Millennials might be getting all the buzz in the popular media, but the real demographic army to keep an eye on is the Seniors. It recently was reported that the Administration on Aging counts more than one in six Americans as age 65 and older, an increase of greater than one third since 2010. By 2040, that number is expected to jump by nearly 50% to more than 80 million persons.¹

Seniors have their own nutritional needs and desires. To help formulators keep ahead of those needs, here are 15 top ingredients targeting the health of seniors that food and beverage developers should keep in mind.

coenzyme Q-10 — supports heart function but diminishes steadily from age 35

omega-3 fatty acids —support brain, nerve function, lung function, heart function, mood

collagen/peptides — support health of skin hair, joints (arthritis), nails

protein/BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) — to build muscles and regulate metabolism, glucose

probiotics — supports digestive health, immunity

prebiotic fibers — support digestive health, weight and blood sugar management

phosphatidyl serine/phosphatidic acid — to support brain function, cognition, memory, mood

Carotenoids (astaxanthin, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin) — for eye health (especially ARMD) and multiple organ health

vitamins A and C — to support skin health, eye health,

vitamin B12 — absorption diminishes after 50; needed for blood and nerve health

vitamin D — cognition, bone health, mood, immunity,

vitamin E — tocopherol for cardiovascular function, arthritis; tocotrienol to help against certain cancers

minerals (especially calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, and selenium) — bone health, nerve health, immunity

carnitine — brain function, memory

Fast Facts on US Seniors, 65 and Beyond:

● More than 55 million aged 65 and older today

● 15 million seniors have been added to the population since 2010

● Number of persons 85 and older to double from 6.7 million in 2020 to 14.4 million by 2040

● As of 2020, more than 100,000 Americans are age 100 or older²

Not a Young Person’s Game

Arthritis is the most common chronic condition among seniors, affecting nearly half. About one in four have some type of cancer, and one in five have diabetes. Nearly a third are obese, and more than a quarter have cognitive issues.

Fast Facts:

As of 2021, nearly one in five Americans age 65+ were still working or proactively seeking employment. Number of persons age 75 and older in the labor force to nearly double by 2030. — National Council on Aging; US Bureau of Labor Statistics

1. Administration on Aging, as reported in Washington Post (Feb. 14, 2023) https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/02/14/aging-boomers-more-older-americans/

2. ibid.

data compiled from US Census Bureau, National Center for Health Statistics, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics