Food Matters Live Podcast 599: The women's health revolution - opportunities and unknowns
Mar 2, 2026
Dr Sarah Ahanash, microbiome researcher mapping the vaginal microbiome with citizen science. Sarah Lesina, commercial lead at Cereo specialising in women’s supplement formats and formulation. They explore life-stage tailored supplements, rapid rise of gummies and formulation hurdles with botanicals. They also discuss vaginal microbiome mapping, participatory research and links between diet, fasting and women’s gut–vagina health.
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Rapid Growth In Women's Health Supplement Market
- Women's health supplementation launches grew rapidly, with women's-positioned products representing ~8% of launches and 12% CAGR over four years.
- Perimenopause product launches rose 45% in 2024, signaling commercial momentum and investor interest like Melinda Gates' large funding commitments.
Prioritize Convenient Formats To Improve Adherence
- Design women's supplements with convenient formats to boost compliance, prioritizing single‑daily dosages and easy‑to‑swallow forms.
- Use gummies to improve uptake for younger consumers and women who dislike pills, but limit daily gummy count to one or two for adherence.
Invest In Botanical Formulation For Gummies
- Include botanicals in women's gummies despite formulation challenges to meet demand for plant‑based solutions.
- Invest in tech to stabilize bitter, powdery botanicals like ashwagandha and soy isoflavones so doses fit into one or two gummies daily.