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BSFunctional Drinks Targeting Gut Health With Beverages 202108231902428468
BSFunctional Drinks Targeting Gut Health With Beverages 202108231902428468
Functional Drinks:
Targeting Gut Health
with Beverages
briefing series
2021
provided to [email protected] on 23 Aug 2021 19:02 (UTC)
Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 3
The Gut Gateway........................................................................................................................ 4
Biotic Boom ................................................................................................................................ 4
The Fermentation Factor ............................................................................................................ 5
Dietary Demands ........................................................................................................................ 5
Personalized Solutions ............................................................................................................... 6
The Benefits of Beverages .......................................................................................................... 6
Processing Probiotics .................................................................................................................. 7
Label Consciousness ................................................................................................................... 7
Furthermore, they’re looking for personalized solutions that speak to their specific needs.
Research by ADM found that 84% of consumers believe mental health is as important as
physical wellbeing, and 31% of consumers are now purchasing items tailored for their
health.
With scientific knowledge advancing, gut health’s importance has moved to the forefront
as key to meeting these various demands. “Consumers have a greater understanding of
the foundational role that the gut microbiome may have on individual aspects of health,
such as metabolic health, immune function, and the impact on overall emotional
wellbeing,” explains June Lin, ADM global vice president of marketing, health and
wellness. “Research is uncovering how factors associated with the gut microbiome can
Accordingly, digestive health is a widespread consumer concern, says Vicky Davies, global
marketing director of performance and active nutrition at FrieslandCampina Ingredients.
“One-quarter of consumers globally suffer from digestive health issues,” Davies explains.
“Scientific research has advanced massively in recent years, and we are beginning to have
a much more comprehensive understanding of the role our gut plays in overall wellbeing.”
In addition, consumers now realize that digestive health problems can affect anyone, not
just those with “unhealthy” lifestyles. Davies notes that gut health can be affected by many
factors, such as medicine, diet, lifestyle, stress, and even gender.
Today’s consumers prefer to tackle potential problems in a preventative way, with more
Biotic Boom
In the wake of COVID-19, ADM research has found that consumers are more interested in
prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics and their interplay with the gut microbiome. Lin
notes that they’re seeking functional ingredients to help sustain energy, improve cognitive
function, enhance mood, complement fitness goals, target specific dietary needs, and
bridge nutritional gaps. Beverage formulations are particularly amenable to the
incorporation of functional ingredients, making them nutrient-dense delivery systems.
Davies agrees that probiotics, as well as pre- and postbiotics, have various applications,
with potential benefits across the wellbeing spectrum. “Probiotics are certainly the hero
ingredient when it comes to formulating new products for gut health,” she says.
“Consumers already have some understanding of the benefits of probiotics, we have seen
wide acceptance of them in yogurt, for example, so there is a huge opportunity for brands
to capitalize on this interest and create novel products, such as beverages, that leverage
their benefits.”
Lallemand also offers probiotics and postbiotics that work with the gut-brain axis, boosting
mood and improving psychological signs related to stress. Lin points to increasing clinical
research that links factors associated with the gut microbiome to other aspects of wellness,
such as weight management, immune function, and cognition, in addition to emotional
wellbeing. “Our BPL1 probiotic and HT-BPL1 postbiotic have undergone human clinical
studies that have shown positive results on factors that are associated with metabolic
health, such as a reduction in waist circumference and BMI,” Lin notes.
Some of these bioactive molecules may have gut health benefits, and beverages are an
ideal way to deliver fermented ingredients for gut health. For example, Lallemand Gastro-
AD is a food supplement based on non-GMO soy fermented by the Lactobacillus strain L.
delbrueckii R-187 (Rosell-187).
Dietary Demands
For vegan consumers, or those struggling with common health issues like lactose
intolerance, high cholesterol, or allergies to dairy proteins, Wozniak recommends that gut
health beverages incorporate non-animal milk based products.
“Plant based beverages with probiotics that can help with plant protein digestibility are a
great combination,” she says. “Documented probiotics for the immune system and gut
health can complement the beverage’s health value.”
