Immunity for Little Ones

The immunity boom has had at least a third of global consumers more worried about immunity than they were before, according to the World Health Organization, as reported by Innova Market Insights.¹ Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence, LLP reported that, “The growing health awareness among the people, the increasing government initiatives to feed healthy products to children, and the growing literacy rate are expected to provide a significant push to [the] market, especially when it comes to child immunity and health.”²

According to Shaillay Dogra, researcher at the Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, Switzerland, the development stages of the microbiome during the first years of age “before the microbiome reaches an adult-like composition and function between 3 and 5 years of age” are “crucial windows of opportunity for long term health, primarily linked to appropriate immune and metabolic development.”³

“Low food diversity intake up to [age] 1 year relates to a higher risk for asthma and food allergy later in life.”⁴ — Shaillay Dogra, Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences

Omega oils (especially DHA and EPA) —support brain, nerve function, lung function, heart function

Prebiotic fibers — support digestive health

Probiotics — support digestive health, immunity

Protein — to build and maintain tissues and regulate all metabolic functions

Vitamins B (including biotin, folate) — provide antiviral activity; intestinal immune regulation

Vitamin C — to support iron absorption and general immune function

Vitamin D —, immunity,

Vitamin E — supports nerve function and cell structure; antioxidant

Vitamin K₂ — immunomodulatory effect

Choline — brain function and development

Minerals —calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, selenium, zinc, and selenium —nerve health, immunity

(compiled from multiple sources)
*assuming no allergies

Best Immunity-Boosting Ingredients for Little Ones*

● Nearly three-quarters of parents use health as a primary decision-making factor when it comes to feeding the family. — “Feeding the Family—U.S.” Mintel, (2022)

Fast Facts on F&B for Kids’ Health and Immunity:

● Globally, children’s snacks and drinks accounted for nearly one-third (31%) of all new product launches from 2020 to 2022, reports Innova Market Insights (special to IFT)

● Most new product innovation for kids from 2020–2022 was in drinkable yogurt products/fermented beverages—immunity—totaling 40% share of global new product launches in children’s “snacks and sips” subcategory. (Innova Market Insights, special to IFT)

Market Outlook: The kid’s food and beverage market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.03% over the forecast period to reach a market size of US$147.383 billion in 2027, from US$104.501 billion in 2020. — Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence LLP, 2022

SOURCES:

1. Consumer Insights: COVID-19 sparks immunity interest and innovation (2021, 2023) https://www.innovamarketinsights.com/trends/covid-19-sparks-immunity-interest-and-innovation/

2. Kids Food and Beverages Market report, Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence LLP, (2022)

https://www.knowledge-sourcing.com/report/kids-food-and-beverages-market

3. Shaillay Kumar Dogra, et alia; “Nurturing the Early Life Gut Microbiome and Immune Maturation for Long Term Health;” Microorganisms (2021)

4. ibid.