Sleep problems are a global health problem. The “2022 Chinese National Healthy Sleep White Paper” recently released by the China Sleep Research Association and other institutions shows that nearly 3/4 of the respondents had trouble sleeping, and difficulty falling asleep has become the number one problem. The sleep industry has also continued to evolve. Relevant data show that the market size of China’s sleep industry has exceeded 400 billion yuan, and it is expected to exceed one trillion yuan in 2030.
In addition to sleep-related health equipment, consumers are also increasingly interested in sleep aids and functional foods. In this article, we will take stock of new sleep aid food products, popular ingredients, and innovative raw materials in major countries around the world since 2021.
1 Chinese market
1.1 Market Overview
According to iiMedia Research data, in 2021, 45.3% of netizens in China purchased vitamin-based sleep aids, and 29.5% of them purchased melatonin, followed by herbal extracts and amino acids. In general, the most commonly used sleep aid ingredients in China can be divided into traditional Chinese medicinal plant raw materials (Suanzaoren, Ganoderma lucidum, Schisandra, Poria), amino acids (glycine, arginine, serine, tryptophan), new food raw materials. (tea theanine, GABA), hormones (melatonin) and milk proteins (α-whey protein, lactoferrin, casein hydrolyzed peptides), etc.
1.2 New product inventory
Huiyuan Juice’s “Guoli の Research Institute” has launched a good sleep gamma-aminobutyric acid compound juice drink. According to the information of Huiyuan Juice Tmall flagship store, this product is developed and supported by the Japan Functional Ingredients Research Institute, with 0 fat and light burden, adding GABA, passionflower extract, tea theanine and other ingredients.
WonderLab has launched a new sleeping jelly, the main raw material is GABA. It helps relieve stress and anxiety and promotes emotional balance. And it is derived from 3 naturally extracted raw materials: tea theanine, passionflower, and lemon balm, which help improve sleep quality.
Bloomage Bio’s Black Zero brand launched Black Zero GABA Sleep Drink, which added 98% high-purity GABA. It is paired with tea theanine to release stress, the lily to relieve tension, passionflower extract to promote GABA absorption, valerian root extract, and jujube seed to regulate GABA receptors.
Bright “yogurt” yogurt launched by Bright Dairy has added functional ingredients turmeric, black wolfberry juice containing natural anthocyanins, and GABA. The product claims to be able to decompress and increase energy for people who have been in a state of high stress for a long time and have low moods.
The plant drink launched by Goodnight Technology combines GABA and tea theanine into a basic sleep solution, and then adds walnut peptides, jujube seeds, vitamin B6, collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, Poria, and other ingredients to make sleep + new nutrition. Plant drink.
1.3 Innovative ingredients
Recently, pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt has officially become a new food raw material. It is a functional ingredient primarily used for brain health. PQQ can relieve sleep disorders caused by anxiety by reducing the stress hormone cortisol, effectively reduce the time to fall asleep, and improve sleep quality. It can be used in combination with sleep aids such as melatonin, GABA, tea theanine, and jujube seed.
2 European and American markets
2.1 Market Overview
Melatonin, Homeopathic Medicines, Valerian, Theanine, Elderberry, Ivy Leaf, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Magnesium, 5-HTP are Mainstream Retail Channels According to 2021 U.S. Supplement Market Data by SPINS Top 10 selling ingredients in the sleep health category. Sales of melatonin are far ahead of other ingredients and still maintain a relatively fast growth rate. Elderberry, Lemon Balm, Theanine, Magnesium, and Chamomile all increased by more than 80%.
In the natural channel, melatonin, valerian, CBD, homeopathic medicines, magnesium, flower essential oils, amino acids, passionflower, ashwagandha, and lemon balsam were the top ten ingredients by sales. Magnesium has grown the fastest, followed by CBD and lemon balm. In general, the sleep raw materials in the European and American markets are mainly melatonin, followed by valerian, theanine, magnesium, lemon balsam, CBD, ashwagandha, and various Chinese herbal medicines in the field of sleep health in recent years. is also increasing.
2.2 New product inventory
Hello Dreams sleep aid tea bags are added with melatonin and Chinese herbal ingredients such as jujube, Poria, licorice, Chuanxiong, Anemarrhena, and Luo Han Guo. It comes in individually wrapped sticks, and one tablet at bedtime melts quickly to help you fall asleep.
