5 digestive health ingredients to watch

About 70 percent of the body's immune function is located in the gastrointestinal tract, so it's no surprise that researchers and consumers are focusing more on gut health than ever before.

In a newhope360 free Webinar we revealed the latest research linking poor gut health to common ailments and chose our favorite functional ingredients for good digestive health. Here are the highlights of our top five picks.

Watch the full digestive health Webinar

1. Probiotics

While many may think probiotics simply help with digestive issues, studies with particular strains of probiotics are showing benefits for a whole host of things: rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, eczema, cavities, mood and immunity.

But not all probiotics are created equal. If you're a product developer, do your due diligence to make sure the strains you are getting from your supplier matches up with your marketing message.

More about probiotics
• Probiotics trends, tips and regulatory growing pains
• All about probiotics for suppliers and manufacturers
• Boost your diet with foods rich in probiotics and probiotics

2. Fiber

Although probiotics have typically been the leading digestive ingredient, fiber is not far behind. In the case of solid foods, it's the clear digestive leader because fiber is seen as more natural than probiotics—even considering probiotics' healthy halo.

The soluble fibers provide the greatest opportunity for suppliers and manufacturers of functional foods and beverages. Soluble fibers are cheaper than insoluble fibers, can be used at lower rates and can achieve the same mouthfeel in a product.

More about fiber
• 10 prebiotic soluble fiber products to stock
• Closing the dietary fiber gap with soluble fiber
• How to get more fiber

3. Aloe

Aloe is hardly even known as a natural product botanical anymore because it's been so mainstreamed as a topical anti-burn agent. Studies have shown the natural soothing effects of the aloe aid in calming the effects of an irritable bowel.

More about aloe
• The New World of aloe

4. Enzymes

Tums, step aside. National Enzyme Co. has been in business for nearly eight decades, and the company’s BioCore AR, capitalizes on the $10 billion annual antacid market. The chewable tablet's calcium carbonate fights heartburn by reducing gastric acid, but also raises the pH, which prevents the digestive system from breaking down proteins and some fats. In-house in vitro studies verify the effectiveness of the enzymes when combined with calcium carbonate.

More about enzymes
• Know your enzymes
• Enzymes take a bite out of digestive woes

5. Gluten-free grains

Gluten increases inflammatory cells and changes in cell structure in the intestinal tract, which gives you stomach pains. Because of this and the spread of gluten intolerance, consumer interest in gluten free grains has spread well beyond the natural food store. Quinoa's in pasta and bakery items. Once an Aztec culture staple, amaranth is a pseudocereal grain. Other options include millet, sorghum, teff, pea, corn, rice lentil and tapioca flour.

More about gluten free grains
• All about gluten free
• Celiac/gluten intolerance: Is lack of vitamin C to blame?
• Gluten-free market poised for acquisitions

Get the rest of our ingredient recommendations in our free digestive health Webinar.