Consumer Research: The Functional Food trend and how to integrate this in your practice

The pandemic has caused Canadians to pay more attention to their health and wellness, and this includes what they eat. A recent Innova Market Insights study has found that 60% of consumers are actively looking for products that boost their immune system. Likewise, more than 50% of consumers reported taking more immune-support supplements in 2020. Clients and patients will likely be asking about CBD-infused products, including adaptogenic plants, or other foods that help the body deal with stress and anxiety. Likewise, purpose-driven ingredients will also drive consumer demand. Clients and patients will search for foods with a “purpose” for their bodies, like vitamins C and D, zinc and selenium. While consumers can search for trendy options to increase their intake of purpose-driven immunity-boosting ingredients, they can also find these benefits in simple foods like citrus, leafy greens, and peanuts and peanut butter.