‘Nutraceuticals’ are the new choice of products for beauty and wellness

According to a 2018 Assocham Knowledge report, the Indian nutraceuticals market is expected to grow from $4 billion in 2017 to $18 billion in 2025

According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a nutraceutical is a food product that provides physiological benefit and helps maintain good health. In line with this, modern nutraceuticals offer the ‘nutrition’ packaged in a ‘pharmaceutical’ format for easy access and supplementation. The increasing incidents of diseases and disorders that can directly be linked to stressful lifestyle, complemented further with external factors like air and water pollution and the degrading quality of food, have all led to the popularity of nutraceuticals as a choice to gain a holistic sense of wellbeing.  

As 21^st century urban humans, our bodies are exposed to multiple stressors every day. Apart from external environmental stressors, our bodies also struggle with stressors related to irregular diet, inadequate nutrition, and lack of sleep and hydration. One of the immediate impact of this state of imbalance is reflected on the skin. It is thus no surprise that one of the most popular use of nutraceuticals has been found for the management of healthy and flawless skin. Traditional measures are limited to offer beauty for a short span with no additional benefits. However, consumers are now becoming aware of the fact that skin issues are essential reflections of internal imbalances or diseases and that these need to be addressed through a deep rooted, holistic approach.

As a result, several nutraceuticals, like glutathione, the master anti-oxidant with proven benefits for holistic wellness and flawless skin, is gaining popularity. With proven anti-aging and skin whitening benefits, glutathione also offers long term protection against the harmful effects of free radicals, thus strengthening the immune system. Similarly, other components have been leveraged to create oral moisturisers and products to fight hair loss and create a healthy and beautiful body, from within. Their effectiveness has led to the increasing demand and easy acceptance of nutraceuticals.

According to a 2018 Assocham Knowledge report, the Indian nutraceuticals market is expected to grow from $4 billion in 2017 to $18 billion in 2025, accounting for an almost 21% growth, annually.

Some key factors that are driving this growth, can be listed as under:

1. Proven efficacy: Shifting from the age old focus of instant fixes and stop-gap arrangements, nutraceuticals offer efficient and visibly beneficial effects on the overall health and wellbeing, apart from addressing the main, intended problem. Further, due to its nature identical composition,it also works towards enhancing the overall wellbeing, complementing the holistic efficacy and health benefits. 

2. No side effects:Being identical to the naturally occurring component in the body, nutraceuticals have a higher rate of acceptance by the body and thus higher efficiency. In contrast to the harmful side effects of the cosmetic and synthetically generated chemical products and solutions, nutraceuticals enhance a larger sense of wellbeing in the body.  

3. Health benefits: Apart from solving key issues, nutraceuticals have been proven to offer holistic health benefits, ranging from boosting immunity, improving digestion, assisting in detoxification and also promoting an overall sense of wellbeing. 

4. Long term effects: Unlike the short term/ temporary effects of cosmetic or chemically synthesised products, nutraceuticals offer long lasting benefits as they bring about a constructive change from within, while enhancing overall beauty and wellness. 

5. Preventive care: Designed to maintain and enhance the naturally healthy state of the body, nutraceuticals play a vital role in the long term immunity and health. This preventive care benefits primarily help combat and neutralise external threats as well as strengthen the body from within, making it strong enough to withstand the toxic effects of modern urban lifestyle. 

Apart from the above, a conscious approach to create a well-balanced, fit and healthy lifestyle along with a natural inclination to choose a proactive, preventive, and protective approach to gain ‘beauty from within’, are powerful contributors to the continuous growth of nutraceuticals.