Functional Beverage

[Video] Plant Press positions energy drink brand as a clean-label coffee alternative

08-Dec-2023 By Ryan Daily

Plant Press founder Ariana Farahani took to the stage at the BevNET LIVE event this week to share her brand’s vision for a clean energy drink during the New Beverage Showdown, as the brand readies for retail expansion with the help of a $1.2m seed round.

Spilling the tea (and coffee) on natural beverage trends

10-Nov-2023 By Deniz Ataman

The functional and perceived health benefits of tea and coffee paired with their familiarity and diverse usage occasions across dayparts make them ideal platforms for beverage manufacturers to meet consumers’ evolving preferences for indulgence, health...

The anti-energy drinks trend: Who will be the Red Bull of relaxation?

02-Nov-2023 By Olivia Brown

There has been a rising consumer demand for functional drinks promoting relaxation and wellbeing over boosting energy following the COVID-19 pandemic, but an expert says a ‘hero ingredient’ and ‘hero brand’ are needed to propel the category into the spotlight.

Global sports drink market set to reach $36bn by 2028

24-Oct-2023 By Rachel Arthur

The global sports drink market is predicted to reach $36.35bn in 2028, demonstrating a CAGR of 4.2% thanks to interest from a wide range of consumers.

Machu Picchu wants to clean up energy drinks from ingredients to marketing for broader appeal

30-Aug-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Energy drink newcomer Machu Pichu’s dual marketing message of finding balance and connecting to nature and community sets it apart in a category that heavily promotes extremes and individual gains, as does its organic flavor technology and natural caffeine...

[Webinar] Better-for-you beverage brands meet the moment with functionality, flavor, nutrition

22-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Consumers today are not only satisfied with great-tasting, affordable and nutritious beverages; they also want products that fit into their lifestyles and provide a range of functional benefits from energy, focus, and even heart, brain, and immune system...

CBD coffee: fad or the future?

26-Apr-2023 By Olivia Brown

Following an increasing popularity and a heightened influx of brands promoting the CBD and coffee pairing, touting an ability to reduce side effects associated with caffeine, a regulatory expert has warned the research backing the benefits is inconclusive.

Can prebiotics and probiotics beverages grow together? Brew Dr. CEO says yes

24-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

Oregon-based organic kombucha brand Brew Dr. is going "a little bit bolder, a little bit bigger" with its new branding and flavors as the company looks to expand household penetration amidst a growing competitive landscape in the functional...

Natural Products Expo West

Uncle Matt’s looks to functional innovation in face of “most challenging season” for citrus sourcing

20-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

With the increasing demand for functional beverages, Uncle Matt's is preparing for a year of product innovation in the organic juice space at the same time that it navigates another challenging season for citrus sourcing, as brand CEO and founder...

Hydration category gains popularity for active lifestyles and beyond

06-Mar-2023 By Danielle Masterson

As functional beverages continue to trend, hydration is one area GNC’s Ken Huntly said we should be watching.

Electrolit takes on a classic with latest blue raspberry flavor launch

03-Mar-2023 By Ryan Daily

Premium hydration brand Electrolit is turning to a "classic Americana flavor" to expand its portfolio and presence in 2023 and beyond, as competition in the isotonic category heat ups with new entries and demand for lower sugar products.

Monster gains sales with price hike, leans on innovation to recover units in 2023

23-Jan-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Monster Beverage Corporation executives predict that sales growth across its energy drink portfolio will pick up and continue to outpace overall category growth in the coming months following a long-delayed and category-leading price increase that went...

NPA: TINA energy drink challenge fails to correctly apply federal labeling rules

11-Jan-2023 By Hank Schultz

Label language must be considered in totality when asking if products are being inappropriately marketed to children, according to the Natural Products Association. NPA made this point in responding to a challenge from the watchdog group Truth in Advertising...

Is ‘disruption’ no longer a virtue for start-ups? Newcomer Ryl Co argues an ‘additive’ approach is better for building businesses

10-Jan-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Working from a foundational belief that the era of ‘disruption’ is dead, an industry veteran wants to usher in a new age in which start-ups focus on “adding to everything” with the launch of The Ryl Company and a line of ready-to-drink tea that offers...

Kemin breaks into functional beverage market with dispersible form of algal immune health ingredient

14-Dec-2022 By Hank Schultz

Ingredient supplier Kemin Industries is looking to further tap into the thriving functional beverage market with a water dispersible form of its BetaVia immune health ingredient.

'Win-win': Keurig Dr Pepper and Nutrabolt announce strategic partnership

09-Dec-2022 By Stephen Daniells

Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. has invested $863 million in Nutrabolt, giving the beverage giant an ownership stake of approximately 30% in the high growth sports nutrition company.

Immune support still top of mind for functional beverage consumers, report finds

10-Oct-2022 By Hank Schultz

Immune health continues to be a primary concern for consumers of functional beverages, according to a new report from Irish ingredient supplier Kerry. The study also found that consumers are increasingly blurring the distinction between the benefits...

