Functional Beverage

Rockstar Energy hops on functional mushroom trend with Focus launch

01-Feb-2024 By Ryan Daily

PespiCo’s flagship energy drink – Rockstar Energy – is out with a new functional mushroom-infused beverage line called Focus, designed to provide an energy and mental boost, Danielle Barbaro, VP of PepsiCo North America Beverages R&D, told FoodNavigator-USA.

Rockstar Energy: The ‘anchor’ to PepsiCo’s energy-drink strategy

02-Jan-2024 By Ryan Daily

PepsiCo is using Rockstar Energy as the core of its energy-drink strategy, while leveraging its partnership with Celsius to tap into leading consumer trends, Fabiola Torres, GM & CMO, SVP Energy Category at PepsiCo, told FoodNavigator-USA.

Beetroot co-supplementation synergistically enhances exercise performance, review finds

29-Nov-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new systematic review observes that combining beetroot juice (BJ) with nutritional supplements, including caffeine, nitrate (NIT), and citrulline (CIT), may provide a synergistic effect to improve exercise performance.

The anti-energy drinks trend: Who will be the Red Bull of relaxation?

02-Nov-2023 By Olivia Brown

There has been a rising consumer demand for functional drinks promoting relaxation and wellbeing over boosting energy following the COVID-19 pandemic, but an expert says a ‘hero ingredient’ and ‘hero brand’ are needed to propel the category into the spotlight.

Global sports drink market set to reach $36bn by 2028

24-Oct-2023 By Rachel Arthur

The global sports drink market is predicted to reach $36.35bn in 2028, demonstrating a CAGR of 4.2% thanks to interest from a wide range of consumers.

Q&A: Liquid Fuel on finding its own sweet spot in the evolving sports hydration category

02-Oct-2023 By Asia Sherman

Liquid Fuel, a collaboration between veteran sports dietitian Tavis Piattoly and professional chef Kyle Coleman, is looking to update the booming sports and hydration beverage category by removing the blood sugar spikes from the formula.

Two weeks to go! Get set for the Active Nutrition Summit

27-Sep-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Taking place in Amsterdam from October 9th-11th, NutraIngredients' Active Nutrition Summit will provide an expert-packed agenda of presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities to help industry translate science into performance-enhancing...

TSI gets exclusive global distribution of ‘market changing’ enfinity caffeine metabolite

31-Aug-2023 By Stephen Daniells

enfinity energy, LLC and TSI Group have announced an exclusive global distribution partnership for enfinity paraxanthine, a metabolite of caffeine supported by 23 filed patents, four human clinical studies, and a robust body of preclinical work.

Study: Elite soccer nutritionists highly recommend dietary supplements

30-Aug-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A recent study has found that a high proportion of nutrition professionals working with elite soccer teams would recommend nutritional supplementation, highlighting the crucial role of nutritionists in enhancing player performance through well-informed...

Review hails health benefits of beer-gut alliance

23-Aug-2023 By Asia Sherman

Drinking beer could be good for your gut and immunity, stimulating healthy microbiota diversity thanks to the beneficial brew of compounds found in the fermented beverage.

[Webinar] Better-for-you beverage brands meet the moment with functionality, flavor, nutrition

22-Aug-2023 By Ryan Daily

Consumers today are not only satisfied with great-tasting, affordable and nutritious beverages; they also want products that fit into their lifestyles and provide a range of functional benefits from energy, focus, and even heart, brain, and immune system...

Yaupon: climate-friendly caffeine touted “crop of the future”

04-Aug-2023 By Olivia Brown

The climate-resilient Yaupon crop, with leaves rich in theobromine, polyphenols, and 30% less caffeine than coffee, has been growing in popularity for use within holistic health-promoting beverages.

Vitafoods 2023 Highlights: The Active Consumer

16-May-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Companies at Vitafoods 2023 saw active consumers as a key target demographic, with exhibitors presenting innovative concepts targeting a wide range of consumers leading active lifestyles.

Analysis: Pro triathletes put sports supplements in first place

10-Mar-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A new analysis of patterns in sports supplement (SS) consumption by Spanish triathletes reveals over 90% of athletes use these products.

