According to Metastat Insight-style structured analysis, the global sports nutrition market is valued at USD 33.3 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 63 billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period.
Animal-derived products—including Whey, Casein, and others—represent 55.07% of the market in 2025, driven by rising urbanization across Asia-Pacific markets and a high demand for protein-rich functional nutrition.
Major Players Profiled in the Market Report:
- Abbott Laboratories
- BA Sports Nutrition, LLC
- Cardiff Sports Nutrition Limited
- Clif Bar & Company
- FitLife Brands
- General Nutrition Centers (GNC) Holdings, Inc.
- Glanbia plc (Optimum Nutrition)
- Herbalife International of America, Inc.
- Iovate Health Sciences International Inc.
- Keurig Dr Pepper (GHOST)
- Mondelēz International, Inc.
- Monster Beverage Corporation
- MusclePharm Corporation
- Nestlé S.A.
- NOW Foods
- Nutrabolt
- Nutra Holdings
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
- PepsiCo, Inc. (Gatorade)
- Post Holdings, Inc. (Premier Protein)
- Quest Nutrition
- The Coca-Cola Company
Segments
Animal-Derived Ingredients Lead with High Protein Demand
By Raw Material, the market is divided into animal-derived, plant-based, and mixed.
The animal-derived segment leads the market owing to the widespread popularity of whey and casein proteins. These are favoured for their complete amino acid profiles, which are essential for muscle synthesis and recovery in both professional athletes and lifestyle users.
Plant-Based Segment Demonstrating Rapid Growth
Growing adoption of vegan and clean-label diets is increasing the need for testing focused on pea, soy, and rice proteins. The segment is expanding as consumers seek sustainable, allergen-friendly, and ethically sourced nutritional alternatives.
Athletes and Bodybuilders to Lead Application Growth
By Consumer Group, the market includes athletes, bodybuilders, lifestyle users, and recreational users.
The athlete segment dominates due to the necessity of high-performance nutrition for endurance and strength. However, lifestyle users are the fastest-growing group as fitness becomes a mainstream health priority for the general population.
Lifestyle Users Show Strong Expansion
The increasing number of non-athletes consuming protein bars and RTD (Ready-to-Drink) beverages for daily wellness drives this expansion. In the U.S. alone, adult usage of sports nutrition products rose to 45% in 2024, signalling a shift toward mainstream consumption.
Sports Supplements Segment to Drive Market Growth
By Product Type, the market is categorized into sports supplements, sports drinks, and sports food.
Sports supplements (including protein powders and creatine) dominate as they are the primary choice for individuals looking for targeted performance and recovery results.
Sports Drinks Segment Expanding Rapidly
Sports drinks are gaining traction through innovations in hydration science, including low-sugar and electrolyte-infused variants. Massive marketing by global beverage leaders continues to push these products into everyday hydration occasions.
Precision Nutrition Growing with Digital Integration
The market is shifting toward precision nutrition tailored to individual metabolic profiles. This is supported by the rising use of wearables and AI-driven apps that provide real-time feedback on nutritional needs.
Functional Foods Ensure Daily Convenience
Energy bars and protein-infused snacks support busy, health-conscious lifestyles, allowing for quick-absorption and recovery-led results during on-the-go consumption.
Source: https://www.metastatinsight.com/report/sports-nutrition-market
Report Coverage
The report offers:
• Major growth drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges
• Comprehensive regional insights
• List of key industry players
• Key strategies such as product launches, partnerships, expansions, and M&A
• Analysis of trends across all submarkets and product formulations
Drivers & Restraints
Drivers
Mainstream Adoption of Fitness Lifestyles
Increased participation in gyms and endurance sports among the general public is moving sports nutrition from a niche athlete market to a broad consumer base.
Rising Demand for Functional & Protein-Rich Diets
Growing consumer awareness regarding protein deficiency and the benefits of muscle health is fueling the demand for science-backed nutritional products.
Restraints
Stringent Regulatory Compliance and Testing Delays
Complex labelling laws and strict safety testing for heavy metals or banned substances can delay product launches by 6 to 18 months, raising operational costs.
High Cost of Premium Formulations
The high price point of specialized supplements and fluctuations in raw material costs (like whey) limit accessibility in price-sensitive developing markets.
Opportunities
AI-Driven Personalized Nutrition
Integration with wearable tech and digital training platforms offers a massive opportunity for brands to provide tailored supplement regimens based on real-time biometric data.
Regional Insights
North America
Dominates the market with a 49.4% share in 2025, supported by a mature fitness culture, high consumer spending, and the presence of major global brands.
Europe
Strong focus on clean-label and organic products, with regulatory bodies like ESSNA shaping high standards for safety and transparency.
Asia-Pacific
The fastest-growing region due to rapid urbanization, increasing disposable income, and government initiatives like India’s "Khelo Bharat Niti" boosting sports participation.
South America
Steady growth driven by emerging fitness clusters in Brazil and Argentina and increasing local production of value-tier supplements.
Middle East & Africa
Rising health awareness and the expansion of gym chains in GCC nations are creating new hubs for premium sports nutrition demand.
Competitive Landscape
The market features a diversified mix of global leaders and specialized regional players. Companies are focused on:
• Expanding plant-based and vegan product lines
• Enhancing transparency through third-party certifications
• Strategic acquisitions of niche "lifestyle" brands (e.g., Keurig Dr Pepper’s acquisition of GHOST)
• Personalization through digital health ecosystems
• Developing "better-for-you" variants to target Gen Z and millennials
These strategies ensure long-term growth by aligning performance-focused science with the daily wellness needs of modern consumers.