Popular Peptides

The newest health and wellness hack, 5-ingredient protein bagels, and a huge investment into oats.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that serve as the fundamental building blocks of proteins like collagen and elastin, acting as highly specific signaling molecules that tell your body how to function and repair itself. Unlike full-sized proteins, their smaller molecular structure allows for superior absorption and targeted action, making them invaluable for a diverse range of health goals including accelerated muscle recovery, enhanced skin elasticity, and improved cognitive function. Their meteoric rise in popularity within the wellness industry is largely driven by the “biohacking” movement and an increasing consumer shift toward personalized, proactive healthcare. As clinical research continues to validate their efficacy for anti-aging and metabolic health, peptides have transitioned from niche athletic circles into the mainstream supplement market, appealing to everyone from elite performers to aging professionals seeking longevity.

The commercial landscape for peptides has expanded rapidly, with a mix of D2C digital health platforms and established nutrition brands leading the charge. Companies such as Ro and Hims & Hers have integrated peptide-based therapies into their telehealth models, while specialized biotech-adjacent firms like Lifeforce and Next Health offer them as part of comprehensive longevity protocols. In the traditional supplement space, brands like Thorne, Vital Proteins, and BPC-157-focused labs have capitalized on the demand for high-purity, science-backed formulations. Additionally, the massive success of peptide-based GLP-1 medications has created a powerful halo effect, encouraging a wave of startups—including Elysium Health and Peptide Sciences—to innovate within the legal boundaries of the dietary supplement market. This influx of capital and competition ensures that peptide technology will remain a central pillar of the high-performance nutrition sector for the foreseeable future.

Recipe of the Week

High Protein Bagels

• 1 cup all purpose flour (or bread flour for chewier texture)

• 1 cup non-fat Greek yogurt

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 egg for egg wash

• Optional: everything but the bagel seasoning or sesame seeds for toppings.

Preheat oven to 375F. Place parchment paper on a baking sheet and spray with oil to prevent sticking. In a bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt and whisk well. Add the yogurt and mix with a fork or spatula until well combined, it will look like small crumbles.

Lightly dust flour on a work surface and remove dough from the bowl, knead the dough a few times until dough is tacky, but not sticky. Divide into 4 equal balls. Roll each ball into 3/4-inch thick ropes and join the ends to form bagels.

Top with egg wash and sprinkle both sides with seasoning of your choice. Bake on the top rack of the oven for 25 minutes. Let cool at least 15 minutes before cutting.

Notable and Newsworthy

• Smithfield Foods acquires Nathan’s Famous for $450M, a 12.4x LTM adjusted EBITDA multiple

• Once Upon a Farm finally kicked off its delayed IPO roadshow, aiming to raise roughly $200M at a valuation north of $750M

• Ayoh, food influencer Molly Baz’s company, launches nationwide in Target

• Popular olive oil company Graza launches a line of artisanal mayonnaise

• Actor Ben Stiller’s soda company, Stiller’s Soda, raises $3.5M in funding

• Oats Overnight scores a $45M investment from Austin-based Asto Consumer Partners

• Special shoutout to Gabe Stengel and John Willett as their AI platform built to replace Wall Street analysts announced their $75M Series C led by Sequoia

Podcast of the Week

As a Woman - Muscle as Medicine: Strength Training for Hormonal Health - Gabrielle Lyon, MD

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify