Metabolic health concerns are driving consumer demand for weight management and blood glucose support. In addition to GLP-1 agonist pharmaceuticals, which are fueling consumer interest in this area, many consumers are opting for natural solutions to manage a healthy weight, address nutrient deficiencies, support muscle strength and maintain healthy blood glucose levels.

Additionally, younger consumers are approaching their lifestyle and health choices in a more holistic, preventative, and natural way. One study reported that 70 percent of Millennials, versus 54 percent of Baby Boomers, say they think about their health daily and are always looking for ways to improve it, including a focus on nutrition and dietary supplementation.1 Take, for instance, weight management. The prevalence of obesity has been increasing globally. In America, more than 100 million American adults are considered obese (having a BMI of 30.0 or higher), and nearly 22 million adults are classified as severely obese2—cue in the dietary supplement market. According to Grand View Research, the global weight loss supplement market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.17 percent from 2025 to 2030, reaching $71.59 billion, with North America taking the largest market in 2024.3 With an increasing number of people using supplements and seeking effective solutions, this presents a significant opportunity to provide evidence-based products as shoppers look for a better way to manage their weight.

The Link Between Weight Management, Insulin and Blood Glucose

Weight, insulin and blood glucose are closely interconnected through shared metabolic pathways. If these areas are not properly managed, it can lead to dysfunction and poor health. If individuals carry excess visceral fat, particularly around the abdomen, it can lead to the release of inflammatory markers and free fatty acids. These can interfere with insulin signaling, and as a result, the body then requires more insulin to regulate blood glucose. Chronically high insulin levels (due to poor glucose control) encourage fat storage and make it harder to lose weight, also known as insulin resistance, a major driver of prediabetes.4

Blood sugar spikes can also cause overeating and cravings. The higher one’s blood glucose rises, the louder the cravings and hunger pains may become. Insulin plays a vital role in regulating appetite and satiety. Stabilizing blood glucose can help reduce these cravings and support caloric control, which is essential for weight management.5 Chronic high insulin levels, resulting from poor glucose control, encourage fat storage and make it harder to lose weight if the energy isn’t immediately utilized.6

On the other hand, low blood sugar can also cause weight gain. If blood sugar levels drop too low, it triggers the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline. These can also increase hunger and cravings.5 Maintaining healthy blood glucose levels can support healthy weight management, proper insulin levels and much more.

GLP-1: The Body’s Blood Sugar Regulator

GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1, is an incretin hormone produced in the intestine that plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels. After we eat, the presence of nutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and lipids) triggers the release of GLP-1, which stimulates insulin secretion from the pancreas while suppressing the release of glucagon. This hormone stimulates the release of glucose from the liver. This dual action helps regulate blood sugar levels. However, maintaining optimal GLP-1 levels in the blood can be challenging, as the hormone is rapidly broken down by an enzyme called DPP-4. This limits GLP-1’s ability to effectively regulate blood sugar, particularly in those with impaired glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. While pharmaceutical interventions, such as DPP-4 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists, can be beneficial, they may also come with potential side effects and may not be suitable for everyone.

Trending, Natural Ingredients for Support

To help manage blood glucose and insulin levels, many people turn to the natural products industry as a first step. In fact, the global diabetes supplement market size was valued at $16.01 billion in 2024, and it is expected to reach $43.48 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 10.30 percent between 2025 and 2030.7 Several ingredients on the market have shown great promise in this area, including probiotics, prebiotics and citrus bioflavonoids.

Akkermansia muciniphila is a promising probiotic that may help improve insulin sensitivity, support weight management, and promote a healthy inflammatory response.8,9 Other probiotic strains belonging to the genera lactobacillus and bifidobacterium have demonstrated positive effects on weight management and blood glucose levels.10,11 When it comes to prebiotics, the non-digestible plant-based carbohydrates that feed beneficial bacteria in the gut, several have been linked to improved gut health, a healthy inflammatory response, weight management and other benefits. A study conducted by the University of Leipzig Medical Center showed promising results regarding the potential link between a high-dose prebiotic regimen and brain function in the context of weight management, possibly through the microbiome-gut-brain axis.12

Another clinically backed plant-based ingredient in the blood glucose support aisle is a citrus bioflavonoid blend, Eriomin. This patent-protected ingredient has been shown to support healthy GLP-1 function and glucose metabolism in human clinical trials. Derived from lemons, Eriomin is standardized to contain high levels of eriocitrin, a flavonoid that has shown promising effects on GLP-1 and blood sugar regulation. Three human clinical trials suggest that Eriomin may help maintain healthy blood glucose levels by increasing endogenous GLP-1 levels, thereby supporting its role in insulin secretion, glucagon suppression and blood sugar balance.13-15

How Tech Plays a Role

In addition to a proper diet, exercise and supplementation, technology is playing a vital role in maintaining weight management and blood glucose control. For example, wearable devices, smart scales and mobile apps provide consumers with tools for tracking, personalized guidance and motivation to support their health and wellness goals. But do they work? A systematic review of weight-loss technologies found that two-thirds of the 31 reviewed studies reported significantly greater weight loss among users of electronic devices compared to controls.16

Regarding blood glucose, new technologies have emerged to help all consumers, not just those with prediabetes and diabetes, monitor their blood glucose levels in real-time and continuously. One monitoring sensor, Lingo, is attached to your arm, and then it connects to an app that provides a 24/7 view of your levels, showing how diet, exercise and sleep impact your glucose levels. Another non-invasive (no needle pricks) option is BloodVitals, an infrared finger sensor that displays real-time measurements of blood glucose beneath the skin and connects to a phone via Bluetooth to track and monitor. Other technologies, such as watches and rings, are also available, adding to the tech lineup of the non-invasive glucose monitoring revolution.

