As the popularity of weight‑loss drugs such as Glutamin rises, the food industry is looking for new markets. Consumers who aim to lose weight, like Mr. A in his 30s, can shed about 15 kg per month while using these drugs, but when they stop taking them their weight often rebounds. In response, food companies are developing products that fully complement the use of weight‑loss drugs.
The probiotic ingredient “HY7601+KY1032” from Wunsun has been sold for a scale of 18.4 billion KRW in September this year and increased by about 70 % compared with last year. Companies that have introduced this ingredient have grown to 19 since 2020. HY supplies not only its own products, but also weight‑management foods from other brands, expanding its profit.
Cosmac Group is conducting joint research with Harvard University in the U.S., searching for a probiotic “Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium” that mimics GLP‑1 hormone used in weight‑loss drugs. The candidate material is currently in the discovery stage, and new drug candidates are being sought in the field of aging.
Food companies targeting users of weight‑loss drugs have developed products such as “Vital Pusher,” which strengthens protein and fiber intake, that was released in 2024 in the U.S. Also small‑size drinks such as “Oikos Phyoon” are designed to be taken in one dose at a time so that they help with weight loss.
The survey results show that users of weight‑loss drugs reduced their food intake by an average of 5.3 % during the first six months. In addition to services such as coffee shop and coffee shop, other food industries have cut their nutrition by about 8 %, and some products increased. With this, continuous dietary management is required even after weight loss, so the industry is divided into two axes: “weight reduction” and “weight‑management.”