A DuPont Nutrition & Health consumer survey has identified the top health concerns of European seniors and found that active ingredients are a primary driver of senior nutrition purchases. For food manufacturers, the company believes the findings reveal a realm of opportunities to develop targeted nutritional products for active adults as they age.

DuPont says it has used the insights in a range of healthy aging ingredient solutions that deliver documented benefits for muscle, digestive and immune health in appealing food formats.

Population figures from Eurostat forecast that one in four EU citizens will be aged 65 or above by 2040, DuPont notes, saying that statistics also show that the later years of life are typically dominated by poor health. A combination of targeted nutrition and exercise can help delay the aging process, so seniors stay fit and active for longer.

“A growing number of manufacturers are already acting on the opportunities to aim new food products at the healthy nutrition market. With our survey, we wanted to understand the main health concerns of the senior consumer group, which kinds of nutritional products they already buy and what triggers their purchases. Such insights help define the best market positioning for new products,” said Leonardo Rubio Anselmi, Regional Beverage and Bars Marketing Manager at DuPont.

A total of 900 active seniors aged 60 to 75 participated in the survey, which was conducted in Germany, Italy and the U.K. More than 73%t claimed to follow a balanced diet, and close to 68% stated that active ingredients are the main driver when they buy nutritional food products.

This is wher DuPont claims it can support food product development for the growing senior nutrition segment. In clinical studies, the plant proteins, probiotic cultures and prebiotic fibre in the DuPont healthy aging portfolio are said to have been seen to make a positive contribution to muscle mass, digestive health and/or immune health.

“We know, for example, that senior adults need to consume 1.2g of protein per kilo body weight a day and take regular exercise to maintain their muscle mass. By consuming probiotic cultures and prebiotic fiber, they also support a good gut balance, which is key to a well-functioning digestive and immune system,” said Jane Whittaker, Regional Beverage Application Lead.