Functional Beverages Going Back to the Basics (Part II)

 In Blog

In case you didn’t catch part 1 on nutrient-rich functional beverages, click here. That article might have left you wondering about the ingredients that are inherently rich in these in-demand nutrients (a rich, high or excellent source must have 20%+ of the FDA recommended daily value for that nutrient and a good source must have 10-19% of the FDA recommended daily value for that nutrient). Lucky for you, we’ve identified a list of some that you should be watching (and considering) in your next beverage project:

  • Chickpea is a rich source of fiber, phosphorus, iron, and B as well as a good source of zinc, magnesium, B6, and B1. (Spoiler: chickpea protein might just be the next pea protein. Also, chickpea milk as the next plant-based milk? We’re watching for it and think you should be too.)
  • Egg yolk is rich in phosphorus, choline, vitamins B2, B5, (a good source of B9), and B12 as well as good source of zinc and vitamins A and D (egg whites are also rich in protein).
  • Chia is a rich source of fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, and vitamins B1 and B3 as well as a good source of vitamins B2 and B9. Additionally, about 75% of the fats in chia seeds consist of the omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
  • Raspberries are a rich source of fiber, vitamin c, and manganese.
  • Avocados (technically a berry, FYI) are a rich source of fiber, omega-3s, and vitamins B6, B9, and K as well as a good source of potassium and vitamins B2, B3, B5, C, and E.
  • Sweet potatoes are rich in fiber, manganese and vitamins A, B6 and C as well as a good source of potassium and vitamins B1 and B3.
  • Passionfruit is a rich source of fiber and vitamin C as well as a good source of Vitamin B2, B3, iron and phosphorus.

Call outs of these nutrients are already appearing in market products like the following examples:

 

Brand Rich Source Good Source Other Key Nutrients
(No FDA DV Recommendation)
25% DV Vitamin D

45%DV Calcium

15% DV Vitamin E

10% DV Potassium

10% DV Iron

720mg Omega 3

130mg Omega 6

4,500mg Omega 9
8g Protein

35% DV Vitamin A

45% DV Vitamin B2

20% DV Vitamin B7

300% DV Vitamin C

25% DV Calcium

10% DV Iron

15% DV Potassium

48% DV Vitamin B2

30% DV Vitamin B12

24g Protein

Choline (from egg yolk)

30% DV Calcium

25% DV Phosphorus

10g Protein

1,000mg Omega 3

150% DV Vitamin D 14%DV Potassium

10% DV Vitamin E

350mg Omega 3

62mg Choline

100% DV Vitamin B3

100% DV Vitamin B5

100% DV Vitamin B6

100% DV Vitamin B12

100% DV Vitamin C

10% DV Fiber

11% DV Potassium

25% DV Fiber

20% DV Magnesium

35% DV Manganese

15% DV Iron

10% DV Potassium

15% DV Phosphorous

10% DV Zinc

9g Protein
  25% DV Fiber 10% DV Calcium

15% DV Magnesium

2,500mg Omega 3

4g Protein

20% DV Vitamin A

35% DV Vitamin D

15% DV Calcium DHA Omega-3

10g Protein

 

Demand persists for beverages that make consumers feel something – more clear-headed, more energetic, more mobile, more relaxed, and yet sometimes we see that less is in fact more. Interested in designing a back to basics beverage that is anything but basic? Email our beverage experts at thedrinktank@imbibeinc.com to bring your idea from the benchtop to the beverage aisle.