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Home Insights Cases and articles Areas that drive demand in special and medical nutrition

Nutrition can support stabilising multiple body systems.1 When core nutritional needs are unmet, downstream effects appear across muscle function, immunity, metabolism, digestion, cardiovascular health and cognition.2,3 These areas present significant opportunities for further innovation.

Recovery drinks in Tetra Prisma Aseptic carton package, text: 21%

Nutrition management

Involuntary weight loss and impaired food intake are recognised diagnostic components of malnutrition – a condition that negatively affects eating and digestion.4 Launches with malnutrition claims show +21% year-over-year growth (MAT Sep 2024 vs MAT Sep 2025) and paediatric care claims show +17% year-over-year growth (MAT Sep 2021 vs MAT Sep 2025).5 “Free from” claims are a major mainstream trend, with gluten-free the most dominant.5

Holding recovery drink in Tetra Prisma Aseptic carton, text: 57%

Muscle functionality

57% of patients are aware of the link between protein consumption and muscle function,5 and one in two has been diagnosed with a condition impacting muscle functionality,5 Launches with muscle function claims show +16% CAGR (MAT Sep 2016 vs MAT Sep 2025).5 Milk and whey protein remain the most common protein ingredients, while caseinate is gaining traction in applications.5

APAC is the largest and fastest growing weight-management market, showing +39% YoY in medical and special nutrition launches with weight-management claims (MAT Sep 2021 vs MAT Sep 2025).5 One in three patients in the study has been diagnosed with diabetes or glucose intolerance. “No added sugars” is the most popular claim.5

Recovery drink in Tetra Prisma Aseptic carton packages, nuts and seeds, text:31%

Cardiovascular health

Although still a relatively niche segment, cardiovascular health has grown rapidly over the past five years, primarily driven by APAC.  Launches with cardiovascular health claims show +31% YoY growth globally, vs 40% in APAC.5 Omega-3 is often used by patients. At lower doses, it can be positioned for its anti-inflammatory properties – an attractive claim that does not compromise flavour.5

Hand holding Tetra Prisma carton, text: 28%

Immune support

Immune support solutions continue to show stable growth, with APAC emerging as the largest and second-fastest growing region, showing +28% YoY growth in medical and special nutrition launches with immune health claims (MAT Sep 2021 vs MAT Sep 2025). 72% of patients find "high in vitamins/minerals" claims appealing, and 65% have been recommended dietary supplements by a healthcare professional.5

17% of patients globally have been diagnosed with mental health conditions in 2023.7 Neurocognitive launches have moderated in recent years, yet growth continues to be driven by APAC and Latin America.5 Medical and special nutrition launches with neurocognitive and mental health claims grew +53% YoY (MAT Sep 2024 vs MAT Sep 2025).5 Taurine and galacto-oligosaccharides are the fastest-growing ingredients.8,9

Oatmeal with fresh raspberries, text: 25%

Digestive health

Although new product launches in this category have declined in recent years, APAC remains the largest and continually growing market, showing +15% YoY growth in medical and special nutrition launches with digestive claims, vs +10% globally. Over one third of patients receive recommendations to include probiotics in daily diet, yet functional ingredients centre around minerals and fibres.

Walking on street holding recovery drink in Tetra Prisma carton in his hand, text: 58%

Renal and urinary function

This remains a niche area where APAC and Western Europe lead innovation in products with balanced nutrition and minimal kidney burden. Formulations focus on low protein with reduced sodium, potassium and phosphorus. Ready-to-drink formats are most popular in this segment, accounting for 58% share compared with 30% for powders.5

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1. Chen, Y., Michalak, M. & Agellon, L.B. (2018). Importance of Nutrients and Nutrient Metabolism on Human Health. Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 91(2), 95–103. PMID: 29955217; PMCID: PMC6020734.
2. Saunders, J. & Smith, T. (2010). Malnutrition: causes and consequences. Clinical Medicine, 10(6), 624–627. DOI: 10.7861/clinmedicine.10-6-624.
3. Carey, S., Deng, J. & Ferrie, S. (2024). The impact of malnutrition on cognition in older adults: A systematic review. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, 63, 177–183. DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2024.06.014.
4. Cederholm, T. et al. (2019) ‘GLIM criteria for the diagnosis of malnutrition – A consensus report from the global clinical nutrition community’, Clinical Nutrition, 38(1), pp. 1–9. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2018.08.002.
5. Innova Database, FMCG Gurus Medical Nutrition Survey 2023; *NPL in MAT Sep 2021 – 749 ; NPL in MAT Sep 2025 - 1058
6. The Business Research Company (2026). Cardiovascular Health Supplements Global Market Report 2026: Market Size, Trends, Strategies, and Forecast to 2030. Historical data: 2020–2025.
7. Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) (2026) Global mental disorders have nearly doubled since 1990, now affecting 1.2 billion people worldwide. Available at: https://www.healthdata.org/news-events/newsroom/news-releases/global-mental-disorders-have-nearly-doubled-1990-now-affecting  (Accessed: 22 September 2026).
8. Future Market Insights (2025) Taurine industry analysis in Western Europe. Available at: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/taurine-industry-analysis-in-western-europe (Accessed: 22 September 2026).
9. Future Market Insights (2026) Galacto-Oligosaccharide Market Size, Market Forecast and Outlook. Available at: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/galacto-oligosaccharide-gos-market   (Accessed: 22 September 2026).