2026 Wellness Trend Forecast: 5 Predictions On Creatine, NMN + GLP-1

2026 Trend Watch: At A Glance

• Creatine: Moving beyond the gym to support brain health, bone density, and aging.
• NMN: The comeback of the year for cellular energy (NAD+) and longevity.
• Next-Gen Gut Health: A shift toward "Psychobiotics" (like LP815) that produce GABA for mood.
• Biomimetics: Free-form amino acids that mimic human collagen for faster absorption than peptides.
• Natural GLP-1 Support: Berberine and Eriomin leading the charge for metabolic health without drugs.

Wellness Trends Past

It is time to look into my crystal ball again and make some predictions on the top trends for the new year. Here were the top 5 wellness trends that I predicted back in 2023:

1. Changing of consumer focus from immune health to sleep, stress, and brain health.
2. More people discover the power of protein 
3. Non-pill forms of supplements will grow in popularity
4. Mushroom products are blooming
5. Hydration products are moving upwards

These health and wellness trends are widely accepted and practiced today! Here is what I expect to see in 2026:

1. Creatine's Benefits Beyond Muscle Gain

There is one supplement that is extremely popular, and I think it will see the greatest growth: creatine.

Several major drivers will fuel a huge increase in creatine's popularity. First, it is showing benefits beyond muscle gain or athletic performance. Recent science suggests benefits in promoting overall health, aging, bone health, and supporting mood and brain function. Recent research suggests cognitive, bone, and “healthy-aging” benefits, which appeal to older adults and individuals concerned with long-term wellness, not just athletes and bodybuilders.¹ 

And more women are discovering the health benefits of creatine, not only for its fitness benefits but also for their mood and bone health.² 

Continued innovation in product formats (capsules, drinks, food-fortified options) is also making it easier for non-traditional users (e.g., people who dislike powders) to adopt creatine, expanding the number of potential users.

Creatine is already one of the most well-researched dietary supplements, with over 1,000 human clinical trials. With the change in research focus, there will be more media coverage on the benefits of creatine supplementation beyond muscle mass (brain, bone, recovery). This media focus will help shift public perception, making creatine a mainstream supplement rather than a niche supplement.

If you are not taking advantage of the health benefits of creatine supplementation, you are missing out!

2. NMN: The Top Longevity Supplement

NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) is a form of vitamin B3 that acts a the direct building block to Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD⁺), a vital co-enzyme in the body. 

NAD⁺ is involved in fundamental cellular processes, including energy metabolism, DNA repair, cell signaling, and overall cellular maintenance. 

As people age, NAD⁺ levels decline significantly. This drop may lead to low energy and mitochondrial function, poor metabolic health, reduced mental capacity, and accelerated aging. NMN helps restore or maintain NAD⁺ levels — thereby supporting cell health, energy, mitochondrial function, and perhaps slowing some aspects of the aging process.³

One significant reason NMN's popularity is expected to increase dramatically is the growing health trend of longevity. Consumers are looking for anti-aging and longevity solutions. NMN aligns perfectly as an easy approach due to its beneficial effects on cellular health. 

3. Understanding The Gut-Brain Connection 

As Hippocrates stated, "All health begins in the gut." This awareness has been increasing over the past decade as more consumers become aware of how the “gut-brain,” “gut-skin,” and “gut-immune” axes affect health, specifically how digestive function impacts overall well-being.

We will continue to see the digestive categories of pre-, pro-, and post-biotics, dietary fiber, digestive enzymes, and related gut-supporting ingredients grow. 

I expect to see more pro- and postbiotics enter the marketplace with exceptional clinical results from human double-blind trials. Postbiotics like heat-killed Akkermansia muciniphila represent a major shift from hoping bacteria survive and colonize to delivering direct, stable signaling molecules that target immunity, gut barrier integrity, neurotransmitter balance, insulin sensitivity, and even mitochondrial function.⁴ 

Research on a novel probiotic strain, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP815, exemplifies the type of targeted probiotic benefits I expect to become a major trend in 2026.  LP815™ is capable of producing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the gut, providing a more continuous supply of this calming neurotransmitter compared to taking a GABA supplement. 

