Consumers’ increased focus on health and performance has been exacerbated by the pandemic’s influence on immunity-focused consumers. Meanwhile, beverage makers are innovating ways to fortify beverages in ways that also deliver on taste and texture.

In new beverage development, the trend of manufacturing with clean-label ingredients has sparked the creation of a new generation of color concepts.

As consumers place greater emphasis on health and wellness, performance beverages are adding more to their arsenal. From lower sugar, to better flavor and increased functionality, consumers demand that performance beverages outperform their former selves.

Low- and no-sugar beverages continue to resonate with health-minded consumers, prompting beverage-makers to seek new age sweeteners for today’s beverages.

Consumers seeking better-for-you beverages, along with those with interesting taste profiles are drinking up botanicals. Adding flavor and function, botanicals are experiencing wide adoption and success in the beverage market.

Although current health trends have placed greater emphasis on immune-boosting ingredients, beverage-makers have been fueling this trend for years.

“Real” ingredients from nature are helping beverage-makers deliver clean-label solutions.

As consumers are increasingly aware of the benefits of fiber-rich diets, along with being concerned about the prevalence of nutritional deficiencies, the demand for functional beverages has grown. Dietary fiber has become a large part of this category because of its potential to support digestion, immunity and more. Additionally, prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics are prompting growing functional food and beverage formulations using these as ingredients.

A surge in ketogenic diets and sugar reduction due to consumers’ increased health-consciousness is impacting demand for hydrocolloids often used to enhance the quality and functionality of beverages.