The Rise of Functional Drinks: Enhancing Health and Wellness
One beverage category that is trending recently is functional drinks. These innovative beverages are more than just thirst quenchers; they are crafted and marketed to provide additional health benefits, catering to the growing consumer demand for wellness-focused products. At Canable, located just outside of Berlin, we have experience in producing these drinks which are already for sale in multiple markets around the world.
What Are Functional Drinks?
Functional drinks are non-alcoholic beverages that contain bioactive ingredients designed to provide specific health benefits beyond basic hydration and nutrition. These ingredients can range from vitamins and minerals to adaptogens, probiotics, prebiotics, and botanicals. The goal is to support various aspects of health, including digestive health, cognitive function, immune support, and energy levels.
The Growing Popularity of Functional Drinks
The functional beverage market is experiencing a big uptick in growth. According to Allied Market Research, this market was valued at €100 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach €182 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. This rise is driven by several factors, including increased health consciousness, the busy lifestyles of modern consumers, and a preference for convenient, on-the-go nutrition.
Key Ingredients and Their Benefits
Adaptogens: These are natural substances, such as ashwagandha and reishi mushroom, that help the body adapt to stress and exert a normalising effect upon bodily processes.
Probiotics and Prebiotics: Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. Prebiotics are non-digestible food components that promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the intestines. Together, they improve gut health, enhance immune function, and may even boost mood and cognitive function.
Botanicals: Ingredients like chamomile, ginseng, and green tea offer various health benefits, from calming effects to energy boosts and improved focus.
Vitamins and Minerals: Essential nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium are often added to support overall health and specific bodily functions.
Types of Functional Drinks
Electrolyte Sports Drinks: Designed to replenish lost nutrients and hydrate the body during and after exercise. They help improve endurance, strength, and recovery.
Energy Drinks: Containing stimulants like caffeine, taurine, and B vitamins, these drinks are meant to boost energy levels and enhance focus and motivation.
Protein Shakes and Powders: These provide essential amino acids for muscle growth and recovery, making them popular among athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
Probiotic and Prebiotic Drinks: These beverages support gut health by promoting a healthy balance of gut flora. Examples include kefir, kombucha, and other fermented drinks.
Fruit and Vegetable Juices: Enriched with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, these juices offer a convenient way to increase nutrient intake.
Mushroom Drinks: Beverages containing functional mushrooms like reishi, chaga, and lion's mane, which are known for their immune-boosting and cognitive-enhancing properties.
Kombucha has seen a meteoric rise in popularity in the last decade.
Challenges of Canning Functional Beverages
While functional beverages offer numerous health benefits, the process of canning these drinks comes with its own set of challenges. These challenges can impact the stability, efficacy, and taste of the final product:
Ingredient Stability: Many functional ingredients, such as probiotics, vitamins, and botanicals, are sensitive to heat and light. The canning process often involves high temperatures, which can degrade these ingredients, reducing their effectiveness.
Consistency and Homogeneity: Ensuring that the functional ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the beverage can be difficult. This is crucial for maintaining the advertised health benefits in every can.
Shelf Life: Functional beverages need to have a shelf life that allows them to be stored and transported without losing their beneficial properties. This can be challenging with ingredients that are prone to degradation over time.
Taste and Palatability: Some functional ingredients have strong or unpleasant flavors that can affect the overall taste of the beverage. Balancing health benefits with a pleasant taste is essential for consumer acceptance.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring that the beverage meets all regulatory requirements for health claims and ingredient safety can be complex and time-consuming.
How Canable Overcomes These Challenges
At Canable, we leverage our expertise and advanced technology to overcome the challenges associated with canning functional beverages. Here’s how we ensure the highest quality in every can:
Advanced Canning Technology: We use state-of-the-art canning technology that minimises heat exposure, preserving the stability and efficacy of sensitive ingredients.
Alternative Preservation: We can offer solutions to provide non-chemical preservatives or low pasturisation temperatures to preserve ingredient integrity
Laboratory Test: We work closely with our partner laboratories in Berlin that can undertake beverage testing, for example pasturiastion and preservation trials.
Homogeneous Mixing: Our mixing systems ensure that all functional ingredients are evenly distributed, providing a homogeneous product with consistent health benefits in every sip.
Flavor Optimisation: We work with a variety of ingredients to balance the taste of functional ingredients and can offer natural flavors and sweeteners.
Regulatory Expertise: Our team stays up-to-date with the latest regulations and working alongside our can manufacturer we can work within government guidelines to ensure that all products meet safety and labeling requirements, giving you consumers confidence in the health claims of your beverages.
Ingredients like chamomile, ginseng, and green tea offer various health benefits, from calming effects to energy boosts and improved focus.
Canable's Commitment to Innovation
At Canable, we are dedicated to supporting the functional beverage industry with our state-of-the-art canning solutions. Our facility just outside of Berlin is equipped with the latest technology to ensure that each product is canned to perfection, preserving its nutritional benefits and delivering optimal taste.
Sample Service
Understanding the importance of trial and testing in the development of new products, we offer a comprehensive sample service. This allows beverage brands to experiment with different formulations and flavors before committing to large-scale production. By providing samples, we help our clients perfect their products and ensure they meet consumer expectations.
White Label Solutions
In addition to our sample service, Canable also offers white label solutions for businesses looking to enter the functional beverage market quickly and efficiently. Our white label service provides you with high-quality, ready-to-market products that can be customized with your branding. This is an ideal solution for startups and established brands alike, allowing you to expand your product line without the need for extensive development time and costs.
Get in Touch with Canable
Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of functional beverages? Whether you're looking to develop a new product, enhance an existing one, or bring a white label solution to market, Canable is here to help. Our expertise in canning and our commitment to quality make us the perfect partner for your functional beverage needs.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to be part of this dynamic and fast-growing industry. Contact our team today to learn more about our sample service, white label solutions, and how we can support your functional beverage projects.
