Mintel x Black Swan Data - Functional Ingredients to Watch in 2026

The Future is Functional

The wellness boom isn’t a passing trend – it’s a cultural reset.

US consumers now expect functional ingredients in almost everything they eat and drink. Nootropics, proteins and prebiotics have escaped the supplements aisle and are now taking over supermarket shelves.

In this report, co-created with Black Swan Data, we explore three key wellness spaces and the functional ingredients to watch out for in 2026.

Signals Rising from the Supplements Space

The Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements (VMS) category has always been the proving ground for what’s next in functional ingredients.
 
Long before prebiotics reshaped the soda space or protein rewrote the rules of snacking, these ideas first gained traction in the form of pills, powders, gels and gummies.

By understanding how ingredients evolve within the VMS category, we can spot the next wave poised to break into food and drink.

​ Inside you’ll find:  

  • The big shift that is happening in the fitness space
  • The next frontier in brain boosting ingredients
  • How edible and drinkable beauty is evolving and where the whitespace lies

Download the FREE eBook now to explore emerging trends and opportunities for brands in 2026 and beyond.

Functional Ingredients to Watch in 2026