Immune health is still the top priority for functional beverage consumers, but other needs are on the rise, according to new research from taste and nutrition leader Kerry.

Immune, gut and heart health continue as important concerns for functional beverage consumers, while beauty and sports performance are on the rise, according to new research by Kerry, the world’s leading taste and nutrition company.

Kerry surveyed over 10,000 consumers from 18 countries across North America, South America Europe, Asia Pacific, South Africa and Australia to learn more about their changing priorities and preferred ingredients in functional and fortified beverages.

The research found that immune support is still the highest health priority for consumers and is a particular focus not only in the US and UK, but also across developing markets including Guatemala, Brazil, South Africa, the Philippines and India.

Nutritional impact and quality of ingredients

A total of 53 per cent of global consumers are interested in beverages containing ingredients specific for immune support, but want to see science-backed ingredients, citing vitamin blends, omega-3 fatty acids and probiotics as the top ingredients on their radar. Although the overall taste experience is vital, the primary focus of consumers is on the nutritional impact of these products and the quality of ingredients used in them.

Need states differ by age and life stage, implying a need for customised and personalised solutions, with the research indicating a holistic need to improve inner and outer wellness. Consumers are also more proactive and have come to understand the link between long-term health and nutrition and achieving their beauty goals. A desire to address weight management, heart health, muscle recovery, energy, endurance and bone health all point to a desire for all-round wellness.

A preference for beverages supporting skin and hair beauty was more pronounced in several developing markets (such as the Philippines, South Africa, Indonesia, India, Poland, Brazil, Colombia and Guatemala) and continues to be a priority in leading markets, including the US and UK. New product launches containing collagen have risen by 19 per cent over the past four years, and products containing biotin have risen by 14 per cent during the same period (Innova, 2022).

Meanwhile, products geared towards sports performance, muscle recovery and endurance are also no longer the preserve of athletes; they are high on the agendas of many thousands of ‘weekend warriors’ who are keen to lead a healthy and active lifestyle.

Potential for innovation

With the global functional beverage market predicted to grow at 10.49 per cent annually – reaching nearly US$200 billion by 2026, according to research from the Food Institute (2021) – there is ample opportunity to innovate in this space.

“A significant opportunity exists in the functional and fortified space, with the conventional line between supplements and beverages blurring,” observed Soumya Nair, Global Director of Consumer Research and Insights at Kerry. “According to our research, a total of 86 per cent of consumers stated they would pay a premium for food and beverages with added functional benefits.

“Consumers today have compounding need states,” Ms. Nair continued. “While their top priority need states remained consistent over the years, there is growing focus on balance – balancing beauty with digestive support, immunity with sports performance, as consumers seek their personalised, ideal functional and fortified solution. 

“To win in this space, manufacturers need to create products that support top concerns such as immune, digestive, cognitive, joint and heart health, and include science-backed functional ingredients to increase credibility,” she advised in closing. “Kerry can transform your idea into a market leading functional beverage or supplement, with a toolbox of solutions and ingredients – from botanical extracts to science-backed ingredients like Wellmune® and BC30™ – to help your brand innovate across a broad number of consumer need states.”

Kerry’s new eBook, Functional Forecasting, can be downloaded here