the evolution of nutrition supplements
There’s been a lot of confusing talk over the years about nutrition supplements. When did these become a healthy norm? Which supplements are right for me? Should I be taking these? All are valid questions and we are here to tell you all about nutrition supplements, how they have evolved over the past decade, and which modern-day supplements can be beneficial to you.
Sports nutrition has been on a steady rise over the past couple of years and is continually rising. As time goes by, the world of sports nutrition continues to expand because of all the different consumers coming into this market. When sports nutrition first started, the average consumer was either a serious athlete or bodybuilder. But over time, new consumer groups were introduced to the market known as active lifestylers, a group Rhone fans most likely fall into.
The evolution of nutrition supplements runs directly parallel to the evolution of consumers. Supplement companies have been successful over the years because they are able to meet the evolving needs of consumers. Some supplements changed and evolved, while others simply fell flat.
BACK IN THE DAY…
So, let’s begin by going way back when supplements first became a thing. Back in the day, the only nutrition we really knew about was protein. The science behind nutrition was just getting started.
The shift from eating protein to taking supplements started solely because of cultural influence. Movie stars and elite athletes became interested in bodybuilding to help their stamina, performance and marketability. This appealed to a lot of consumers, which then sparked their interest in supplements. Suddenly, society had a peak interest in diet, nutrition, exercise, and supplements to improve their look and performance.
More and more people began to adopt this lifestyle, which lead to more supplements coming out in the market. People were so intrigued by these products that they began to replace real meals with them. A quick and convenient solution that provides the same nutritional value as food? Of course people would craze over this concept!
Nutritional supplements really spiked the market in the 90’s- bodybuilding and nutrition were the epitome of fitness. Products like pre-workout, creatine and whey protein were being discovered. But what really broadened the nutrition world was the Internet. Websites like bodybuilding.com and vitaminworld.com were offering consumers an array of products just a click away. These websites are still widely used till this day, segmenting products specifically towards consumers’ needs: weight management, protein intake, performance, health, wellness- the list goes on.
TODAY
Nutritional supplements became more than a source of energy or protein. As the market grew and technology advanced, supplements changed as well. More products were readily available- containing amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, glutamine, testosterone boosters, etc.
Whether the consumer is a hardcore bodybuilder or an active lifestyler, nutrition companies must-have products that serve this wide range of shoppers. Diverse consumers means diverse goals and needs: enhancing energy, building muscle, improving mental focus, boosting endurance, weight loss, recovery and more. If a supplement company can meet their needs, provide top-quality products that deliver results AND innovate products to progress with the consumer, they will be successful.
One company that saw this shift in the consumer was RSP Nutrition. While their roots were based in hardcore sports nutrition, over the past decade they have evolved to meet the new growing needs of the active lifestyle consumer. Their clean, innovative nutritional products are made for active people, busy professionals, and fitness enthusiasts.
This change has caught the eye of consumers and medical professionals alike. Registered Dietician Antonio Castillo has become a big fan of RSP’s selection products, especially TrueFit, their top-selling protein powder. “In the past, protein powders were full of artificial sweeteners, but TrueFit uses Stevia, a much healthier alternative.”
RSP even changed the way they sourced their protein. When launched, TrueFit was made from conventional whey but in the past few years, consumers became interested in healthier, grass-fed alternatives. Although the cost is higher, RSP knew it had to make the switch. Today, TrueFit is made from grass-fed, pasture-raised whey.
Another example of RSP’s evolution is their on-the-go snack bar solution. Most protein and snack bars are made with sugar alcohols which can cause bloating and gastrointestinal problems. To combat this issue, in 2019 RSP released Whole Bar, a low carb, no sugar alcohol bar. Consumers quickly loved it and the accolades including Health magazine named Whole Bar their top Keto snack.
The world of fitness and nutrition is rapidly evolving, and supplements will evolve with it. Not only do consumers want products that show results, they want products that are clean, healthy and backed by science.
