Aging populations to boost demand for tea polyphenols
Aging consumers in Asia, Western Europe and the US are expected to drive growth in the global tea polyphenol market, according to Grand View Research. The research firm predicts that the market will be worth $367 million by 2020, as aging populations in developed nations become increasingly receptive to health benefits associated with polyphenols, which are mainly found in green tea. Research suggests that tea polyphenols, such as catechins and flavanoids, may play a preventative role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, as well as diabetes and cancer. Functional beverages, which constituted 40% of the market in 2012, will continue to make up the bulk of the demand for tea polyphenols, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.6% through 2020, followed by functional foods.