develop healthy immune systems and treat intestinal defects and allergies. These products have seen an increase in demand in recent years because they support overall health and well-being. Moreover, the shift in consumer inclination for functional foods, biotic foods, and fermented dairy products in the region is anticipated to further drive market growth. These products are a source of nutrients such as calcium and protein and can buffer stomach acids, thereby enhancing intestinal health.

Europe is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 7.9% over the forecast period. A growing number of food manufacturers in Europe are beginning to explore commercial opportunities for food products containing health-promoting microbial bacteria. Consumers are reevaluating their choices for food and exercise due to the increased focus on health over the past few years. One of the primary factors driving the market growth is an increase in consumer awareness of the health advantages of synbiotic products, which is accompanied by the products' high availability and visibility. The awareness of the health benefits of synbiotic products has also contributed to the expansion of the market in Europe. Synbiotics, which combine probiotics (beneficial bacteria) and prebiotics (fiber-like substances that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria), are known to support gut health, improve digestion, enhance immune function, and offer potential benefits for various other health conditions. Consumers increasingly recognize these benefits and seek out synbiotic products as part of their healthy lifestyle choices. Such factors drive market growth over the forecast period.

Asia-Pacific has the fastest economic growth market for synbiotic products due to the rapidly growing economies of China, India, and South Korea. Synbiotic products have witnessed a significant increase in demand in the region due to the high prevalence of conditions such as diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), lactose intolerance, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, obesity, and increasing incidences of nosocomial infections in surgical patients.

The Central and South American region is facing significant health challenges related to digestion, including obesity, indigestion, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These issues are often linked to poor dietary choices, such as the excessive consumption of junk food and high-sodium content meals. According to the National Survey of Risk Factors conducted by FIC Argentina in 2018, a significant portion of the adult population in Argentina is deemed overweight or obese, demonstrating the impact of these unhealthy eating habits.

In the Middle East and Africa, ongoing urbanization and rising disposable income are anticipated to fuel the demand for dietary supplements such as synbiotic products over the forecast period. The increasing importance of the Middle East as a commercial hub due to its vicinity to oil and gas fields is expected to increase the presence of working professionals in the region. In addition, cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi have emerged as major regional tourist hubs, attracting many tourists from across the globe over the past few decades. These market trends could positively impact the demand for synbiotic products over the forecast period.

Segmental Analysis

The global synbiotic products market is bifurcated into products and distribution channels.

Based on products, the global synbiotic products market is bifurcated into functional food and beverages, dietary supplements, and others.

The functional food and beverages segment dominates the global market and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 8.5% over the forecast period. Synbiotic foods and beverages have gained consumer acceptance in recent years due to rising health consciousness. The increasing consumption of functional foods and beverages to enhance immunity and heart and digestive health is expected to drive market growth. Synbiotics improve the functioning of the gut and provide numerous health advantages. In addition, the market is being fueled by increased awareness of the health benefits of synbiotic products and their rising application in foods and beverages. The growing demand for these products encourages consumers and manufacturers to try new products and flavors. For instance, in January 2020, U.S.-based health and wellness brand GoLive launched six ready-to-mix synbiotic beverages, each addressing specific health concerns such as stress levels, sleep quality, and hair and skin health.

Based on the distribution channel, the global synbiotic products market is bifurcated into offline and online.

The offline segment owns the highest market share and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 8.61% over the forecast period. High product visibility at retail and pharmacy shops is the main thing that helps sales of synbiotic products through offline channels. An increasing number of retailers in countries such as India, China, and Brazil will positively influence segment growth in the coming years. For instance, as of July 2019, Walmart opened 23 cash-and-carry stores. In addition, consumers' preference for physically checking the items and easier and cheaper returns are the primary reasons they select offline channels. People prefer synbiotic goods at supermarkets and hypermarkets because they can be combined with monthly groceries.

Recent Developments

• March 2023- Seed Health, Inc. partnered with Nestle Health Science to develop and commercialize synbiotic products. The partnership will leverage Seed Health's expertise in microbiome research and Nestle Health Science's global reach to bring synbiotic products to consumers worldwide.
• February 2023- Biomin America Inc. launched a new synbiotic product called InulinPro. InulinPro is a prebiotic fiber that helps to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.