Drinks that claim to provide benefits beyond simple hydration are becoming increasingly popular worldwide, including zero-proof beverages containing adaptogens, chaga mushrooms and other plant and mushroom extracts.
Addition of these ingredients to beverages poses several unique challenges, including solubility and stability issues. Manufacturers use techniques such as encapsulation, emulsification and homogenization to accomplish this feat.
Hydration
Hydration is essential to overall health and is especially critical during exercise or extended activity. Drinks enriched with electrolytes and vitamins provide consumers with essential hydration needs.
Wellness-aligned ingredients such as adaptogens, CBD and nootropics have become increasingly popular over time. Their drinks are designed to energize, reduce stress and boost clarity; some may also contain soothing or relaxing elements; for instance the combination of certain botanical extracts stimulates GABA receptors which contributes to calmness and relaxation in the brain.
Functional beverages may not be a magic bullet, but they can supplement other healthy habits to achieve specific health goals such as bone health or weight management. Unfortunately, many of these beverages are heavily regulated by authoritative bodies to ensure they provide true information and do not overstate benefits; careful formulation and ingredient selection is therefore paramount for their success. Likewise, taste remains key and formulating these drinks according to consumer preferences requires innovation.
Weight Management
Beverage brands can capitalize on adding healthy ingredients to beverages as an opportunity. These drinks often feature natural and botanical additives that deliver vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, probiotics or fibre in an easy and accessible way.
Many functional beverages are designed to help people manage weight by providing low-sugar alternatives to sugary beverages, while providing other health benefits like digestive assistance, immune system support and relaxation.
Functional beverages are quickly expanding. Yet some have voiced concern over the health claims these drinks make; many ingredients in them have yet to be scientifically demonstrated to aid with specific ailments.
However, these products align with a longstanding trend toward healthier diets and habits among consumers. These products enable individuals to meet their nutritional requirements while remaining busy with everyday life activities.
Brain Health
Brain and central nervous system function as the nerve center for our bodies, overseeing both conscious and unconscious bodily processes. Their optimal health is central to both individual well-being as well as world health – its benefits extending far beyond just personal well-being.
Functional drinks often incorporate herbs and plant extracts that have long been utilized by traditional medicine to boost cognitive function and mood, such as CBD (cannabidiol), adaptogens or nootropics. Examples of such drinks are Three Spirits non-alcoholic aperitif which claims to reduce inhibitions as well as Kin spritzes which utilize brain-boosting botanicals like reishi mushrooms for their formulation.
Consumers are searching for alternatives to alcohol that provide numerous health benefits while remaining zero-proof. These drinks come in various formats and often target specific concerns such as immunity enhancement, energy boosting or beautifying from within – claims such as these are closely regulated by authoritative bodies to ensure they are truthful and scientifically supported.
Energy
As beverage trends like low sugar and no fat continue to reshape the industry, new functional beverages are emerging that offer more than simply refreshment. These drinks include ingredients like collagen and antioxidants to support beauty health; probiotics to aid digestion and immunity function; nootropics that boost mental energy; among others.
Beverages containing brain-boosting adaptogens such as reishi mushrooms are becoming increasingly popular. Even traditional caffeinated energy drinks have begun evolving to provide targeted benefits; for instance, nootropics containing phosphatidylserine and schisandra berry may improve focus and memory.
Functional beverages offer an effective way to distinguish yourself from competitors, while helping customers reach their health goals. Offering numerous choices, functional drinks are sure to become a hit with customers in 2024.