By functioning as a natural “GABA generator,” LP815™ can help regulate mood, reduce stress, and support healthier sleep patterns. Evidence from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study highlights these benefits. Expect more of these sorts of probiotics to enter the marketplace.⁵

4. The Rise Of Free-Form Amino Acids + Biomimetics

Free-form amino acids (FAAs) are amino acids supplied not as part of a whole protein or peptide, but in their “free” unbound form. That means FFAs don’t require digestion; rather, they can be absorbed directly and relatively quickly to produce better clinical results. 

For example, free-form leucine-enriched essential amino acids (LEAAS) deliver a faster, more calorie-efficient trigger for muscle protein synthesis than whey protein, because they require no digestion and provide a targeted leucine dose. They’re ideal for aging adults, fasted training, and weight-management programs where rapid absorption, low calories, and minimal digestive burden matter most. Approximately 3 grams of LEAAS produces better effects on muscle protein synthesis than 20 grams of whey proteins.^6,7

And while peptides, such as collagen peptides, have become quite popular, biomimetic mixtures of FFAs appear to yield better results, according to recent studies. Biomimetics in a nutraceutical context refers to designing supplements that mimic the body’s own molecules. For example, a biomimetic for collagen would consist of FFAs in the exact form and ratio as human collagen. Unlike collagen or collagen peptides, which must be broken down into amino acids before use, providing free-form amino acids in the exact ratio of human collagen may be quickly utilized by collagen-producing cells (fibroblasts) to produce collagen and related proteins. 

In one human clinical study, VeCollal®, a human collagen biomimetic composed of FFAs, was shown to outperform collagen peptides in improving wrinkle depth, skin hydration, smoothness, and collagen density.⁸ 

There is also evidence that FAAs may play more complex roles beyond fundamental protein synthesis, as they may act as signaling molecules influencing metabolism, immune function, nutrient sensing, gut health, and more. 

And another advantage of FFAs over intact proteins is that they are "cleaner" as they are free of environmental contamination of heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, and other "forever chemicals." 

I expect to see an increase in the number of dietary supplements marketed around “FAA-based nutrition,” “bioavailable amino-acid complexes,” or “biomimetic FAA mixtures.” The combination of rising market demand, scientific interest, and consumer demand for clean/efficient nutrition support makes this a strong, emerging trend in 2026. 

5. The Age Of Natural GLP-1 Support

With the explosive attention on prescription GLP-1 agonists in 2024, the supplement industry rapidly shifted focus on natural GLP-1–supporting compounds that enhance the body's own production of GLP-1 to aid in  appetite control, insulin sensitivity, and fat loss—without drug-like side effects. 

The top natural GLP-1 support agents based on human clinical studies are berberine, resistant dextrin (modified tapioca fiber), Nextida collagen peptides, and Eriomin (lemon flavonoid-rich extract).

Top Natural GLP-1 Supporters

Berberine has emerged as the go-to natural GLP-1 support agent. Human clinical trials have consistently shown that berberine significantly improves blood glucose, insulin sensitivity, and body composition while increasing the body's own GLP-1 secretion.^9,10 For maximum benefit, look for berberine products that produce enhanced absorption, like berberine phytosome or lipomicel.

Tapioca fiber provides resistant dextrin, a prebiotic dietary fiber. Human studies show that resistant dextrin increases short-chain fatty acid production—especially butyrate—which directly stimulates GLP-1 release and improves insulin sensitivity and after-meal blood sugar control. It also enhances satiety and gut barrier function.

