For many athletes, routine is part superstition and part recipe for success. From how a tennis legend bounces the ball a certain number of times for good luck before serving to how NBA and World Series champions get prepped for a game, routines are vital for an athlete’s focus and mechanics to help them accomplish their competitive sports performance goals. 

Health and nutrition also play a crucial role in those routines, ranging from pregame exercises to replenishing after a game with a protein-packed smoothie or vitamins and supplements. Holistic health and wellness products are essential in the arena of sports nutrition.

Find sports nutrition ingredients

Enhancing your sports nutrition product line with high-quality nutraceutical ingredients or innovating around health and nutrition?

The development process is far from routine when it comes to formulating for sports nutrition and other nutraceutical products. It takes creativity with new and existing ingredients, swift and innovative solutions, and standing out among the pack to provide a first-mover advantage for the health benefits that consumers are seeking.   

According to Euromonitor International, sports nutrition remains the fastest-growing global consumer health category over the last three years, experiencing consecutive double-digit growth during that span. The global sports nutrition market is forecasted to see growth at a CAGR of 8% from 2023 to 2028, driven by soaring e-commerce penetration and consumer interest in functional ingredients and dietary supplements.

Producers will have limitless opportunities to meet the growing demand with new and innovative products in the sports nutrition space, ranging from post-workout muscle recovery to solutions that improve performance. 

The sports nutrition landscape is also expanding beyond athletes. From adolescents to seniors, consumers seek effective health and wellness ingredients to improve their physical and cognitive health. Sports nutrition products are ideal for providing these benefits to consumers investing in a healthy lifestyle.

What is sports nutrition? How does it impact the nutraceutical product performance? 

The human body needs the right amount of fuel for strength, power, and endurance for physical activity. By incorporating science-supported ingredients, sports nutrition optimizes the body’s sustained performance to help achieve results for an activity. However, sports nutrition needs vary. 

For example, the nutritional choices of an NBA champion differ significantly from an NFL Pro Bowler. After all, a basketball small forward’s game is about finesse and speed. In contrast, a football offensive tackle’s play is about power and prevention. Athletes follow numerous nutritional strategies – based on age, weight, physical condition, and the range of sports they play – to perform, accelerate, and optimize their talents at a high level during competition. 

Evidence demonstrates that good nutrition accompanied by exercise is vital in reducing disease factors associated with aging and improving quality of life, particularly in more advanced stages later in life. Health-conscious consumers recognize this and are investing in sports nutrition and supplements that can provide long-term wellness benefits. 

While some consumers may still opt for traditional supplementation, the market has seen extraordinary growth in functional ingredients for sports nutrition applications. With the constant discovery of new and existing ingredient benefits in a wide range of formats, nutraceutical products are uniquely positioned to bridge product gaps amid surging consumer demands.  

Protein is king 

Protein is the foundation of optimal performance – fundamental for maintaining body composition, supporting muscle growth, and enhancing overall strength. While whey protein remains high in demand, plant-based protein sources are increasing in demand globally to provide more sustainable options for health and nutrition.

Carbohydrates also remain invaluable to the sports nutrition consumer. For example, a higher-carb diet may accelerate physical and mental abilities as part of holistic health and wellness for sports nutrition.

According to Business Insider, dietitians promote that consuming enough carbs can help with muscle repair while promoting better recovery and performance for participants in demanding sports and intense workouts. Similarly, lipids provide a sustained energy reservoir, help regulate inflammation, and contribute to hormone production. Univar Solutions offers the following ingredients from our vast portfolio: 

Nutraceutical ingredients for sports nutrition

Find the right ingredients for your next formulation and browse our sports nutrition portfolio.

Healthy aging in sports nutrition

Longevity in sports was once limited, but it’s becoming more common to see older professional athletes extend their careers. 

Learn more about the importance of healthy aging »

For consumers who want to optimize their performance and have increased longevity, nutritional strategies are vital in enhancing physical and mental stamina. The right ingredients can also help minimize the risk of injuries and promote a quicker recovery with nutritional sports supplements. The Univar Solutions Nutraceutical ingredients portfolio can help meet your consumers’ product demands for performance optimization and post-workout recovery benefits.