As consumers “take control of their weight,” beverage-makers are employing a diverse group of ingredients such as functional offerings and new age sweeteners.
Consumers’ increased focus on health and performance has been exacerbated by the pandemic’s influence on immunity-focused consumers. Meanwhile, beverage-makers are innovating ways to fortify beverages in ways that also deliver on taste and texture.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is helping consumers “mellow out” with an all-natural, functional ingredient designed to help alleviate pain, stress and anxiety. Twenty-eight percent of consumers are interested in trying CBD beverages, according to Mintel.
As consumers place greater emphasis on health and wellness, performance beverages are adding more to their arsenal. From lower sugar, to better flavor and increased functionality, consumers demand that performance beverages outperform their former selves.
Low- and no-sugar beverages continue to resonate with health-minded consumers, prompting beverage-makers to seek new age sweeteners for today’s beverages.
Consumers seeking better-for-you beverages, along with those with interesting taste profiles are drinking up botanicals. Adding flavor and function, botanicals are experiencing wide adoption and success in the beverage market.
As consumers are increasingly aware of the benefits of fiber-rich diets, along with being concerned about the prevalence of nutritional deficiencies, the demand for functional beverages has grown. Dietary fiber has become a large part of this category because of its potential to support digestion, immunity and more. Additionally, prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics are prompting growing functional food and beverage formulations using these as ingredients.