Half of adults now use sports nutrition, supported by mainstream availability, the wide variety of products and strong links to exercise participation. However, with consumer confidence remaining low, brands continue…
UK
Specialised Nutrition
Consumer Attitudes
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UK Attitudes towards Sports Nutrition: 2026
"Exercise continues to drive usage. Strengthening micronutrient messaging in protein snacks/RTDs and addressing unwanted side‑effects can drive relevancy."
Sam Fryers, Research Analyst
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Outlook for sports nutrition
Opportunities
Elevate micronutrient callouts in protein snacks and RTD drinks
Transparency about side effects can win favour
Lean into exercise’s reward culture
THE MARKET
Market size & growth
Weak consumer confidence hampers sports nutrition
Graph 1: financial wellbeing and confidence indices, 2019-26
Exercise is crucial to sports nutrition
Graph 2: overall exercise participation and participation more than once a week, 2021-25
Healthy eating efforts bring opportunities and threats to sports nutrition
New proposals could bring more products in scope of HFSS and SDIL
Under-35s’ growth will benefit sports nutrition
Graph 3: population, by age, 2020, 2025 and 2030
Market size of sports nutrition
Graph 4: retail value sales for sports nutrition*, 2023-25
Optimum Nutrition and Huel pass Grenade as leading brands
Graph 5: leading brands’ sales in sports nutrition^, by value, 2022/23-24/25
Top three brands account for over a third of value sales
Direct-to-consumer channels remain a key source of revenue for brands
THE CONSUMER
Half of adults use sports nutrition
Half of adults now use sports nutrition products
Graph 6: usage of sports nutrition products, 2023-25
Exercise drives sports nutrition usage
Graph 7: when sports nutrition products are eaten/drunk, 2023-25
Address unmet needs among young women
Relevance can win over young women
Transparency about side effects can win favour
Transparency about side effects will build trust
Bring guidance on managing potential side effects to POS
Frame side effects as manageable with the right guidance
Explore positioning as ‘gentler’ on the body
Elevate micronutrient callouts in protein snacks and RTD drinks
Micronutrients rival macronutrients in importance
Call out micronutrients in protein snacks and RTD drinks
Micronutrient messages can extend protein snacks’ relevance beyond exercise support
Scope to gain foothold as VMS alternatives
Graph 8: attitudes towards vitamin, mineral and dietary supplement formats, by age, 2025
Lean into reward culture
Tap into the earned-reward moment
Rewarding oneself is an embedded aspect of exercise culture
Take inspiration from foodservice
Engage exercise communities to drive peer-to-peer recommendation
PRODUCT, INNOVATION AND MARKETING
Hydration and fortified protein products drive vitamin/mineral fortified NPD
Graph 9: new product launches in the performance nutrition market, by plus claim, 2021-25
Electrolyte powders attract high-profile brand extensions and new entrants
Clear whey NPD continues, bridging refreshment and protein
Collagen references leap forward
Leading protein bar brands chase standout through texture, collaboration and social media
Energy launches explore opposite directions
Marketing themes range from light-hearted to high-octane
Applied Nutrition makes TV debut spotlighting the importance of rituals in wellness
APPENDIX
Report scope
The market
Leading brands’ value sales
Leading manufacturers’ value sales
The consumer
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology – EMEA
UK generation groups
Abbreviations
Half of adults now use sports nutrition, supported by mainstream availability, the wide variety of products and strong links to exercise participation. However, with consumer confidence remaining low, brands continue to face pressure to demonstrate their value.
Side effects present a clear challenge, with nearly half of users experiencing these. Many say information on possible side effects would make brands more appealing, suggesting potential for brands to find favour by bringing this information beyond its current sphere of brand websites.
Micronutrient callouts also hold notable potential. While macronutrients remain a core draw, 30% of sports nutrition users, including 38% of protein snack and drink users, turn to these products for added micronutrients. Spotlighting their vitamin and mineral content can help products to stand out and appeal to a wider audience.
This report looks at the following areas:
Key trends in recent launch activity and future product development opportunities
Exercise trends among UK consumers, including exercise frequency and type
Sports nutrition usage trends
The reasons to use sports nutrition products, including by occasion
Consumer attitudes towards exercise and sports nutrition, including selected aspects worth paying more for
Consumer behaviours relating to exercise and sports nutrition, including experiencing unwanted side effects and interest in transparency about these
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