It’s no secret that new product development is greatly shaped by the latest consumers trends. However, the complexities of these continue to deepen as consumers show that it’s not enough for a product to hit one or two need states. Instead, beverages, particularly non-alcohol products, are tasked with fulfilling many more consumer needs.

Recently, Innova Market Insights reviewed its ongoing food and beverage trends for May and linked them to three of its Top Trends for 2025: Flourish from Within, Rethinking Plants and Climate Adaptation.

In terms of plant-based ingredients, the market research firm highlighted some of the reasonings behind consumers seeking these products.

“While plant-based claims on new products were initially used to distinguish them from animal-based options, they are now establishing their own identity,” it states in its “Food and Beverage Industry Trends: May 2025.” “In fact, 55% of consumers globally believe that plant-based products should stand alone and not merely serve as alternatives.”

An example of this is this spring Benexia announced the launch of Seeds of Wellness Chia Milk, a plant-based milk made from whole chia seeds. Seeds of Wellness Chia Milk is more than a plant-based milk alternative — it’s challenging the status quo, the company says. Each 8-ounce serving contains 740 mg of plant-based omega-3 fats, fiber and protein with no added sugar. Fortified with a good source of calcium and vitamin D, the Chia Milk contains 25 calories in each serving, it says.

These attributes also align with some of the other consumer trends Innova identified in its report.

“The growing awareness of supporting the microbiome is bringing fiber into the spotlight as a key ingredient,” Innova’s report states. “The primary reason consumers seek functional foods is to boost their digestive system and gut health. In response, the food and beverage industry has introduced a wider range of functional products across various categories.”

Going back to Benexia’s Seeds of Wellness Chia Milk, the company’s chia farms rely exclusively on rainwater as a watering source and follow regenerative agriculture practices, it notes. The chia seed ingredients used in Seeds of Wellness Chia Milk are processed without the use of water, solvents, or enzymes, using a nearly zero-waste, zero-water process from seed to packaging, the company says.

Efforts like this also are addressed by Innova as a trend shaping the food and beverage markets.

“Consumer awareness of climate change is increasing, along with openness to solutions such as regenerative farming, agroforestry, and climate-resilient crops,” Innova’s report states. “This shift is impacting purchasing and consumption behaviors regarding products known to contribute to climate change.”

As health and wellness for people and the planet become more in demand by consumers, formulators are tasked with crafting products that address those attributes, but can be accessible to a broader reach.