Hydration category gains popularity for active lifestyles and beyond

06-Mar-2023 By Danielle Masterson

As functional beverages continue to trend, hydration is one area GNC’s Ken Huntly said we should be watching.

Mouse study supports development of functional compound dark teas

25-Jan-2023 By Asia Sherman

Compound dark tea (CDT) reduces obesity and fatty liver disease and modulates gut microbiota in mice, according to a new study from Chinese researchers.

NPA: TINA energy drink challenge fails to correctly apply federal labeling rules

11-Jan-2023 By Hank Schultz

Label language must be considered in totality when asking if products are being inappropriately marketed to children, according to the Natural Products Association. NPA made this point in responding to a challenge from the watchdog group Truth in Advertising...

Kemin breaks into functional beverage market with dispersible form of algal immune health ingredient

14-Dec-2022 By Hank Schultz

Ingredient supplier Kemin Industries is looking to further tap into the thriving functional beverage market with a water dispersible form of its BetaVia immune health ingredient.

'Win-win': Keurig Dr Pepper and Nutrabolt announce strategic partnership

09-Dec-2022 By Stephen Daniells

Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. has invested $863 million in Nutrabolt, giving the beverage giant an ownership stake of approximately 30% in the high growth sports nutrition company.

The trends shaping the sports beverages market

16-Nov-2022 By Nikki Hancocks

Sports beverages are the most popular vehicle for functional ingredients across the globe as an increasingly wide range of consumers look to support their physical and mental health through convenient everyday nutrition.

IPA World Congress + Probiota: Nestle, Unilever & Abbott among first wave of speakers

01-Nov-2022 By Stephen Daniells

Today we can reveal the first wave of speakers confirmed for the IPA World Congress + Probiota, the must-attend conference bridging the business and science of microbiome modulation for human health.

Natural solution developed to combat bacterial spores in beverages

24-Oct-2022 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Biotech start-up, Resorcix, and Israeli beverage manufacturer, Gat Foods, have developed a natural botanical to eliminate Thermophilic Acidophilic Bacteria (TAB) that reduce product shelf-life and affect the flavour of ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages,...

Immune support still top of mind for functional beverage consumers, report finds

10-Oct-2022 By Hank Schultz

Immune health continues to be a primary concern for consumers of functional beverages, according to a new report from Irish ingredient supplier Kerry. The study also found that consumers are increasingly blurring the distinction between the benefits...

Beetroot juice improves running time during concurrent training: Study

04-Oct-2022 By Asia Sherman

Acute beetroot juice consumption decreased running time independently of intra-session exercise sequences during concurrent training sessions, a recent study shows.

Energy beverage developed for consumers with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

03-Oct-2022 By Flora Southey

Consumers with Irritable Bowel Syndrome are the target market for UK start-up Fodilicious, which has developed a line of low-FODMAP energy drinks.

White beetle inspired natural pigment offers replacement for titanium dioxide

28-Sep-2022 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Cambridge-based biotech start-up, Impossible Materials, has developed a sustainable cellulose-derived white pigment to replace “unsafe” titanium dioxide (TiO2) across food and pharma industries.

Study finds no benefit of protein supplement after LOW-HIIT exercise

21-Sep-2022 By Nikki Hancocks

New research indicates that ordinarily healthy but sedentary individuals who take up LOW-HIIT exercise do not seem to specifically benefit from ingesting protein supplements.

Beet It Sport continues expansion into US market

14-Sep-2022 By Asia Sherman

Seven years after entering the US market, Beet It Sport continues to register healthy year-on-year growth, with its nitrate-rich beet juice recognized as best in sports nutrition.

Beetroot juice nitrate shows blood pressure benefits in healthy young active males: Study

12-Sep-2022 By Asia Sherman

Natural dietary nitrate contained in beetroot juice improved blood pressure responses during large muscle mass isometric and ischemic exercise in healthy young males, a recent study shows.

Kibbutz Yotvata and Brevel sign MOU to build ‘largest microalgae fermentation reactors of their kind’

08-Sep-2022 By Stephen Daniells

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is an agreement to build a facility for the cultivation and production of microalgae-based protein and related products for the food and beverage industry.

