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

#Trendspotting December: Brain Boosting and Body Enhancing Ingredients to Watch in 2018

December 2017 Trendspotting: Brain Boosting and Body Enhancing Ingredients to Watch in 2018 from Imbibe on Vimeo.

Balanced Body and Mind

 

 

Floral ingredients like lavender, which supports stress relief, and elderflower, which has anti-inflammatory properties, will be more common in beverages like teas, lattes, juices and cocktails.

Who does it well: Belvoir Fruit FarmsSippLori’s OriginalLavender Pond Farm

   

Curcumin (the main active ingredient in turmeric) has anti-inflammatory properties and will be found in beverages, or as an extracted ingredient.

Who does it well: AryaTemple Turmeric

   

Adaptogens generated buzz in 2017 because of their ability to help the body adapt to stressful situations by lowering cortisol levels. Keep an eye out for adaptogens like ashwagandha and maca in 2018.

Who does it well: REBBLBlue BuddhaCalifia Farms

   

Mushrooms like chaga, cordyceps, and reishi are also adaptogens, and the next “it” ingredients from the mushroom family. They’re rich in antioxidants, and are associated with stimulating the immune system.

Who does it well: Four SigmaticHealth-Aid KombuchaREBBL

Performance Boost

 

 

Another novel application for mushrooms is MycoTechnology’s vegan mushroom protein PureTaste. It secured $35 million in funding to go to market, which suggests new products that incorporate mushroom protein are on the horizon.

 

 

Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) oil are suggested to support cognitive health, and to convert energy into carbs faster because they’re easier to digest. Expect to see MCT oil in coffee (specifically butter coffee) and creamers.

Who does it well: Caveman Coffee CoOn ItKnow Brainer

 

 

As demand for cognitive function grows, expect more nootropic ingredients like L-Theanine, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, B12 and Ginko Biloba in beverages.

Who does it well: truBrainNeuroLGND 

Beauty and Detox

 

Beauty enhancing ingredients are becoming more mainstream, and collagen is the rising star. Collagen supports the enhancement of hair, skin and nails.

Who does it well: Vital ProteinsBeauty and GoEviva

 

Activated charcoal is garnering a lot of attention because it is said to absorb everything that hits your digestive tract, which can be very detoxifying.

Who does it well: Dirty LemonSol tiTGI Fridays (LTO)

We’ll be releasing more predictions in the New Year. Keep an eye out for January Trendspotting for 2018 Trends to Watch!

Want help developing a plant-based beverage? Contact us today.

Keep Reading:

Candy-inspired Flavors are Reshaping Functional Beverages

There's a reason blue raspberry still stops people in their tracks. And the ability to drop a consumer back into one of those moments — in the first sip of a functional beverage — turns out to be one of...
READ MORE

Decoding Flavor: Imbibe’s Lauren Senne on Taste Modulation, Bitter Blockers, and What It Really Takes to Formulate Great Beverages

Taste modulation is its own discipline. Maskers and bitter blockers aren't the same thing — bitter blockers work at the receptor level, physically blocking the signal, while maskers shift the overall flavor system.
READ MORE

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

Notice: Holiday Closure

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

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.