With products containing functional ingredients, people can take an ala carte approach to their health using &#;food as medicine&#;.
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January = Diet culture club! It&#;s hard to avoid seeing constant adverts about getting healthy again in the New Year.
Fortunately, with the rise of functional beverages, the everyday consumer can improve their health with products that offer real health benefits; all without getting sucked into another health fad.
In the US alone, 80% of consumers say they are interested in functional beverages. This could explain why the global market is expected to reach as high as USD 249.5 billion by .
Though in no way an exhaustive list, here are five benefits of functional beverages for better health in and beyond.
Where gut health used to be just about being regular, now it&#;s regularly considered crucial for one&#;s overall health.
Impacting everything from digestion and immune function to weight loss and mood, demand for these products spans the generation gap.
As Anne Marie Butler, Edlong&#;s Global Director of Strategy & Innovation, describes in a recent article, gut health continues to be one, if not the leading category in the functional beverage space, driven mostly by fermented dairy and kombucha.
However, it&#;s not just about probiotics anymore, as holistic offerings, including prebiotics and postbiotics, are becoming increasingly available.
Stress reduction. Improved focus. Mental clarity. Emotional Well-being.
How about all of the above?
A growing list of largely traditional adaptogens and nootropic ingredients looks to provide modern consumers with both the options to wind down or dial in.
Mushrooms like chaga, reishi, and lion&#;s mane or roots like ashwagandha, ginseng, and Rhodiola (among a long list of other botanicals) are quickly moving from niche to mainstream.
From carbonated beverages to teas and coffee replacements, these powerful botanical ingredients continue to gain popularity.
Many of these ingredients can also aid in providing the next functional benefit.
In a world that is constantly moving, healthy energy is a necessity.
For this reason, it was the second most common health claim for new functional beverages, with 23% globally, from -.
Whether it&#;s to sustain you throughout the day, help you power through a workout, or just a short-term jolt to get you through that post-lunch video call, various ingredients are being used to help consumers get the boost they need.
Caffeine continues to lead the way for ingredients with energy claims worldwide. Shaking off any negative perception, it is commonly found in combination with amino acids like taurine and l-theanine, which can additionally enhance its beneficial effects.
MCTs (medium chain triglycerides) continue to trend for their ability to provide sustained energy for exercise or to get you through the day.
Minerals like Zinc and vitamins, known for immune health, are being used to fortify a wide array of beverages to help provide the pick-up without the crash.
When asked what actions they&#;ve taken to improve their health over the past 12 months, &#;staying hydrated&#; (58%) was the number one answer of consumers globally[1].
Unsurprisingly, hydrating/rehydrating products were considered the most desirable and most purchased functional beverage products among the consumers surveyed.
Hydration used to be put into one of two main buckets: water and sports drinks. This is quickly changing.
Sodium and electrolytes are quickly becoming less of an add-on and more of a standard expectation for everyday consumers.
This creates unique opportunities, particularly for developers targeting younger millennials and Gen Z consumers.
With many of these young consumers labelling themselves &#;sober curious&#; or claiming to practice mindful drinking, hydrating alcohol-free alternatives or products for rehydration and quick rebound the following day can be a game changer.
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While not necessarily a single benefit, it&#;s almost impossible to talk about both better for you and functional food and beverages without first looking at protein.
Year after year, the range of products containing this macro-nutrient continues to evolve and expand.
What once was a product segment dominated by only sports nutrition offerings (where it still excels) has spread to nearly every category, even water!
This is for a good reason, too. According to Innova Market Insights Trends Survey, 42% of global consumers say protein is the most important ingredient.
From muscle growth and recovery to satiety and weight loss, the health benefits of a diet rich in protein can benefit just about anyone of any age and market demographic.
Functional ingredients allow people to personalise their approach to health and wellness, unlike anything we&#;ve ever seen.
Yet, no amount of tailored nutrition can make up for a poor-tasting product. The truth is food as medicine is only successful if the food doesn&#;t taste like medicine.
Partnering with Edlong means you never have to worry about that.
Find out how authentic flavour solutions can benefit your project so your consumers can enjoy its benefits to their health.
Let&#;s connect on LinkedIn!
Hi! I&#;m Emily Sheehan. I&#;m the Applications Manager, EMEA at Edlong, and my job is rooted in creating exciting new possibilities for our people and processes. It&#;s inspiring to reflect on how much Edlong has achieved and even more amazing to be involved in such thoughtful innovation. We enjoy pushing boundaries in food and flavour, and we welcome everyone in the food industry to join us. If you&#;re in need of expertise or inspiration, I&#;d love to collaborate and help you design flavour solutions that resonate with consumers!
[1] Innova Health & Nutrition Survey
Topics: Better For YouBeveragesFunctional Foods
Resource Type: Article
Resource Region: EULATAMUS
Making better beverage choices is essential for maintaining overall health and well-being at any age. What you drink can be just as important as what you eat. When deciding what to drink, choose options that provide more nutrients with limited added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. Follow these simple tips to stay hydrated in a healthy way and make better beverage choices that support your health.
Choose water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages. Regular soda, lemonade, sweet tea, energy drinks, sports drinks, and other sweetened drinks are the number one source of added sugars in the American diet. Sugar-sweetened beverages can lead to excess weight gain, a risk factor in developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes, and diabetes. Drinking too many sugar-sweetened beverages not only affects cardiovascular health but also the health of your teeth.
Staying hydrated is crucial for maintaining overall health. Proper hydration helps improve cognitive function, maintain energy levels, support digestion, and regulate body temperature. It also aids in nutrient absorption and keeps your skin healthy.
Check and compare nutrition labels when shopping for beverages. Some drinks may advertise they are healthy but are actually loaded with calories and added sugars. Look for these common forms of added sugars listed on nutrition labels: sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltose, dextrose, syrups, concentrated fruit juice, agave, and honey. Be sure to check the serving size too. Often one container may be more than one serving size, which means double &#; or even triple &#; the added sugars.
Coffee itself has no calories, but some coffee-based drinks such as flavored lattes and mochas can contain several hundred calories and more than 15 teaspoons of sugar. Skip the whipped cream and chocolate or caramel drizzle. Go for low-fat milk and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a lower-calorie coffee drink. Watch portions of coffee creamer too as these tend to be high in sugar and contain unhealthy fats.
Carry a clean, reusable water bottle with you and fill up throughout the day. Staying hydrated is essential, and having a bottle on hand can make it easier to choose water over other beverages.
Perk up plain water or seltzer water with slices of citrus fruit, berries, or cucumber. This is a refreshing way to add flavor without added sugar.
Consider healthier alternatives to sugary beverages, such as herbal teas, infused waters, and low-sugar smoothies. These options provide hydration and can be rich in antioxidants and other beneficial nutrients.
Electrolytes are vital for maintaining fluid balance in the body. Natural sources like coconut water can help replenish electrolytes without the added sugars found in many sports drinks.
Moderate your alcohol intake to maintain better health. Opt for healthier alternatives like sparkling water with a splash of juice or mocktails made with fresh fruit and herbs.
Transitioning to healthier beverage choices can be more sustainable when done gradually. Start by replacing one sugary drink a day with water or an unsweetened alternative.
Making better beverage choices is crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. By choosing water, reading labels, cutting calories from coffee, carrying a water bottle, and adding natural flavors to water, you can improve your overall health and well-being. Remember, small changes in your beverage choices can lead to significant improvements in your health.
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