Danone North America Survey Reveals Urgent Need for Gut Health Education in Today’s Evolving Wellness Landscape

Misunderstandings about gut health can hinder consumers from fully appreciating its benefits and how to support it.

A recent survey by Danone North America reveals a growing interest in gut health among Americans. About 84% of people are increasingly drawn to foods that promote gut health. This aligns with the booming probiotics market, projected to reach $119.5 billion by 2030. Yet, despite this rising interest, many remain confused. For instance, 41% of respondents are unaware of the gut microbiome, and 50% don’t know it influences gut health. This points to a clear need for better education on the topic.

As a leader in gut health solutions, Danone North America has been committed to offering research-backed products, including the well-known Activia yogurt, which launched in 2006. Their goal extends beyond selling products; they aim to empower consumers with knowledge to make better choices for their health.

Key Insights from the Survey

• Half of participants do not recognize the gut microbiome’s role in gut health and its impact on key health concerns like immunity (56%) and sleep quality (61%).
• Some 73% are unaware that the microbiome begins developing in early childhood.
• Only 10% can recognize a Flexitarian diet—which combines plant-based foods with animal products—as beneficial for gut health over diets like keto or paleo.
• On a positive note, awareness of biotics is growing: 88% are familiar with probiotics, while 76% know about prebiotics.

Debunking Common Myths

Kristie Leigh, a registered dietitian at Danone North America, shared her insights on some widespread misconceptions that may confuse consumers:

• Myth #1: All fermented foods have probiotics. Many think that drinks like kombucha or foods like sauerkraut always contain probiotics. This isn’t true; some may lose those beneficial bacteria during processing. Always check the label.
• Myth #2: All live cultures are probiotics. Just because a product contains live bacteria doesn’t mean it’s beneficial. Only specific strains that have been studied are considered probiotics.
• Myth #3: Probiotic supplements are the same as those in food. Food sources can be more effective as they help probiotics survive stomach acid, allowing them to reach the intestines better than supplements.
• Myth #4: Prebiotics and probiotics function the same way. Prebiotics are essential foods for good bacteria in the gut, while probiotics are those beneficial bacteria. Both are crucial but serve different purposes.

Danone’s ongoing commitment to gut health includes funding research through initiatives like the Danone North America Fellowship Grant program. Since 2017, this program has awarded over $500,000 to support studies on probiotics and health. Researches, like those from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Baylor College of Medicine, explore how probiotics affect immunity and metabolism.

“Our mission is to promote health through food, with gut health being a vital aspect,” said Dr. Miguel Freitas from Danone North America. “It’s essential to keep track of consumer understanding to address knowledge gaps and provide science-backed information.”

For those looking to support their gut health, Danone offers various products, including Activia yogurt and the Activia Probiotic Dailies. These tasty options make it easier for everyone to prioritize gut health every day.

For further reading on probiotics and gut health, you can visit Activia’s website.

Source link

Danone North America,Food & Beverages,Retail,Health Care & Hospitals,Non-Alcoholic Beverages,Beverages,Surveys, Polls and Research