The growing trend for healthy snacks and beverages is driving demand for healthier options that companies need to provide. In recent years, there has been a shift towards beverages that are free from artificial ingredients and offer specific health benefits. Here, we’ll take a look at the latest consumer demand for healthy beverages and what businesses can do to meet these demands.
Natural Ingredients
One of the most important features of beverages is natural and organic ingredients. Customers of the industry don’t want to drink products with artificial conservatives, flavours, colors, or sweeteners. Instead, what they are looking for is drinks with natural ingredients. They may be easily derived from fruit, vegetables, and herbs.
This trend towards natural ingredients has led to the rise of products like cold-pressed juices, which are made from fresh fruits and vegetables without any added sugars or preservatives. It’s so crucial for the producers to find a recognised and trustworthy Europe extracts supplier to keep up to date and meet the requirements of the customers.
Functional Beverages
Another major trend in the beverage industry is the rise of functional beverages. These drinks offer specific health benefits beyond hydration and are marketed as being able to boost energy levels, improve digestion, or promote overall health and wellness.
The category of functional beverages contains sports drinks, energy drinks, but also probiotic drinks. These beverages are becoming increasingly popular among consumers who are looking for drinks that offer more than just refreshments.
Low-Calorie and Low-Sugar Options
Consumers are also looking for low-calorie and low-sugar beverage options. As more people become aware of the health risks associated with consuming too much sugar, there has been a growing demand for beverages that are free from added sugars. This has led to the rise of low-calorie and low-sugar options like flavored water, sparkling water, and unsweetened teas.
Just Add Water Powders and Flavored Water Formats
Consumers are also looking for convenient and healthy beverage options, and this has led to the rise of just add water powders and flavored water formats. These products are typically sold in single-serve packets and can be easily mixed with water to create a refreshing and flavorful drink. Natural extract flavors are often used in these products to provide a delicious and healthy beverage option for consumers on-the-go.
Plant-Based Beverages
Plant-based beverages are another trend that is gaining popularity among health-conscious consumers. These drinks are made from ingredients like nuts, seeds, and oats, offering various health benefits. One example is almond milk, or coconut milk, both plant-based. They’re high in protein yet still low in calories, which makes them best friends of people counting calories. They also state an alternative for dairy-free diets.
Meeting Consumer Demand
Businesses that want to meet the growing demand for healthy beverages need to be aware of these trends and offer products that meet these needs. This could include creating new products that are made from natural ingredients, offering low-calorie and low-sugar options, or developing functional beverages that offer specific health benefits. It’s also important to choose suppliers that offer high-quality ingredients that meet consumers’ preferences.