Study shows anti-aging promise of taurine supplementation

06-Sep-2022 By Asia Sherman

Supplementation with taurine – perhaps best known as an additive in energy drinks – may help control oxidative stress during the aging process, says a recent study published in the journal Nutrition.

PepsiCo invests in ‘category defining’ energy drink Celsius

02-Aug-2022 By Rachel Arthur

PepsiCo is making a $550m investment in functional energy drink Celsius: further boosting its focus on the energy category and eying up a shared opportunity to drive growth and innovation in the sector.

Mother and daughter's dream teas pandemic success

30-May-2022 By Liza Laws

This is a lockdown success story about a mother and daughter from Brazil who moved to Sussex and wanted to create functional teas that not only did what they said on the tin but tasted good too.

Esports nutrition among gamers becoming more standard

19-Apr-2022 By Danielle Masterson

This year’s Sports Nutrition Summit brought in experts that provided the insights needed to earn the respect of gamers, especially when it comes to authenticity, health and wellness.

NutraWomen Wednesday: Lily Geiger, founder of Figlia

02-Mar-2022 By Danielle Masterson

Figlia is a female-founded, non-alcoholic functional aperitivo made with the sober community at the forefront.

Glanbia Nutritionals: 'Consumers demand personalised products and thus more nutrient combos'

02-Mar-2022 By Will Chu

The EMEA’s vitamin and dietary supplement market is currently estimated at €11.1bn (£9.3bn) with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) predicted at 4-5% (2020-2025).

NutraCast: Marquis on cracking the code in functional beverages

11-Feb-2022 By Danielle Masterson

The pandemic has had a draining effect on many of us, leading some to reach for a beverage that gives us a little pep in our step. In order to meet consumer demand, players are looking for new and innovative ways to stand out by offering unique and distinct...

Pandemic drives healthy drinks business Purearth’s global growth

01-Feb-2022 By Kavitha Sivasubramaniam

With an ethos “to help people live healthier lives by using what nature provides us in its most pure and organic form”, British health drinks company Purearth has imminent expansion plans.

Green tea daily wards off influenza and other respiratory viruses, say researchers

18-Jan-2022 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Results from a review and meta-analysis on the effects tea catechins on influenza and other upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) reveals “significant preventative effects.”

Nouri unleashes immunobiotic beverage

13-Jan-2022 By Danielle Masterson

The gut health brand, perhaps best known for its two-in-one capsules containing probiotics that float inside plant-based omega oil (Ahiflower), has now entered the functional beverage category with the launch of Inner Immune.

Super Bowl winner headlines program at Sports & Active Nutrition Summit 2022

14-Dec-2021 By Hank Schultz

The Sports & Active Nutrition Summit 2022 returns in February as an in-person event. Located in sunny San Diego, the meeting will feature cutting-edge content from subject matter experts that will help companies succeed in this market sector that...

Mintel: Health ingredients to watch in 2022

13-Oct-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

New health ingredients to watch in 2022 include hyaluronic acid, marigold, l-theanine, and ginseng, as consumers search for products that can support their eyes, mood and healthy ageing.

Anheuser-Busch inks distribution deal with vitamin D drink ShineWater

05-Oct-2021 By Danielle Masterson

As beer sales slip and demand for functional drinks rise, distributors like AB-ONE are expanding into other categories like better-for-you hydration.

Catching consumer’s attention: The art of packaging design

27-Sep-2021 By Danielle Masterson

Packaging is often the first interaction that shoppers have with a product and most consumers agree it plays a major role in their purchasing decisions.

Editor's Spotlight: Startup Focus

Egaming startup to supercharge international expansion with new investment

27-Sep-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Consumer and retail private equity specialist True has acquired a majority stake in the UK-based egaming energy drink startup Sneak, as it looks to boost international expansion.

Pro skateboarder launches CBD water with Vertical Wellness

16-Sep-2021 By Danielle Masterson

The partnership has spawned a product extension into the sparkling water category.

Cutting-edge vegan ingredient claims to mimic human collagen

01-Sep-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

New 'vegan collagen' brand VeCollal, in collaboration with AminoLabs, has created an ingredient which claims to mimic the amino acid profile of human collagen exactly.