Why Consumers Are Interested in Digestive Enzymes
Every day our bodies convert food into energy to fuel our body’s most important systems. But we wouldn’t be able to do any of that without the help of enzymes.
So what are enzymes, and why are they so important?
These proteins break down molecules in our food so that they can be more easily digested and converted into energy and nutrients for the body. Different molecules are broken down by different types of protein. This process starts in the mouth, but also continues throughout the digestive tract, including our small intestine and stomach.
Enzymes occur naturally in our food, such as fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products, but they can also be found in digestive enzyme supplements for those who need help with digestion.
Types of Enzymes
There are many types of enzymes, each playing a role in breaking down different types of nutrients. Here are four of the most well-known digestive enzymes:
- Carbohydrase: These enzymes break down starchy carbohydrates throughout the digestive system. Once the carbohydrates are broken into smaller molecules, they become sugars that the body uses for energy.
- Amylase: Found in our saliva, amylase is another enzyme that breaks down starches like bread and pasta and turns them into sugar.
- Lipase: This type of enzyme is responsible for breaking down fats and oils, also known as lipids. Once broken down, these lipids become fatty acids and glycerol.
- Protease: The protease enzyme breaks down protein and converts it to amino acids.
Why Are Enzymes Important?
You may still be asking yourself, “Why are enzymes so important?” Enzymes are vital to our health: they speed up chemical reactions and help the body work more efficiently to get energy, build muscle, and more.
In fact, it would be difficult to overemphasize the benefits of digestive enzymes. Many Americans experience uncomfortable issues like bloating, gas, and constipation after eating—all signs that they aren’t getting enough enzymes for their digestive system to work properly.
Without enough of these enzymes, our bodies aren’t able to absorb the nutrients in our food. Digestive enzymes also help reduce inflammation in the body, making the whole digestive system work better overall.
Who Takes Enzyme Supplements?
People who are healthy and eat plenty of produce get enough enzymes for proper digestion. But unfortunately for many Americans, this is not their reality. Up to 70 million people in the United States are affected by digestive diseases that affect their ability to absorb nutrients and this number is continuing to increase.
Still others are affected by chronic conditions, which lowers the body’s enzyme count and makes it harder for them to digest. People with these and other digestive issues may choose to take enzyme supplements to aid digestion.
People who eat many foods sprayed with pesticides or cooked at high heat may also be interested in taking an enzyme supplement. Chemicals in pesticides and high-heat cooking can deplete the enzymes in food, and a digestive enzyme supplement can help boost the digestive process.
Other consumers who have chronic issues such as bloating, gas, constipation, or indigestion seek relief through taking digestive enzymes right before or right as they start eating. Those who experience reflux after eating have been shown to see improvement in digestion and an increase in relief from digestive enzymes.
Should You Manufacture Enzymes?
Millions of people around the world are turning to digestive enzyme supplements to better absorb essential nutrients from their food. If you’re a nutraceutical company looking to expand your product offerings, digestive enzyme supplements are an excellent option. The global digestive enzyme supplements market will hit $1.6 billion by 2025. There’s no better time to manufacture this high-demand supplement, so get started today!