Expo West 2026: Gut health and weight management innovations in supplements and functional foods

Weight management, gut and women’s health, alongside nutrient-dense formulations dominated innovation at Natural Products Expo West 2026 (Mar 3–6) in Anaheim, California, US. Companies showcased new protein-forward concepts, combinations of probiotics and postbiotics, and clinically-backed ingredients. 

At the trade show, Nutrition Insight caught up with Saanroo, Kerry, Aker BioMarine, FrieslandCampina Ingredients, and ADM to discuss multifunctional ingredients, delivery technology to improve bioavailability, and new supplement formats. 

John Quilter, CEO of Saanroo, told us that after an “explosion” in gummies in recent years, partly driven by pill fatigue, he expects new innovations in different formats. “We’re seeing the next wave, which is liquid systems like shots and gels — essentially supplements that are more similar to food and beverages.”

“There’s more of an experiential element to them,” he added. “We’re seeing that especially with younger consumers entering the category. There are some major brands growing very quickly in this area, and many of them are here on display.”

Kerry highlighted its BC30 probiotic at Expo West 2026, which supports digestion and boosts protein absorption. Katy Kinsella, business development director, told us these benefits are key for GLP-1 users to address gastrointestinal side effects and increase protein intake — a key nutrient for these consumers.

She said the use of these medications in the US continues to expand, with a seminar highlighting that 22% of US households “have at least one person on a GLP-1.”

“It is going to be transformational in terms of how consumers purchase and what their grocery cart looks like,” Kinsella added. “They really need to make sure they are getting nutrient-dense foods.”

Clinically-backed benefits

Kerry told us about its study on GLP-1 consumers using its BC30 probiotic to dive into its benefits for this population.

“We did a real-life study with 253 consumers on a GLP-1 and got amazing results, both in alleviating gastric discomfort and in supporting quality of life,” detailed Kinsella. “Participants also said they would recommend BC30 to other people on GLP-1.”

ADM’s Vaughn DuBow told us how the company uses consumer insights to drive innovations.Additionally, she noted that functionality is still top of mind for consumers. “All of these consumers are looking to add health benefits, and clinically backed ingredients are the most important because they are the ones consumers can trust.”

“GLP-1 consumers are focused on how to get the most nutrient-dense products, because if they’re not eating a lot, they want to make sure what they are eating is valuable. Ingredients that do more than one thing are key.”

Kinsella also highlighted Kerry’s postbiotic Plenibiotic for multiple health benefits. “What we found with our science on Plenibiotic is that it helps with digestive support and skin health.”

Meanwhile, Matts Johansen, CEO of Aker BioMarine, told us that he expects AI to impact research backing ingredients and nutraceuticals, adding that this technology is “essentially turning every consumer into a scientist.”

“In the past, we conducted studies mainly to secure claims on packaging and then translate those health benefits in a very regulated and simplified way for consumers. Now, consumers will increasingly access scientific papers through AI. That means the type of studies we conduct may change.”

“Previously, studies were often done on small doses in healthy individuals that may not have given the most interesting results, but helped to achieve approved claims. In the future, we may conduct studies with higher doses or even with populations that have specific conditions, generating more interesting and meaningful results.”

Results from such studies will then be captured in AI models. Johansen said that, as an ingredient company, Aker BioMarine is working to understand how its science can reach consumers in this new environment.

Protein plus biotics

FrieslandCampina Ingredients presented protein-forward concepts at Expo West 2026, including a Dubai chocolate-inspired crispy protein bar, chocolate chip cookie dough protein bites, and a high-protein vanilla café latte. The company noted that while protein “remains a cornerstone of the functional food market,” consumers seek products that deliver multiple benefits.

At Expo West 2026, Lifeway featured a high-protein probiotic smoothie with collagen, made with kefir cultures.Floor van der Horst, global marketing director at the company, told us how these concepts support GLP-1 users who need to change their habits, but don’t want to compromise on flavor and texture.

“It’s about smaller portion sizes while still getting the nutrition and protein you need and being able to easily integrate that into your daily habits. That’s why we’re looking at products that are both on trend and deliver on taste and texture.”

“For example, a coffee protein RTD based on our caseinate, which offers sustained amino acid release, is low-calorie and helps keep blood glucose levels stable throughout the day.”

Van der Horst also highlighted the company’s Fermentis concept, a combination of prebiotics, probiotics, and protein that nourishes the gut-muscle axis and helps address digestive issues associated with these therapies.

“The pre- and probiotics nourish the gut microbiome, while the protein supports muscle synthesis, ensuring consumers get the right nutrition when they are on GLP-1.”

