With consumers paying more attention to their overall health by curtailing sugar, consumers’ positive perceptions of natural, non-GMO plant-based sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit have contributed to $5 billion in sweetener category growth.

Consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers are formulating with a host of functional ingredients that are designed to make the aging process less strenuous and more focused.

As the functional and flavorful capabilities of domestic and exotic fruits continue to be experimented with, a healthy mix of traditional and emerging combinations are on the horizon for beverages, experts note.

Historically an upcycled byproduct within the coffee production process, coffee fruit’s sustainable characteristics and health benefits could present opportunities in beverage development.

The functional properties of antioxidants and superfoods are gaining traction lately as consumer interest in health and wellness grows as the result of the pandemic.

Although consumers were indicating high stress levels before, the emergence of the pandemic has exacerbated the issue, prompting beverage-makers to turn to a collection of ingredients to help reduce stress hormones.

As consumers “take control of their weight,” beverage-makers are employing a diverse group of ingredients such as functional offerings and new age sweeteners.

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.