Meanwhile, when ADM research showed that fiber is the number one ingredient
consumers want to add to their diets (to boost digestion, weight management, and satiety),
the company developed Fibersol to incorporate soluble fiber into beverages.
“Each gut microbiome is as distinctive as a fingerprint, and personalized nutrition can help
maintain a healthy gut and help individuals meet targeted wellness goals,” she explains.
“As consumers lead increasingly busy lives, functional products that provide convenient,
balanced, and personalized solutions will continue to gain momentum.”
Davies believes that today’s consumers are also looking to treat wellness in a holistic
manner, targeting multiple aspects of health with one solution. “Personalization is a key
trend driving all areas of health and nutrition, and digestive health is no exception,” she
says. “Looking ahead, gut health solutions that are tailored to people’s lifestyles and
For example, a beverage shot that combines probiotics with whey protein can be a great
solution for the elderly or those with reduced appetites. This can help them maintain
muscle mass and mobility while supporting digestive health.
On the other hand, athletes also often report digestive health issues, so combining whey
proteins with probiotics that support digestive health with muscle recovery ingredients can
aid in better performance for them too.
Lin agrees that beverages are a quick, delicious way to consume essential nutrients.
Specifically, prebiotic fiber, probiotics, postbiotics, and whole-food ingredients can help
enhance juices, sports and energy drinks, dairy beverages, and more.
Meanwhile, Wozniak points toward two of the world’s most popular plant based
beverages, coffee and tea, as perfect carriers for probiotics. “
Tea has a longstanding reputation as an innately healthy beverage, and adding probiotics
is a great way to reinforce its benefits,” she explains. “Studies also indicate polyphenols in
green and black tea may prevent cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and slow the effects of
aging. Kombucha, a fermented solution, is another great drink for adding probiotics.”
Dhanraj adds that incorporating additional nutrients in liquid form requires that the
nutrients be in a less-complex structure (i.e., a soy protein isolate instead of whole soybean
powder) that can deliver easily assimilated ingredients very quickly to the gut, without
much physical stress to the digestive system. Beverages can be ideal delivery systems for
gut health ingredients since they’re perceived as easily digestible.
“Some probiotics are less stable in heat or acidic conditions, meaning their fibers break
during processing, impacting their efficacy,” Davies says. “As a result, they’re not ideal for
Label Consciousness
Micah Greenhill, beverage marketing director at ADM, emphasizes that today’s consumers
“want it all” from functional beverages: from supporting their lifestyle, health, and
wellbeing (including weight management and mood) to delivering great taste and
essential nutrients. “Label-conscious shoppers want to see short lists dominated by
recognizable and wholesome ingredients that signal naturally occurring nutritional
benefits,” Greenhill notes.
ADM research also reflects that eight out of ten US consumers are engaged in sugar
reduction and, of that segment, 83% believe sugar reduction is even more important in
beverages, but they still want great taste. “Better for you beverages that satisfy flavor
cravings or provide comfort while supporting healthy digestion and other wellness goals
will be sure to gain consumer preference,” Greenhill predicts.
Meanwhile, Dhanraj adds that consumers are increasingly looking for multifunctional
beverages that are also vegan, gluten free, and clean label.
“They should provide nutrients and additional health benefits, such as immune health (i.e.,
using vitamin D and beta-glucan) or anti-stress or sleep formulations (i.e., a nighttime
product using melatonin),” she says.
While Davies agrees that reductions (such as low sugar or fewer, more recognizable
ingredients) are important, consumers are also looking for additions. “This means
combining ingredients to create targeted products that provide additional value,” she says.
“Last year, we developed a prebiotic protein water concept that combines Biotis GOS with
Nutri Whey Isolate Clear to provide a hydrating, high protein beverage that also supports
digestive health. As consumers are increasingly looking for more holistic ways to improve
their health, we expect demand for gut health solutions that provide something ‘extra’ to
keep growing.”
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