Collagen ingredients supplier Gelita recently discussed the growing trend of e-sports nutrition, a burgeoning nutraceutical marketplace for those who play video games competitively, and the role that collagen peptides may play in the e-sports platform of nutrition.
 
In recent years, e-sports and professional gaming have moved from niche to mainstream, with competitive video gaming now an accepted sports discipline and thus an integral part of culture. The broader e-sports nutrition market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9% between 2019 and 2023, up from $454 million in 2019 to $646 million in 2023.
 
Citing data from management consultancy firm PwC, Gelita said that the global market for e-sports was projected to rise to almost 1.5 billion pounds by 2023 – but this was before the onset of COVID-19. Now, this projected figure looks understated, the company said, as sports such as Formula 1 and The Grand National also got in on the act, turning to virtual competitions to keep fans, the media, and sponsors on board.
 
Like any other athlete, for e-sports enthusiasts, performance is key and professional gamers are beginning to demand specific nutrition products that helps them stay focused and play for longer. According to profiling carried out by games market insights and analytics company NewZoo, the core target for gaming nutrition would be the “ultimate gamer” and the “all-round enthusiast,” which, together, represent 22% of the market.
 
According to Diane Ray of consumer research company Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), gamers are also “typically health strivers,” and “are most responsive to products backed by strong education.” They are looking for products that deliver benefits which are relevant, developed by experts and backed by science, she said, however, the gaming nutrition category remains immature in terms of the breadth of needs that are being met and the number of different products available. There is huge scope for innovation and category growth for those willing to explore the gaming arena, she added.
 
One element of gaming nutrition Gelita is particularly interested in includes the potential that collagen might have in preventing gaming-related injuries to the joints which see the most wear-and-tear during intense gaming sessions.
 
Gaming Sports Injuries
 
According to Gelita, the physical and mental demands on gaming athletes are varied. As well as possible mental fatigue and headaches due to staring at a screen for hours, gamers can have vision issues from excessive exposure to blue light. The repetitive use of a keyboard, mouse, and controller can also lead to joint problems, with one common joint issue being “gamer’s thumb,” an inflammatory problem that is caused by the overuse of tendons in the thumb, causing pain on the side of the thumb, wrist, and forearm. Neck and back problems are also prevalent.
 
Gelita’s Bioactive Collagen Peptides have been shown to have a direct impact on joint and tendon health. Extensive research has been carried out using Tendoforte, Gelita’s latest collagen peptides for sports nutrition, and the company said that the results illustrate benefits that could be expected if used in on-the-go refueling applications such as drinks, shots, bars, or fortified gummies for gamers. One such trial, carried out by the Australian Institute of Sport, examined Tendoforte supplementation among 20 subjects who had long-term Achilles tendinopathy, who weren’t responding to traditional therapies and were unable to train. Within 3 months, 12 of the 20 were able to return to running after starting a daily intake of 5 g Tendoforte in combination with a highly-specialized exercise program, and the effects were also long-term, with the Tendoforte group still benefitting after a 3-month washout phase.