Soy protein quality ‘not negatively impacted by processing’: Unilever and Wageningen University research

29-Sep-2022 By Oliver Morrison

Scientists claim to have proven for the first time that processing soy increases the protein’s nutritional quality.

Kibbutz Yotvata and Brevel sign MOU to build ‘largest microalgae fermentation reactors of their kind’

08-Sep-2022 By Stephen Daniells

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is an agreement to build a facility for the cultivation and production of microalgae-based protein and related products for the food and beverage industry.

Study shows anti-aging promise of taurine supplementation

06-Sep-2022 By Asia Sherman

Supplementation with taurine – perhaps best known as an additive in energy drinks – may help control oxidative stress during the aging process, says a recent study published in the journal Nutrition.

PepsiCo invests in ‘category defining’ energy drink Celsius

02-Aug-2022 By Rachel Arthur

PepsiCo is making a $550m investment in functional energy drink Celsius: further boosting its focus on the energy category and eying up a shared opportunity to drive growth and innovation in the sector.

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: From stress reducing to exercising boosting -- 4 opportunities for functional beverages

04-Apr-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Ongoing strain from the pandemic and increasing financial pressure related to rising inflation are causing consumers to reprioritize their health and wellness goals, and by extension their food and beverage purchases, according to new research from the...

De La Calle’s fermented tepache brings Mexican street food culture to US with $7m fundraise

24-Feb-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

With the help of a $7m fundraise, Startup De La Calle is bringing to more Americans nationwide a modern version of the beloved and naturally functional Mexican “street vendor treat” tepache – a probiotic beverage made from fermented organic pineapples...

Marquis talks clean caffeine revolution: from alternative to on-trend

26-Jan-2022 By Asia Sherman

Marquis is starting off the year with a bold new look as it continues to transcend its energy drink origins and draw attention to the plant-powered benefits of its clean caffeinated beverages.

Nouri unleashes immunobiotic beverage

13-Jan-2022 By Danielle Masterson

The gut health brand, perhaps best known for its two-in-one capsules containing probiotics that float inside plant-based omega oil (Ahiflower), has now entered the functional beverage category with the launch of Inner Immune.

Start-up ‘cracks the breast milk code’ to make human milk proteins for everyone, not just babies

29-Oct-2021 By Flora Southey

Israeli start-up Maolac is leveraging artificial intelligence to develop human milk proteins for the food industry, with an initial focus on sports nutrition.

Anheuser-Busch inks distribution deal with vitamin D drink ShineWater

05-Oct-2021 By Danielle Masterson

As beer sales slip and demand for functional drinks rise, distributors like AB-ONE are expanding into other categories like better-for-you hydration.

Bhoomi positions sugarcane water as healthy for people, the planet & Black farmers economically

24-Aug-2021 By Elizabeth Crawford

Sugar and healthy usually occupy opposite ends of the spectrum, but startup Bhoomi wants to bring them together in a line of cold-pressed cane water elixirs featuring traditional Ayurvedic ingredients and a compelling mission to “balance health, equitable...

IFT FIRST: Consumers embrace foods, beverages promising replenishment, happiness & focus

27-Jul-2021 By Elizabeth Crawford

Consumers who turned to functional foods and beverages to help reduce anxiety, improve their sleep and lift their spirits during lockdowns are likely to continue their new habits and rituals as they navigate an uncertain return to offices, travel and...

Investing in the Future of Food: RCV Frontline sees potential for startups to fill innovation demand post-pandemic

31-Mar-2021 By Elizabeth Crawford

A new early-stage venture capital fund sees significant upside for financing food and beverage startups that may be too small for many other VC investors, but which in a few years could help meet “pent up demand” for innovation from large CPG players...

Functional Beverages Webinar Available On Demand Now

Rising demand for functional benefits will help beverage segment hit hard by pandemic to recover

19-Mar-2021 By Elizabeth Crawford

Shifting shopping habits and channel preferences due to the pandemic hit the non-alcoholic beverage industry hard last year, leading to an overall decline in volume and value, but rising consumer interest in functional options could be a key driver in...

Register now: Free webinar Wednesday explores the future of the functional beverage market

15-Mar-2021 By Elizabeth Crawford

Sales of functional beverages are rebounding and have a bright future despite the pandemic shutting down for most of 2020 in-person impulse purchases and food service sales which previously drove the category’s fast growth, according to market research...

GoodSport seeks to disrupt sports beverages category by ‘unlocking the power of milk’

12-Mar-2021 By Elaine Watson

It’s milk, but not as we know it, Jim… To be precise, GoodSport is dairy milk, but with the protein and fat removed via ultra-filtration, leaving a clear sugary fluid loaded with electrolytes and vitamins. But does this upcycled elixir (better known as...

Functional foods, beverages & hemp, CBD sales held back as shopping habits shift during pandemic

04-Mar-2021 By Elizabeth Crawford

Even as consumers seek ingredients that promise to boost their immunity, reduce their stress and support their well-being, sales of functional foods and beverages were held back in 2020 compared to organic due to shifting shopping preferences away from...

