The research status and Industry countermeasures of health oriented muscle-enhancing food

The human muscle condition is the most important indicator of health and closely related to various diseases. Furthermore, Loss of muscle due to disease may cause reduction of the therapeutic effect by decreased immunity and exercise ability.

The Korea Food Industry Promotion Forum held the 5th symposium to prevent muscle deterioration and to elucidate the medical importance of muscle strengthening. This time, We had time to share the current status of food ingredients for protein sources and medical functions, usable resources and the industry’s response. [ 5th Symposium by Food Industry promotion on 25th of August,2021 ]. I would like to share relevant information from this symposium.

1.  The importance of muscles

Muscle is important in the body because it is attached to bones or internal organs and blood vessels, which are responsible for movement. Nearly all movement in the body is the result of muscle contraction. During the symposium, PhD.Chae,Soo-Wan explained the importance of muscular strengthening from A to H.and He said that Muscle health is essential for independent living and healthy survival.

A: Airway (eating and swallowing)

B: Breathing

C: Circulation

D: Defecation

E: Endocrine(and paracrine)

F: Fighting

G: Gamete (ovum and sperm conjugation)

H: Heat production

As aging and illness lead to muscle breakdown and atrophy reduced muscle mass. According to the study, muscle atrophy is associated with wide range of harmful health effects and consider the complications associated with loss of muscle (Figure1)

Not only Figure 1, When we lose skeletal muscle, protein and energy availability is lowered throughout the body and Muscle loss is associated with delayed recovery from illness. And Mostly, Loss of muscle associated with disease, injury, disuse, or aging significantly increases the cost of health care.

These adverse effects can be combated with exercise and nutrition. Therefore, there is a growing importance of muscle enhancing food on maintaining health and wellness from the recognition of After age 30 that begin to lose muscle as much as 3% to 5% per decade.

2.  The current market condition

The global demand for Sarcopenia (muscle loss) Treatment Market in terms of revenue was worth of USD 262.9 Million in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 397 Million in 2028, growing at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2021 to 2028.2),3) And also, The global sports nutrition market size was valued at USD 10.7 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.9% from 2021 to 2028 4)

The importance of protein is recognized in both markets, and the source of protein is below.

Daily Based Protein is dominant(74%) and Plant Protein is following (24%) in product launches with protein. The majority of plant protein used in clinical nutrition continues to be soy protein, although other plant proteins are beginning to be used.

Protein source : Product launches in Clinical Nutrition

Ingredient	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019 YTD	Total	CAGR(2014-2018)
Calcium Caseinate	33	45	140	142	165	100	625	50%
Casein	21	22	29	35	53	30	190	26%
Casein Protein	2	5	11	18	27	30	102	92%
Milk Protein	223	251	591	616	472	611	2764	21%
Milk Protein Concentrate	26	91	108	147	122	75	569	47%
Milk Protein isolate	15	10	40	40	24	18	147	12%
Pea Protein	16	10	26	43	53	80	228	35%
Pea Protein Isolate	11	23	11	18	19	4	86	15%
Sodium Caseinate	32	70	125	152	233	200	812	64%
Soy Protein	14	26	108	91	116	181	536	70%
Soy Protein Isolate	63	140	190	220	186	151	950	31%
Whey Protein	46	37	99	77	174	151	584	39%
Whey Protein Concentrate	21	38	65	151	229	144	648	82%
whey protein hydrolysates	20	16	53	113	137	123	462	62%
Whey Protein isolate	13	17	35	45	80	58	248	58%

The current recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8g/kg/day. This is basic nutritional requirements. therefore, It might not be sufficient for preserving muscle mass and quality in old age.

“ The average insufficient protein intake of Korean is 15g/day “ (more than 60 age, 65kg female)

Current market condition.

Careful Senior	Lazy &Concerned	Active Fitness
Senior customer (Sarcopenia)	Prevent aging.	Enter the market, competitive composition. Sport food.
More than 50’s	30~40’s customer ~45%	30’scustomer ~25%

Abbott(567 launches), Nestle(304), Nutricia(207) and Fresenius Kabi(101) are the most active in the use of plant protein in their formulas. As the importance of protein increases for muscle health, Research on alternative food ingredients should be active in the food industry. Reference

1. Josep M. Argilés PhD, Skeletal Muscle Regulates Metabolism via Interorgan Crosstalk : Roles in Health and Disease.
2. https://brandessenceresearch.com/requestSample/PostId/1496
3. https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/product/sarcopenia-treatment-market/
4. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/sports-nutrition-market