The immune health sector has experienced significant growth over the past couple of years, driven by increased consumer interest in supplements that may support the immune system, particularly during the pandemic. As the world adjusted to the challenges of COVID-19, people turned to vitamins and supplements as a way to protect their health, leading to a surge in the market for immune-boosting products.
Continued Growth of Immune Health Supplements
Since the onset of the pandemic, sales of immune health supplements have fluctuated in response to the changing course of the virus, mirroring seasonal patterns of higher sales in colder months. This heightened interest in immunity supplements has remained relatively strong, even as the immediate effects of the pandemic have diminished. For example, in December 2021, despite a slight 0.2% decline in overall sales growth, the immune health supplement market continued to retain much of the consumer interest that surged during the pandemic.
Consumers’ focus on wellness expanded beyond just immune health, with many turning to supplements that address other areas of health. As a result, while the market has seen some adjustments, immunity supplements remain a key category in consumers’ pursuit of better health.
Top Immune Health Ingredients to Watch
Several ingredients have emerged as key players in the immune health supplement space. While well-known ingredients like zinc and vitamin D continue to lead, some unexpected ingredients are also gaining popularity.
Zinc, long recognized for its immune-boosting properties, has seen impressive growth in recent years. According to data from ClearCut Analytics, zinc sales increased by 14% year-over-year (YOY) on Amazon, and by 54% YOY in physical stores. Zinc helps regulate immune function and metabolism, making it a staple in many immune supplements.
Vitamin D is another essential nutrient that has gained attention, especially with the rise of remote work. Since many people are spending more time indoors, vitamin D supplementation has become increasingly important. The “sunshine vitamin” has seen an 18.5% growth in both natural and conventional channels, and a 26% growth in sales on Amazon. This growth highlights the demand for vitamin D, particularly as people are less able to get enough from sun exposure.
Quercetin, a lesser-known antioxidant, has also gained popularity. Associated with reducing inflammation and addressing seasonal allergies, quercetin saw a remarkable 110% growth YOY across various sales channels. This increase in demand may be partly driven by consumers’ heightened awareness of respiratory issues during the pandemic.
Cordyceps mushrooms, known for their immune-enhancing properties, have also seen impressive growth. Cordyceps supplements grew by 25.6% YOY, reflecting the growing trend of incorporating medicinal mushrooms into health products. These fungi are believed to help boost the immune system and support overall vitality.
Delivery Formats: Preferences in Immune Health Supplements
While gummies have seen significant growth in many supplement categories, immune health products have not followed the same trend. Gummy supplements for immune support experienced a decline of 19.4% YOY, likely due to shifts in consumer preferences. Instead, tablets, caplets, and soft chews have become the preferred formats, with soft chews experiencing particularly strong growth. This format is still relatively new to the health supplement market, which may explain its growing popularity.
Conclusion
The immune health supplement market has proven to be resilient, with strong demand for key ingredients like zinc, vitamin D, quercetin, and cordyceps mushrooms. As consumers continue to prioritize wellness and immunity, brands are innovating with new formulations and delivery formats to meet evolving needs. Despite some changes in consumer preferences, immune health remains a critical focus, with supplements playing a vital role in supporting overall health.
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