Nextida  collagen peptide reflects the development of targeted health benefits of collagen peptides focused on GLP-1. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, Nextida (5 gram dosage) significantly increased after-meal GLP-1 levels and significantly reduced after-meal blood sugar levels by as much as 42%.¹¹

Eriomin is a patented, standardized extract of lemon polyphenols (primarily eriocitrin, hesperidin, and naringin) developed specifically for metabolic and GLP-1 support. In multiple human clinical trials, Eriomin has been shown to significantly increase endogenous GLP-1 levels while lowering fasting glucose, A1C, insulin resistance, triglycerides, inflammation, and oxidative stress—making it one of the most clinically validated natural ingredients for metabolic health.^12,13

Conclusion

The natural product industry is dynamic, always changing and moving forward. That said, the basics of human health really do not change. While supplementation is important, it must be used along with a health-promoting diet and lifestyle, a positive mental attitude, and a lot of common sense.

References:

1. Candow DG, Ostojic SM, Chilibeck PD, et al. Creatine monohydrate supplementation for older adults and clinical populations. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2025 Sep;22(sup1):2534130. 
2. Smith-Ryan AE, DelBiondo GM, Brown AF, et al. Creatine in women's health: bridging the gap from menstruation through pregnancy to menopause. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2025 Dec;22(1):2502094.
3. Song Q, Zhou X, Xu K, et al. The Safety and Antiaging Effects of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide in Human Clinical Trials: an Update. Adv Nutr. 2023 Nov;14(6):1416-1435. 
4. Khalili L, Park G, Nagpal R, Salazar G. The Role of Akkermansia muciniphila on Improving Gut and Metabolic Health Modulation: A Meta-Analysis of Preclinical Mouse Model Studies. Microorganisms. 2024 Aug 9;12(8):1627
5. Grant AD, Erfe MCB, Delebecque CJ, et al. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Lp815 decreases anxiety in people with mild to moderate anxiety: a direct-to-consumer, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Benef Microbes. 2025 Apr 24;16(5):521-532. 
6. Bukhari SS, Phillips BE, Wilkinson DJ, et al. Intake of low-dose leucine-rich essential amino acids stimulates muscle anabolism equivalently to bolus whey protein in older women at rest and after exercise. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2015 Jun 15;308(12):E1056-65.
7. Wilkinson DJ, Bukhari SSI, Phillips BE, et al. Effects of leucine-enriched essential amino acid and whey protein bolus dosing upon skeletal muscle protein synthesis at rest and after exercise in older women. Clin Nutr. 2018 Dec;37(6 Pt A):2011-2021. 
8. Lin YK, Liang CH. YH Lin, et al. Oral supplementation of vegan collagenbiomimetic has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Journal Functional Foods, 2024;112:105955.
9. Kong Y, Yang H, Nie R, et al. Berberine as a multi-target therapeutic agent for obesity: from pharmacological mechanisms to clinical evidence. Eur J Med Res. 2025 Jun 12;30(1):477. 
10. Hobden MR, Guérin-Deremaux L, Rowland I, et al. Potential anti-obesogenic properties of non-digestible carbohydrates: specific focus on resistant dextrin. Proc Nutr Soc. 2015 Aug;74(3):258-67. 
11. Grasset E, Briand F, Virgilio N, et al. A Specific Collagen Hydrolysate Improves Postprandial Glucose Tolerance in Normoglycemic and Prediabetic Mice and in a First Proof of Concept Study in Healthy, Normoglycemic and Prediabetic Humans. Food Sci Nutr. 2024 Oct 20;12(11):9607-9620. 
12. Ribeiro CB, Ramos FM, Manthey JA, Cesar TB. Effectiveness of Eriomin® in managing hyperglycemia and reversal of prediabetes condition: A double-blind, randomized, controlled study. Phytother Res. 2019 Jul;33(7):1921-1933. 
13. Cesar TB, Ramos FMM, Ribeiro CB. Nutraceutical Eriocitrin (Eriomin) Reduces Hyperglycemia by Increasing Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 and Downregulates Systemic Inflammation: A Crossover-Randomized Clinical Trial. J Med Food. 2022 Nov;25(11):1050-1058.