This past year, Americans finally got a chance to see whether any the 2015 references in “Back to the Future Part II” would come true. Although the Chicago Cubs attempted to make the World Series prediction a reality, they fell short.

Just as the lyrics state, “to keep your engine running you need energy for your high-powered, revved up body machine,” in the educational Schoolhouse Rock! video “The Body Machine,” food and beverage manufacturers are making sure that today’s products are packed with the vitamins and minerals not just to fuel the human body, but also maintain a healthy lifestyle.

When formulating beverages, it’s important to consider that color not only contributes to product attractiveness, but can influence consumers’ purchasing decisions as they scan the aisles for products with “clean labels” and more “natural” ingredients.

Whether it’s the highly trained athlete or the casual runner, more consumers are turning to beverages to support their workout regimens. According to Chicago-based Mintel’s January report “Nutritional and Performance Drinks – US,” dollar sales of these drinks reached $11.5 billion in 2014.

Obesity rates have more than doubled in adults and children since the 1970s, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Approximately 78.6 million adults are overweight or obese, with 12.7 million children and adolescents in the same category.

It’s August, and that means for many families it’s time to get ready for back to school. Parents are stocking up on hand sanitizer, tissues and cold medicine in preparation for the germs their kids might come in contact with.

Consumers are increasingly looking for functionality in their beverages. Beverage manufacturers are developing products that will appeal to consumers’ needs and wants including health, strength, energy and relaxation.

Casks, oak-barrel aging and complex full-bodied flavor is synonymous with wine. But craft brewers are changing that. Today, craft beer brewers are doing more with exotic ingredients and time-honored processes typically reserved for grapes.

Remember when nothing said summer like sitting on Grandma's porch and sipping a tall glass of ice-cold lemonade? The pure sourness and simple ingredients made taste buds dance.

Consumers are becoming more interested in the quality and nutritional benefits of the beverages and foods they are choosing. Fiber, in particular, is becoming a popular wellness ingredient because consumers are aware of its multifaceted benefits, especially for digestive health.