Thursday, September 5, 2013

Functional Beverages Take Center Stage

A new trend has emerged from the ruins of unhealthy drinks – functional beverages. These innovative blends serve purposes greater than merely quenching thirst. Functional beverages are designed with a specific demographic in mind. Furthermore, some are designed to promote relaxation, and others to provide energy or essential nutrients.

This trend is on the rise, as busy consumers are demanding more benefits from beverages, and health-conscious consumers have been examining labels. The Healthy Beverage Expo had a successful debut this past spring and will return next year to showcase the latest market trends. These trends include:

·         Exotic fruit flavors
·         Sugar replacement with Stevia
·         Unique tea products
·         All-natural or organic products
·         Natural colors
·         Environmentally-friendly packaging
·         Added vitamins and minerals
·         Cleaner energy drinks with reduced sweetener
·         Added protein and fiber

Consumers are scrutinizing beverage labels and looking out for calories and sugar. Shoppers appreciate transparency in product labeling and scientific support behind marketing claims. Consumers realize that there are countless alternatives to traditional beverage offerings and can be particular.

Manufacturers have responded by using water as a base for most functional beverages. This avoids the problem of working around calories, flavors, and colors. From here, producers add flavors and nutrients to accomplish the goal of the product. It seems simple enough, but there is an 80% failure rate for new functional products due to high competition.

Differentiate your product from other beverage offerings. Use RIBUS products to carry flavor, replace chemical additives, and make your product more marketable to consumers.

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