New Delhi, July 30 -- Bengaluru: Packaged food, beverage and supplement makers are rapidly expanding into fibre, probiotics and digestive wellness, betting India's appetite for functional nutrition is broadening beyond protein.

The category has evolved well beyond fibre-enriched breads and breakfast cereals, with brands expanding into gut health-focused offerings such as kombuchas, kefir milk, kefir water, probiotic drinks and supplements, as they chase the next premium growth opportunity in consumer goods.

The opportunity is significant, even if consumer adoption remains nascent. According to Mintel, a market research company, 88% of Indians say gut health is important, but most still rely on familiar habits such as drinking more water...