As the earliest known reference to immunity was during the plague of Athens in 430 BC, Athenian general and historian Thucydides noted that people who had recovered from a previous bout of the disease could nurse the sick without contracting the illness a second time. Centuries later, as immunity is an omnipresent health need, experts note that within the beverage space, today’s consumers are seeking products that deliver immune-supportive benefits.
“People have always been interested in improving their immunity,” says John Quilter, vice president of global portfolio at Kerry’s ProActive Health, Beloit, Wis. “However, in recent years consumers have become increasingly proactive when it comes to their health generally, and actively interested in nutrition as a means to support their natural defenses.”