Auke Zeilstra, managing director for North America at FrieslandCampina Ingredients, added that Fermentis includes prebiotics in the form of galactooligosaccharides (GOS), an ingredient that the company also supplies to the infant formula industry, along with whey protein.

The company also conducted research with MMR Research on this blend of GOS, whey protein, and probiotic cultures.

“We carried out a consumer-led questionnaire with 150 recreational athletes who exercised at least once a week over a three-week period,” detailed Zeilstra. “Participants were asked to report on their energy levels, digestive health, and mood.”

He said that on exercise days, participants consumed 15 g of Fermentis after exercise, while on non-workout days, they took the supplement before sleep.

FrieslandCampina Ingredients highlighted its innovations for athletes and GLP-1 consumers at the show.“The self-reported questionnaire on the 150 participants showed a tremendous increase in how they felt in terms of energy, digestive issues, and overall mood.”

Simplifying reformulation

Vaughn DuBow, senior director of marketing, North America Health & Wellness at ADM, told us that the company aims to ensure its products have health and wellness benefits and help address reformulation goals.

“At this show specifically, we have a reformulation campaign focused on less sugar, sodium, and fat, with more protein and fiber — the things consumers really need.”

“We’re formulating around a reformulation simplified motto: using as few ingredients as possible, ensuring high quality, and delivering health benefits through our nutritional ingredients.”

Meanwhile, DuBow also highlighted how postbiotics can be more easily incorporated into new functional food formats than probiotics. “Supplements are easy — you can put things in a capsule or tablet, and probiotics live there without a problem. We’ve had that for about 20 years.”

He said that postbiotics will enable ADM to move into other categories — beverages, foods, snacks, and dairy — into all the emerging spaces where biotics can benefit people.

“Where probiotics die and cannot go, postbiotics can. They’re opening that door every day, and you’re going to start seeing them appear in more and more options very soon,” he predicted.

Boosting bioavailability

At Expo West 2026, Saanroo featured Trpti for metabolic health and Bioberb, a more bioavailable form of berberine.

Quilter explained that Trpti is a fatty acid ethanolamide (OEA) that helps suppress appetite naturally. “It’s a relatively low dosage. You consume it about half an hour, or 30 minutes, before a meal,” he added. “It can be used in a tablet and in a ready-to-mix beverage format. It offers formulators a lot of opportunity to innovate in the metabolic health space.”

Smart Harvest introduced a new product line called Fruitine, freeze-dried fruits like strawberry and banana covered with protein chocolate.In addition, the company published a microbiome study before the event showing that Trpti supports the growth of beneficial bacteria, including Akkermansia muciniphila.

Maggie McNamara, VP of Global Marketing at Saanroo, pointed to the delivery system supporting both ingredients, LipiSperse, developed by Pharmako Biotechnologies.

“This delivery technology makes both ingredients very easy to work with in different formats because it increases their bioavailability and allows them to be incorporated into formats that normally wouldn’t be possible.”

“Berberine and OEA have traditionally been incorporated in pill format because that increases delivery, and the taste of both ingredients isn’t great. With LipiSperse being applied to these ingredients, it increases the scope.”

For example, it allows Saanroo to introduce these solutions in new formats, such as sachets or powders, without compromising effectiveness. Moreover, LipiSperse helps overcome digestive tract issues associated with berberine.

Beyond omega-3s

At Expo West 2026, Aker BioMarine focused on the harmony between body and mind, said Johansen.

“Supplements are no longer only for the typical female consumer aged 60. Now the category spans the whole life cycle — from young people who want to manage stress or improve training performance to older consumers who are thinking about longevity and staying healthy for longer.”

While Aker BioMarine used to focus on krill oil ingredients, the company expanded into new marine-based ingredients.

“For example, we have a new brain health ingredient called Lysoveta, which delivers both choline and omega-3 across the blood-brain barrier,” detailed Johansen. “We also have an algae offering with a vegetarian-based omega-3 and our PL+ concept, where we look at how phospholipids in krill can help deliver other ingredients more effectively into the body.”

Moreover, he said the company is exploring how to incorporate its ingredients into functional food formats, as this offers consumers a more convenient way to benefit from them. He expects more innovation from marine ingredients on the market in the coming years.

“The key challenge is masking flavor and ensuring the ingredients integrate into food products without affecting taste or texture,” highlighted Johansen. “That area is not necessarily our core expertise. We know krill and the science behind krill, but we often partner with companies that specialize in formulating ingredients into smoothies, powders, and other product formats.”