298: What next for gut health claims in food and drink?

In the last few years there’s been a growing interest in food and drink products that claim to improve gut health.

Research has been booming and, on the Food Matters Live Podcast, we have spoken to some of the world’s leading experts, exploring connections between our gut, what we eat, and our physical and mental health.   

In this episode we explore the many different ways the food and nutrition industry is tapping into this market. 

It is already a large territory to navigate, around every corner there’s a new probiotic. So which avenues are most beneficial for our individual health, and for developing a business?

We take a look at some of the latest trends; fermentation, grain-based foods, and yoghurts spring to mind. But what else is out there?

Which parts of the world are most interested in products that claim to promote gut health? Which demographics are fuelling the rapid rise? And how can consumers protect themselves from potentially dubious claims?

Listen to the full episode for some advice on building a business in this market, how proposed new HFSS rules in the UK are already impacting the products that are available, and get a glimpse into the future of where the gut health food and drinks market might be heading.

Jon Walsh, Founder and CEO, Bio & Me

Jon Walsh is Co-Founder and CEO of Bio&Me, the UK's fastest growing gut health start-up.

He has a commercial and marketing background spanning 30 years, with successful roles working on some of the UK's best-known FMCG brands including P&G, John West, sitting on the UK Board of Nestlé and the European Board of the Thai Union Food Group as well as being a founding employee of Betfair, formerly Flutter.com. 

María Mascaraque, Analyst, Euromonitor

María is a Global Industry Manager at Euromonitor International with a focus on Food and Nutrition. Based in London, she has more than nine years of experience in the industry.

María drives the content and quality of Euromonitor’s global food industry research, provides global expertise and forward-thinking insights and identifies latest product developments and key market trends.

María advises clients on food and nutrition trends and has a special interest in the dairy industry, plant-based eating and health and wellness trends.

She holds a PhD in Nutrition from Complutense University, Spain.

Rosemary Ferguson, Nutritionist

Rosemary comes from a homeopathic/complementary medicine background and has always been interested in what food can do for you. 

After a successful 15 years of modelling; from being featured in campaigns for Miu Miu and Prada, walked the runway for designers from Galliano to McQueen, and features on Vogue and The Face, her inner nutrition nerd led her back to college to study at The College of Naturopathic Medicine. 

She qualified as a naturopath and nutritionist in 2009 and now runs a clinic on Harley Street in London. She also writes for Vogue and Beauty Papers. 

Rosemary is the founder of The 5 Day Plan, and co founder of healthy junk food brand Filth. 

She is also the author of ‘Juice’, published in April 2015, which features 100 juice recipes to help cope with modern day life!