The market for sports nutrition supplements - United States (2023)

1.1 Market definition and scope

Food supplements are concentrated sources of nutrients, i.e. vitamins and minerals, substances with a nutritional or physiological purpose, or plants and plant preparations that are intended to compensate for deficiencies in a person's regular diet.

Within the framework of a regular sport practice, food supplements can be very useful since they allow the sportsman to keep a high level of energy, to recover more easily and effectively from the physical effort and to bring to the muscular tissues the necessary nutriments. In fact, in sportsmen and women, nutrient requirements are increased and losses are more numerous, so a diet, even a balanced one, may not be sufficient to cover all needs.

The muscular tissues of the athlete need sufficient protein, carbohydrate and lipid intake, they allow the body to be well prepared for the effort beforehand and to recover easily. Vitamins, anti-oxidant molecules, minerals and trace elements are also relevant to help the athlete cope with the different stages of training.

The food supplements most frequently recommended to athletes are :

• flax: it stimulates neuronal function and has positive effects on blood flow, tissue oxygenation and the cardiovascular system. It also helps to fight against inflammation and oxidation of cells following physical effort.
• spirulina: this is the most popular food supplement for athletes, it provides the energy needed before and during the effort. It is particularly rich in protein (contains nearly 70%). It also contains carbohydrates, fatty acids, minerals and vitamins.
• giseng: it helps fight against oxidative stress post-exercise and thus improves the performance and resistance of athletes to the effort.
• creatine: it allows to provide a more important effort by optimizing the energy levels at the cellular level.
• whey protein: it provides a significant protein intake, thus compensating for potential deficiencies of a conventional diet.
• branch chain amino acids (BCAA): they facilitate muscle building.

This study does not deal with food supplements that are not taken as part of a sporting activity and to improve the physical performance of the individual. Thus, food supplements intended for certain categories of people (pregnant women, elderly people), to meet aesthetic objectives (hair care, skin, nails ...), etc. will not be discussed.