Fish oils are already hugely popular with health-conscious consumers, boasting an impressive global market value of $3.08bn and a projected CAGR of 4.6% to 2030. Now, links between fish oils and increased muscle growth could boost sales even further, as the health and wellness trend continues to influence consumer behaviour.
Why are fish oils popular with consumers?
Fish oils contain omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A and D, and have been linked to a whole range of health benefits, including improved brain function, reduced liver fat, and healthy, glowing skin.
“Globally, there has been a significant surge in the number of people suffering from cardiovascular diseases in recent years due to a hectic work environment and adoption of sedentary lifestyle practices,” says a spokesperson for Grand View Research. “Hypertension, accumulation of plaque in arteries, and increasing levels of cholesterol and triglycerides are common reasons for heart stroke. Omega-3 in fish oil helps reduce the level of these harmful substances in the arteries. Furthermore, fish oil helps patients with irregular heartbeats and depression. The increasing geriatric population worldwide and a surge in chronic disease incidences are expected to boost the demand for fish oil by 2030.”
Now, research is also linking fish oils to improved muscle strength.
Do fish oils support muscle strength?
A study, conducted by researchers at the University of South Florida, has found that fish oils can help to improve muscle function.
The eight-week study focused on the use of a fish-oil supplement (EPAX 4020TGN), with results showing it helped to inhibit age-related loss of muscle strength. Additionally, the researchers observed improved muscle strength following injury.
The study also analysed the effects of Omega-3 on muscle membrane damage using an in vitro analysis of muscle cells in culture. Cell membrane damage can occur after a fall, reducing mobility and exacerbating physical inactivity, even if there is no fracture. Damage can also occur as a result of compression injuries, or with regular training in athletes. The study showed that incubation of cells, with use of the supplemented diet, improved cell membrane repair after damage.
The research team concluded that the inclusion of fish oils, within the diet, could aid recovery of muscle impaired by aging or injury.
As well as being beneficial to older consumers, this research could prove especially popular with those looking to improve fitness.
“In a sports nutrition context, [these findings] demonstrate the potential benefits of Omega-3 for the improvement of muscle recovery after hard training,” says Dr Derek Tobin, clinical research manager at Epax.
While these findings are positive, it’s important to note that the study was conducted on rats and not humans. Further research is therefore required to determine if the results are equally positive or humans.
Additionally, the study was conducted over just eight weeks. And so, again, further research would be required to determine if the addition of fish oils into the diet continues to have a positive effect over a longer period of time.
Top sources of fish oils
Fish oils are found in fatty or oily fish, these include:
- Trout
- Mackerel
- Tuna
- Herring
- Sardines
- Salmon
Food and beverage NPD opportunities
As well as boosting sales of oily fish, such as herring, salmon and sardines, this new understanding of the benefits of fish oils could lead to a flurry of new product development through fortification.
Food and beverage manufacturers have already embraced fortification as a fast and effective way to add nutrients to consumer diets, resulting in value of the fortified food and beverage market reaching a whopping $103.54bn, according to Precedence Research. So could fish oils be the next fortification favourite for manufacturers?
The stratospheric rise of the health and wellness trend, now worth a colossal $6.8tn according to Statista, would indicate yes! In particular, products such as protein shakes, fortified with fish oils, could prove popular with fitness fans looking to develop muscle strength.
Furthermore, foods and beverages aimed at the growing ageing population could also benefit from fortification with fish oils, as they help to prevent age-related muscle loss.
Source: Fish Oil Supplement Mitigates Muscle Injury In Vivo and In Vitro: A Preliminary Report
Published online: 16 October 2024
DOI: 10.3390/nu16203511
Authors: David W Russ, Courtney Sehested, Kassidy Banford, Noah L Weisleder