As weight management and blood glucose continue to be key areas of focus, not just in the U.S. but globally, anticipating trends is essential, such as the overlap between categories, particularly between weight, energy, mood, and blood sugar levels. Offering clinically tested natural ingredients provides safe alternatives that contribute to a healthier lifespan, overall satisfaction and well-being. NIE

References:

1 SupplySide. (n.d.). Understanding consumer needs in the supplement industry [Infographic]. SupplySide Network 365. Retrieved July 8, 2025, from www.supplysidesj.com/supplements/understanding-consumer-needs-in-the-supplement-industry-infographic.

2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 17). Adult obesity facts. www.cdc.gov/obesity/adult-obesity-facts/index.html.

3 Grand View Research. (2023). Weight loss supplements market size, share & trends analysis report. https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/weight-loss-supplements-market-report.

4 Clegg, D. J., Gotoh, K., Kemp, C., Wortman, M. D., Benoit, S. C., Brown, L. M., … & Seeley, R. J. (2012). Consumption of a high-fat diet induces central insulin resistance independent of adiposity. Cell, 148(5), 852–861. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2012.01.045.

5 TexomaCare. (n.d.). The link between blood sugar levels and weight loss. Retrieved July 8, 2025, from https://texomacareweightloss.com/blog/blood-sugar-levels-and-weight-loss/.

6 Bray, G. A., Nielsen, S. J., & Popkin, B. M. (2004). Consumption of high-fructose corn syrup in beverages may play a role in the epidemic of obesity. The American Journal of Medicine, 118(9), 591–598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2005.01.040.

7 Straits Research. (2024). Diabetes supplement market. https://straitsresearch.com/report/diabetes-supplement-market.

8 Srivastava, S., Singh, R., Srivastava, A. K., & Misra, A. (2022). Dietary supplements for obesity: An overview of their effects, safety, and mechanisms of action. Cureus, 14(6), e25998. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9242659/.

9 Alhasawi, A., Vibhakar, S., & Hardie, D. G. (2024). AMPK activation by natural products: Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Nutrients, 16(20), 3440. www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/20/3440.

10 Babiker, R., Elmusharaf, K., Musa, I. R., Ahmed, A. H., & Yousif, M. A. (2021). Obesity and insulin resistance: Impact on cognitive function and dementia. Cureus, 13(9), e17918. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8540110/.

11 Arora, G., Harshita, & Goel, A. (2023). GLP-1-based therapies: Potential application in obesity and metabolic disorders. Cureus, 15(12), e51625. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10631563/.

12 Drucker, D. J. (2024). The cardiovascular biology of glucagon-like peptide-1. Gut, 73(2), 298–310. https://gut.bmj.com/content/73/2/298.

13 Ribeiro, C. B., Ramos, F. M., Manthey, J. A., & Cesar, T. B. (2019). Effectiveness of Eriomin® in managing hyperglycemia and reversal of prediabetes condition: A double-blind, randomized, controlled study. Phytotherapy Research, 33(7), 1921-1933.

14 Cesar, T. B., Ramos, F. M. M., & Ribeiro, C. B. (2022). Nutraceutical eriocitrin (Eriomin) reduces hyperglycemia by increasing glucagon-like peptide 1 and downregulates systemic inflammation: A crossover-randomized clinical trial. Journal of Medicinal Food, 25(11), 1050-1058.

15 Ramos, F. M., Ribeiro, C. B., Cesar, T. B., Milenkovic, D., Cabral, L., Noronha, M. F., & Sivieri, K. (2023). Lemon flavonoids nutraceutical (Eriomin) attenuates prediabetes intestinal dysbiosis: A double-blind randomized controlled trial. Food Science & Nutrition, 00, 1-13.

16 Salehi, M., & D’Alessio, D. A. (2024). The role of GLP-1 in the regulation of appetite and weight. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 15, 1097019. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10970199/.

Rob Brewster is the president of California-based Ingredients by Nature. As a third-generation ingredient manufacturer for the natural products industry, Brewster is proud to be part of the health and wellness world. He followed in his grandfather’s and father’s footsteps, helping their company Brewster Foods grow since he joined in the 1990s and then partnering with Syntech to form Ingredients by Nature, a world leader in citrus bioflavonoids and extracts. As president, Brewster invests heavily in citrus flavonoid science for condition-specific applications and holistic wellness. For more information, visit IngredientsbyNature.com.