13 May Sleep Aid Ingredients, Help You Sleep Well
As we all know, one-third of a person’s life is spent in sleep. As a necessary process of life, sleep is an important link in the body’s recovery, integration and consolidation of memories, and an important pillar to ensure physical health.
Good and healthy sleep is very precious to modern people, because sleep is being “deprived” by various external factors, including work pressure, living environment, electronic equipment products, and so on. According to data from the World Health Organization, about one-third of people worldwide suffer from sleep problems. For example, 40% of people in Japan sleep less than 6 hours; more than half of adolescents in Australia don’t get enough sleep; 62% of adults in Singapore think they don’t get enough sleep, and the incidence of insomnia among Chinese adults is as high as 38.2%.
More studies have shown that lack of sleep for as little as one night will have a negative impact on health, making people feel tired, emotionally fragile, lack of vitality, etc., while continuous insomnia will increase the risk of depression and high blood pressure, leading to immune deficiency and immunity A reduction in the rate will make people more likely to get sick. For example, new coronary pneumonia poses a greater threat to many middle-aged and elderly people with weakened immune systems.
As sleep problems become increasingly prominent, sleep-related products have also spawned an emerging market. In 2020, the overall market size of the sleep economy will exceed 400 billion, and it is expected to exceed one trillion in 2030. The quiet rise of the sleep economy has also ushered in a new market for sleep aid materials.
At the end of 2020, SPINS announced the sales data of the top ten functional raw materials in the sleep health field of mainstream retail channels in the United States. Among them, melatonin was the top spot, reaching 536 million U.S. dollars. It is the most popular sleep aid raw material in the US market. It is worth noting that in 2020, L-theanine and Ashwagandha will rise suddenly, and their sales will increase by 7395.5% and 3995.3% respectively compared with 2019, becoming the new star in the sleep raw material market.
TOP10 sleep aid ingredients in mainstream U.S. retail channels
|
Name |
2020 Year Sales volume |
2019Year Sales Volume |
Increase Rate |
|
Melatonin |
$536,681,394 |
$364,704,434 |
46.9% |
|
Special treatment (Sequential therapy) |
$16,629,104 |
$15,550,133 |
6.9% |
|
Valerian |
$11,512,469 |
$13,148,567 |
-12.4% |
|
Ivy |
$5,609,893 |
$8,264,545 |
-32.1% |
|
Ashwagandha |
$4,526,236 |
$110,522 |
3995.3% |
|
5-HTP |
$2,436,312 |
$2,364,632 |
3.0% |
|
L-Theanine |
$2,414,954 |
$32,210 |
7397.5% |
|
Chamomile |
$2,191,354 |
$1,345,711 |
62.8% |
|
VC（Non-esterified） |
$1,649,639 |
$406,424 |
305.9% |
|
DHEA |
$1,359,310 |
$847,643 |
60.4% |
Note: The data is as of 52 weeks on November 29, 2020. The mainstream retail channels include major supermarkets such as national grocery stores, pharmacies, and Wal-Mart.
So what is the mystery of these raw materials for sleep aid?
1.Melatonin.Melatonin is the well-deserved “boss” of the sleep aid market. As a traditional sleep aid raw material, melatonin has the largest sales in the market, and its sleep aid effect is also recognized.
2.L-Theanine. L-Theaninewas discovered by Japanese scholars for the first time in 1950. Studies have found that it can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and has good calming and soothing properties. From food additives in Japan to GRAS certification in the United States, to new food materials in China, the safety of L-theanine has been recognized by many official agencies. At present, many end product formulations contain this raw material, including brain strengthening, sleep aid, mood improvement and other directions.
3.Ashwagandha. Ashwagandha is another potential raw material after curcumin. American consumers have a high market awareness of Ashwagandha, and its sales in the direction of emotional health support have maintained steady growth, and its current sales are second only to magnesium.
4.Valerian. Valerian root is known for its calming effects, with sales reaching 115 million U.S. dollars in 2020. A study published in 2002 evaluated the effects of valerian on insomnia. An 8-week study found that valerian had a certain effect on the treatment of insomnia and sleep disorders, and that participants had a good improvement in sleep problems.
5.5-HTP. 5-Hydroxytryptophan is a chemical by-product of protein structural unit L-tryptophan. At present, 5-HTP is mainly an extract from the seeds of the African plant Garner, which increases the production of the chemical substance serotonin. It plays a role in the brain and central nervous system and can affect sleep, appetite, body temperature and pain. Since 5-HTP can increase the synthesis of serotonin, it is mainly used to relieve mood problems such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety.
6.DHEA. Dehydroepiandrosterone is a steroid secreted by the adrenal glands and is a precursor of estrogen and androgens. The effect in the human body is similar to that of testosterone. DHEA supplements can improve mood, energy, self-feeling and ability to work under stress, deepen night sleep, and improve brain function in Alzheimer’s patients.
7.PEA. Palmitoylethanolamide is an endogenous fatty acid amide, produced in the human body, and also found in animal offal, egg yolk, olive oil, safflower and soy lecithin, peanuts and other foods. PEA is part of the endocannabinoid system and helps to improve sleep conditions. Unlike CBD, PEA is legally recognized as a dietary supplement raw material in many countries around the world, and has a long history of safe use.
8.Saffron extract. Saffron extract contains two specific functional components-crocetin and crocetin, which can promote the levels of GABA and serotonin in the blood, thereby regulating the balance between emotional substances and improving sleep. Saffron extract contains two specific functional components-crocetin and crocetin, which can promote the levels of GABA and serotonin in the blood, thereby regulating the balance between emotional substances and improving sleep.
9.Nigella. Nigella has a long history of use in Arabian, Unani and Ayurvedic medicinal systems. Nigella seeds contain compounds such as thymoquinone and thymol, which have high medicinal value, which can increase the level of serotonin in the brain, reduce anxiety, increase mental energy level and mood level, and improve sleep.
10.GABA. GABA(γ-aminobutyric acid) is a naturally occurring non-protein amino acid and an important neurotransmitter. It can relax the body and mind and promote sleep through neuromodulation. Studies have shown that it has the effects of stability, anti-convulsions, lowering blood pressure, enhancing brain vitality, nerve cells, promoting growth hormone, and protecting the liver and kidneys. In 2009, it was recognized as a new resource food by the Ministry of Health of China.
The growing sleep economy is setting off a wave of capital. At present, the sleep aid products on the market are still dominated by melatonin because it is familiar to consumers and can effectively alleviate the damage caused by blue light produced by electronic products. However, as consumers begin to understand that the causes of sleep disorders are diverse, and melatonin alone is not enough to solve the sleep problem. In the future, natural extracts, herbs and other raw materials will usher in greater development opportunities.
No Comments