Evolution in approaches and ingredients for digestive health: SupplySide Global 2025 Report

Support for digestive health and wellbeing is becoming more nuanced, with an increasingly fine-tuned focus on consumers’ needs. As gastroenterologist David Kahana, MD explains, beyond conventional medicine, maintaining digestive wellbeing can involve targeted supplementation and nutrition as well.¹ “While it’s important to be careful not to overstate claims, the research surrounding probiotics, prebiotics, fiber, and certain herbal compounds is promising,” he states. Probiotics can help restore balance to the human gut microbiome and alleviate digestive symptoms, he explains, while prebiotics offer a food source for the beneficial bacteria, supporting a healthier microbiome. There are even herbal remedies that can offer necessary relief for digestive health issues.

What's become clearer however, is that digestive health encompasses a wide range of consumer needs, and innovation continues to address gaps and find better options to existing solutions.

Managing acute symptoms, naturally

Consumers are often seeking natural alternatives to over-the-counter drug products, but sometimes those natural alternatives aren't always the best option either. At SupplySide Global 2025, Logical Square explained results from research comparing the effects of its ingredient CaFi to senna-based products.² While senna (Cassia angustifolia) is commonly used to manage acute digestive health symptoms, namely constipation, it is considered unsuitable for children or for older adults over extended periods of time.

“That challenge was an opportunity for us to develop something which is much safer for the old age population, of about 60 years to 80 years of age,” explains Sanjay Tamoli, MD (Ayurved), PhD, co-founder of Logical Square, in an interview with Nutritional Outlook.

In the open-label study, 67 participants ages 18–67 with irregular bowel habits or constipation received either one CaFi tablet or one senna tablet at bedtime with water for 14 days. All participants then stopped taking the supplements for seven days, and follow up was completed to analyze symptoms.

At the end of the study, both groups showed significantly reduced straining, increased bowel satisfaction, and a reduction in constipation symptoms. However, participants in the CaFi group showed significant reduction in blockage sensation, which pointed to its non-habit forming potential. Participants in the CaFi group spent also experienced reduced time for defecation.

“CaFi was found to be as effective as senna in terms of efficacy, in terms of the frequency of bowel movement, softening of the stool and straining reduction,” Tamoli explains. “At the same time, the people who are experiencing lots of side effects or lots of adverse effects consuming senna, for example, dependency or habit forming and pain, gripping, exhaustion, etc; that was not observed in our clinical study on CaFi and people were very comfortable…Most important thing was they were very happy, because it was very soft to their bowel.” Senna removes water from the intestine, he added, along with sodium and potassium, which causes the abdomen pain.

Eight participants in the senna group experienced abdominal discomfort, gripping in abdomen, and sensation of defecation, compared with one participant in the CaFi group.

Tamoli explains how CaFi does not have this effect. “In Cassia Fistula, because of the low sennosides content and a very high mucilage content in the ingredient, it does not cause this kind of gripping, because it does not remove the water content out,” he said. “The mucilage is what is the differentiator between Senna and Cassia Fistula.” Additionally, its lower sennoside content allows for longer term use.

CaFi, derived from Cassia fistula (golden shower tree), is a fruit pulp extract with a palatable sweetness, Tamoli adds, unlike senna which has a bitter taste. “And because of the palatability and the water solubility of this fruit pulp extract, it goes very easily into different dosage formats, like lozenges, like gummies or liquids, chewable tablets, tablets, capsules and things like this.” The ingredient could also be added to a formulation in a probiotic or a prebiotic drink, he adds.

Protein plus gut health benefits

Support for gut health can also be offered alongside active nutrition. The multi-benefit ingredient Biotis Fermentis from FrieslandCampina was highlighted at SupplySide Global, demonstrating this combination of benefits. This ingredient offers a crossover between protein needs and maintaining digestive health, combining 8 g of fermented whey protein and 3.65 g of prebiotic Biotis GOS (galacto-oligosaccharides), which is fermented with probiotics.³

“Biotis Fermentis is quite a new, innovative ingredient we launched to the market, and is a one-of-a-kind solution,” explains Sophie Zillinger Molenaar, global marketing execution lead in an interview with Nutritional Outlook. The ingredient targets the gut-muscle axis, offering benefits for consumers, she explains. Research has identified a connection between intestinal microbiota and muscle protein synthesis, noting that probiotic supplementation could potentially positively affect aerobic and anaerobic performance.⁴

One consumer study conducted by FrieslandCampina involved 150 recreational athletes between 20-50 years who consumed Biotis Fermentis daily.⁵ After three weeks, 60% of the participants reported significantly reduced bloating and 80% reported an increase in satisfaction with physical well-being, feeling active, and feeling energetic. “So it's really also helping athletes, but also more active consumers, taking care of the health and their muscles, but also really taking care of their gut health and microbial,” Zillinger Molenaar explained.

At the show, FrieslandCampina Ingredients showcased a Biotis Fermentis Whey Protein Bites concept. Developed for GLP-1 support, the small size is suited for smaller appetites, Zillinger Molenaar explains. “The versatility, basically, of Biotis Fermentis in different applications, being heat stable, acid stable, really makes it an ingredient that is very valuable for different formulators around in the industry to start utilizing,” added Auke Zeilstra, managing director, North America.

Looking toward the future

Innovation in the digestive health category continues as ingredient manufacturers identify areas of improvement and unmet consumer needs to develop products that offer more comprehensive support.

References

1. Kahana, D. A gastroenterologist’s perspective on nutritional support for digestive health. November 8, 2025. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/a-gastroenterologist-s-perspective-on-nutritional-support-for-digestive-health- (accessed 2025-11-19).
2. McEvoy, E. Preliminary study results highlight potential of Cassia fistula as a digestive aid. March 19, 2025. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/preliminary-study-results-highlight-potential-of-cassia-fistula-as-a-digestive-aid (accessed 2025-11-19).
3. FrieslandCampina. Biotis® Fermentis. https://www.biotis.com/ingredient/biotis-fermentis/ (accessed 2025-11-19).
4. Przewłócka, K.; Folwarski, M.; Kaźmierczak-Siedlecka, K.; Skonieczna-Żydecka, K.; Kaczor, J.J. Gut-Muscle Axis Exists and May Affect Skeletal Muscle Adaptation to Training. Nutrients. 2020, 12(5), 1451. DOI: 10.3390/nu12051451.
5. FrieslandCampina. How we made it: a deep dive into innovating Biotis® Fermentis for the gut-muscle axis. https://www.frieslandcampinaingredients.com/insight/how-we-made-it-a-deep-dive-into-innovating-biotis-fermentis-for-the-gut-muscle-axis/ (accessed 2025-11-19).
6. FrieslandCampina. Biotis® Fermentis Whey Protein Bites. http://frieslandcampinaingredients.com/application/biotis-fermentis-whey-protein-bites/ (accessed 2025-11-19).