The senior market
A robust and steadily expanding market with +25% growth; 1 in 3 people will be over 60 by 2050 (1).
Indeed, seniors are increasingly active, determined to remain independent for as long as possible, and acutely aware of the importance of proper nutrition (2).
Consequently, it is essential to offer them products that are nutritionally formulated to match their needs, volume requirements, and purchasing power.
Moreover, their food budget is 40% higher than that of individuals under 45, and they are prepared to invest in high-quality products backed by scientific evidence.
Their priorities:
- maintaining joint mobility and flexibility
- preventing muscle loss (sarcopenia) and preserving muscle strength
- delaying skin aging
- optimizing cognitive function
- maintaining a healthy target weight
To this end, they seek clean-label, ready-to-eat products or powdered formats that are easy to incorporate into beverages.
1. Key Nutritional Active Ingredients for Seniors
Proteins: Recommended Intake After Age 60
- Prevention of sarcopenia: baseline protein requirements are at least 1.0 g/kg of body weight/day; ideally, this should reach 1.2 g/kg of body weight/day.
However, an age-related decline in appetite for meat products is frequently observed, which is not compensated for by alternative sources such as fish, legumes, or oilseeds.
Yet, adequate protein intake ensures:
> maintenance of muscle mass,
> bone density and integrity,
> sufficient physical tone to encourage safe, confident physical activity,
> enhanced immune function. - In practice: a 70 kg individual requires an average of 77 g of protein per day.
Example of daily protein coverage: two 10 g servings of dairy protein + 120 g of meat or fish + 2 eggs + 120 g of yogurt + 100 g of einkorn wheat.
Collagen: Clinical Efficacy for Seniors
What clinical trials demonstrate:
- Preservation of mobility: 10 g of collagen/day for 3 months reduces knee pain, thereby improving physical functional capacity (3)
- Skin aging: the same dosage administered over 12 weeks increases skin hydration and elasticity by 23% and 24% respectively, alongside skin smoothing with a 9% reduction in microrelief roughness (4-5)
- Body composition: combined with a balanced diet and regular physical exercise, supplementation with 15 g/day of collagen prevents fat mass accumulation in the waist area (6). Its body composition benefits operate by improving insulin sensitivity and modulating inflammation (7).
Eggshell Membrane: Added Value for Joint Health
The eggshell membrane—the thin layer between the shell and the albumen—contains highly concentrated active compounds within a small volume: type I, V, and X collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid, glycosaminoglycans (glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and dermatan sulfate), along with over 400 enzymes and bioactive proteins.
Clinical studies assessing the physiological effects of eggshell membrane demonstrate:
- Mobility and pain management: a daily dosage of 300 to 500 mg over 8 weeks leads to a progressive and statistically significant reduction in osteoarthritis pain and joint stiffness starting from week 2. Improvements in sleep quality were also recorded (8).
- Eggshell membrane and Omega-3: the co-administration of 500 mg of eggshell membrane and 1,500 mg of omega-3 (EPA and DHA) combined with physical exercise every 2 days reduces stiffness and pain during and after exertion compared to the placebo group (8)
2. Market Expectations: Product Formats
Collagen and Eggshell Membrane:
- Active seniors: Will benefit from our collagen booster bars enriched with eggshell membrane, designed for on-the-go nutrition during hiking, cycling, or running.
- Diet-conscious seniors: Our pure collagen or joint collagen with eggshell membrane easily enriches dairy products, oatmeal, or fruit purées without altering their flavor profile.
Protein Powders:
- Routine-oriented seniors: Dairy or plant-based protein powders dosed at 10 to 20 g/day across daily meals preserve physical tone and muscle strength.
- Cost-conscious consumers: Neutral or flavored plant protein powders effectively align nutritional health goals with budget requirements.
Summary
- Protein bars = convenience, targeted nutritional support during physical activity
- Protein powders = daily health routine
- Pure collagen = prevention and maintenance of body flexibility
- Joint collagen with eggshell membrane = targeted relief for osteoarthritis discomfort and cartilage support
FAQ: Senior Nutrition
How much protein is required after age 60?
Nutritional guidelines set senior requirements at a minimum of 1.0 g of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, ideally targeting 1.2 g/kg. For a 70 kg individual, this equals approximately 77 g of protein daily, distributed evenly across meals.
What is sarcopenia and how can it be mitigated through nutrition?
Sarcopenia is the progressive, age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. Adequate protein intake, paired with regular resistance or physical activity, is critical to maintaining muscle mass.
How can protein intake be supplemented when meat consumption decreases?
Intake can be balanced by combining fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and whole grains. Dairy or plant-based protein powders provide a convenient supplement: 10 to 20 g per day, blended into yogurt, porridge, or beverages throughout the day.
What are the clinical benefits of collagen for seniors?
Clinical studies demonstrate that a daily intake of 10 g of collagen supports joint comfort (after 3 months) and improves skin hydration and elasticity (after 12 weeks). Collagen dissolves seamlessly into dairy matrices or beverages without altering organoleptic qualities.
What is eggshell membrane?
It is the natural thin layer located between the shell and the egg white. It naturally supplies collagen (types I, V, and X), elastin, hyaluronic acid, and glycosaminoglycans. Studied at doses of 300 to 500 mg per day, it demonstrates significant efficacy in promoting joint mobility and comfort.
What is the difference between pure collagen and joint collagen with eggshell membrane?
Pure collagen is formulated for individuals seeking overall structural support and body flexibility. Joint collagen combines collagen with eggshell membrane for targeted cartilage support and joint pain relief.
Protein bars vs. protein powders: which format to choose?
Protein bars offer convenient, portable nutrition for hiking, cycling, or running. Protein powders are better suited for daily home routines and cost optimization, particularly neutral or flavored plant-based formulations.
Our Expertise: Slimpack-Nuvinov formulates and manufactures private-label and white-label collagen and eggshell membrane bars, as well as high-protein nutritional formulations.
Sources
1- https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/la-sante-a-tout-age/bien-vieillir
2- https://www.ipsos.com/fr-fr/le-monde-en-chiffres-les-seniors-idees-recues-et-realites
3- Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2020
4- Choi et al., Nutrients, 2018
5- Dian Andriani Ratna Dewi, Cureus, 2023
6- Jeongbin Park, Clinical Nutrition Research 2023
7- Zhu et al., Appl Physiol Nutr Metab, 2010
8- https://www.burgerstein-foundation.ch