Chocolate milk brand Slate Milk raises $1.7m, expands distribution to 3,000 stores

18-Feb-2021 By Elaine Watson

Boston-based startup Slate Milk – which gives adults permission to keep drinking chocolate milk by dialing down the sugar, increasing the protein and packaging it as a functional beverage in shelf-stable cans - has raised $1.7m in a seed round (taking...

PepsiCo’s launch of bubly bounce expands foothold in functional beverage space, consumer appeal

12-Feb-2021 By Elizabeth Crawford

PepsiCo expands its footprint in the burgeoning functional beverage category with today’s launch of bubly bounce – the first RTD extension of the company’s popular and playful sparkling water line that adds “just a subtle kick of caffeine” to help consumers...

Researchers wake up the gut with new probiotic tea, coffee

14-Jan-2021 By Danielle Masterson

Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed new probiotic coffee and tea.

Consumer demand for products that nourish mental health, offer time-saving convenience on the rise

17-Dec-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

The emotional and physical strains caused by events in 2020 have shined a light on the need for and accelerated development of foods and beverages that not only nourish consumers’ physical bodies, but their mental health as well, according to Rabobank...

Consumer desire for ‘resiliency’ during pandemic opens door for functional products, says Hartman Group

02-Sep-2020 By Elizabeth Crawford

New opportunities are opening for functional foods and beverages as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic pushes consumers to seek products that will boost their “resiliency,” support their health and wellness and personally empower them while simultaneously...

FDA outlines qualified health claim for cranberry juice and supplements for urinary tract infections

22-Jul-2020 By Stephen Daniells

The US Food and Drug Administration will not object to the use of certain qualified health claims regarding consuming certain cranberry juice and supplements and a reduced risk of recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) in healthy women.

Unilever eyes potential in wellness: ‘We are uniquely positioned to lead purposefully in the space of holistic health and immunity’

12-Jun-2020 By Katy Askew

New research from Unilever highlights the growing importance of health, wellness and immunity for consumers. “Our Foods and Refreshment business is uniquely positioned to lead purposefully in the space of holistic health and immunity,” nutrition R&D...

Brain health: The next big trend in functional beverages?

24-Feb-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Chris Miller, founder and CEO of nootropics brand Koios, believes that brain health has the potential to become an even bigger category in functional beverages than gut health.

Givaudan on beverage trends: 'Consumers are increasingly expecting a little more from their beverages'

21-Feb-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Consumers are increasingly incorporating functional beverages into their day-to-day, looking to their daily beverage to help manage stress, promote relaxation, and improve mood, says global flavor and fragrance company Givaudan.

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Beverage Trends Webinar: A deep dive into the market of functional, better-for-you beverages

20-Feb-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

From plant-based dairy alternatives and the rise of oatmilk, to CBD-infused beverages and clean energy sources… what are the most bankable, and drinkable, beverage trends impacting the market?

hellowater, RISE Brewing Co., and UPTIME Energy to join Nestlé Waters North America's ReadyRefresh portfolio of brands

15-Jan-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Many may recognize Nestlé Waters North America’s delivery service, ReadyRefresh, for its 5-gallon water jugs delivered to virtually every corporate office that has a water cooler, but the service is expanding into several burgeoning beverage categories...

Imbibe 2020 beverage trend predictions shaped by health and wellness, thirst for cultural adventure, and state of the economy

04-Dec-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Beverage development and innovation company Imbibe predicts 2020 will bring to the beverage market a 'return to basics' in terms of nutrition and flavors as well as 'next-level' functional beverages that answer several needs for consumers...

Drink Nutrient’s trio of functional drink blends targets lapsed supplement-users suffering pill fatigue

21-Nov-2019 By Elizabeth Crawford

With an ambitious mission to give consumers what their bodies need “in the most bioavailable form possible,” and in a way that they “will actually enjoy,” the functional beverage company Drink Nutrient is entering the marketplace with a trio of vitamin-packed,...

Startup Flightfūd launches beverage mix to alleviate physical stress of flying

25-Sep-2019 By Elizabeth Crawford

Modern airplanes can take people across the world in a matter of hours, rather than the days, weeks or even months once required, but flying also can take a toll on travelers’ health – a side effect that the co-founder of startup Flightfūd hopes to offset...

ZBiotics aims to ease consumers’ hangovers & fear of GMOs with a new drink made with GE probiotics

23-Sep-2019 By Elizabeth Crawford

With consumer fear of genetic engineering nearing a fever-pitch, the founders of startup ZBiotics want to “dispel the fear of the unknown” and transparently show consumers the technology’s value by delivering GMOs that offer a visceral benefit starting...

CHERRiSH solidifies its place in sports recovery category with added distribution and new products

15-Jul-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Tart cherry juice brand CHERRiSH has several health benefits that make it stand out against other sports drink brands (which primarily compete on hydration and electrolyte replenishment) including its ability to reduce muscle inflammation and purge the...