Consumers see digestive health as key to their health and wellbeing, according to new research from Beneo.

More than 1,000 consumers in both the UK and Spain participated in the online survey, which revealed insights into the understanding, importance and relevance of digestive health to them.

The results show that consumers rate digestive health as extremely valuable, with the majority of respondents (Spain 81%, UK 59%) saying it is an important topic to them.  Digestive health is particularly seen as a wellness issue among consumers. Feeling good and contributing to overall health is ranked among the main reasons for why more than two thirds of consumers choose foods that support digestive health.

The results show that digestive health appears to be intrinsically linked to todays industry key trends of weight management and free from, with half of consumers (Spain 59%, UK 45%) choosing digestive health products to help them lose weight. Also, more than two thirds (Spain 89%, UK 73%) of respondents with gluten/lactose limitations see digestive health as very important to them; this is significantly higher than the overall population.

Often termed the most important meal of the day, more than half of consumers (Spain 65%, UK 58%) say that breakfast is the key occasion to choose food and beverages that support digestive health. Applications such as breakfast cereals, yogurt, fruit juices, cereal bars, bread and breakfast cookies are all regarded as appealing in this respect by consumers in both countries, highlighting that there is an opportunity for digestive health-focused breakfast products moving forwards.

Myriam Snaet, manager market intelligence and consumer insights at Beneo, says, "Digestive health is of great interest to consumers. Our research results show that it is a wellness topic for consumers and they feel that it has direct impact on their overall health and wellbeing."