Imbibe will be closed on October 3, 4, 17, 18, 25, and 26. Please expect delays in responses during this time.

5 drivers contributing to growth in functional food and beverages

There is no FDA definition for functional food, however industry professionals and consumers understand that this term applies to ingredients or products that offer health benefits beyond their inherent nutrients.

Consumers are looking for more than hydration – they want added value from their food and beverages.

Claims are made across all beverage categories to address the specific need states of the end user. The functional beverage category, also referred to as nutraceuticals, is expected to reach $279 billion by 2021, which represents a 60% increase from 2014. Here are the key drivers that are contributing to the growth of functional food and beverages:

Read more on Foodbev

Keep Reading:

What’s Driving Flavor in 2027 — And What It Means for Beverage Innovation

Explore Imbibe's 2027 Flavor Trends report and discover how formulation complexity, functional ingredients, and evolving consumer expectations are changing the role of flavor in beverage innovation.
READ MORE

Why Relaxation Beverages Require a Different Flavor Strategy

Ingredients commonly associated with calm and relaxation — including ashwagandha, magnesium, valerian root, reishi, l-theanine, and other botanicals — can introduce earthy, woody, bitter, savory, sulfurous, or lingering off-notes.
READ MORE

Masking Isn’t the Solution—It’s One Part of It

Considerations like format, processing, shelf life, and label constraints all influence how a solution performs in the final product. What works in one system may not translate directly to another.
READ MORE

Notice: Holiday Closure

Imbibe will be closed April 2, 3, 8, and 9. Please expect some delays in our response during these dates.