low sugar. This is critical because as the market matures, features alone won’ t cut it- functional depth is becoming the key differentiator.
Prebiotics and Sports Health
From elite athletes to casual gymgoers, the global sports health category has exploded in recent years- and it’ s fuelling a wave of innovation in supplements and functional foods. One of the most exciting areas is sports nutrition products that support the gut microbiome.
In athletic performance, consistency is everything. Yet studies show that following behind injury, gastrointestinal and respiratory issues are among the leading reasons athletes seek medical attention. UK Sport data reveals that around a third of athletes will experience health issues over a typical season, resulting in an average of seven lost training days per episode- a major hit to performance progress. This is an example of where gut health matters.
Around 70 % of the body’ s immune cells reside in the gastrointestinal tract, making a resilient gut a key player in fending off illness that could derail training or competition schedules. But beyond immune health, the gut microbiome is increasingly understood to influence non-digestive factors critical to athletes, including energy regulation, hydration, and nutrient absorption.
From a nutrition perspective, typical sports-focused diets and products are often high in protein but low in fibre- an imbalance that can compromise gut health over time. Prebiotic fibre, particularly from clinically validated sources like Bimuno ® GOS, offers formulators a clear opportunity to enhance the nutritional profile of high-protein sports products. For brands, the intersection between gut health and sports nutrition presents a powerful avenue to stand out in a market where consumers- and athletes- are increasingly looking for products that work as hard as they do.
What makes prebiotics a fit for RTD protein?
It starts with format flexibility. Dairy-based protein shakes already offer a nutrient-dense base that complements gut health positioning- both in terms of delivery and consumer expectation. The potential result is a functional dairy-based protein shake that goes beyond muscle maintenance and starts addressing immune resilience, stress response, and digestive wellbeing- all major purchase drivers for today’ s active consumer.
FDPP- www. fdpp. co. uk 13