Waking up to opportunity: Women experience more sleeplessness than men, creating a ready market for natural herbal solutions – article

The book “Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus” asserted that there are fundamental differences between the sexes. While there has been plenty of pushback against this pop psych phenomenon in the succeeding decades, science and surveys suggest that gender needs do indeed diverge in significant ways.

Sleep quality is one particular area where women are documented to differ from men.

Almost half of women (49%) get less than the recommended seven hours of sleep per night, compared to 41% of men, according to a February 2024 survey by Sleepfoundation.org. Women (33%) are more likely than men (27%) to wake up every night, and they are also more likely to stay up late every night (31% vs. 20%).¹

There are distinct reasons why women may get less sleep than men. Women are 40% more likely to have insomnia than men.² They are also nearly twice as likely to experience feelings of anxiousness and depression, two conditions strongly associated with insomnia.^3,4 Hormonal changes may be another reason women experience poor sleep quality, especially around major life stages like pregnancy, menstruation and menopause.⁵

There are serious consequences to health and lifestyle associated with sleeping less than seven hours per night, including weight gain and anxiety, as well as impaired immune function, increased pain and decreased performance.⁶ No wonder a quarter of all women — who control more than $2 trillion in health care dollars — primarily seek out supplements for health and wellness.⁷

The sleep health category itself surged past $1 billion in sales during the pandemic, according to Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ). However, more recently, sales have slumped, dragged down by negative news around category-leading melatonin and a collective yawn over the formerly scorching-hot ingredient hemp CBD. The one bright spot? Botanicals, which now account for almost 20% of the sleep market. NBJ analysts project combination herbs will be the primary growth ingredient in sleep over the next several years.⁸

Women are especially open to innovative botanicals, as demonstrated by their double-digit growth in female-specific categories such as menopausal health.⁹ Brands looking to seize the sleep supplement category should consider a demographic that has historically been underserved with herbal ingredients that have been overlooked until now — such as lemon balm (Melissa officinalis).

A gold standard study on sleep

This perennial mint family member, native to Europe, has been used for centuries to address various ailments, including sleep issues, digestive problems and menstrual pain. Ancient Greek and Latin texts even mention its use in wine to reduce fevers and elevate mood.

Modern research is now uncovering the scientific basis for lemon balm’s traditional uses, particularly in improving sleep. Scientists have identified more than 50 compounds in lemon balm leaves, with rosmarinic acid being the primary active ingredient. This polyphenol, derived from hydroxycinnamic acid, plays a crucial role in the plant’s defense and growth mechanisms.

The antioxidant properties of these compounds are believed to contribute to lemon balm’s calming effects by reducing oxidative stress in the brain, which has been linked to mood disorders. Additionally, research suggests that lemon balm interacts with neurotransmitter systems, particularly GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which is essential for sleep regulation.

Recent studies have focused on Relissa^®, a standardized lemon balm extract rich in hydroxycinnamic acids. A 2023 double-blind placebo-controlled study in Frontiers in Pharmacology–Neuropharmacology examined the effects of Relissa® on sleep and mental health. The study involved 100 subjects — about two-thirds women — with mild sleep problems. Half received 200 mg of Relissa® twice daily and the other half a placebo.

After three weeks, the Relissa® group showed significant improvements in sleep quality compared to both baseline and the control group. The study also noted positive effects on mental well-being and reductions in negative emotional states of depression, anxiousness and stress/tension scores.¹⁰

Indena, the company behind the branded ingredient, is a century-old, family-owned firm known for its botanical science innovations. The Italian company formulated the lemon balm extract using its proprietary Indena Phytosome^® technology, which enhances several characteristics of the botanical’s amelioration and bioasorbtion by blending plant-based ingredients with food-grade sunflower lecithin, a naturally occurring phospholipid. Phospholipids have a unique structure that enables them to interact with the plant compounds and create a stable mixture. The resulting structure is like a protective carrier for the herbal extracts, making it easier for the body to absorb them.

Partnership delivers on innovative formats

Now Indena is up-leveling its Indena Phytosome® technology for ingredients like Relissa® and others thanks to a new partnership with dsm-firmenich, a Swiss-Dutch firm that specializes in nutrition, health and beauty solutions through its portfolio of nutrients, flavors and fragrances.

The strategic partnership is intended to combine the strengths of the two companies to develop advanced solutions in the nutritional botanical market across a number of wellness categories, including women’s health, healthy aging, immunity support and more. Indena and dsm-firmenich introduced several jointly developed concepts combining biotics, essential nutrients and active botanical extracts at Vitafoods Europe 2024. The proof-of-concept products, which target a wide range of health concerns, are formulated to “elevate the consumer experience through delicious, easy-to-use formats such as gummies and oral dispersible granules,” said Serena Tongiani, chief portfolio officer at Indena.

For instance, one of the prototypes combined Indena’s Relissa®, which is backed by four published clinical trials, with Humiome^® Post LB, a postbiotic from dsm-firmenich with more than 40 clinical and preclinical studies. The new formulation also leverages dsm-firmenich’s flavor expertise by perfectly pairing a product that targets sleep and relaxation with sensory attributes that are often associated with bedtime routines and a sense of tranquility.

“By combining Relissa® with dsm-firmenich's postbiotic, Humiome Post LB, we created a gummy formula that can offer an even more comprehensive and effective solution for consumers seeking natural ways to manage stress and maintain a sense of calm,” Tongiani said.

Meeting the needs of women

By combining Indena’s clinically proven lemon balm extract Relissa® with dsm-firmenich’s postbiotic technology and flavor expertise, the companies are poised to create unique, effective products that can be also tailored to women’s sleep needs.

The effectiveness of Relissa® at low dosages and its innovative delivery via Indena Phytosome® technology make it ideal for combination supplements, addressing a market eager for non-melatonin sleep aids.

With women controlling a substantial portion of health care spending and showing a preference for natural, botanical solutions, Relissa® stands out as a promising product in the billion-dollar sleep supplement market, offering a natural and scientifically backed solution to improve sleep and mental health for women.

¹ Atherton A. “The Sleep Gender Gap: Nighttime Disparities Between Women and Men.” Sleepfoundation.org. March 5, 2024.

² Mallampalli MP and Carter CL. “Exploring sex and gender differences in sleep health: a Society for Women's Health Research Report.” J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2014 Jul;23(7):553-62.

³ McLean CP et al. “Gender differences in anxiety disorders: prevalence, course of illness, comorbidity and burden of illness.” J Psychiatr Res. 2011 Aug;45(8):1027-35.

⁴ Albert RP et al. “Why is depression more prevalent in women?” J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2015 Jul;40(4):219-21.

⁵ Moline ML et al. “Sleep in women across the life cycle from adulthood through menopause.” Sleep Med Rev. 2003 Apr;7(2):155-77.

⁶ Watson NF et al. “Recommended Amount of Sleep for a Healthy Adult: A Joint Consensus Statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society.” J Clin Sleep Med. 2015 Jun 15;11(6):591-2.

⁷ 2023 NBJ Women’s Health Report.

⁸ 2023 NBJ Condition Specific Report.

⁹ 2023 NBJ Women’s Health Report.

¹⁰ Bano A et al. “The possible "calming effect" of subchronic supplementation of a standardized phospholipid carrier-based Melissa officinalis L. extract in healthy adults with emotional distress and poor sleep conditions: results from a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.” Front Pharmacol. 2023 Oct 19:14:1250560.