Good sleep is top-of-mind for today's consumers, especially as there is growing recognition of the interconnection between sleep quality and well-being.
However, most are not getting enough.
ADM's newest proprietary research examines the sleep satisfaction gap, including the challenges consumers cite in achieving a good night's sleep and the ingredients, food, beverage and supplement formats they most often turn to when looking for supportive solutions.
Additionally, the report investigates the links between sleep quality, high levels of stress and poor mood.
The sleep satisfaction gap
A majority of consumers say sleep quality directly affects how they feel throughout the day and their overall quality of life.
Yet less than half say they usually feel refreshed when they wake up.
Feeling tired or sluggish throughout the day can impact mood, ability to cope with stressors and sustained energy levels.
Consumers in North America struggle the most with stress-related sleep disruptions (47%), while those in South Korea cite pre-bed screen time (42%) as their biggest disruptor.
Consumers are motivated by goals of reducing stress, improving long-term physical health, increasing their daily energy levels and supporting mood and emotional regulation — all to gain a better quality of life overall.
The top five challenges to achieving a good night’s sleep were identified as the following:
- Feelings of stress or anxiety
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Screen time before bed
- Physical pain or discomfort
- Inconsistent sleep schedule
The stress test
Across regions, 30% of consumers state they feel extremely or very stressed on a daily basis.
Additionally, 51% of consumers feel slightly stressed daily. Personal stressors, including health, financial and family concerns, outweigh those caused by work or school pressure.
Nearly 60% of global consumers agree that improving their sleep would significantly reduce their current levels of stress.
However, only 29% of consumers say they are working on improving their sleep habits or routines to manage their stress.
At the same time, high stress diminishes sleep quality and 61% of consumers agree that their stress levels directly affect their sleep.
Improving mental wellness
More than 70% of global consumers acknowledge the impact their mental well-being has on daily functioning
Most consumers also recognise that sleep quality directly affects their mental well-being
Despite this awareness, only around two-thirds of global respondents state they are satisfied with their mental wellness.
The most common approach to improve mental well-being is physical exercise, followed by improving sleep habits or routines.
Around 20% of consumers are adjusting their routines through dietary changes or by using supplements.
This, along with the correlation between mental well-being and sleep quality, indicates an opportunity for functional food brands to fill a critical whitespace with tailored wellness solutions that address restfulness and, in turn, influence day-to-day mood management.
Pre-, pro- and postbiotics on the verge of transforming the sector
Whilst botanicals, vitamins and minerals currently dominate the sleep, stress and mood categories, more and more consumers are starting to understand that biotics may be the next secret to success.
There is a huge opportunity for consumer education on biotics in this burgeoning category.
Respondents in China indicate the greatest interest in probiotics/postbiotics (43%) and prebiotics/fibre (45%) in mental well-being support products, far exceeding the global average of 20%.
This further signifies growing curiosity about biotics in connection with various aspects of well-being amongst different regions.
Rather than leaving consumers tossing and turning, ADM scientists and researchers around the world are committed to exploring new health solutions, including those supporting improved sleep, stress and mood.
In 2025, ADM introduced an innovative postbiotic to its portfolio, Lactobacillus gasseri CP2305, with robust clinical research related to sleep quality, stress-and mood support.
Resilient postbiotics such as L. gasseri CP2305 can be incorporated into on-trend and emerging formats to meet consumers where they are on their wellness journeys and to help them get some sleep.