People love the taste of sugar, but as consumers turn their attention to health, they are cutting back and seeking out natural solutions. In functional beverages, sugar plays a larger role than adding sweetness. Joe Farinella, vice president of product development, Imbibe, calls sugar the world’s best masking flavor. “Adding a little bit of sweetness helps round out off-notes from botanicals, vitamins, minerals and plant-based proteins,” he said.

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