Healthful Beverages to Watch in 2007
Fortification, weight-loss properties and heart-healthy qualities can be found in several new products hitting the shelves. Beginning this month, Coca-Cola’s Enviga, a sparkling green tea that the company says can burn calories, launches nationally. Containing green tea extracts, calcium and caffeine, Enviga was created by Beverage Partners Worldwide — a joint venture of Nestlé S.A. and The Coca-Cola Co. A study conducted by the Nestlé Research Center in Lausanne, Switzerland, in collaboration with the University of Lausanne, revealed that consuming the equivalent of three Enviga beverages over the course of a day resulted in a noticeable increase in calorie burning, the company says. Enviga provides 90 mg. of the green tea antioxidant EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) in each serving, along with 20 percent of the daily value for calcium.
"Enviga is designed to work with your body to
increase calorie burning,” said Rhona Applebaum, chief scientist for
The Coca-Cola Co., in a statement. “It creates a negative calorie
effect — in other words, you burn more calories than you get from
drinking it. We believe consumers are smart and understand that Enviga is
designed to complement, not replace, regular exercise, a sensible diet and
other healthy choices they make throughout the day."
Also launching nationwide this year, Mars Inc.
introduced the first beverage in its CocoaVia line of heart healthy snacks.
CocoaVia Rich Chocolate Indulgence offers 100 mg. of cocoa flavanols in
each serving, the same amount in the CocoaVia original dark chocolate
candies. The beverages contain ingredients aimed at significantly reducing
bad cholesterol (LDL) and cocoa flavanols that may help support
cardiovascular health as part of a diet low in saturated fat and
cholesterol, the company says.
Living Harvest developed Living Harvest Hempmilk, a
shelf-stable alternative to soy or dairy, and this spring Odwalla will
launch Odwalla Soy Smart, available in Chai, Chocolate and Vanilla
varieties. Both products contain omega-3 essential fatty acid
fortifications.
Made from whole hemp nuts, Hempmilk offers omega-3 and
omega-6 fatty acids; all 10 essential amino acids; vitamins A, B2, B12, D
and E; folic acid; magnesium; iron; potassium and phosphorus, as well as 46
percent of the recommended daily intake of calcium, the company says. The
product is also high in protein. Available in 32-ounce aseptic containers
in three flavors — Original, Chocolate and Vanilla, Hempmilk boasts a
rich, creamy, nutty taste profile with no artificial ingredients or
preservatives.
Odwalla Soy Smart contains soy protein, omega-3 DHA,
and the company says it is an excellent source of calcium. All three
varieties are fortified with Martek Biosciences Corp.’s
Life’sDHA, a proprietary vegetarian source of docosahexaenoic acid.
Tropicana Products Inc., a division of PepsiCo Inc.,
also is creating products aimed at cardiovascular health. Tropicana
reformulated its Healthy Heart juice to include omega-3 fatty acids.
Tropicana Healthy Heart with Omega-3s includes a specially encapsulated,
marine-based source of omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) fatty acids to offer consumers heart-health
benefits in a convenient way at breakfast. The orange juice delivers 50 mg.
of omega-3 in every 8-ounce glass, making it an excellent source of the
omega-3 fatty acids, the company says.
The reformulation of Tropicana Healthy Heart with
omega-3s enhances Tropicana's line of products that are aimed to meet the
individual nutritional needs of consumers. Other juices include: Fiber, Low
Acid, Light ‘n Healthy with Calcium orange juice beverage, Light
‘n Healthy with Pulp orange juice beverage, Healthy KidsT and
Tropicana Antioxidant Advantage.
Naked Juice, Azusa, Calif., added to its line with two
new health-minded products. Gold Machine, a blend of kiwi, pineapple, yellow passion fruit and banana is boosted with 11 vitamins
and minerals, including green tea, vitamin E and grape seed extract to
improve skin health and boost cellular renewal, the company says. It also
launched Purple Machine, filled with purple plum, Concord grapes and acai,
and offering essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B5, C
and E, selenium, choline and grape seed extract. The drink aims to promote
healthy aging and sound memory, the company
says.
Adding fiber to a new category, Ardea Beverage, a
wholly owned subsidiary of PepsiAmericas, introduced Renew Nutrisoda, a
soda with one gram of dietary fiber as well as boosted with amino acids,
vitamins and minerals. Renew’s formulation is designed to support
active intestinal health and may help boost the body’s immune system,
the company says.
Bottled waters will be spicing up the fortification
category this year too. Kellogg Co., Battle Creek, Mich., extended its
Special K line with the release of protein-fortified products, including
Special K20 Protein Waters. The waters, along with snack and meal bars, are
the first products to come from the company's new Health and Wellness
division. Special K20 delivers 5 grams of protein per 16-ounce bottle, and
has 50 calories. The water is available in Strawberry Kiwi, Lemon Twist and
Tropical Blend.
Spava Coffee, Houston, released a fortified,
all-organic line of gourmet coffee designed to improve physical and mental
health. Roasted Arabica beans are combined with a variety of all-natural
health supplements, from gingko biloba to echinachea. The line includes
five wellness varieties: Clarity (with gingko biloba and white tea to
increase alertness and short-term memory); Flexibility (with chondroitin
sulfate to improve overall joint health); Immunity (with rosehips and
echinacea to strengthen the immune system and promote better overall
wellness); Metabolism (with green tea extract to promote natural weight
loss) and Calm (with passionflower and B vitamins to reduce stress and
promote overall total body wellness).
This year, Carpe Diem USA Inc., Santa Monica, Calif.,
released Carpe Diem, a line of natural functional beverages and waters
designed for wellbeing, to a national audience. Carpe Diem beverages were
created by the founder of Red Bull, Dietrich Mateschitz, and are a blend of
25 botanical ingredients, are 100 percent natural and contain spring water
that is lightly carbonated.
Additionally, new healthy beverages are being launched
that are geared toward teens and young adults. Stonyfield Farm,
Londonderry, N.H., entered the energy drink market with Shift. The cultured
dairy drink provides a sustainable energy source with a combination of
calcium, protein, vitamins D, C, B3 and B6, acai and ginseng. All natural
with no starches, gelatin, preservatives or artificial colors or flavors,
Shift also is certified organic and comes in Berry Boost, Power Punch and
Strawberry Banana varieties