Aquilea Sueño Compact comes in an innovative bilayer tablet form designed to promote longer sleep. The first layer is released rapidly at the onset of sleep, and the second layer is released gradually throughout the night. The quick-release first layer contains melatonin, a substance that occurs naturally in the human body and plays a very important role in sleep. The slow-release second layer contains valerian, passionflower and California poppy extracts to help with a restful night’s sleep.
Youtheory Night Sleep Powder contains magnesium, amino acids, and melatonin as the main ingredients. 200 mg of Magnesium relaxes the mind and body before going to bed. Then, a group of amino acids, represented by L-glycine, can promote the rapid onset of sleep, improve sleep quality and maintain a healthy sleep cycle. 0.3 mg of melatonin, which is close to the amount naturally produced by the human body, can properly promote sleep and maintain sleep duration, but it will not cause dizziness after getting up the next day.
GaiaHERBS Sleep Support Capsules are added with Ashwagandha, Passionflower, and Chinese herbal ingredients such as Jujube and Magnolia.
The good night tea launched by American organic herbal tea brand Traditional Medicinals uses organic passionflower, chamomile, linden flower, nepeta, hops and other herbal raw materials, supplemented with spearmint, lemon balm, lemon peel, and incense Thatch. It is an organic tea that acts as a calming, soothing and sleep aid.
2.3 Innovative ingredients
Unigen has launched Maizinol, a sleep aid derived from immature corn leaves. One clinical study showed that taking the ingredient at bedtime increased deep sleep time by more than 30 minutes. Its mechanism of action mainly works by promoting melatonin biosynthesis. It contains compounds similar to melatonin, so it also binds to melatonin receptors. However, it is different from direct supplementation of melatonin, because it is not a hormone and will not interrupt the body’s normal biosynthesis. Therefore, it can avoid some of the adverse effects of direct melatonin supplementation, such as dreaminess and dizziness, causing you to wake up tired and sleepy the next day. Maizinol can be a better alternative to melatonin.
3 Japanese market
3.1 Market Overview
According to the statistics of Japanese functional food declaration data, GABA and L-theanine are the most used sleep aid ingredients. In addition, there are many commonly used ingredients such as Apocynum-derived hypericin, isoquercitrin, saffron acid, 5-ALA, reduced coenzyme Q10, and probiotics. In terms of functional demands, it is not only a single function of sleep, but a large number of sleep+ products, including fatigue relief, stress relief, maintenance of vitality, and maintenance of skin moisture, etc.
LIMNE Water Immunity Supplements fortified with Apocynum Extract. Hypericin (HP) and isoquercitrin (IQ) extracted from Apocynum can increase serotonin in the human brain and improve the permeability of serotonin in nerve cells. It plays a role in regulating sleep and increasing deep sleep, improving insomnia and restlessness.
The lactic acid bacteria drink launched by SAPPORO, adding Lactobacillus brevis SBC8803, helps to improve sleep quality and reduce fatigue after getting up.
Kaneka has launched CoQ10 supplements. Coenzyme Q10 is said to help improve sleep quality, reduce fatigue when you wake up, and reduce short-term fatigue.
The eye protection refreshing peach-flavored jelly launched by a Japanese company has added saffron acid. Sleep-enhancing effects and safety were studied in 58 adults with poor sleep, according to a parallel, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. After taking the standard 28 mg dose of saffron extract for 28 days, study participants reported “feeling more awake” and “wake up alert”, improving their overall quality of life. In addition, saffron acid, as a carotenoid, also has a certain effect on vision protection.
The sleep aid food launched by Kao adds chlorogenic acid derived from coffee beans. Studies have shown that chlorogenic acid can enhance brain memory and improve sleep quality.
3.2 Innovative raw materials
Ripe hop extract, or the mature hop bitter acid (MHBA) used in beer, benefits mood and energy levels in healthy adults, aids sleep, and maintains bone health, according to a new study from Kirin Japan. Kirin’s patented MHBA is less bitter than traditional hop products and can be blended into a variety of foods and beverages without affecting flavor.
4 Summary
Insomnia is driving the development of the functional food market. Today, consumers are increasingly turning to naturally derived functional food ingredients to improve their sleep, rather than using drugs. As the sleep market continues to heat up, how to win the market through product and raw material innovation has become the key.
